2026 List of Accredited Online Associate Degrees
Online associate degrees give you an affordable, flexible path to earn a college credential from anywhere. This hub features dozens of program pages across fields like accounting, business administration, criminal justice, healthcare, nursing, and more. You’ll also find career-focused options such as medical billing and coding, management, and paralegal studies, along with creative disciplines like photography.
Each page provides clear information on fully online associate programs so you can compare schools, outcomes, and career pathways with data-backed confidence. Use the list below to dive straight into the subjects that fit your goals, or keep reading to learn what makes earning an associate degree online a smart first step toward your future.
Online Associate Degrees
About Online Associate Degrees
Enrollment and Online Participation
In fall 2022, more than 4.6 million students were enrolled at , and online learning remained a major part of their education. Overall enrollment was steady compared to the year before, but how students chose to take classes shifted slightly. In 2021, ~6 in 10 students at two-year schools took at least one online course. By 2022, that number slipped just a bit — to 58% — showing that even as campuses reopened, students continued to rely on the flexibility of online classes.
About 31% of two-year college students were enrolled exclusively online in 2021…
When it comes to students studying fully online, the story is similar. About 31% of two-year college students were enrolled exclusively online in 2021, compared to 27% in 2022. That small drop shows that more people are returning to campus, but the bigger takeaway is that more than one in four community college students across the country still earned their education entirely online. For many, the option of an online degree has become essential. It allows a balance between school obligations and all other responsibilities.
The at two-year colleges mirrors what’s happening across higher education as a whole. By fall 2022, more than half of all college students — 54% — were taking at least one online class. That’s a huge leap from just 37% in 2019, before the pandemic forced schools to rethink instruction.
What’s striking is that this growth happened even as overall college enrollment dropped by more than one million students between 2019 and 2022. During that same period, the number of fully online students jumped by 1.5 million, and another 1.35 million started taking at least some of their courses online.
Data from the shows that primarily online colleges are now growing at double the pace of higher education overall. Despite fewer traditional college-age students, colleges are increasingly turning to online programs to reach working adults and learners outside their immediate region. Some colleges have even gone all in: Goddard College in Vermont and several University of Wisconsin campuses have shifted entirely to online instruction as a way to simply stay afloat.
Long-Term Growth of Associate Degrees
While online enrollment patterns reveal how students are studying today, historical degree data shows how associate credentials themselves have evolved over time.
From 1976 to 2022, the number of associate degrees conferred in the U.S. , rising from about 405,000 in 1976-77 to more than 1 million annually by the early 2010s. Growth was particularly strong from the late 1990s through the early 2010s, peaking around the Great Recession when students turned to affordable, career-focused programs.
Since that peak, associate degrees awarded have leveled off, dipping slightly to just over 1 million in the 2021-22 school year.
We believe this plateau reflects several forces at play: demographic shifts, new training and job alternatives, and ongoing enrollment declines at community colleges. Even despite all of that, however, associate degrees continue to serve as a crucial on-ramp by offering students immediate employment opportunities and a transfer avenue into four-year universities.
Where Associate Students Study Online
The confirms that most associate-level students taking classes fully online are still attached to colleges with physical campuses rather than institutions that exist solely online.
In fall 2022, about 6,740 students attended fully online two-year colleges. By contrast, more than 1.45 million students enrolled in fully online programs at colleges that also offered in-person learning options.
This reinforces the community-based mission of two-year colleges: Even when students study remotely, they often remain connected to local institutions.
Interestingly, for-profit two-year colleges enroll disproportionately high shares of online students relative to their overall size, though public two-year colleges still dominate the landscape in sheer numbers. The data underscores how small the exclusively online school sector remains at this level, with most online associate students continuing to study at hybrid institutions.
How Online Associate Degrees Work in a Nutshell
The term doesn’t mean quite what it used to. Before the pandemic, most online courses were fully asynchronous — you logged in when you wanted, completed assignments at your own pace, and rarely met your instructor face-to-face. That model still exists, but many colleges now blend this extreme flexibility with at least some measure of accountability.
These days, scheduled Zoom discussions, group projects, or required live sessions are becoming increasingly common. This structure can cut down on disengagement, but it also reduces some of the personal freedom of that made online study so appealing in the first place. The other side of the coin, of course, is that online degrees are more respected than ever.
Associate Degree Admissions
Getting started is relatively straightforward.
Applicants typically need a high school diploma or GED, though some schools use placement tests. Many online community colleges and universities maintain open admissions policies, making these programs accessible to first-generation students, career changers, and working adults. Additionally, rolling start dates and flexible deadlines are also common, so students don’t have to wait for a traditional semester to begin.
