University Headquarters (HQ) is an industry-leading, independent educational organization that provides independent college rankings using a proprietary formula to create first class, unbiased rankings. The team at University HQ strives to provide accurate and trustworthy rankings that highlight the best associate degree programs.
Online associates degrees can be an important educational tool for individual advancement and a higher salary. It's the quickest post-secondary degree to achieve and the lowest in terms of cost, whether you gain the degree on-campus or online. There are three types of online associate degree types and the differences reflect the purpose of the education. Some online degrees prepare the student to go to work as skilled employees in their fields. Other associate degrees prepare students for work but also for further education. If you choose an online associate degree when you begin college, you can still look forward to high level academics, receiving financial aid, and access to all the campus amenities such as the library, alumni programs, a diverse catalog of majors, well-trained faculty, athletics, and a packed events and academic calendar to support your student life.
The first and easiest undergraduate degrees a student can earn are online associates degrees. An associate degree can open more doors in comparison to only having a high school degree. Each level of higher education you obtain, not only opens more doors, but also creates more opportunities to increase your income and wealth according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What are the Best Online Associate Programs?
1
Purdue University
Score: 84.67
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,992
- Out-of-State:$28,794
- Net Price: $12,576
- Acceptance Rate: 53%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 83%
- Total Enrollment: 51,528
- Undergrad Students: 38,593
- Graduate Students: 12,935
- Grads Salary: $83,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
2
Brigham Young University
Score: 81.86
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,496
- Out-of-State:$6,496
- Net Price: $13,521
- Acceptance Rate: 67%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 79%
- Total Enrollment: 34,464
- Undergrad Students: 31,411
- Graduate Students: 3,053
- Grads Salary: $83,000
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
3
Humphreys University-Stockton and Modesto
Score: 75.53
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,760
- Out-of-State:$14,760
- Net Price: $18,306
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 100%
- Graduation Rate: 75%
- Total Enrollment: 393
- Undergrad Students: 159
- Graduate Students: 234
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 7:1
4
LeTourneau University
Score: 74.93
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $35,500
- Out-of-State:$35,500
- Net Price: $26,974
- Acceptance Rate: 49%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 3,536
- Undergrad Students: 3,350
- Graduate Students: 186
- Grads Salary: $87,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
5
American Public University System
Score: 71.64
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,400
- Out-of-State:$8,400
- Net Price: $11,172
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 55%
- Total Enrollment: 48,668
- Undergrad Students: 39,206
- Graduate Students: 9,462
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 24:1
6
Concordia University-Wisconsin
Score: 70.44
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $34,250
- Out-of-State:$34,250
- Net Price: $24,485
- Acceptance Rate: 70%
- Retention Rate: 78%
- Graduation Rate: 66%
- Total Enrollment: 4,988
- Undergrad Students: 2,817
- Graduate Students: 2,171
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
7
University of St. Thomas-Houston
Score: 70.24
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $33,660
- Out-of-State:$33,660
- Net Price: $19,207
- Acceptance Rate: 97%
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Graduation Rate: 66%
- Total Enrollment: 3,588
- Undergrad Students: 2,646
- Graduate Students: 942
- Grads Salary: $78,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
8
Indiana Wesleyan University
Score: 69.78
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $31,168
- Out-of-State:$31,168
- Net Price: $21,755
- Acceptance Rate: 87%
- Retention Rate: 78%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 2,603
- Undergrad Students: 2,236
- Graduate Students: 367
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
9
Monroe College
Score: 69.75
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $17,922
- Out-of-State:$17,922
- Net Price: $9,157
- Acceptance Rate: 60%
- Retention Rate: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 56%
- Total Enrollment: 7,011
- Undergrad Students: 5,916
- Graduate Students: 1,095
- Grads Salary: $69,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
10
Elizabethtown College
Score: 69.7
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $36,842
- Out-of-State:$36,842
- Net Price: $26,723
- Acceptance Rate: 81%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 76%
- Total Enrollment: 2,021
- Undergrad Students: 1,737
- Graduate Students: 284
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
11
New Mexico State University
Score: 69.56
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,147
- Out-of-State:$25,271
- Net Price: $10,407
- Acceptance Rate: 78%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 51%
- Total Enrollment: 14,268
- Undergrad Students: 11,591
- Graduate Students: 2,677
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
