Most Affordable Online Associate Degrees in Kentucky 2025

Many students choose to start their education with an associate degree. These credentials can be used to enter the workforce or transferred into a bachelor's program. Because associate degrees are often less expensive, especially at community colleges, this can be a great way for students to save money.

Online associate degrees are a good option for busy students, and the cheapest online associates degree typically come from community colleges. This is certainly the case in Kentucky. Keep reading to discover the affordable associate degree online in the Bluegrass State.

How Much Does an Associate Degree Cost in Kentucky?

The cost of an associate degree in Kentucky depends heavily on the type of school you attend. In Kentucky, the most affordable online colleges are community colleges. All public community colleges in Kentucky are part of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS), and they all charge $189 per credit for online programs. These are the cheapest online associate degrees in Kentucky.

Some public four-year schools in Kentucky, like Eastern Kentucky University and Western Kentucky University, offer online associate degrees, but their tuition rates are much higher � over $400 per credit. A few private institutions offer online associate degrees as well. Some are more affordable, like the University of the Cumberlands, which charges $220 per credit hour, but others, like Campbellsville University, charge $400 or more.

The financial aid you qualify for can also have a big impact on your costs. Kentucky offers programs like the Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship (WRKS) and College Access Program (CAP), which can help students with financial needs cover their costs. To find out if you qualify, fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Cheapest Online Associate Degree Programs

All community colleges in Kentucky charge $189 per credit, the lowest rates of all schools in Kentucky. Below, we've highlighted some schools within the KCTCS that offer a variety of online associate degree options.

1. Bluegrass Community and Technical College

Bluegrass Community and Technical College is a public community college in Lexington, KY. It offers over 100 associate degrees, diplomas, and certificate programs online in fields like architectural technology, cybersecurity, library information technology, and supply chain management.

BCTC charges $189 per credit for online education programs, no matter where the student lives. It also offers scholarships and work-study opportunities to help on-campus and online students pay for their academic programs.

Average in-state tuition: $189 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $189 per credit

Program length: Four semesters of full-time study

Financial aid: BCTC accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid options, and accepts private aid.

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

2. Somerset Community College

At Somerset Community College, students can choose from around ten different online associate degrees. Areas of study include business administration, computer science, criminal justice, and visual communication.

This public community college is located in Somerset, KY. It charges $189 for online degree programs and offers financial aid to reduce costs.

Average in-state tuition: $189 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $189 per credit

Program length: Four semesters of full-time study

Financial aid: SCC offers institutional aid programs like scholarships and work-study options. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.

Accreditation: SACSCOC

3. Maysville Community and Technical College

Maysville Community and Technical College offers several programs for online learners. The public school is located in Maysville, KY.

Students can earn online degrees in fields like computer science, early childhood education, healthcare informatics, and human services. Online classes have a tuition rate of $189 per credit regardless of the student's state of residency.

Average in-state tuition: $189 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $189 per credit

Program length: Four semesters of full-time study

Financial aid: MTCT offers institutional financial aid and also accepts FAFSA and private aid.

Accreditation: SACSCOC

4. Madisonville Community College

Numerous online associate degrees are available through Madisonville Community College. Areas of interest include agriculture, healthcare, paralegal studies, and social work.

MCC, located in Madisonville, KY, is a public school. Tuition is $189 for online courses, and the college provides financial aid options to help students pay for their programs.

Average in-state tuition: $189 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $189 per credit

Program length: Four semesters of full-time study

Financial aid: MCC accepts aid through FAFSA and private organizations. It also offers institutional aid, like scholarships and work-study options.

Accreditation: SACSCOC

5. West Kentucky Community and Technical College

West Kentucky Community and Technical College is a public school in Paducah, KY. It offers several associate degrees online in fields like administrative office technology, computer-aided drafting and design, general studies, and marine technology.

WKCTC charges a tuition rate of $189 for online learning. It also offers several scholarships and work-study programs to help students cover the cost of their higher education.

Average in-state tuition: $189 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $189 per credit

Program length: Four semesters of full-time study

Financial aid: WKCTC accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private aid.

Accreditation: SACSCOC

6. Big Sandy Community and Technical College

Students at Big Sandy Community and Technical College will find multiple online options. Areas of study for associate degrees include business administration, criminal justice, healthcare informatics, and human services.

BSCTC is a public community college based in Prestonsburg, KY. It charges $189 per credit for distance education programs, before additional fees and costs are applied.

Average in-state tuition: $189 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $189 per credit

Program length: Four semesters of full-time study

Financial aid: BSCTC offers institutional aid, like scholarships and work-study programs. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.

