Why This Matters
-
INCREASE YOUR EARNING POTENTIAL
Workers with an associate degree earn an average salary of $1,005 per week, while those with only a high school diploma earn $853. Over the course of a year, that’s a difference of nearly $8,000.
-
PREPARE FOR CAREERS IN SEVERAL FAST-GROWING INDUSTRIES
Many associate-level jobs, including diagnostic medical sonographer, dental hygienist, and environmental science technician, are expected to experience faster-than-average job growth through 2032.
-
EARN YOUR DEGREE IN AS LITTLE AS 2 YEARS
Most associate degree programs are designed to be completed in two years of full-time study, allowing for a quick entry into the workforce.
Our Research
For this list, we focused on institutions that offer associate degree programs, including community colleges, public and private universities, and technical institutes. We evaluated and ranked the institutions based on their cost, course offerings, reputation, faculty, and course delivery methods, including online, in-person, and hybrid courses.
The type of accreditation an institution has is particularly important for associate degrees, as many students use these programs to earn credits that they will transfer to other colleges to complete their bachelor’s degrees. The majority of schools on our list are regionally accredited, which have the most transferable credits, while others have national accreditation.
We evaluated each program on the basis of flexibility, faculty, course strength, cost, and reputation. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score for each program on a scale from 0 to 100. Our top picks for the best colleges with associate degree programs are affordable, respected, and flexible. (For a more extensive explanation, check out Our Ranking Methodology.)
- 71 hours to write this article
- 1,180 universities and colleges we assessed
- 1,284 education programs we compared
The Top 50 Colleges for Associate Degrees
intelligent score 99.27
Award
Rankings
#1 College Advisor
#4 College Factual
School Information
Lakeland, FL
Graduation Rate: 48%
Admission Rate: 45%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60-70
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$339 - $1,320
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
863-667-5018
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60-70
intelligent score 99.05
Award
Rankings
#1 College Factual
#8 College Advisor
School Information
Philadelphia, PA
Graduation Rate: 77%
Admission Rate: 78%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$623
accreditation
Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
215-951-2900
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 98.78
Award
Rankings
#3 College Factual
#26 College Advisor
School Information
New York, NY
Graduation Rate: 85%
Admission Rate: 13%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online, Hybrid
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$705
accreditation
Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
212-998-7100
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online, Hybrid
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 98.36
Award
Rankings
#7 College Factual
#24 College Advisor
School Information
West Lafayette, IN
Graduation Rate: 77%
Admission Rate: 69%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60-70
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $347
Non-Resident: $948
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
765-494-1776
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60-70
intelligent score 98.06
Award
Rankings
#17 College Advisor
#18 College Factual
School Information
Saint Louis, MO
Graduation Rate: 55%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60-63
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$675
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
314-286-4809
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60-63
intelligent score 97.86
Award
Rankings
#2 College Factual
School Information
Saint Louis, MO
Graduation Rate: 93%
Admission Rate: 13%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$710
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
314-935-6700
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 96.54
Award
Rankings
#5 College Factual
School Information
Bristol, RI
Graduation Rate: 63%
Admission Rate: 91%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online, Hybrid
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60-61
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$353
accreditation
New England Commission of Higher Education
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
401-254-3838
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online, Hybrid
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60-61
intelligent score 96.48
Award
Rankings
#6 College Factual
School Information
New York, NY
Graduation Rate: 73%
Admission Rate: 66%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60-65
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$1,873
accreditation
Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
212-229-5150
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60-65
intelligent score 96.35
Award
Rankings
#6 College Advisor
School Information
San Diego, CA
Graduation Rate: 36%
Admission Rate: 55%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$370
accreditation
WASC Senior College and University Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
855-355-6288
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 95.97
Award
Rankings
#8 College Factual
School Information
Raleigh, NC
Graduation Rate: 82%
Admission Rate: 47%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
61-67
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $272
Non-Resident: $1,225
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
919-515-3248
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
61-67
intelligent score 95.71
Award
Rankings
School Information
Marion, IN
Graduation Rate: 54%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Rural
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$305
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
866-468-6498
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 95
Award
Rankings
School Information
Santa Rosa, CA
Graduation Rate: 40%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $0
Non-Resident: $414
accreditation
Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges/Western Association of Schools and Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
707-778-4141
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 94.51
Award
Rankings
School Information
Washington, DC
Graduation Rate: 82%
Admission Rate: 50%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60-96
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$220
accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
833-334-0588
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60-96
intelligent score 93.78
Award
Rankings
