2019 Best Online Colleges for Associate Degrees

Located in Clovis, New Mexico, Clovis Community College provides affordable options for students both in-state and out-of-state to pursue an online associate degree. They are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offer 11 online associate degrees across the fields of behavioral science, business administration, computer information systems, early childhood education, general studies, legal assistant studies, and liberal arts. These programs prepare students to enter the workforce or transfer to a four-year institution to pursue a bachelor s degree. Tuition per credit hour is $44 in-district, $54 out-of-district, and $111 out-of-state. Full-time students (earning 12 18 credits) pay a flat rate per semester of $528, $648, or $1,332 per their respective residency statuses.

Kansas City Kansas Community College offers 24 affordable online associate degrees and is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission. Distance students taking online classes are expected to log in at least three times per week, and spend at least six hours per week on each course. Class content is accessible 24/7 but most courses are not self-paced and do have set deadlines. Online programs include associate degrees in accounting, science, general studies, and other subjects. Associate degrees are between 60 and 67 credits in length, and usually take two years of full-time enrollment to complete. Tuition is $88 per credit hour.

Western Nebraska Community College has been educating students for over 90 years. Its budding online program offers working adults alternatives to on-campus class attendance. They offer several affordable online associate degree options, including a comprehensive program in information technology. This program offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Information Technology Technical Support, an Associate of Arts in Information Technology, an Associate of Arts in Cyber Security, and an Associate of Science in Computer Science. Online students have the option to watch classes in real-time or watch recordings at a later date. A dedicated eHelp center provides technical assistance to students having trouble logging into school web pages.

Albany State University offers 22 affordable online degree programs at the associate level. Each program requires an average of 62-65 credits for completion. At a cost of $118 per credit hour, the total cost for completing these associate degrees is between $7,316 and $7,670. An online support specialist is available to help each prospective student apply their transfer units and map their courses and schedule. While most of the associate degrees are 100% online, some associate degrees only offer core courses online and require in-person attendance for the remainder of the units. Distance associate degree programs are offered in biological science, health information technology, medical laboratory technology, and additional subjects.

Georgia State University is an Atlanta-based institution offering affordable online associate degrees through Perimeter College Online. Students can choose between 17 different majors, including business administration, general studies, journalism, social work, and world languages. Accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), an associate degree from GSU/PCO prepares students to transfer to a four-year institution to complete their studies. Tuition per credit hour is $121 regardless of whether students live in-state.

Southeast Community College is a low-cost, two-year school offering both technical and academic programs. Students can choose from online associate degree programs in computer information technology, business administration, respiratory care, and several other subjects. The business administration degree has been online for over 15 years and was one of the original online degrees for the university. The radiologic technology, respiratory care, and surgical care AAS programs each allow qualified students to attend clinical labs in their vicinity, though students may have to spend a few days on campus during their course studies.

Arkansas Northeastern College is a two-year institution in Blytheville offering students the opportunity to earn an associate degree online. The school is accredited through the Higher Learning Commission and offers general studies degrees, as well as concentrations in criminal justice, business, criminology, and early childhood education. Earning an associate degree online through ANC prepares students to transfer to a four-year institution to complete a bachelor s degree in their chosen discipline, though students looking to pursue immediate entry-level employment can do so through the criminal justice program. Credit hours cost $70 in-county, $80 out-of-county, and $129 for out-of-state and international students.

Affordability and quality are the hallmarks of education at Northeast Community College. Online students will find that they are supported by a plethora of web-based services, including academic support and advising, counseling, disability, and career services. A number of two-year associate degrees are available online, including an Associate of Applied Science degree in Business. Most associate degrees require about 60 credits for completion, with core courses accounting for roughly one-third of those credits. Financial aid advisors assist each student as necessary to help them fund their education.