Accreditation: SACSCOC

7. Elizabethtown Community and Technical College

Elizabethtown Community and Technical College offers a handful of online associate degree programs. ECTC is a public school in Elizabeth, KY. Distance learners can choose from programs in fields like:

• administrative office technology
• criminal justice
• information technology
• human services

Tuition is $189 per credit for online courses, and the school offers scholarships and work-study options to help students cover their costs.

Average in-state tuition: $189 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $189 per credit

Program length: Four semesters of full-time study

Financial aid: ECTC accepts FAFSA and private aid and also offers institutional aid opportunities.

Accreditation: SACSCOC

8. Hazard Community and Technical College

Several online programs are available through Hazard Community and Technical College. These programs include business administration, computer science, early childhood education, and music production.

HCTC, located in Hazard, KY, is a public community college. It offers a last-dollar scholarship called the HCTC Promise, which covers all tuition and fees that aren't covered by federal or state aid. To find out if you're eligible, fill out the FAFSA.

Average in-state tuition: $189 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $189 per credit

Program length: Four semesters of full-time study

Financial aid: HCTC accepts aid through FAFSA and private organizations. It also offers institutional aid like the HCTC promise.

Accreditation: SACSCOC

9. Jefferson Community and Technical College

Jefferson Community and Technical College is a public school in Louisville, KY. It offers online associate degrees in fields like criminal justice, education, human services, and information technology.

JCTC charges $189 per credit for online programs. It also offers various financial aid options, including scholarships, work-study programs, and employer partnerships, to help students pay for their degrees.

Average in-state tuition: $189 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $189 per credit

Program length: Four semesters of full-time study

Financial aid: JCTC accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private aid.

Accreditation: SACSCOC

10. Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College

Through Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College, students can choose from several online associate degrees. Areas of study include business administration, computer science, education, and general studies.

This public community college is located in Cumberland, KY. Online tuition is $189 per credit before additional fees and costs, no matter where the student resides.

Average in-state tuition: $189 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $189 per credit

Program length: Four semesters of full-time study

Financial aid: SKCTC offers institutional aid like scholarships and work-study options. It also accepts FAFSA and private aid.

Accreditation: SACSCOC

How We Rank Schools

To choose the cheapest online associate degree in Kentucky, we focused on:

• Location: All schools listed are located in Kentucky.
• Accreditation: We only chose schools that are regionally accredited.
• Affordability: After looking at the accredited Kentucky schools offering online associate degrees, we narrowed it down to the least expensive.
• Online format: As there are over a dozen community colleges in Kentucky with the same tuition rates, we further narrowed it down by the variety of online options they offer.

FAQs About the Cheapest Associate Degrees in Kentucky

There's a lot to consider when trying to find the right affordable associate degree online. Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about cheap online associate degrees in Kentucky to help you out.

What Is the Easiest Associate Degree To Get Online in Kentucky?

For most students, the easiest associate degree to earn online is a general Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS). These programs typically have a few courses that all students are required to take, like college composition. Outside of that, however, there is no set curriculum.

Usually, students will need to take courses that correspond to a specific general education category, but they can pick what that course is. For example, a natural sciences requirement could be fulfilled with a course in biology, astronomy, or geology.

This is easier for a lot of students because it lets them choose courses that are more interesting to them. As a result, it's easier to stay engaged and connected to the coursework. It also allows you to choose easier courses when life is busier.

Are There Any 6-Month Associate Degrees in Kentucky?

Most associate degrees require at least 60 credit hours, which usually takes four semesters (or two years, not including summer semesters) of full-time study. As a result, true 6-month online associate degrees are very rare.

No school in Kentucky offers an associate degree that takes six months from start to finish. However, if you already have a significant number of transfer credits, you may be able to finish in six months. You can also take on a higher course load and take classes in the summer to finish faster.

What Is the Cheapest College in Kentucky?

All the schools in the KCTCS charge the same tuition rate of $189 per credit for online programs, which is the lowest in the state. However, financial aid can help you lower your costs, so look at online colleges that accept financial aid.

All the schools above accept federal and state aid, and some, like Hazard Community and Technical College, offer promise programs that cover any remaining tuition costs.

How Much Does a 2-Year Degree Cost?

According to the Education Data Initiative, tuition for two-year degrees at public in-state community colleges averages $3,780 per year in the U.S. Kentucky's average is a little higher, at $4,820 per year.

However, Kentucky also offers several programs that help cover tuition costs for students, such as the Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship and the College Access Program. To find out if you qualify, fill out your FAFSA every year.

Enroll at an Online College

Find the perfect online degree by exploring the options featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about tuition, enrollment, and financial aid.