Most Affordable Online Associate Degrees in Virginia 2025

You don't have to spend four years or more completing a bachelor's degree to grow in your career; many associate degree programs lead to high-paying, in-demand jobs. A cheap online associate degree in Virginia can help you get started without significant student loan debt.

Online learners can complete their degree in programs like healthcare, criminal justice, computer science, and liberal arts. No matter your chosen career path, affordable online colleges can help you reach your goals. Keep reading to learn how you can finish an affordable associate degree online.

How Much Does an Associate Degree Cost in Virginia?

Several factors can impact the cost of your associate degree, including the program, format, and whether you attend a community college or university. For example, Liberty University advertises classes at $390 per credit hour, significantly more than our schools listed below.

Choose from among Virginia's many affordable online colleges and consider completing any prerequisites while still in high school.

You can find an affordable associate degree online that gives you flexibility at a lower cost. Overall, an associate degree in Virginia will cost about $10,000. Let's take a look at some of the cheapest online associate degrees in Virginia.

Cheapest Online Associate Degree Programs

Completing your degree online can be a cost-effective way to further your education with less hassle. Additionally, many of these are online colleges that accept financial aid. No matter where you are in the Commonwealth, there's likely a nearby community college offering affordable online programs.

1. Rappahannock Community College

Get your Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in either administration of justice or business management at Rappahannock Community College. They also offer seven Associate of Art and Science (AA&S) transfer degrees. These are designed for students who plan to complete a four-year bachelor's degree after earning their associate's.

The AAS degrees take between 65 and 66 credits, while the AA&S degrees take between 60 and 62 credits. The Applied Science degree in Nursing (ADN) takes 67 credits and includes additional fees.

Average in-state tuition: $163.40 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $378 per credit hour

Program length: 24 months

Financial aid: Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), RCC Educational Foundation scholarships, need-based grants, and GI Bill educational benefits

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

2. New River Community College

New River Community College offers nine different associate degree programs that can be completed completely online. Complete an AA&S degree in education, business administration, or liberal arts. Or, online courses are available for an AAS degree in administrative support technology or business management.

New River offers online learning programs for both full-time and part-time students, with 14-, 10-, seven-, and five-week courses. Courses marked Z have either no required materials or materials that cost less than $40.

Average in-state tuition: $165.95 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $380.55 per credit hour

Program length: 24 months

Financial aid: FAFSA, G3 tuition assistance, credit for prior learning, and scholarships and grants

Accreditation: SACSCOC

3. Laurel Ridge Community College

Online degree programs are available in criminal justice, social sciences, early childhood development, computer science, and others. Most programs take full-time students two years to complete.

Laurel Ridge is a part of the National Council for State Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), meaning it allows out-of-state students to take classes to pursue licensure or certification. Their home state's requirements must be the same as Virginia's in order to take classes at Laurel Ridge.

Average in-state tuition: $169.05 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $383.65 per credit hour

Program length: 24 months

Financial aid: FAFSA, G3 tuition assistance, Davenport Institute Grant, merit-based grants, and military survivor and dependents program

Accreditation: SACSCOC

4. Piedmont Virginia Community College

There are three fully online distance education programs available at Piedmont Virginia Community College: business administration, general studies, and liberal arts. Many others are available in a hybrid format. PVCC also has transfer agreements with several Virginia colleges and universities that will allow students to easily transfer credits and begin work on their bachelor's or master's degrees.

Courses take between 60 and 63 credit hours. An online bookstore, tutoring, and discounts on Apple products and Microsoft Office all help students at PVCC succeed in distance learning.

Average in-state tuition: $169.05 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $383.65 per credit hour

Program length: 24 months

Financial aid: FAFSA, G3 tuition assistance, 100% of tuition covered through ''PVCC4U.100%!,'' and senior citizen tuition

Accreditation: SACSCOC

5. Southwest Virginia Community College

Southwest Virginia students can complete a degree in accounting, Appalachian studies, agribusiness, pre-med, business administration, business management, or business and technology. Courses take between 61 and 66 credit hours. The AS in agribusiness has an accelerated option.

Students can also pursue short-term certificate programs at Southwest Virginia. Enrollment options for all programs are available for the spring, summer, and fall.

Average in-state tuition: $169.15 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $383.75 per credit hour

Program length: 24 months

Financial aid: FAFSA, grants, scholarships, and tuition-free options for residents of Buchanan County and recent high school grads in Russell and Tazewell counties

Accreditation: SACSCOC

6. Brightpoint Community College

There are 16 different degree programs available completely online at Brightpoint. Several of these are also available in a hybrid format. Programs include accounting, business management, health sciences, information technology, and mass communications.

Students in need of more flexibility can finish their liberal arts or general studies degrees using the accelerated pathway. This allows you to take just one class at a time, but on five- to seven-week terms. On this schedule, you will still be able to complete your degree in just two years.