What to Expect Day-to-Day
Formats: Most associate students today can choose a fully online pathway. Some programs, especially in allied health, education support, or criminal justice, do require some in-person labs, practicums, or clinicals. It just depends on the associate program.
Delivery: Courses may be synchronous, with live lectures and group discussions, or asynchronous, where students learn on their own schedule. Increasingly, schools are combining the two formats.
Technology: Online classes are most often delivered through platforms like Canvas, Blackboard, or Moodle. These learning management systems house video lectures, assignments, quizzes, and digital collaboration spaces.
Engagement: Even in shorter associate-level programs, schools aim to foster a sense of community. Online forums, peer feedback, and virtual study groups are standard ways to stay connected to classmates and instructors.
What’s Required to Graduate with an Associate
Earning an associate degree online usually takes around 60 credits. Students first complete general education courses in writing, math, and the social sciences, alongside introductory classes in their chosen field.
Because the degree is shorter than a bachelor’s degree, it often emphasizes practical skills and career-focused preparation. At the same time, many programs are built to transfer (meaning students can apply those credits toward a four-year degree later).
What Should You Consider When Choosing an Online Associate Program?
When students weigh their options, a few themes consistently rise to the top. The highlights the key factors shaping these decisions:
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Cost Comes First
Around 9 in 10 online students said cost was extremely or very important when choosing a program, and more than a third picked the lowest-cost option they reviewed. Affordability is often the deciding factor, especially at the associate level.
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Accreditation Matters Too
Eighty-four percent of students ranked accreditation just behind cost. For associate programs, legitimacy is everything, particularly for careers where licensing or employer recognition is on the line.
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Convenience is Non-negotiable
Most students (83%) now prefer programs that are fully online, with zero on-campus requirements. (For context, that's up from 71% just a year earlier.)
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Career ROI is a Consideration
Ninety-two percent of online graduates said their degree benefited their career, and nearly half reported a salary increase. Students see associate programs not just as stepping stones but as immediate economic opportunities.
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Degrees Should Enable Mobility
Eighty-six percent said their degree was important to their career goals, and 61% of undergraduates plan to pursue additional online credentials. Associate graduates are especially likely to stack into bachelor’s programs.
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AI Is Shaping Expectations
Nearly half of students have already used generative AI to study, yet three-quarters say their school hasn’t provided guidance. At the associate level, building AI literacy may soon be essential.
The Types of Colleges Offering Associate Degrees
Public Two-Year Colleges Lead the Way
Public community colleges remain the dominant home for , and their online learning patterns closely reflect national trends. Nearly 3 in 5 students at public two-year schools engaged in some form of online learning, with about one-third studying fully online, mostly while staying in-state.
Community colleges serve a diverse group of learners — from working adults to first-generation students — and for these students, online courses can be the difference between earning a degree and having to put college on hold.
Private and For-Profit Institutions
At the 2-year level, private nonprofit and for-profit institutions show very different patterns of online participation.
Nonprofit colleges remain small in size, enrolling just over 25,000 students, yet a majority take at least some courses online and nearly 40% study exclusively at a distance. Uniquely, most of these fully online nonprofit students live in a different state than their school.
By contrast, for-profit two-year colleges are much larger, enrolling more than 177,000 students, but less than half participate in distance education. Among those who do, relatively few are fully online (only 14%) yet the majority of these learners also reside outside the state.
Online Engagement Across Institutions
Overall, two-year colleges actually show stronger engagement with online education than their four-year counterparts. According to the most recent data from the NCES, 58% of two-year students took at least one online course, compared to 53% at four-year schools. This reinforces the role of community colleges as engines of access, providing an easier entry point into higher education.
Most Popular Majors at the Associate Level
Based on the most , the top fields for associate degrees include:
Liberal arts — 383,286 associates conferred
Health — 177,413 associates conferred
Business — 113,070 associates conferred
Engineering — 50,201 associates conferred
Computer sciences — 34,758 associates conferred
Law enforcement & firefighting — 33,382 associates conferred
Interdisciplinary — 32,950 associates conferred
Social sciences & history — 26,847 associates conferred
Arts — 19,430 associates conferred
Psychology — 19,305 associates conferred
These national trends translate directly into online education. Many of the most popular associate programs offered online align with high-demand fields like business and healthcare.
Fastest Growing Associate Majors
Over the past decade, certain , reflecting both student aspirations and changes in the job market.
Psychology, social sciences, and biological and biomedical sciences have more than doubled in completions since 2011-12. These degrees often serve as stepping stones: students begin at the associate level, then transfer into bachelor’s programs where career-specific pathways like counseling, social work, or lab sciences become clearer.