School Information
Albemarle, NC
Graduation Rate: 28%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
In-State: $76
Out-of-State: $268
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
704-982-0121
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 93.76
Award
Rankings
School Information
Columbia, SC
Graduation Rate: 63%
Admission Rate: 46%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$1,115
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
803-807-5024
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 93.66
Award
Rankings
School Information
Coon Rapids, MN
Graduation Rate: 22%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60-69
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$164
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
763-433-1300
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60-69
intelligent score 92.88
Award
Rankings
School Information
Philadelphia, PA
Graduation Rate: 68%
Admission Rate: 77%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$1,325 - $1,767
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
800-222-3728
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 92.51
Award
Rankings
School Information
Bismarck, ND
Graduation Rate: 50%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
In-State: $173
Out-of-State: $303
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
701-224-5486
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 91.74
Award
Rankings
School Information
Baytown, TX
Graduation Rate: 48%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
66
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$354
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
281-427-5611
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
66
intelligent score 91.46
Award
Rankings
School Information
Blacksburg, VA
Graduation Rate: 85%
Admission Rate: 56%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
64
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $504
Non-Resident: $1,323
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
540-231-7649
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
64
intelligent score 88.07
Award
Rankings
School Information
Killeen, TX
Graduation Rate: 14%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$250
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
800-223-4760
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 87.94
Award
Rankings
School Information
New York, NY
Graduation Rate: 82%
Admission Rate: 52%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
31-60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
In-State: $220
Out-of-State: $661
accreditation
Council for Interior Design Accreditation
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
212-217-7999
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
31-60
intelligent score 86.91
Award
Rankings
School Information
Sonora, CA
Graduation Rate: 25%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Rural
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$346
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
573-875-8700
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 86.54
Award
Rankings
School Information
Syracuse, NY
Graduation Rate: 79%
Admission Rate: 65%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
64
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
In-State: $295
Out-of-State: $788
accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
315-470-6500
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
64
intelligent score 86.45
Award
Rankings
School Information
Redwood City, CA
Graduation Rate: 25%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $46
Non-Resident: $358
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
650-306-3226
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 84.92
Award
Rankings
School Information
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Graduation Rate: 56%
Admission Rate: 96%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$787 - $955
accreditation
Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
727-576-6500
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 84.86
Award
Rankings
School Information
Dallas, TX
Graduation Rate: 18%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60-61
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
In-State: $79 - $135
Out-of-State: $200
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
972-669-6400
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60-61
intelligent score 84.01
Award
Rankings
School Information
Manchester, NH
Graduation Rate: 36%
Admission Rate: 92%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$515
accreditation
New England Commission of Higher Education
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
603-645-9611
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 83.59
Award
Rankings
School Information
Overland Park, KS
Graduation Rate: 28%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
In-State: $97 - $143
Out-of-State: $228
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
913-469-8500
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 81.4
Award
Rankings
School Information
Saint Paul, MN
Graduation Rate: 62%
Admission Rate: 75%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
62
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$750
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
651-690-8700
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
62
intelligent score 81.11
Award
Rankings
School Information
Providence, RI
Graduation Rate: 42%
Admission Rate: 36%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
62
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$1,105
accreditation
New England Commission of Higher Education
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
800-342-5598
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
62
intelligent score 80.69
Award
Rankings
School Information
Kansas City, MO
Graduation Rate: 76%
Admission Rate: 67%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$698
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
816-501-4600
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 80.13
Award
Rankings
School Information
Waco, TX
Graduation Rate: 34%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus. Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
In-State: $307
Out-of-State: $461
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
800-792-8784
Delivery Format
On-Campus. Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 79.57
Award
Rankings
School Information
Orem, U
Graduation Rate: 41%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
In-State: $442
Out-of-State: $1,261
accreditation
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
801-863-8888
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 77.13
Award
Rankings
School Information
Los Angeles, CA
Graduation Rate: 69%
Admission Rate: 90%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$1,947
accreditation
