'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?
ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.
When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.
ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.
Best online associate degrees: Our top picks for 2022
Online associate degrees provide learners with a strong academic foundation on which to build. These typically two-year degrees include general education and your chosen major's fundamentals.
Associate programs can also be more affordable and easier to access than online college degrees. Many schools offer open admission policies.
Opting for an online associate degree adds another layer of convenience. You'll enjoy more flexibility than on-campus programs offer. Online learning features fewer travel requirements and more scheduling options.
With an associate degree, graduates can access entry-level positions and transfer paths to bachelor's programs.
Here, we explore the best online associate degrees.
Top 5 online associate degrees: Quick facts
College | Program stats | How much? |
Indianapolis, IN |
| Per credit hour: $149.55 in-state $292.57 out-of-state Application fee: Free |
Houston, TX |
| Per credit hour: $33 in-district $121 out-of-district $151 out-of-state Application fee: $75 |
El Paso, TX |
| Per credit hour: $116 in-state $201 out-of-state Application fee: Not publicly available |
Cuyahoga Community College District Cleveland, OH |
| Per credit hour: $119.54 in-county $149.08 out-of-county $286.19 out-of-state Application fee: Not publicly available |
Northern Virginia Community College Annandale, VA |
| Per credit hour: $180.40 in-state $359.65 out-of-state Application fee: Free |
How can I afford an associate degree?
There are many ways to cover the costs of an associate degree, including applying and qualifying for federal student aid via FAFSA. Active duty military and National Guard service professionals and their spouses may have access to military support funding, such as the GI Bill benefits. Some employers provide tuition reimbursement programs for employees to pursue education as well.
Other options include private loans and scholarships and grants. You can apply for scholarships through government agencies, schools, and private organizations. We've gathered dozens of scholarships at the links below. Make sure you review the requirements for each award before applying.
The best online associate programs
To determine the best online associate programs, we apply ZDNet's ranking methodology to our carefully curated school and program lists. We use federally reported and publicly available data from reputable sources.
Unless otherwise indicated, data is drawn from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and College Scorecard. Note that for public colleges, the average annual net price given is for in-state students.
1. Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN
About the school: The online associate degrees at Ivy Tech Community College start every eight weeks. Some programs feature transfer paths to bachelor's programs at in-state institutions.
- Acceptance rate: 100%
- Graduation rate: 19%
- Avg. annual net price: $7,669
- Time to completion: Two to three years
- Avg. SAT range for admitted students: Not publicly available
- Minimum GPA: 2.6
- Enrollment periods per year: Rolling
- Course delivery method: Asynchronous
Accreditation: Ivy Tech Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
2. Houston Community College
Houston, TX
About the school: The third-largest online community college in the country, Houston Community College features online associate degrees with 4-, 8-, 12-, and 16-week online courses.
- Acceptance rate: 100%
- Graduation rate: 17%
- Avg. annual net price: $4,813
- Time to completion: Two years
- Avg. SAT range for admitted students: Not publicly available
- Minimum GPA: Not publicly available
- Enrollment periods per year: Rolling
- Course delivery method: Asynchronous
Accreditation: Houston Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
3. El Paso Community College
El Paso, TX
About the school: El Paso Community College offers online course options for students pursuing associate degrees. The number of courses available online depends on the program.
- Acceptance rate: 100%
- Graduation rate: 21%
- Avg. annual net price: $3,848
- Time to completion: Two years
- Avg. SAT range for admitted students: No publicly available
- Minimum GPA: Not publicly available
- Enrollment periods per year: Three
- Course delivery method: Asynchronous
Accreditation: El Paso Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
4. Cuyahoga Community College District
Cleveland, OH
About the school: The Cuyahoga Community College District offers 100% online and blended online associate degrees featuring proctored exams and internship opportunities.
- Acceptance rate: 100%
- Graduation rate: 28%
- Avg. annual net price: $4,909
- Time to completion: Two to three years
- Avg. SAT range for admitted students: Not publicly available
- Minimum GPA: Not publicly available
- Enrollment periods per year: Three
- Course delivery method: Asynchronous and synchronous
Accreditation: Cuyahoga Community College District is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
5. Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale, VA
About the school: Northern Virginia Community College enrolls more than 20,000 students annually in its online associate degrees. Online courses vary in length from 4-15 weeks.
- Acceptance rate: 100%
- Graduation rate: 25%
- Avg. annual net price: $9,452
- Time to completion: Two years
- Avg. SAT range for admitted students: Not publicly available
- Minimum GPA: N/A
- Enrollment periods per year: Rolling
- Course delivery method: Asynchronous
Accreditation: Northern Virginia Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
6. Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, NM
About the school: Central New Mexico Community College offers online associate degrees in business, liberal arts, communication, cybersecurity, and criminology.
- Acceptance rate: 100%
- Graduation rate: 26%
- Avg. annual net price: $3,322
- Time to completion: One to three years
- Avg. SAT range for admitted students: Not publicly available
- Minimum GPA: 2.5
- Enrollment periods per year: Three
- Course delivery method: Asynchronous
Accreditation: Central New Mexico Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
7. Palo Alto College
San Antonio, TX
About the school: At Palo Alto College, learners have access to online associate degrees in applied science, the arts, and teaching.
- Acceptance rate: 100%
- Graduation rate: 16%
- Avg. annual net price: $5,601
- Time to completion: Two years
- Avg. SAT range for admitted students: Not publicly available
- Minimum GPA: Not publicly available
- Enrollment periods per year: Rolling
- Course delivery method: Asynchronous
Accreditation: Palo Alto College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
8. Copiah-Lincoln Community College
Wesson, MS
About the school: Online associate degrees at Copiah-Lincoln Community College are available in the humanities, business, social and health sciences, education, and career-technical disciplines.
- Acceptance rate: 100%
- Graduation rate: 34%
- Avg. annual net price: $3,833
- Time to completion: Two years
- Avg. SAT range for admitted students: Not publicly available
- Minimum GPA: Not publicly available
- Enrollment periods per year: Three
- Course delivery method: Asynchronous and synchronous
Accreditation: Copiah-Lincoln Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
9. Lake Area Technical College
Watertown, SD
About the school: The online associate degrees at Lake Area Technical College feature a hybrid delivery format, which requires students to attend campus for certain courses and practical experiences.
- Acceptance rate: 100%
- Graduation rate: 71%
- Avg. annual net price: $13,301
- Time to completion: Two years
- Avg. SAT range for admitted students: Not publicly available
- Minimum GPA: Not publicly available
- Enrollment periods per year: Two
- Course delivery method: Asynchronous
Accreditation: Lake Area Technical College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
10. Eastern Gateway Community College
Steubenville, OH
About the school: Eastern Gateway Community College provides online associate degrees in health, public service, engineering, business, and education departments. Classes typically run throughout eight-week sessions within 8- to 16-week semesters.
- Acceptance rate: 100%
- Graduation rate: 20%
- Avg. annual net price: $2,543
- Time to completion: Two years
- Avg. SAT range for admitted students: Not publicly available
- Minimum GPA: Not publicly available
- Enrollment periods per year: Rolling
- Course delivery method: Asynchronous
Accreditation: Eastern Gateway Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
In conclusion
The best online associate degrees position graduates to enter many professional fields and academic disciplines. Associate programs offer many of the same disciplines as bachelor's programs, though the training is more generalized and centered on fundamentals.
Because of their cost, accessibility, and structure, associate programs are excellent paths to entry-level careers and continuing education.