Best Affordable Online Associate Degrees in Indiana 2025

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), tuition costs at public schools in Indiana are just a bit above the national average. The most affordable associate degree online come from the state's public institutions, but some nonprofit private schools offer affordable options as well.

Associate degrees are a great way to enter a career field or start your education. Many students, especially working adult learners, prefer taking courses online as it's more flexible than learning on campus. Keep reading to discover the cheapest online associate degrees in Indiana.

How Much Does an Associate Degree Cost in Indiana?

Online associate degrees in Indiana range from around $175 to over $500 per credit hour. The amount you pay depends on several factors, including which school you choose, whether you're an in-state or out-of-state student, how many transfer credits you have, and whether you qualify for financial aid.

The most affordable associate degrees online usually come from community colleges � and this is true in Indiana as well. However, Indiana only really has one public community college. Other affordable online colleges in the state include a mix of public and private four-year institutions.

Indiana also offers financial aid options like the 21st Century Scholars program that help students pay for their higher education. To find out what you qualify for, fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Cheapest Online Associate Degree Programs

Several public and private schools in Indiana offer online associate degrees. We've highlighted the most affordable options below.

1. Ivy Tech Community College

Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana's community college system. It has over 40 locations across the state, including a centralized online campus that offers associate degrees in fields like cybersecurity, early childhood education, health information technology, and liberal arts.

Ivy Tech charges in-state students a tuition rate of $178.38 per credit and out-of-state students a rate of $348.97. It also offers over $8 million in scholarships every year.

Average in-state tuition: $178.38 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $348.97 per credit

Program length: Four semesters of full-time study

Financial aid: Ivy Tech accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. Indiana University Indianapolis

At Indiana University Indianapolis, students can choose from two online associate degrees. One is an Associate of Science (AS) in histotechnology, while the other is an AS in labor studies.

The histotechnology program costs $223.50 per credit regardless of a student's residence. The labor studies program costs $317.26 per credit for Indiana residents and $475.89 for out-of-state students.

Average in-state tuition: $270.38 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $349.70 per credit

Program length: Four semesters of full-time study

Financial aid: IU Indianapolis offers institutional financial aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.

Accreditation: HLC

3. Vincennes University

Vincennes University offers around ten associate degrees, as well as various certificates and bachelor's degrees, online. The public college is based in Vincennes, IN.

Online programs are available in fields like computer science, education, healthcare, and information technology. In-state students, as well as residents of Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and Kentucky, pay $251.54 per credit hour for online programs. Residents of all other states pay $314.18 per credit.

Average in-state tuition: $251.54 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $314.18 per credit

Program length: Four semesters of full-time study

Financial aid: VU offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private financial aid.

Accreditation: HLC

4. Indiana University Northwest

Indiana University Northwest offers one online associate degree: an AS in labor studies. This is an interdisciplinary degree that focuses on work, the workplace, workers, and their organizations.

IU Northwest, located in Gary, IN, is a public university. It charges Indiana residents $257.23 per credit for this program. Residents of all other states pay $378.10 per credit.

Average in-state tuition: $257.23 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $378.10 per credit

Program length: Four semesters of full-time study

Financial aid: IU Northwest accepts aid through FAFSA and private organizations. It also offers institutional aid programs.

Accreditation: HLC

5. Trine University

Trine University is a private institution in Angola, IN. It offers a handful of online programs in fields like business administration, criminal justice, general studies, and information systems.

Tuition for undergraduate online degree programs is $299 per credit hour. Students can use financial aid, like scholarships, to help them pay for their online classes.

Average in-state tuition: $299 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $299 per credit

Program length: Four semesters of full-time study

Financial aid: Trine University accepts FAFSA and private financial aid.

Accreditation: HLC

6. Indiana Wesleyan University

Students at Indiana Wesleyan University can choose from over a dozen online degree programs. Areas of study include aviation operations, digital media, early childhood education, and human services.

This private Christian university is located in Marion, IN. It charges $315 per credit hour for all undergraduate online learning programs.