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
310-954-4000
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 76.13
Award
Rankings
School Information
Indiana, PA
Graduation Rate: 57%
Admission Rate: 94%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60-61
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
In-State: $322
Out-of-State: $463
accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
724-357-2100
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60-61
intelligent score 75.41
Award
Rankings
School Information
Edinboro, PA
Graduation Rate: 46%
Admission Rate: 92%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60-70
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
In-State: $322
Out-of-State: $482
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
814-732-2729
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60-70
intelligent score 75.13
Award
Rankings
School Information
Boston, MA
Graduation Rate: 22%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
62
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
In-State: $24
Out-of-State: $230
accreditation
New England Commission of Higher Education
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
617-228-2000
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
62
intelligent score 74.92
Award
Rankings
School Information
Stephenville, TX
Graduation Rate: 60%
Admission Rate: 57%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
In-State: $423
Out-of-State: $709
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
254-968-9000
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 74.28
Award
Rankings
School Information
Bloomington, MN
Graduation Rate: 23%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60-88
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$178
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
952-358-8201
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60-88
intelligent score 74.27
Award
Rankings
School Information
Parkville, MO
Graduation Rate: 30%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$550
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
816-746-2533
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 72.78
Award
Rankings
School Information
Brooklyn Park, MN
Graduation Rate: 36%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$178
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
952-995-1300
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 72.07
Award
Rankings
School Information
Los Altos Hills, CA
Graduation Rate: 26%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
90
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $31
Non-Resident: $239
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
650-949-7777
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
90
intelligent score 71.66
Award
Rankings
School Information
Huntington Beach, CA
Graduation Rate: 38%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60-90
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $46
Non-Resident: $381
accreditation
Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
714-892-7711
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60-90
intelligent score 71.2
Award
Rankings
School Information
Trenton, NJ
Graduation Rate: 48%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $419
Non-Resident: $545
accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
609-777-5680
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 70.41
Award
Rankings
School Information
Fort Myers, FL
Graduation Rate: 33%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60-77
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $113
Non-Resident: $432
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
239-489-9054
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60-77
intelligent score 70.03
Award
Rankings
School Information
Collegedale, TN
Graduation Rate: 60%
Admission Rate: 74%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
64
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$830
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
423-236-2000
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
64
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What You Should Know About This Degree
There are three primary types of associate degrees, including Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS), and Associate of Applied Science (AAS), although individual institutions may offer other, more specific associate degrees like an Associate of Business Administration (ABA) and Associate of Technology (AT). Your specific career aspirations will determine what type of associate degree is best for you.
Your intended professional path will also influence whether you pursue an associate as a terminal degree, or as a stepping stone towards a bachelor’s degree. An associate degree is the entry-level education requirement for a number of occupations in healthcare, office and administrative support, trades, and technology.
Associate degrees are typically offered by two-year community colleges, but if you are interested in earning an associate as a precursor to a bachelor’s degree, you may want to consider attending a four-year college or university, where you can easily transition to a bachelor’s program. Another consideration is earning your associate at a community college that has articulation agreements with four-year colleges and universities. This will facilitate a smooth transfer process, and ensure that you will be able to apply the maximum number of credits to your bachelor’s degree.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching associate degree programs:
- What type of accreditation does this institution have? This is particularly important for students who intend to transfer to a four-year college to earn a bachelor’s degree after completing their associate. Generally, more colleges recognize credits from regionally accredited schools than nationally accredited schools. When researching schools for your associate, be sure to confirm the transferability of credits if you plan on following this track.
- Does the school offer an accelerated associate-to-bachelor’s degree track? Many schools that grant both associate and bachelor’s degrees offer accelerated programs that allow students to begin earning credits towards their bachelor’s while working on their associate. Enrolling in this type of accelerated program can help students save time and money by completing their bachelor’s in a shorter time frame.
During your research process, be sure to note the application requirements and deadlines for the programs in which you are interested. Associate degree programs typically have minimal application requirements, but it’s best to confirm the process with an admissions representative if you have questions.
This is also a good time to consider how you will pay for your associate degree. Research your financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, loans, work-study, and employer tuition assistance benefits.