Their growth also mirrors larger societal conversations about mental health, public health, and equity, which have elevated interest in human-centered and research-focused careers.
We excluded the top-growing associate major from the line graph above because its results were so vast that it skewed the data to make the growth of all other majors appear negligible. The winner though, without a doubt, is liberal arts associate degrees.
Liberal arts and general studies remain the single largest associate field…
Even as newer majors rise, liberal arts and general studies remain the single largest associate field, with nearly 383,000 associates awarded in the 2021-22 school year. Community colleges have long leaned on liberal arts as a versatile option for students who need affordable, transferable, and fast-moving pathways.
Other fields are growing too, including journalism (e.g., communications), physical sciences, engineering, and parks/recreation/fitness. These increases reflect the role of community colleges in preparing students for bachelor’s degrees in specialized areas.
What Careers Can You Get With Just an Associate Degree?
Associate degrees can connect you directly to career fields that are stable, specialized, and expanding. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (), healthcare dominates the list of fastest-growing jobs at the associate level.
Healthcare isn’t the only field with momentum, though. A need for professionals in education is also on the rise: preschool teachers (excluding special education) are expected to add nearly 23,000 new jobs over the next decade, underscoring the importance of early childhood education.
5 Fastest-Growing Careers for Associate Graduates (in order)
1. Physical therapist assistants
Physical therapist assistants → physical therapist assisting associate degree
All states require PTAs to be licensed or certified. Completing an accredited associate program is required to sit for the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for PTAs.
2. Preschool teachers
Preschool teachers → early childhood education associate degree
This associate degree is one of the most common entry points into early childhood education. Although it can be online, it often involves classroom observation or practicum hours.
3. Respiratory therapists
Respiratory therapists → respiratory therapy associate degree
This kind of associate program is often accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).
4. Dental hygienists
Dental hygienists → dental hygiene associate degree
Every state requires dental hygienists to be licensed, and completing an accredited associate program is the key eligibility step for taking the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination plus state or regional clinical exams.
5. Veterinary technicians
Vet techs → veterinary technology associate degree
This program should be accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Nearly every state requires vet techs to be credentialed, often through passing the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) after completing an accredited associate program.
Other Health-Focused Associate Degrees Online
Healthcare is one of the fastest-growing industries in the U.S. overall, and several other associate programs (besides the couple mentioned above) give students a direct avenue into this expanding field.
Associate degrees in healthcare administration and medical office administration associate programs prepare graduates to manage patient records, coordinate scheduling, and oversee day-to-day operations in clinics and hospitals.
Meanwhile, specialized associate programs like medical billing and coding train students to handle insurance claims and maintain digital health data. These skills have become indispensable as healthcare systems modernize.
Perhaps the most impactful option is an ASN, or an associate in nursing, which can qualify graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and become registered nurses, providing a quicker and more affordable associate degree route into frontline patient care during a time of widespread nursing shortages.
Online Associate Degrees That Serve Communities
Online associate programs also connect you to roles in education and social services, offering avenues into fields where demand is growing.
A criminal justice associate degree, for example, can lead to roles in law enforcement or corrections and often serves as a way to transfer easily into bachelor’s-level studies in justice or public service. Similarly, an associate in paralegal studies can prepare graduates to assist attorneys, a role that frequently intersects with schools and community institutions through family law, child welfare, or educational policy.
Business Associate Degrees
Business remains one of the most versatile areas of study at the associate level, with associate degrees in management and more, preparing graduates for roles across nearly every sector of the economy.
Business administration associate programs introduce students to marketing, finance, and human resources, while management tracks emphasize leadership and organizational skills that apply in both small businesses and large institutions. Alternatively, provides technical training in bookkeeping and financial reporting, opening doors to entry-level accounting and auditing positions.
These 2-year degrees offer a fast and flexible way to build practical skills, start a career in office or financial settings, or lay the groundwork for transferring into a bachelor’s program in business or management.
Wondering if an associate degree can really pay off? This page explores 10 careers that require only an associate degree yet offer strong salaries, solid job growth, and long-term security.
So, What Is the Best Associate Degree To Make Money?
Two-year degrees have long been viewed as a practical bridge into the workforce, and the data backs that up. In 2023, associate degree holders earned a with an unemployment rate of just 2.8%. That’s a clear step up from workers with only a high school diploma, who earned $930 weekly and faced 4.2% unemployment.
Even a modest increase in education pays off, both in wages and in job stability.
The gaps are even starker at the lower end of the spectrum. Workers with “some college but no degree” earned $1,020 per week and had 3.8% unemployment, while adults without a diploma earned just $738 weekly and faced unemployment rates above 6%.
