Earning an online associate degree can be ideal for students who want to prepare for entry-level positions, pivot to a new career, or obtain college credits to apply for a bachelor’s degree. Most online associate degree programs can be completed in two years of full-time study, costing a fraction of what a bachelor’s degree costs.
For students who are looking for the most affordable path to an online associate degree, many resources are available to help them pay for tuition and other educational expenses, including scholarships, grants, and work-study programs. By also attending a low-cost online college, some students may even receive enough financial aid to completely cover all program expenses.
To help students find an affordable program, Intelligent.com compiled this list of schools that offer generous financial aid to students. This article also explores financial aid resources and how to apply for them. It reviews lucrative careers students can pursue with an associate degree, and answers frequently asked questions from Blanca Villagomez, a program counselor, and coordinator at UC-Irvine.
What You Should Know About Free Online Associate Degree Programs
Attending an associate degree program for free typically means that a student receives enough financial support from the institution and other sources to fully cover the program’s cost, not that the school doesn’t charge tuition and fees for attendance. Students should carefully research any colleges that claim to offer degrees without charging tuition, as this is not common among legitimate post-secondary institutions.
For students who want to attend an online associate degree program without paying anything out of pocket or owing money in loans, the most common financial aid resources include the following:
Scholarships
Scholarships are considered “gift aid” because they do not need to be repaid. Getting a scholarship means receiving free money to pay for tuition and other educational-related expenses. There are many sources of scholarship money, including schools, private foundations and scholarship funds, professional organizations, community and religious organizations, and non-profits.
There are two types of scholarships: need-based and merit-based. In most cases, students who are applying for scholarships based on financial need must submit the Free Application for Federal Aid (FAFSA). Schools and other scholarship-granting organizations use the information from the FAFSA to determine which students are eligible for need-based scholarships.
Schools and organizations award merit-based scholarships for achievement in various areas, including academics, athletics, arts, community service, or unique talents. Students may submit separate applications, including essays, resumes, and interviews, to be considered for merit-based scholarships.
Students should give themselves ample time to research all scholarship options, as there is no limit to how much of this type of funding students can collect. Depending on the program’s cost and the amount of scholarship money received, it may be possible to cover all tuition and education expenses with scholarships.
Grants
Similar to scholarships, grants offer financial assistance for earning an associate degree without the burden of repayment. Grants are typically awarded based on financial need, although some may also have specific eligibility criteria, such as academic achievement or community service. Many grants are offered by federal or state governments, as well as private organizations, foundations, and corporations. Students must typically submit the FAFSA to be considered for grants.
The Federal Pell Grant is an excellent need-based grant offered by the U.S. Department of Education to help low-income students pay for college. The amount of the Pell Grant varies depending on the student’s financial need, the cost of attendance, and whether the student is enrolled full- or part-time. For the 2024-25 academic year, the maximum Pell Grant award is $7,395.
Some students may also be eligible for a Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG). The FSEOG is also a needs-based grant awarded to students with exceptional financial needs. The amount varies depending on the student’s financial condition and the availability of funds at the school, with most students receiving an award of $100 to $4,000.
State governments and private organizations also offer grants specifically for students earning an associate degree, so it’s essential to research all available grant opportunities and apply for as many as possible to reduce education expenses.
Work-study
Work-study programs enable college students to earn money while enrolled in college. Like scholarships and grants, this money does not need to be repaid, making it a desirable financial aid option for those seeking to decrease their student debt.
Through work-study programs, students are employed by their two-year college and are paid for their work. These jobs usually include positions in areas such as the library, campus bookstore, or student services.
Students who participate in work-study programs typically work part-time. The number of hours worked, and the pay rate varies depending on the school and the student’s financial need. Some examples may include the following:
- Federal Work-Study Program: The U.S. Department of Education offers this program and provides part-time jobs for undergraduate students with financial needs. Positions are available on and off campus, and the pay rate is at least minimum wage. To be eligible, students must complete the FAFSA.
- State Work-Study Programs: Many states offer their work-study programs for students attending colleges within the state. The programs may have specific eligibility criteria, such as residency or academic achievement. For example, the Massachusetts State Work-Study Program provides part-time jobs for veterans who are Massachusetts residents and have financial needs.
- College-Specific Work-Study Programs: Some colleges offer their work-study programs for students. These programs may have specific eligibility requirements or prioritize certain jobs or majors. For example, Columbia-Greene Community College in New York offers a work-study program that prioritizes jobs related to the student’s field of study.
Employer tuition assistance
Many employers offer tuition assistance benefits to help workers pay for tuition and other educational expenses. The specific terms of the tuition assistance benefits vary by employer, but they typically involve reimbursing students for some or all of their educational costs after the student successfully completes a course or program. Students who plan on working while earning their associate degree should inquire with their employer to determine eligibility for any available tuition assistance benefits.
Avoid Non-Accredited Degree Mills
As mentioned, legitimate accredited colleges rarely advertise programs as “free.” Instead, this is a deceptive claim made by private, for-profit “degree mills” that operate like postsecondary institutions even though they don’t have the proper accreditation to award legitimate degrees.
Degree mills focus more on generating revenue than providing high-quality education. They often attract users by advertising free tuition, only to charge an assortment of other fees (exam fees, graduation fees, etc.).
However, they typically lack qualified faculty, effective curriculums, and sufficient support staff. Says Villagomez, “Attending a non-accredited college or degree mill can negatively impact a student’s post-graduate opportunities, including employment and future educational opportunities.” Employers and legitimate degree-granting colleges do not recognize credits or degrees earned at degree mills.