Lone Star College System is a public community college in northern Houston, Texas, offering affordable online associate degrees. Their open enrollment policy provides nearly all students with the chance to pursue higher education. The school has 15 different associate degrees in areas such as teaching, business, computer programming, web design, and more. Some courses prepare students for the workforce, whereas others are designed to be academic transfer degrees. LSCS is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. Students pay per credit hour at rates of $96 in-district, $191 out-of-district, and $252 out-of-state or international.

Cochise College is a two-year public institution in Arizona offering 17 online associate degrees. The community college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, with available majors including economics, English, social and behavioral sciences, business management, and computer programming. Online classes take place on a typical semester schedule with weekly assignments. Cochise College partners with all three of Arizona's state universities and numerous other four-year institutions to provide a seamless transfer for those wishing to complete their baccalaureate studies. Tuition per credit hour for online courses is $118 in-state and $133 out-of-state.

Great Basin College is a four-year institution based in Elko, Nevada, where students can earn associate degrees fully online. The school is accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and offers associate of arts, sciences, and applied sciences degrees. Degrees from GBC are recognized in all 50 states, making it easy for students to transfer to other colleges nationwide to complete their bachelor s. The school provides a variety of online instruction courses, including LiveNet classes that meet at a specific time via the internet and interactive video classes (IAV) that use live video streaming to include remote students in on-campus lectures. Online tuition per credit hour is $98.75 for Nevada residents and $148.25 for non-residents.

Dakota College at Bottineau is a community college in North Dakota offering online associate degrees in 12 disciplines. Students can earn a general AS or AA degree, or they can choose a degree with a focus, such as accounting technology, photography, or urban forest management. Any of these associate degrees will prepare the student to transfer to a four-year institution to complete a bachelor s degree. Some of DCB s associate degrees are designed to prepare students for direct entry into the workforce, such as the administrative assistant and paraprofessional educator disciplines. DCB is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and online tuition is $150.30 per credit hour.

Hutchinson Community College is a two-year institution in Hutchinson, Kentucky that provides students with the chance to earn an associate degree online. Whether a student does not have time to commute to campus or lives halfway across the country, online degrees through HCC provide the flexibility many students need to meet their academic goals. HCC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers flexible start dates for courses of various lengths. Professors and staff maintain close communication with online students to ensure they succeed, even at a distance. In-state students pay $110 per credit hour and out-of-state students pay $141 per credit hour.

Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Texas offers 11 different Associate of Arts degrees that are fully online. Students who wish to study remotely can choose between the general studies track and a focus in fields such as business, criminal justice, and education. These associate degrees prepare students for the workforce or continuing their studies in a bachelor s program. TJC s core curriculum program is a 42-credit certificate which guarantees students can apply these classes to the general education requirements of any other public college or university in Texas. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Tuition per credit hour is $141.

Barton County Community College is a two-year institution in Great Bend, Kansas with a wide range of associate degrees that can be earned 100% online. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, they offer a general studies degree as well as 47 concentrations in the fields of business, IT, education, health professions, humanities and social sciences, and more. With flexible four, six, eight, and 16 week long classes, most BCCC students are able to complete their associate degree in about a year. The cost per credit hour is $150, making pursuing a degree at BCCC a fast and cost-effective way to work towards a bachelor's degree.

Metropolitan Community College in Omaha, Nebraska, is a two-year institution offering online associate degrees. They have 25 associate degree programs in the fields of accounting, business, computer technology, criminal justice, health information management systems, IT, liberal arts, and office technology. Many of these options are Associate in Applied Science degrees, which prepare individuals to begin a technical career. Others are intended for transfer to a four-year institution. Classes start and end on a regular semester schedule, but students can complete their weekly coursework on their own time. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Tuition per credit hour is $64 in-state and $96 out-of-state, which includes international students.

Pratt Community College is a two-year public institution in Kansas offering online associate degrees through cooperation with EDUKAN, an association of participating colleges. Through EDUKAN, students can earn an associate degree from PCC in accounting/business administration, secondary education, elementary education, liberal arts, or applied sciences. Students can use these degrees to begin their vocation or transfer to a four-year institution to complete a bachelor s degree. PCC and EDUKAN are accredited through the Higher Learning Commission. Cost per credit hour is $150 regardless of state residency.

