Best Affordable Online Associate Degrees in New Jersey 2025

Whether you're a working adult looking to make a career change or a recent high school graduate looking to earn an affordable degree, a cheap online associate degree in New Jersey might be right for you. Online learning offers a lot of flexibility, letting students earn a degree at their convenience.

If you're looking for an affordable associate degree online, read on to learn more about the cheapest online associate degrees.

How Much Does an Associate Degree Cost in New Jersey?

While the cost of an associate degree in New Jersey varies by program and institution, the average in-state cost of tuition is $5,230 per year. This cost jumps to $8,990 for out-of-state students. When talking about affordable associate degrees online, institutions may charge rates similar to in-state costs, out-of-state, or simply an additional online fee.

Cheapest Online Associate Degree Programs

There are countless cheap online associate degrees in New Jersey. Prospective online learners have many options available for high-quality education. Below is our list of 10 affordable online colleges in New Jersey.

1. Essex County College

Essex County College offers numerous distance education courses, allowing students to earn their degrees at their own pace. In fact, students may be able to graduate sooner by taking classes online.

Average in-state tuition: $136.95 per credit (in-county)

Average out-of-state tuition: $273.84 per credit

Program length: two years

Financial aid: scholarships, state/federal aid, private loans, and grants

Accreditation: The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

2. Rowan College at Burlington County

With nearly 20 online associate degrees and five academic certificates, Rowan College has no shortage of options for prospective students. Additionally, students have a great deal of flexibility, with online classes being either live or asynchronous.

Average in-state tuition: $146.50 per credit (in-county), $163.50 per credit (out-of-county)

Average out-of-state tuition: $228.50 per credit

Program length: two years

Financial aid: scholarships, state/federal aid, private loans, and grants

Accreditation: MSCHE

3. Union College of Union County

Union College of Union County offers over 15 online degree paths in addition to seven certificate programs. What's more, many of the school's degrees can be completed through a hybrid format, meaning students can take on-campus and online courses.

Average in-state tuition: $149.72 to $224.58 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $285 to $427.50 per credit

Program length: two years

Financial aid: scholarships, state/federal aid, private loans, and grants

Accreditation: MSCHE

4. Hudson County Community College

With 16 online associate degrees and several certificates, Hudson County Community College makes online education convenient and affordable. Students can choose from degrees in areas such as business, cannabis, healthcare, and STEM.

Average in-state tuition: $161 per credit (only for county residents)

Average out-of-state tuition: $322 per credit

Program length: two years

Financial aid: scholarships, state/federal aid, private loans, and grants

Accreditation: MSCHE

5. Atlantic Cape Community College

Atlantic Cape Community College offers more than 10 fully online associate degrees, including degrees in computer information systems, liberal arts, criminal justice, and child development. In addition to being among the cheapest schools on our list, ACCC's programs offer great flexibility regarding coursework with 24/7 access.

Average in-state tuition: $166 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $166 per credit

Program length: two years

Financial aid: scholarships, state/federal aid, private loans, and grants

Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

6. Brookdale Community College

Offering eight fully online associate degrees as well as a certificate program in cybersecurity, Brookdale Community College offers numerous options for students who can't attend courses in person.

Average in-state tuition: $167 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $167 per credit

Program length: two years

Financial aid: scholarships, state/federal aid, private loans, and grants

Accreditation: MSCHE

7. Camden County College

As a leader in online education, Camden County College provides students with considerable control over their educational experience. With degrees in fields such as business administration, diversity and social justice, and health information technology, students can choose an educational path that aligns with their passions.

Average in-state tuition: $170 per credit (in-county), $174 per credit (out-of-county)

Average out-of-state tuition: $239 per credit

Program length: two years

Financial aid: scholarships, state/federal aid, private loans, and grants

Accreditation: MSCHE

8. County College of Morris

County College of Morris' Virtual Campus promotes a ''learning without borders'' modality, helping students earn their degrees at their convenience. While tuition per credit is the same for in-county, out-of-county, and out-of-state students, additional fees may affect the total price.

Average in-state tuition: $173 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $173 per credit

Program length: two years

Financial aid: scholarships, state/federal aid, private loans, and grants

Accreditation: MSCHE

9. Passaic County Community College

Offering synchronous, simultaneous, and hybrid courses, Passaic County Community College makes earning a degree online simple and flexible to each student's preferences. However, this online school does not offer self-paced courses, so students must adhere to a regular schedule.

Average in-state tuition: $188 per credit (in-county), $258 per credit (out-of-county)

Average out-of-state tuition: $330 per credit

Program length: two years

Financial aid: scholarships, state/federal aid, private loans, and grants

Accreditation: MSCHE

10. Bergen County Community College

To give students full control over their education, Bergen County Community College offers a range of course options, including synchronous, asynchronous, and hybrid formats. Although the cost of tuition is slightly higher than that of other options on our list, students can apply for aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). There are also scholarships and grants to reduce the cost of tuition.

Average in-state tuition: $219.65 per credit (in-county), 385.55 per credit (out-of-county)

Average out-of-state tuition: $402.40 per credit

Program length: two years

Financial aid: scholarships, state/federal aid, private loans, and grants

Accreditation: MSCHE

How We Rank Schools

Each school on our list was carefully selected to ensure that programs provide high-quality education. Below are the criteria we used to choose each institution.

• Accreditation: Each school on our list is accredited by a nationally recognized institution.
• Affordability: Affordability was a top priority when selecting colleges, with each school either costing no more than $10,000 for an associate degree or offering financial aid to reduce costs. These are all online colleges that accept financial aid.
• Program reputation and quality: Each school we selected is renowned for its programs, ensuring learners get a quality education.
• Online format: Each school on our list offers affordable and accessible online degrees.

FAQs About the Cheapest Associate Degrees in New Jersey

Are you still unsure about pursuing an online education? Below, we answer some FAQs about affordable associate degrees online.

Can I Get an Associate Degree Online in New Jersey?

Yes, you can get an associate degree online in New Jersey. Most community colleges in the state offer online degree programs, as do many four-year institutions.

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

The cheapest and fastest way to get an associate degree in New Jersey is typically to find an online program offered by a community college, especially if you're a county resident. Community colleges typically offer lower tuition to in-county students, and online modalities provide greater flexibility and convenience.

Are There Any 6-Month Associate Degrees in New Jersey?

While there are 6-month online associate degrees in the U.S., there are no specific programs in New Jersey. However, there may be options to earn a degree in such a short time frame. Students can enroll in a more intense course load to earn the credits necessary to graduate sooner, or they can transfer credits to complete a program faster.

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

Some of the fastest associate degrees you can get online are criminal justice, marketing, information technology (IT), business administration, and accounting. Many schools offer accelerated programs for these types of degrees.

Earn Your Associate Degree Online

Online modalities make earning a degree cheap and convenient for anyone. Whether you want to enter a new career path or lay the groundwork for a bachelor's degree, graduate, or doctoral program, an associate degree is a great place to start. To learn more about online associate programs, explore the colleges and universities featured on Learn.org.