Why This Matters
-
36% OF OFFICE CLERK JOBS REQUIRE AN ASSOCIATE DEGREE
An associate in office administration will qualify you for the 36% of office clerk jobs that require this level of education as well as the 56% that only require a high school diploma or postsecondary nondegree award.
-
10% JOB DECLINE EXPECTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS
For secretaries and administrative assistants, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects the number of positions to decline significantly from 2022 to 2032.
-
EARN A MEDIAN ANNUAL WAGE OF $44,080
While the average salary for administrative assistants is $44,080, the top 10% of workers in this field make more than $70,380 — an associate degree will help you reach the high end of your salary potential.
Our Research
This list features some of the best online associate in office administration degree programs at top colleges nationwide. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary education.
We evaluated each school’s program on admission, retention, and graduation rates as well as tuition costs, faculty, reputation, and the resources provided for online students. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of online associate in office administration degree programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like U.S. News & World Report, among others, to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
Why Trust Us
The Intelligent.com Higher Education Team is dedicated to providing students with independent, equitable school and program rankings and well-researched resources. Our expert-driven articles cover topics related to online colleges and programs, paying for school, and career outlooks. We use data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, the National Center for Education Statistics, and other reputable educational and professional organizations. Our academic advisory team reviews content and verifies accuracy throughout the year for the most current information. Partnerships do not influence rankings or editorial decisions.
- Analyzed over 2,000 national, accredited, and nonprofit colleges and universities
- 800+ rankings pages are reviewed and updated yearly
- Content is informed by reputable sources, surveys, and interviews with academic advisors and other experts
- Over 100 data points are reviewed for accuracy and quality throughout the year, including sources
How we rank schools
Our list features the best online Office Administration degree programs at top colleges nationwide. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions.
We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, reputation, and the student resources provided for online students. We collected data from trusted sources like the National Center for Education Statistics, individual school and program websites, school admissions counselors, and other data sources. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100 based on the following criterion:
Academic Quality:
- Admission rate versus enrollment rate
- Retention rate of students who return after year one
- Accreditation status (regional and programmatic)
- Nonprofit status, both private and public institutions
Graduation Rate
- Overall graduation rate
- Total number of currently enrolled students, including diversity metrics
- Student-to-faculty ratio
Cost and ROI
- In-state and out-of-state per-credit tuition rates and fees
- Required credits to graduate
- Earning potential after graduation
- Availability of federal student loans, scholarships, and other financial aid options
Student Resources
- Available student services for online-only and hybrid programs
- On-campus amenities like tutoring centers and the number of libraries
Read more about our ranking methodology.
- 59 hours to write this article
- 46 universities and colleges we assessed
- 72 education programs we compared
Best 13 Online Associate in Office Administration Programs
FiltersInstitution Type
Status
- Intelligent Score
- Alphabetically By University Name
- Acceptance Rate
- Enrollment
- In-state Graduate Tuition
- Out-of-state Graduate Tuition
- In-state Undergraduate Tuition
- Out-of-state Undergraduate Tuition
Lenoir Community College
Intelligent Score: 99.32In-state: $19,150
Out-of-state: $25,294
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: N/A
ACT: 18 or higher
In-State: $76
Out-of-State: $268
Online
65
Fox Valley Technical College
Intelligent Score: 97.8In-state: $19,164
Out-of-state: $21,315
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: 450 or higher
ACT: 18 or higher
$162
Online
60
Southern Arkansas University Tech
Intelligent Score: 97.3In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
In-State: $110
Out-of-State: $156
Online
62
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
Intelligent Score: 96In-state: $17,008
Out-of-state: $27,928
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: N/A
ACT: 16-22
$159
Online, On-Campus
60
Seminole State College of Florida
Intelligent Score: 95.72In-state: $14,199
Out-of-state: $22,524
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: 480 or higher
ACT: 21 or above
Seminole State College of Florida’s Associate of Science in Administrative Office Management program prepares graduates to immediately enter the workforce or to seamlessly transfer to a public four-year university in Florida. In addition to foundational business and business technology courses, you will take coursework in accounting and business law and have the opportunity to choose one of six specializations: human resource management, management, marketing and sales, insurance (risk management), associate to bachelor degree transfer, and logistics. The specialization allows you to customize your education to your specific career goals. In this 60-credit program, only 15 credits are general education requirements, meaning that you spend most of your time in courses directly related to business.
Resident: $79
Non-Resident: $316
Online
60
Southwestern Community College
Intelligent Score: 95.51In-state: $29,143
Out-of-state: $37,291
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: 840-1030
ACT: 18-23
In-State: $86
Out-of-State: $278
Online
66-69
Eastern Florida State College
Intelligent Score: 94.85In-state: $17,948
Out-of-state: $25,191
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: Not Required
ACT: Not Required
In-State: $104
Out-of-State: $405
Online
60
Moraine Park Technical College
Intelligent Score: 93.83In-state: $18,976
Out-of-state: $21,128
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
In-State: $143
Out-of-State: $215
Online
63
Wake Technical Community College
Intelligent Score: 93.29In-state: $22,360
Out-of-state: $28,504
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: 480 or higher
ACT: 18 or higher
In-State: $76
Out-of-State: $268
Online, On-Campus
66
Riverland Community College
Intelligent Score: 91.46In-state: $17,930
Out-of-state: $17,930
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: 1120
ACT: 24
$235
Online
60
Bevill State Community College
Intelligent Score: 90.78In-state: $16,870
Out-of-state: $20,870
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: Not Required
ACT: Not Required
$127
Online
67-70
Daytona State College
Intelligent Score: 89.1In-state: $15,630
Out-of-state: $24,518
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: Not Required
ACT: Not Required
In-State: $79
Out-of-State: $311
Online
60
Montgomery County Community College
Intelligent Score: 88.99In-state: $27,306
Out-of-state: $32,046
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: Not Required
ACT: Not Required
In-State: $156
Out-of-State: $468
Online, On-Campus
60
What You Should Know About This Degree
When you’re comparing programs, it’s important to pay attention to degree type. All the programs on our list are associate degrees, but the concentration may differ. For example, a program with a concentration in medical office administration is going to focus more on the healthcare field and HIPAA privacy laws than a program with a concentration in business administration, which is going to focus more on paperwork and processes you may find in the business world.
Only apply to schools approved by a DOE-recognized accrediting organization, such as the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) or Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). These organizations evaluate the faculty and curriculum of postsecondary education institutions to ensure they offer students a high-quality academic experience.
The job growth outlook for office administrative positions is declining for those in lower-level positions, but this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pursue it as a career. What it does mean is that the competition for open positions could be strong, and an associate degree can help you stand out from other applicants.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching online associate in office administration programs:
- How long does it take to complete this online degree? The options on our list require about 60 to 73 credits to graduate. If you’re able to attend full-time, you should be able to graduate in two years.
- Are courses offered synchronously or asynchronously? Most associate in office administration programs offer coursework asynchronously, which means you’re able to work at your own pace.
After you’ve chosen a program and are ready to start the application process, it’s important to keep track of all the required documentation and deadlines for both admissions and financial aid. Grants, scholarships, and loan opportunities may be available to you, but these programs often have very strict deadlines — the financial aid office at your school can give you more information.