12
Ohio University
Score: 68.85
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,746
- Out-of-State:$24,114
- Net Price: $20,207
- Acceptance Rate: 87%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 65%
- Total Enrollment: 24,145
- Undergrad Students: 18,113
- Graduate Students: 6,032
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
13
Penn State World Campus
Score: 68.7
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,204
- Out-of-State:$15,204
- Net Price: $19,551
- Acceptance Rate: 82%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 36%
- Total Enrollment: 13,979
- Undergrad Students: 8,210
- Graduate Students: 5,769
- Grads Salary: $94,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
14
Immaculata University
Score: 68.07
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $28,550
- Out-of-State:$28,550
- Net Price: $29,188
- Acceptance Rate: 70%
- Retention Rate: 83%
- Graduation Rate: 61%
- Total Enrollment: 2,361
- Undergrad Students: 1,496
- Graduate Students: 865
- Grads Salary: $78,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
15
Utah State University
Score: 67.87
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,228
- Out-of-State:$24,802
- Net Price: $14,577
- Acceptance Rate: 94%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 54%
- Total Enrollment: 27,943
- Undergrad Students: 24,835
- Graduate Students: 3,108
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
16
Herzing University-Brookfield
Score: 67.87
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,420
- Out-of-State:$13,420
- Net Price: $17,553
- Acceptance Rate: 95%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 60%
- Total Enrollment: 394
- Undergrad Students: 392
- Graduate Students: 2
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
17
Lipscomb University
Score: 67.69
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $38,824
- Out-of-State:$38,824
- Net Price: $27,937
- Acceptance Rate: 71%
- Retention Rate: 84%
- Graduation Rate: 69%
- Total Enrollment: 4,704
- Undergrad Students: 2,955
- Graduate Students: 1,749
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
18
Eastern Kentucky University
Score: 67.45
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,130
- Out-of-State:$20,820
- Net Price: $10,806
- Acceptance Rate: 64%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 49%
- Total Enrollment: 14,324
- Undergrad Students: 12,072
- Graduate Students: 2,252
- Grads Salary: $69,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
19
Trine University
Score: 67.35
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $35,600
- Out-of-State:$35,600
- Net Price: $24,276
- Acceptance Rate: 92%
- Retention Rate: 78%
- Graduation Rate: 65%
- Total Enrollment: 4,088
- Undergrad Students: 3,819
- Graduate Students: 269
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
20
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Score: 67.27
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,640
- Out-of-State:$22,752
- Net Price: $9,450
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 39%
- Total Enrollment: 6,607
- Undergrad Students: 5,636
- Graduate Students: 971
- Grads Salary: $82,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
21
Endicott College
Score: 66.78
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $39,212
- Out-of-State:$39,212
- Net Price: $39,496
- Acceptance Rate: 73%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 78%
- Total Enrollment: 4,006
- Undergrad Students: 3,062
- Graduate Students: 944
- Grads Salary: $72,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
22
Bismarck State College
Score: 66.56
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,195
- Out-of-State:$7,279
- Net Price: $11,309
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Graduation Rate: 51%
- Total Enrollment: 3,771
- Undergrad Students: 3,771
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
23
Florida Gateway College
Score: 66.16
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,100
- Out-of-State:$11,747
- Net Price: $3,079
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 64%
- Total Enrollment: 2,706
- Undergrad Students: 2,706
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $52,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
24
Champlain College
Score: 65.94
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $45,550
- Out-of-State:$45,550
- Net Price: $35,133
- Acceptance Rate: 56%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 64%
- Total Enrollment: 3,543
- Undergrad Students: 3,060
- Graduate Students: 483
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
25
Dakota State University
Score: 65.7
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,633
- Out-of-State:$12,735
- Net Price: $17,977
- Acceptance Rate: 79%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 49%
- Total Enrollment: 3,241
- Undergrad Students: 2,757
- Graduate Students: 484
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
26
Chaminade University of Honolulu
Score: 65.56
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $29,970
- Out-of-State:$29,970
- Net Price: $27,315
- Acceptance Rate: 93%
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Graduation Rate: 66%
- Total Enrollment: 2,369
- Undergrad Students: 1,583
- Graduate Students: 786
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
27
Herzing University-Minneapolis
Score: 65.19
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,420
- Out-of-State:$13,420
- Net Price: $19,527
- Acceptance Rate: 94%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 71%
- Total Enrollment: 815
- Undergrad Students: 808
- Graduate Students: 7