Average in-state tuition: $315 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $315 per credit

Program length: Four semesters of full-time study

Financial aid: Indiana Wesleyan accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.

Accreditation: HLC

7. Indiana University Bloomington

An associate degree in labor studies is also available at Indiana University Bloomington. The public research institution is the flagship university of the Indiana University system.

This degree is offered through the university's School of Social Work. In-state residents pay $331.90 per credit, while out-of-state residents pay $1,261.54, making IU Bloomington the most expensive option for out-of-state students.

Average in-state tuition: $331.90 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $1,261.54 per credit

Program length: Four semesters of full-time study

Financial aid: IU offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private aid.

Accreditation: HLC

8. Ball State University

Two associate degrees are available online through Ball State University. The first is an Associate of Arts (AA) in criminal justice and criminology, while the second is an AA in general arts.

BSU, located in Muncie, IN, is a public research university. It charges $346 per credit to in-state students and $578 per credit to out-of-state online students.

Average in-state tuition: $346 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $578 per credit

Program length: Four semesters of full-time study

Financial aid: Ball State accepts FAFSA and private aid and also offers institutional scholarships.

Accreditation: HLC

9. Marian University

Marian University is a private Catholic school in Indianapolis. It offers three online associate degrees: an AS in health sciences, an AS in paralegal studies, and an AA in liberal arts.

Online associate degrees at Marion University cost $375 per credit hour. Multiple scholarships are available to help students cover the cost of their college degrees.

Average in-state tuition: $375 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $375 per credit

Program length: Four semesters of full-time study

Financial aid: Marian University accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private aid.

Accreditation: HLC

10. Indiana Institute of Technology

Through the Indiana Institute of Technology, students can choose from around a dozen online associate degrees. Areas of study include business administration, criminal justice, healthcare, and information technology.

Indiana Tech is a private university in Fort Wayne, IN. It charges $399 for the majority of its online undergraduate programs.

Average in-state tuition: $399 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $399 per credit

Program length: Four semesters of full-time study

Financial aid: Indiana Tech offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.

Accreditation: HLC

How We Rank Schools

To choose the cheapest online associate degrees in Indiana, we focused on:

• Location: We only chose online schools located in Indiana.
• Accreditation: All colleges and universities on this list are regionally accredited to ensure high-quality education programs.
• Affordability: Once we narrowed down the accredited Indiana schools with online associate degrees, we looked at which had the most affordable options.
• Online format: All schools offer at least one fully online associate degree.

FAQs About the Cheapest Associate Degrees in Indiana

Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about the most affordable associate degrees online in Indiana.

Can I Get an Associate Degree Online in Indiana?

Over a dozen colleges and universities in Indiana offer associate degrees online. Some offer only one or two options, but others, like Ivy Tech and Indiana Tech, offer a variety of online program options for students.

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

Most associate degrees require 60 credits and take four semesters of full-time study. For the majority of students, that's two years. However, there are ways to earn your degree faster and for less money.

One great way is to earn college credit while still in high school through programs like Advanced Placement (AP) courses. These are free and will reduce the number of credits you need once you get to college, reducing your tuition costs.

You can also accelerate your degree by taking courses during the summer or taking on a heavier course load. To save money, look for online colleges that accept financial aid and fill out the FAFSA every year.

Are There Any 6-Month Associate Degrees in Indiana?

Because associate degrees usually require at least 60 credits, true 6-month online associate degrees. However, if you have already taken college-level coursework and have transfer credits, you may be able to finish your degree in as little as six months. Taking courses during the summer term can help speed up your progress even more.

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

If your goal is to finish a degree quickly, consider pursuing an online associate degree in general studies. These still require 60 credits, but are a lot more flexible with your class options.

When you major in a specific subject, you'll have a list of courses you must take to fulfill your major requirements. In a general studies degree, you'll have categories to fulfill but very few specific courses. This means you don't have to wait around for a certain class to be available.

Earn Your Associate Degree Online

Jump into your online education by exploring the programs featured on Learn.org. Contact individual schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.