Spokane Community College in Washington offers a variety of online associate degrees that prepare students for an entry-level career or transfer to a four-year institution. Students can pursue programs in accounting, business, software management, and more, earning a degree from an institution accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Some classes are flexible, letting students work whenever is convenient, while others have scheduled online class times. The school hosts an active online student community, where distance learners can interact with their peers and find valuable learning resources. Online students also have access to early registration and student success coaches.

Ivy Tech Community College in central Indiana is a two-year institution with affordable distance learning options for non-traditional students. They offer 19 different associate degree programs that are fully online, including accounting, criminal justice, entrepreneurship, and software development. Online student support services include 24/7 tutoring provided by Tutor.com. The school is accredited through the Higher Learning Commission and charges $140.61 per credit hour for in-state tuition. Out-of-state students save money when they attend online classes, paying $164.90 per credit hour instead of the $275.08 charged for on-campus classes.

Minnesota State College Southeast is a community college providing distance learning options for students looking to earn an associate degree from home, before entering the workforce or transferring to another school to complete a bachelor's. In addition to online technical programs and certificates, they currently offer nine different associate degrees in the fields of accounting, administrative support, computer aided design, cyber security, education, medical support, and software development. Students log on to the online classroom each week, participate in class discussions, and submit homework as outlined in the syllabus. MSCS is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and does not charge out-of-state tuition, so all students pay $167.29 per credit hour.

Atlantic Cape Community College was the first two-year institution in New Jersey to provide fully-online associate degree programs. These flexible learning options provide individuals with busy work schedules the opportunity to pursue higher education from an institution with accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Students can earn an AS, AAS, or AA in 23 different disciplines including business administration, computer programming, criminal justice, English, and child development. Many of these courses allow students to work at their own pace, whenever they find time in their weekly schedule. Tuition for online credit hours is $163, which is significantly cheaper than the out-of-state tuition rate on campus.

Northwest Mississippi Community College is a public, two-year institution in Senatobia providing online associate degree programs for adults and other non-traditional students. They offer 16 fully online majors in both academic and technical disciplines. Popular programs include criminal justice, business administration, and paralegal studies, which prepare students for transfer to a four-year institution to complete a baccalaureate degree if desired. NWCC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. Tuition is the same for both on-campus and online courses. The cost per credit hour is $125 in-state and $225 out-of-state, with full-time tuition capped at $1,500 and $2,700 respectively.

Iowa Western Community College is based in Council Bluffs and offers 38 affordable associate degrees that are almost entirely online. Students can earn a two-year degree in accounting, business administration, computer science, education, psychology, and more. Many students will transfer to a four-year institution to complete their bachelor s. A general studies AA or AS from IWCC allows students to fulfill general education requirements while exploring new interests before they select a major. Online classes follow a regular semester schedule, so students are expected to complete weekly work. Accredited through the Higher Learning Commission, IWCC is also completing the Academic Quality Improvement Program to provide students with an even better educational experience. Cost per credit hour is $169 in-state and $174 out-of-state.

Lake Region State College in North Dakota is a public institution offering two-year degrees that can be earned entirely online. In addition to a general AA degree, the following programs are available: business administration, early childhood education, fitness trainer technician, law enforcement and speech language pathology paraprofessional. These online programs were designed with working adults in mind, so coursework can be completed at any time of the day or week. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, providing students with degrees they can easily transfer into a baccalaureate college. Tuition is $195 per credit hour. LRSC charges the same tuition for students regardless of state residency.

Rowan College at Burlington County is a public community college in New Jersey with distance learning opportunities for working adults seeking higher education. They currently offer 14 online associate degrees in areas such as liberal arts, accounting, education, business management technology, and English. Students work with an academic advisor to select their courses and plan their transfer to a school where they can complete their bachelor s degree. RCBC has been accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Tuition per credit hour is $111 in-county, $127 out-of-county, and $192 out-of-state.