- Grads Salary: $60,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
28
Rasmussen University-Minnesota
Score: 64.91
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,899
- Out-of-State:$10,899
- Net Price: $17,858
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 100%
- Graduation Rate: 48%
- Total Enrollment: 3,058
- Undergrad Students: 2,649
- Graduate Students: 409
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
29
Northern Michigan University
Score: 64.8
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,304
- Out-of-State:$18,800
- Net Price: $17,346
- Acceptance Rate: 71%
- Retention Rate: 73%
- Graduation Rate: 53%
- Total Enrollment: 6,970
- Undergrad Students: 6,434
- Graduate Students: 536
- Grads Salary: $68,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
30
Northern State University
Score: 64.75
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,845
- Out-of-State:$11,947
- Net Price: $17,264
- Acceptance Rate: 78%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 51%
- Total Enrollment: 3,344
- Undergrad Students: 2,851
- Graduate Students: 493
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
31
Weber State University
Score: 64.72
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,391
- Out-of-State:$17,084
- Net Price: $10,525
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 68%
- Graduation Rate: 42%
- Total Enrollment: 29,914
- Undergrad Students: 28,903
- Graduate Students: 1,011
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
32
Rasmussen University-North Dakota
Score: 64.51
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,715
- Out-of-State:$12,715
- Net Price: $17,412
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 100%
- Graduation Rate: 55%
- Total Enrollment: 496
- Undergrad Students: 467
- Graduate Students: 29
- Grads Salary: $63,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
33
Drury University
Score: 64.46
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $35,235
- Out-of-State:$35,235
- Net Price: $20,996
- Acceptance Rate: 63%
- Retention Rate: 78%
- Graduation Rate: 64%
- Total Enrollment: 1,595
- Undergrad Students: 1,375
- Graduate Students: 220
- Grads Salary: $59,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
34
University of Alaska Anchorage
Score: 63.31
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,566
- Out-of-State:$21,693
- Net Price: $15,609
- Acceptance Rate: 65%
- Retention Rate: 66%
- Graduation Rate: 30%
- Total Enrollment: 10,464
- Undergrad Students: 9,925
- Graduate Students: 539
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
35
Saint Leo University
Score: 63.11
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $28,360
- Out-of-State:$28,360
- Net Price: $20,390
- Acceptance Rate: 80%
- Retention Rate: 54%
- Graduation Rate: 49%
- Total Enrollment: 10,242
- Undergrad Students: 7,320
- Graduate Students: 2,922
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
36
Mitchell Technical College
Score: 63
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,524
- Out-of-State:$7,524
- Net Price: $12,101
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 81%
- Graduation Rate: 71%
- Total Enrollment: 1,203
- Undergrad Students: 1,203
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $46,900
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
37
University of the Cumberlands
Score: 62.95
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,875
- Out-of-State:$9,875
- Net Price: $14,337
- Acceptance Rate: 83%
- Retention Rate: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 44%
- Total Enrollment: 18,053
- Undergrad Students: 5,174
- Graduate Students: 12,879
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
38
Brescia University
Score: 62.47
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $30,450
- Out-of-State:$30,450
- Net Price: $16,127
- Acceptance Rate: 50%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 43%
- Total Enrollment: 646
- Undergrad Students: 551
- Graduate Students: 95
- Grads Salary: $63,000
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
39
Franklin University
Score: 62.42
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,577
- Out-of-State:$9,577
- Net Price: $18,989
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 50%
- Graduation Rate: 49%
- Total Enrollment: 8,044
- Undergrad Students: 5,647
- Graduate Students: 2,397
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
40
Franklin Pierce University
Score: 62.35
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $44,963
- Out-of-State:$44,963
- Net Price: $28,434
- Acceptance Rate: 93%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 52%
- Total Enrollment: 1,663
- Undergrad Students: 1,118
- Graduate Students: 545
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
41
Campbell University
Score: 62.3
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $40,410
- Out-of-State:$40,410
- Net Price: $24,280
- Acceptance Rate: 89%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 56%
- Total Enrollment: 5,272
- Undergrad Students: 2,965
- Graduate Students: 2,307
- Grads Salary: $68,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
42
Saint Johns River State College
Score: 62.27
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,830
- Out-of-State:$10,352
- Net Price: $6,187
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 66%
- Graduation Rate: 43%
- Total Enrollment: 6,434
- Undergrad Students: 6,434
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $65,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
43
St. Petersburg College
Score: 62.14
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,682
- Out-of-State:$9,286
