Affordable online associate degree programs provide value and flexibility. After graduating, you can pursue entry-level jobs or continue your education. You can use a two-year degree from an accredited college to transfer into many bachelor's programs.
You'll also enjoy higher earning power. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), people with associate degrees earned median weekly salaries of $1,005 in 2022. That's about 7.5% more than workers with some college education but no degree, and 17.8% more than workers with only a high school diploma.
This guide to cheap online associate degrees explains the value of two-year programs and explores popular subjects you can study at the associate level. Use it to kick-start your research into suitable learning opportunities.
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Top Online Associates Programs
Find a program that meets your affordability, flexibility, and education needs through an accredited, online school.
Best Affordable Online Associate Degrees of 2025
#8 Best Affordable Online Associate Degrees 2025
Southern Crescent Technical College
- Griffin, GA
- 2 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart
Southern Crescent Technical College offers 38 degree and certificate programs that are 100% online, including seven associate degree options. Choose from degree programs in consumer economics, business technology, human resource management, logistics and supply chain management, criminal justice technology, and more.
Cost per Semester:
In State | $1,605
Out of State | $3,210
Why Students Choose Southern Crescent Technical College
- Low In-State Tuition: In-state students could earn an associate degree for under $6,500, making it one of the least expensive degrees you can get.
- Support: SCTC offers online students access to college resources and technology, helping you reach your personalized career goals.
Know Before You Enroll
- Language Accommodation: If you are a non-native English speaker, SCTC can provide translation and interpretation services, English language classes, and other language assistance.
- Program Readiness: In addition to an application with transcripts, you'll need to complete an assessment of program readiness when you apply.
Out-of-state
Not provided
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Percent Online Enrollment
76%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#9 Best Affordable Online Associate Degrees 2025
Atlanta Technical College
- Atlanta, GA
- 2 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart
Atlanta Technical College offers self-paced and interactive online courses led by expert instructors. It offers more than 150 programs of study with many specializations that lead to degrees, certificates, or diplomas. You can choose from flexible learning options including dual enrollment, evening-weekend courses, or 100% online courses.
Cost per Semester:
In State | $1,500
Out of State | $3,000
Why Students Choose Atlanta Technical College
- Flexible Specializations: Each main degree category offers diverse fields within those categories, including barbering, business technology, paralegal studies, forensics, horticulture, photography, and many more.
- More Medical Degrees: You can choose from 10 healthcare specializations, including dental assisting, pharmacy technology, or radiological technology, some of which offer online course options.
- Technical Support: ATC has technical experts on call to assist students with signing in, email, or other online learning components.
Know Before You Enroll
- Fast Degree Programs: You can earn a degree in one to two years, and some certificate programs take only eight weeks to complete.
- Veteran Support: ATC offers specialized scholarship opportunities and VA education support.
- Enroll During High School: You could earn college credits if you're at least 16 years old and enrolled in high school.
Out-of-state
Not provided
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Percent Online Enrollment
76%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
At Affordable Colleges Online, we use a proprietary ranking system and data from reputable sources like the U.S. Department of Education to help you find the best school for your needs. Our most important metric — affordability — accounts for 60% of our formula. We also consider academic quality, program offerings, online enrollment, and graduation rates.
This list is from 2025. To learn more, consult our school ranking methodology.
Why Get an Online Associate Degree?
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Flexibility: You have many options after completing an affordable online associate degree. You can start a career or continue your studies at the bachelor's level. Online learning also offers you the freedom to study wherever and whenever you like.
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Practicality: Associate programs often focus on career-oriented training. They also lay the educational foundations for additional degrees. Both features make them practical and useful.
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Affordability: Lots of accredited community colleges offer cheap online associate degrees. You'll also avoid the costs associated with commuting, parking, and physical relocation. Online programs also make it easier for you to work while you study, which eases the financial sting of higher education.
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Efficiency: If you study full-time, you can earn an associate degree in about two years. That's a quick, efficient timeline. Accelerated programs can help you graduate even faster.
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Higher Earning Power: Workers with associate degrees earn higher median salaries than those with just a high school diploma. In fact, the BLS reports those with an associate degree make an average of $150 more per week.
How Much Does an Online Associate Degree Cost?
You'll spend a lot less on an associate degree than you would in a four-year program. Two-year colleges tend to have much lower tuition rates, and you'll also cut your attendance time in half.
Stats from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) for the 2021-22 school year show just how much you can save by pursuing an associate degree. This data covers average tuition rates and required fees at public two-year colleges:
Compare that with average tuition rates and required fees at public four-year colleges:
Affordable online associate degrees also give you many other ways to save. Some schools charge their online learners low, flat-rate tuition fees regardless of location. If you live in a state where you're not a resident, you can use this to save on out-of-state attendance costs.
You'll also save both time and money by avoiding commuting and parking costs, and you won't have to move to attend your preferred school.
7 Popular Online Associate Degrees
You'll find all kinds of interesting and worthwhile things to study at the associate level. The following seven subject areas are particularly popular with online students in two-year programs.
1. Accounting
Online associate accounting programs can help you become a bookkeeper or accounting clerk. You'll also build an educational foundation that you can transfer to a four-year degree program. With an accounting bachelor's, you can become a certified public accountant (CPA) or certified management accountant (CMA).
2. Business Administration
With an online associate degree in business administration, you can qualify for supporting roles in business management. Job options include:
- Customer service representatives
- Sales representatives
- Human resource specialists
These career paths pay median salaries of $67,650 per year.
3. Criminal Justice
An online associate degree in criminal justice can help you become a police officer, corrections counselor, or court officer, among other roles. Your earning potential may approach the level of Medical billing and coding programs equip you with in-demand skills. BLS projections cite 9% job growth for medical records specialists from 2023-33. Those who work for private businesses and hospitals earn about $50,000 per year, on average.
5. Nursing
There's a reason online associate degrees in nursing are so popular: They lead to well-paid, in-demand healthcare careers. Registered nurses earn a median salary of more than $86,000 per year, according to the BLS. A two-year nursing degree can help you get started.
6. Psychology
With an online associate degree in psychology, you could work in counseling, community service, or mental healthcare. According to the BLS, these career paths are poised for job growth rates as high as 19% from 2023-33.
7. Radiology
If you're looking to enter a stable, well-paid career in healthcare, an associate degree in radiology might be just the ticket. Radiologic technicians earn median salaries of more than $73,000 per year.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Associate Degrees
Yes. Hundreds of accredited institutions offer affordable online associate degree programs in a full selection of subject areas. You can study online full-time or part-time. In some programs, you can enjoy complete control over your learning schedule, while others require you to attend online lectures at set times.
If you study full-time, you can earn an associate degree in about two years. Associate degree programs usually cover about 60 semester credits, which is about half the number typically covered in a four-year bachelor's program.
Well-paid careers open to people with associate degrees include jobs in nursing, policing, and healthcare technology. For example, you can become a registered nurse with an associate degree and earn a median salary of more than $86,000 per year.
Dental hygienists also typically hold associate degrees. These health professionals commanded median salaries of $87,530 per year as of May 2023. However, these career paths may require in-person clinicals to meet graduation requirements.
In terms of time, the easiest online associate degrees to get come from fast-paced accelerated programs. You can graduate from an accelerated online associate program in as little as one year.
With regard to academic difficulty, "easy" and "hard" are relative concepts, and it's difficult to make generalizations. If you're new to higher education, general studies programs often provide a solid introduction free of heavy academic pressure.
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