Best Affordable Online Associate Degrees in Missouri 2025

Online associate degrees help students pursue careers or prepare for bachelor's programs in disciplines that include information technology, criminal justice, social work, and cybersecurity. Coursework is flexible and accessible from any location, making it easier for students with busy schedules to further their education.

Are you interested in starting a program in Missouri but want it to lead to a cheap online associate degree? Read on to discover where you can earn an affordable associate degree online.

How Much Does an Associate Degree Cost in Missouri?

The amount students pay to earn an associate degree in Missouri varies. Factors like program format (e.g., online, hybrid, or in-person), institution type (private vs. public), enrollment status, and residency can all impact costs.

According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), students attending public two-year Missouri institutions as residents paid $4,077 in tuition and required fees during the 2022-23 school year. Learners attending as out-of-state students paid $7,613 over the same academic year.

Do you want to pursue the cheapest online associate degree in Missouri? Keep reading. Below, we'll highlight affordable online colleges with reputable programs.

Cheapest Online Associate Degree Programs

Online learning programs are convenient alternatives to traditional on-campus programs. Review the following list of accredited schools to learn about low-cost online degree programs in Missouri.

1. Three Rivers College

At Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff, students can choose from 13 online pathways to associate degrees with disciplines in general education, business administration, political science, social work, biological sciences, and beyond. After completing their degrees, students benefit from articulation agreements that make transferring to four-year schools like the University of Missouri-Columbia, Missouri State University, and Logan University easy.

Average in-state tuition: $108 per credit (in-district)

Average out-of-state tuition: $152 per credit (all out-of-district students)

Program length: Two years

Financial aid: Grants, federal work-study, student loans, state aid, scholarships, and veterans' benefits make learning more affordable.

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. Metropolitan Community College

Kansas City is home to Metropolitan Community College, where students can find dozens of online associate degrees in accounting, small business management, social work, biology, philosophy, and more. Most online associate programs at MCC result in an Associate in Arts (AA), Associate in Applied Science (AAS), Associate in Engineering (AE), or Associate in Arts Teaching (AAT).

Average in-state tuition: $121 per credit (in-district) and $237 per credit (out-of-district/Metro rate)

Average out-of-state tuition: $320 per credit (out-of-state/international)

Program length: Two years

Financial aid: Learners receive federal and state financial aid, scholarships, institutional grants, veterans' benefits, and other assistance.

Accreditation: HLC

3. St. Louis Community College

Students in Saint Louis and beyond interested in earning a 100% online associate degree that easily transfers to a traditional or online bachelor's degree program can find standard and accelerated general transfer studies programs at St. Louis Community College. The institution also offers fully online associate programs for transfer or immediate employment in accounting and business administration.

Average in-state tuition: $122 per credit (in-district) and $125 per credit (out-of-district)

Average out-of-state tuition: $125 per credit (Midwest Student Exchange and out-of-state students)

Program length: 18 to 24 months

Financial aid: Enrollees can lower tuition costs with grants, scholarships, work-study jobs, and loans.

Accreditation: HLC

4. St. Charles Community College

St. Charles Community College has nearly a dozen associate programs that students can earn completely or mostly online. Fully online AA programs explore communication, psychology, and sociology, while AAS degrees teach business technology and emergency medical science.

For enrollees interested in business administration, AAS or AA degrees are available. The AA with a political science focus includes an internship that might require on-site visits.

Average in-state tuition: Starting at $128 per credit (in-district) and $195 per credit (out-of-district)

Average out-of-state tuition: Starting at $255 per credit

Program length: Four semesters

Financial aid: Financial assistance includes institutional scholarships, federal work-study and grants, military and veterans' benefits, and state aid.

Accreditation: HLC

5. East Central College

East Central College in Union offers a 100% online AA in liberal studies exploring the social sciences, natural sciences, humanities, and the arts that prepares enrollees for management, communications, research, and law careers. The institution also has specialized programs, including online AAS degrees in computer information systems and health information management.

Average in-state tuition: Starting at $138 per credit (in-district) and $192 per credit (out-of-district)

Average out-of-state tuition: Starting at $280 per credit (out-of-state) and $288 per credit (international students)

Program length: Two years

Financial aid: Eligible students can use federal grants, work-study jobs, loans, the Missouri A+ program (for graduating high school seniors), and military benefits to reduce costs.

Accreditation: HLC

6. Jefferson College

Learners eager to earn an affordable associate degree online can find programs for transfer or immediate employment at Jefferson College. The AA in general studies is a transfer program exploring communications, humanities, natural sciences, and more. In the AAS in health information technology program, learners explore healthcare statistics, pharmacology, and medical terminology.

Average in-state tuition: Starting at $180 per credit (in-district) and $242 per credit (out-of-district/in-state)

Average out-of-state tuition: Starting at $304 per credit

Program length: Two years

Financial aid: Eligible enrollees can lower their tuition costs with help from grants, scholarships, work-study jobs, and student loans.