All in all, higher education remains one of the strongest predictors of financial security, and even a two-year credential can open the door to greater opportunity.
Healthcare Leads the Pack
When it comes to earning power, healthcare careers consistently top the list for associate degree holders. Jobs such as radiologic technologists, diagnostic medical sonographers, dental hygienists, registered nurses, and medical assistants all offer salaries well above the U.S. median and come with strong projected growth through the end of the decade. These programs do have some hands-on clinical training in order to prepare graduates to step directly into these in-demand roles that provide both stability and upward mobility.
Although healthcare dominates the earnings conversation, it’s not the only area where associate degrees pay off. Programs in business, criminal justice, and computer science also open doors to careers with competitive wages and opportunities for advancement. For many students, these fields can get you into the workforce quickly while leaving the option open to transfer into bachelor’s-level studies down the line.
Ask an Expert: Choosing the Right Online Associate Program
When it comes to picking the best online college for an associate degree, students often hear two very different kinds of advice. On one side, professors emphasize academic fit, transferability of credits, and whether a program’s structure matches your lifestyle. On the other, hiring managers and HR professionals focus on credibility in the job market, making sure the degree you choose actually opens doors rather than limits them.
Below, we share insights from both perspectives — one from a seasoned professor, the other from an HR manager — to help you balance practical considerations with career outcomes.
Senior Professor at The University of Advancing Technology
"To begin with, don't get dazzled by glossy marketing. Every school's website looks like a stock-photo dream world which they are not. The real question to ask yourself is: Is this program a good fit for my life?
If you're working full time or juggling family responsibilities, you'll want asynchronous courses and flexible deadlines.
If you need structure, go with live classes and built-in accountability.
I've seen students spend thousands on credits that don't count when they move schools. I've seen students graduate with degrees in fields they had interests in only to find no job openings in their market. Don't be that person. Do your research and look at the Bureau of Labor Statistics to confirm opportunity.
If the job outlook is slim, that's a red flag. You don't want to graduate and have no job prospects or opportunities waiting for you in your industry. This is where a lot of students can misstep. You don't want to choose a field for a degree because the pay looks solid and job opportunities are abundant [only] to learn you hate it. Yes, when you graduate, you'll easily get a job but six months into [it], you're miserable. Not the most optimal situation to be in.
These work great online for associate's level:
- Business
- IT
- Accounting
- Paralegal studies
- Healthcare administration
You're learning concepts, software, and processes that fit neatly into a digital format. Keep in mind though fields like nursing, welding, or anything requiring a ton of hands-on training don't mesh well with online.
Accreditation isn't optional, it's the bare minimum.
If a school says you can do it 100% online, run. Accreditation isn't optional, it's the bare minimum. Start with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, O*NET, and College Scorecard. Then get off the screen and talk to real people. LinkedIn is free, look up alumni, send a message, ask what their job market looks like. I promise most people will give you five honest minutes if you're respectful.
Your school's career center can also pull placement stats and average salaries. Don't rely on 'average earnings' listed on a program's homepage. Those numbers are often inflated to make you feel good."
EXPERT TIP
"If you're unsure, relax. So are most who enter college for the first time. Start with a general transfer degree friendly associate degree. Along the way, take electives in business, IT, psychology, healthcare, whatever sparks your interest. Hopefully you stumble into your calling or find something that resonates with you."
HR Manager at Virtual HR Hub
"As a career coach, I've had some of my students hit me up and say, 'Four years is lame! I found this online school that lets me graduate in one term.'
My take: unaccredited diploma mills actually hurt your resume more than if you had never studied at all. While the government has cracked down on these shady operators, it is up to the consumer (the student) to do their due diligence
Research:
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What the accrediting bodies are,
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What their standards are,
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And what employers expect.
Understand that regional accreditation is the gold standard, and national alternatives are always less prestigious, closing doors instead of connecting you with real opportunities."
Rest assured that all institutions featured across our site at OnlineU are accredited institutions.
Bottom Line
The bottom line is that earning an associate degree can be a smart investment. Graduates with this credential often see stronger employment opportunities and higher wages compared to those with only a high school diploma, making it a valuable step in today’s economy.
For readers focused on cost, OnlineU offers a dedicated resource on the most affordable online associate degrees.
FAQs About an Online Associate Degree
What Are the Benefits of Earning an Online Associate Degree?