The most reliable way to confirm that a college is legitimate is by checking with an accreditation database, such as the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the U.S. Department of Education’s Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP). Students who plan to continue to earn a bachelor’s degree after getting their associate degree should be sure to select a regionally accredited college, as this is the most widely accepted type of accreditation.
Another clue to a college’s legitimacy is its domain name. The websites for legitimate educational institutions end in “.edu.” A school domain name that ends in “.org” or “.com” is typically a red flag that it’s not legitimate.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of online PhD programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like the 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.
Best Free Online Associate Programs That Might Interest You
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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 free online Associate 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.
The 50 Best Free Online Associate Degree Programs
What You Can Do with an Associate Degree
An associate degree is a versatile degree that can help students enter the workforce, develop new skills for a career change, or lay the foundation for further study at the bachelor’s degree level.
Associate degrees typically require a minimum of 60 credits and provide students with an introduction to a field of study, preparing them for entry-level positions. They also commonly include general education requirements, such as courses in English, math, physical sciences, foreign language, and social sciences.
There are several different types of associate degrees, including Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS), Associate of Applied Science (AAS), and Associate of Business Administration (ABA).
When deciding which associate degree to pursue, students should consider their long-term goals. For students who want to enter the workforce as quickly as possible, associate degrees in fields such as paralegal studies, medical office administration, and hospitality management can prepare them for employment in as little as two years of full-time study.
Meanwhile, students who intend to complete a bachelor’s degree should consider programs that will give them the highest number of transferable credits. Many schools participate in articulation agreements, arrangements between two-year and four-year colleges that facilitate an easy transition from an associate degree to a bachelor’s degree program.
Career outlook
- Dental hygienists: Licensed oral health professionals who work under the supervision of dentists to assist in preventing and treating oral diseases. In addition, they provide dental hygiene services to patients, including cleaning teeth, taking X-rays, and education on oral health and hygiene practices.
- Median annual salary: $87,530
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 7%
- New jobs projected: 16,400 per year
- Diagnostic medical sonographers: Also known as ultrasound technicians, these healthcare professionals use specialized equipment to create images of internal organs, tissues, and blood flow within the body.
- Median annual salary: $84,470
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 10%
- New jobs projected: 9,600 per year
- Paralegals: Support lawyers by performing various tasks, such as maintaining and organizing files, conducting legal research, and drafting documents.
- Median annual salary: $60,970
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 4%
- New jobs projected: 38,000 per year
- Computer network support specialists: Maintain computer networks by testing and evaluating existing network systems, performing regular maintenance to ensure that networks operate correctly, and troubleshooting local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and Internet systems
- Median annual salary: $71,530
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 5%
- New jobs projected: 66,500 per year
Online Associate Degree Programs Frequently Asked Questions
Should I earn an associate degree online or in person?
How you earn your associate degree is a personal choice based on your specific needs and goals. Both types of program delivery have their advantages and disadvantages.
“To aid students in their decision between an online and on-campus associate degree program, I recommend considering a few factors,” Villagomez says. “Completing a degree online can mean having a flexible, self-paced schedule that allows you to handle multiple non-school responsibilities and finish your program quicker. However, you should also think about the type of environment in which you learn best. If you’re a hands-on learner who benefits from real-time interaction with instructors and peers, a traditional on-campus program or hybrid program that blends online and in-person learning may work best.”
How much does an online associate degree program cost?
The cost of an online associate degree varies by school and program. For the most accurate information about the cost of a program, students should consult with a financial aid counselor from the institution.
The average annual tuition for two-year degree programs during the 2022-23 academic year was $3,598 at public institutions, and $20,019 at private colleges, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Public universities typically have lower tuition rates than private schools as they receive state and federal funding to help subsidize their operations.
Online students should also remember that they may save money by attending school remotely. This allows them to live in a more affordable area than where their school may be located and eliminates transportation expenses like parking, gas, or public transit fees. Because of the flexibility of online learning, students may also find it easier to maintain a job and steady income while earning their degree.
How long does earning an online associate degree take?
Associate degrees typically require a minimum of 60 credit hours and can be completed in two years of full-time study. Part-time students may take three or more years to complete their degree.
Conversely, some schools may offer accelerated programs, which allow students to finish their requirements in a shorter time frame, typically 12-18 months. For students who want to complete their degree as quickly as possible, this may be an ideal option. Still, Villagomez points out that these programs are often more rigorous than traditional associate degree programs.
“There are no shortcuts with this route,” she says. “Students are expected to complete the same amount of work as they would in a traditionally-paced program, but in a shorter time frame, requiring a higher investment of time and energy every week. I usually only recommend them to individuals with strong time management skills, dedication, and discipline.”
Is an online associate degree worth it?
“Earning an online associate degree can be beneficial for students looking to advance their education and career in a shorter amount of time and more cost-effective way than bachelor degree programs,” Villagomez says. “An associate degree can be a great stepping stone in accessing an entry-level position, developing a specific skill set, or improving your GPA before applying to bachelor’s degree programs.”
Despite its advantages, an associate degree may not be the right choice for every student. “Determining the worth of any degree is a unique and personal decision,” Villagomez says. “I encourage students to consider their individual academic and career tracks when determining which type of degree is the most worthwhile investment for them.”
One way students can assess if an associate degree is the right fit is to review job postings for entry-level employment in their field to learn more about standard educational requirements and minimum degree levels for those positions.