- Net Price: $2,132
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 38%
- Total Enrollment: 23,501
- Undergrad Students: 23,501
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $63,000
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
44
Lewis-Clark State College
Score: 62.09
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,388
- Out-of-State:$21,386
- Net Price: $11,476
- Acceptance Rate: 87%
- Retention Rate: 63%
- Graduation Rate: 35%
- Total Enrollment: 3,746
- Undergrad Students: 3,744
- Graduate Students: 2
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
45
Idaho State University
Score: 61.97
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,356
- Out-of-State:$27,466
- Net Price: $12,425
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Graduation Rate: 37%
- Total Enrollment: 12,301
- Undergrad Students: 10,017
- Graduate Students: 2,284
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
46
University of Providence
Score: 61.97
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $29,018
- Out-of-State:$29,018
- Net Price: $22,318
- Acceptance Rate: 95%
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Graduation Rate: 41%
- Total Enrollment: 955
- Undergrad Students: 593
- Graduate Students: 362
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 7:1
47
Seminole State College of Florida
Score: 61.88
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,227
- Out-of-State:$11,447
- Net Price: $3,144
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 66%
- Graduation Rate: 43%
- Total Enrollment: 14,323
- Undergrad Students: 14,323
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $62,000
- Student-to-faculty: 26:1
48
Northwest Nazarene University
Score: 61.74
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $39,370
- Out-of-State:$39,370
- Net Price: $25,674
- Acceptance Rate: 88%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 58%
- Total Enrollment: 1,778
- Undergrad Students: 1,140
- Graduate Students: 638
- Grads Salary: $67,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
49
Miami Dade College
Score: 61.71
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,838
- Out-of-State:$9,661
- Net Price: $5,478
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 68%
- Graduation Rate: 45%
- Total Enrollment: 47,245
- Undergrad Students: 47,245
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $61,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
50
Arkansas Tech University
Score: 61.54
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,508
- Out-of-State:$14,502
- Net Price: $12,016
- Acceptance Rate: 94%
- Retention Rate: 63%
- Graduation Rate: 49%
- Total Enrollment: 9,445
- Undergrad Students: 8,722
- Graduate Students: 723
- Grads Salary: $64,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
The Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) Degree
Arts and Science online associate degrees provide general education in addition to some focused coursework; both of these degrees, whether online or not, can be a foundation for further education. Many students will be able to transfer their entire academic achievement in their associate degree program toward bachelor’s degrees of whichever type they choose. The difference between the AA and the AS associate degree is in the curriculum. Both associate degrees require some general education like writing, reading, English, and a foreign language. The AS degree adds science, math, computer science, or a physical science to the curriculum. Both online programs provide a foundation similar to two years of work towards nearly any bachelor’s degrees.
Types of Associate Degrees:
- Associate of Arts (AA)
- Associate of Science (AS)
- Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
- Associate in Arts (A.A.) vs Associate in Science (A.S.) degree
What is the difference between an AA vs. AS vs. AAS?
The general difference between an AA, AS, and AAS relates to the curriculum content for each online degree. The AA and AS prepare students for a four-year college education. The courses are meant to broaden the student’s knowledge of English, literature, cultures, and world languages. Educational goals include insight, analysis, and critical thinking.
- AA - online associate degrees resemble the first two years of a four-year liberal arts program in a humanities discipline. Students take general education courses and then focus on social science, cultural studies, and life sciences.
- AS - online associate degrees resemble the first two years of a four-year science or math-based program, such as physical sciences or environmental studies. Students get a range of general education courses and some focus on science and mathematics.
- AAS - online associate degrees reduce the general education to a minimum and gives maximum time to a specialized area such as accounting, automotive mechanics, computer technology, nursing, and electronics. Many of these are not best learned 100% through online learning because of the hands-on component, though they can all include online courses.
What is the Difference Between an Online Associate's Degree and Bachelor’s Degree?
Online associate degrees usually take less time than bachelor's degrees (usually about half the hours and years to complete) and require fewer courses. An associate degree generally follows a two-year plan, 60 credit hours, and preparation for work or school. A bachelor’s degree is usually considered the full entry-level degree to a wide range of occupations. Bachelor’s degree programs prepare students for the expert levels of online master’s degrees. Both of these can be sped through online, flexible learning.