Accreditation: HLC

7. State Fair Community College

Whether students want to earn an online degree that can be transferred to a four-year program or enroll in an online undergraduate program providing career training, State Fair Community College can help. This two-year institution offers a general studies AA transfer degree and business management, health information technology, and health care specialist AAS programs that prepare enrollees for immediate employment.

Average in-state tuition: Starting at $183 per credit (in-district) and $253 per credit (other Missouri residents)

Average out-of-state tuition: Starting at $323 per credit

Program length: Two years

Financial aid: Eligible SFCC students receive thousands in financial aid, including grants and scholarships.

Accreditation: HLC

8. North Central Missouri College

At North Central Missouri College in Trenton, enrollees can start or further their careers in nursing, behavioral health support, early childhood development, criminal justice, fire science, and beyond through online AAS programs. The institution's online AA is a 60-credit general education program preparing students to transfer to four-year colleges and universities.

Average in-state tuition: Starting at $205 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: Starting at $205 per credit

Program length: Two years

Financial aid: The institution offers federal, state, institutional, and local financial assistance in the form of grants, work-study jobs, scholarships, loans, and veterans' benefits.

Accreditation: HLC

9. Southeast Missouri State University

Southeast Missouri State University enrollees can choose from 70 undergraduate and graduate programs with online classes, including two associate degree options. The AA in child care and guidance provides foundational coursework for students pursuing a bachelor's degree in child development.

In the AAS in applied technology program, enrollees prepare for bachelor's programs or roles as IT specialists or graphic designers.

Average in-state tuition: $285.29 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $285.29 per credit

Program length: About five semesters

Financial aid: Scholarships, grants, and student loans are available to help students make their degrees more affordable.

Accreditation: HLC

10. Columbia College

Columbia College offers eight associate programs designed for completion in-seat or online. Areas of study include business administration, computer information systems, criminal justice administration, real estate management, and cybersecurity. An AA online program is available for learners who want a liberal arts degree covering a range of subjects, including global awareness, civic engagement, and ethical reasoning.

Average in-state tuition: About $344 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: About $344 per credit

Program length: Two years

Financial aid: Scholarships, grants, loans, and other federal aid are available to reduce tuition costs.

Accreditation: HLC

How We Rank Schools

Our team thoroughly vetted the schools in this rank list to ensure they met the following criteria for delivering quality educational experiences.

• Accreditation: All colleges and universities above have received accreditation from the HLC, a nationally recognized organization.
• Affordability: These institutions help students cover school costs by offering lower tuition, scholarships, and other financial assistance.
• Program reputation and quality: We verified that the institutions above provide quality degree programs for on-campus and online students.
• Online format: Most colleges and universities provide online courses on a convenient, easy-to-access learning platform and offer support services to help enrollees excel in their studies.

FAQs About the Cheapest Associate Degrees in Missouri

Earning a cheap online associate degree in Missouri is a great way to further your education. You can learn from home or on the go while paying budget-friendly rates. If you're ready to begin your online education journey, review the FAQs below to learn more about these programs.

Can I Get an Associate Degree Online in Missouri?

Yes, it's possible to earn an online associate degree in Missouri. Several two-year and four-year institutions offer online Associate in Arts, Associate in Applied Science, and other degree options for students interested in transferring to a bachelor's program or starting a new career. Disciplines include accounting, nursing, criminal justice, fire science, business administration, social work, and philosophy.

What Is the Cheapest and Fastest Way To Get an Associate Degree in Missouri?

The best online colleges in Missouri for quickly earning an affordable associate degree have flexible programs, low tuition rates, and financial assistance. As you search for programs, consider online colleges that accept financial aid, including grants, scholarships, and work-study jobs, and provide accelerated pathways to degree completion.

Are There Any 6-Month Associate Degrees in Missouri?

While six-month associate degree programs can be tough to find, the St. Louis Community College Tech Academy comes close. This academy gives Missouri residents attending STLCC full-time on-the-job training and a paycheck while earning an associate degree or completing a certificate program in cybersecurity, software development, network security engineering, web development, or end-user support.

Participants are job-ready in as little as six months while enjoying perks like free laptops, free industry certification exams, child care assistance, and a free Metro pass.

What Are Some of the Fastest Associate Degrees You Can Get Online?

Most associate degree programs are designed for completion in about two years. However, schools offering the fastest associate degrees online might require 18 or fewer months. Degree type (e.g., AA vs. AAS), program of study, and access to accelerated pathways like shorter terms and generous transfer credit policies can help learners graduate sooner.

Earn Your Associate Degree Online

Begin an exciting experience in higher education by exploring the degree programs on Learn.org. Contact schools of interest directly to find out how they can help you achieve your academic and career goals.