Average in-state tuition: $169.40 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $407.50 per credit hour

Program length: 24 months

Financial aid: FAFSA, military and veterans educational benefits, trailblazer success grant, and Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program (VGAP)

Accreditation: SACSCOC

7. Virginia Peninsula Community College

Online students can choose from many different associate degrees at Virginia Peninsula, including information systems technology, visual arts, health science, and others. An online education at Virginia Peninsula will make sure students get the same rigorous, high-quality teaching as on-campus students, and they will be ready to pursue a career or higher education when they graduate.

Financial aid is available for all eligible students, and additional support resources are available for foster youth and service members.

Average in-state tuition: $169.60 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $384.20 per credit hour

Program length: 24 months

Financial aid: FAFSA, G3 tuition assistance, VGAP, and merit- and need-based scholarships

Accreditation: SACSCOC

8. Central Virginia Community College

Central Virginia Community College offers distance learners 17 degree programs, including administration of justice, business management, cybersecurity, education, and health sciences. Courses are available both online and hybrid, with some courses available to watch live through Zoom. Those classes will have regular meeting times and give online students the opportunity to interact with their professors and classmates.

Online learning at CVCC is flexible, and the school offers support services for high school students, veterans, international students, and students with disabilities, to ensure that everyone gets the same high-quality education.

Average in-state tuition: $171.89 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $386.50 per credit hour

Program length: 24 months

Financial aid: FAFSA, G3 tuition assistance, Federal Work-Study program, the Commonwealth Award Grant, and various scholarships

Accreditation: SACSCOC

9. Reynolds Community College

There are dozens of degree programs available online at Reynolds, and dozens more that require minimal in-person work through labs, fieldwork, internships, or other learning methods. Complete your online degree in health sciences, health information management, criminal justice, or many others.

Reynolds is also a member of NC-SARA, the reciprocity agreement to allow out-of-state students seeking licensure to take approved classes. All new online students must complete the orientation to learning online course, which takes about two hours.

Average in-state tuition: $176 per credit hour

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

Program length: 24 months

Financial aid: FAFSA, military tuition assistance, G3 tuition assistance, Reynolds tuition assistance grants, and state and federal grants

Accreditation: SACSCOC

10. ECPI University

ECPI offers fully online and hybrid, or ''blended'' courses that allow students to get real-world, hands-on experience. Fully digital courses include electronic engineering technology, mechanical engineering technology, and mechatronics. Unlike our previously listed schools, ECPI offers many accelerated programs, so you can finish your associate degree in about 18 months.

Campus locations for hybrid students are available in Virginia Beach, Newport News, Northern Virginia, Richmond, and Roanoke.

Average in-state tuition: $8,712 per semester

Average out-of-state tuition: $8,712 per semester

Program length: 18 months

Financial aid: FAFSA, various ECPI scholarships include those for military members, community service, the founder's scholarship, and others

Accreditation: SACSCOC

How We Rank Schools

It's important to include schools that are not only affordable but provide a high-quality education. The criteria we used to create our list is below.

• Accreditation: All of the programs listed above are fully accredited by SACSCOC. This regular check ensures that the school is maintaining the highest level of academic excellence and is preparing students for undergrad classes, career advancement, or a new in-demand job.
• Affordability: Average tuition varies, but the schools above average $166.87 per credit hour, which is about $10,000 per semester. Low tuition rates and significant financial aid both help you finish your degree without worrying about student loan debt.
• Program reputation and quality: These online courses are taught by knowledgeable faculty who are ready to help you achieve your educational and career goals. Additional resources can help you navigate college stress-free.
• Online format: While some of these schools do offer hybrid programs, all of them offer at least three 100% online programs. This allows you to further your education while managing responsibilities at home or work.

FAQs About the Cheapest Associate Degrees in Virginia

You may have a lot of questions when looking at online schools. If you are wondering about the best online colleges, and how to succeed once you are accepted, then take a look at our FAQs below.

Can I Get an Associate Degree Online in Virginia?

Yes, you can get an associate degree online in Virginia, and there are many different programs to choose from. While some, like those in a health-related field, may require in-person work, many degrees are available completely online.

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

The cheapest way to get an associate degree online is to apply for scholarships and grants and to look into any transfer credits that you can bring over to lighten your course load. Both ECPI and Rappahannock Community College offer low-cost degree options. To finish fast, ECPI, Southwestern Virginia, and Brightpoint all offer accelerated programs.

Are There Any 6-Month Associate Degrees in Virginia?

Unfortunately, there are no six-month associate degree programs in Virginia, but there are one-year programs. Northern Virginia Community College offers an accelerated AAS degree in emergency medical services. Tidewater Community College and Germanna Community College both offer several accelerated associate degrees.

If you need a degree quickly, there are other 6-month online associate degrees available in other states.

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

An accelerated program is the fastest way to get your associate degree, usually in general studies or liberal studies. These programs can be completed in one year and will prepare you for work in a variety of fields.

Earn Your Associate Degree Online

Completing your associate degree is an exciting step towards many things: a new career, new opportunities in your existing career, an online bachelor's degree, or even a master's or doctoral degree. Reach out to one of the accredited schools featured on Learn.org and talk to them about your future goals.