An online associate degree offers several advantages: it's affordable, flexible, and convenient — allowing you to build job skills, prepare for career advancement, or transfer credits toward a bachelor's degree. Associate programs can be completed in about two years, with accelerated options available. Additionally, online study allows you to learn at your own pace, often without commuting or relocating. Many programs also cater to specific career paths, making it easier to enter the workforce or advance in high-demand fields like healthcare, technology, and business.
Can You Earn an Associate Degree Online?
Yes, you can earn an associate degree online at 608 accredited institutions, which includes both two-year community colleges and four-year universities. And there are 43 colleges and universities that are 100% online schools that offer associate programs, according to the National Center for Education Statistics ().
An Associate of Arts and an Associate of Science provide you with a well-rounded education in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, as well as specific courses related to your chosen major and specialization. Alternatively, an Associate of Applied Science or Associate of Applied Business provides a more vocational pathway, blending essential academic foundations with a stronger emphasis on practical, career-oriented skills.
Any of these degrees can be considered terminal degrees that prepare you for immediate entry into the workforce, or they serve as a foundation for further higher education, such as a bachelor's degree. You’ll find many online community colleges to choose from, each offering its own benefits, as we’ll explore later. Alternatively, you can also pursue an associate degree at a four-year institution.
How Long Does It Take to Earn an Online Associate Degree?
Associate degrees typically require the completion of 60 credits. At many colleges and universities, students fulfill these requirements over the course of two years of full-time study.
However, we want to mention that a few of the predominantly or exclusively online schools offer accelerated programs involving condensed courses taught in shorter, 6- to 10-week terms. Depending on the subject you want to study and the amount of time you have, you may be able to earn an associate degree in as little as 12 months.
What Is Accreditation and Why Does It Matter for Associate Degrees?
Accreditation is the process by which independent agencies evaluate colleges and universities to ensure they meet recognized quality standards. Attending an accredited institution guarantees a quality education and is essential for eligibility for federal financial aid and transferring credits to another college. Most two-year colleges are accredited by bodies like the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), while four-year universities are typically accredited by one of the six regional accrediting agencies or the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) for online degrees.
Can AA Degree Credits Be Applied to a Bachelor’s Program?
Yes, they most certainly can. After earning an associate degree, you have the option of transferring to a four-year university to complete the remaining requirements for a bachelor's degree, which should take approximately two more years. There are a few potential advantages of doing this:
- Cost savings: Earning an associate degree at a community college often comes with lower tuition rates. This strategy allows students to pay less during their first two years of study while still receiving credit for their work when transferring to a four-year institution. Your cost could be further reduced with financial aid for your associate degree, as the average award of combined grant and scholarship aid for students attending two-year schools — an average of — may exceed your school's tuition fees.
- Time to explore: The curriculum for an associate program includes many general education courses that are also required in a bachelor's program. This will give you enough experience with your major to decide whether you want to continue to study that subject or pivot to something else.
- Smooth transfer: Many associate programs are designed with articulation agreements, ensuring that credits transfer easily to four-year universities. This avoids the need to retake general education courses, making the transition seamless.
- Clearer academic direction: By completing general education requirements during the associate degree, students enter the bachelor’s program with a clearer understanding of their academic interests and career goals, leaving the final two years of a bachelor's to focus on major-specific courses only.
- Increased flexibility: Transferring after an associate degree allows students to potentially choose from a wider range of four-year institutions.
Keep in mind that not all credits earned in an associate degree may transfer directly to your bachelor's program. In other words, a course fulfilling an associate degree requirement may not count toward your major in a bachelor's program.
To avoid issues, decide early on where you'd like to transfer and review their transfer policies. Choose courses at your two-year school that align with your long-term academic goals. If needed, consult your prospective university’s transfer guide or seek advice from academic advisors at both institutions to ensure a smooth transition.
What Will You Learn in an Online Associate Program?
Students in online associate programs take foundational courses that build knowledge and skills in their chosen field while completing general education courses in areas like communication, math, and the social sciences. For example, in a business associate program, you'll cover subjects like marketing, financial management, and organizational leadership, while healthcare programs focus on medical billing, human services, or nursing foundations. You'll also develop essential skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and time management, all of which are transferable to various career paths.
So, Should You Consider Earning an Online Associate Degree?
An online associate degree is a strategic investment in both your professional and academic future. These programs offer the flexibility to balance life commitments while building foundational skills that are highly valued in various industries — from business to healthcare. Whether you seek immediate job opportunities or plan to transfer to a four-year program, an associate degree provides both practical training and the chance to explore different fields without long-term commitments. With careful planning and choosing accredited institutions, you can leverage this degree to fast-track your career or further your education.
If cost is a major concern, starting with an associate degree is a smart choice. You can also explore our list of the most affordable online associate degrees as a helpful starting point.
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