Top 10 Best Part-Time Associate Degree Programs in 2025

Working individuals may not have the most time to devote to furthering their education. Sometimes it's almost impossible to handle a full college course load with all your other responsibilities.

If you still want to go to college, consider enrolling in a part-time associate degree program. We'll introduce you to a few flexible options in this article.

Can You Earn an Associate Degree Part-Time?

Yes, you can earn an associate degree part-time by enrolling in a flexible program at a community college campus or online university. Some schools even promote their part-time programs as an alternative to traditional full-time options. This grants you the opportunity to continue with your other responsibilities during the day while taking evening or asynchronous classes, which do not require you to attend at a specific time.

How Long Does It Take to Finish a Part-Time Associate Degree?

You may wonder, ''How long does an associate degree take part-time?'' This depends on how many courses you take, whether you can transfer credits from other college work, and the flexibility of the degree requirements. Some full-time programs take one or two years to complete, whereas part-time associate degrees may last about three years.

How Does a Part-Time Associate Degree Program Work?

The purpose of a part-time associate degree is to take advantage of flexible scheduling, evening or weekend classes, and online/hybrid course formats, which make it faster to complete course requirements. This might involve taking three or four online courses rather than a traditional five courses or whatever an institution considers full-time.

You can also take part-time courses during the summer and winter sessions to progress toward your degree at a steady pace and graduate on time.

Best Part-Time Associate Degree Programs

Here's a list of accredited and reputable part-time associate degree programs. Some of these options are available online or in a hybrid format, while others include in-person evening classes.

1. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) offers most of its programs on a part-time or full-time basis, including helpful transfer credit options, which can make degree completion faster. You can enroll in part-time degree options in fields like business, criminal justice, liberal arts, and technology.

• Estimated tuition cost: $342 per credit hour
• Program length: Three years
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

2. Middlesex Community College

Middlesex Community College features flexible and affordable degree options in several fields. While a traditional curriculum requires 60 credit hours and two years of study, part-time students should have a solid chance of finishing within three years.

This community college offers degrees in the arts and humanities, business, education, health sciences, public service, social science, natural sciences, and mathematics.

• Estimated tuition cost: Free tuition (Massachusetts residents)
• Program length: Three years
• Accreditation: NECHE

3. University of Hartford

The University of Hartford offers an Associate of Arts (AA) in liberal arts, which is geared toward part-time degree seekers who may later pursue a bachelor's degree. This 60-credit program could take three years to complete, but the university allows students to bring in transfer credits to cover 50% of the program.

• Estimated tuition cost: $590 to $670 per credit hour
• Program length: Three years
• Accreditation: NECHE

4. Hudson Valley Community College

Hudson Valley Community College has associate degree programs tailored for students between 25 and 55 years old, available in part-time or full-time formats. It also offers a lower tuition rate for its part-time courses, which you can take online or at its campus in New York.

• Estimated tuition cost: $10 per credit hour for students below 15 credit hours
• Program length: Three years
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

5. Ivy Tech Community College

Ivy Tech Community College offers part-time degree options with an affordable tuition rate, which some students can waive if they participate in the school's ''NextLevel Jobs'' program. Ivy Tech's associate degree programs require 60 to 75 credit hours, serving as either career-ready degrees or transferable degrees for those who would pursue a bachelor's degree elsewhere.

• Estimated tuition cost: $178.38 per credit hour
• Program length: Three years
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

6. State College of Florida - Manatee/Sarasota

State College of Florida - Manatee/Sarasota has an affordable way to earn an associate degree or cover the first two years of a bachelor's degree by attending full-time or part-time. This applies to several lucrative academic disciplines, such as elementary education, health services administration, management and leadership, and nursing.

• Estimated tuition cost: $102 per credit hour
• Program length: Three years
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

7. Cabarrus College of Health Sciences

Cabarrus College of Health Sciences has part-time enrollment options for nursing students. The program normally takes two years to finish if you attend classes full-time. This institution boasts an impressive 95% first-time pass rate for nurses who take the licensure exam, and the same percentage of graduates find employment within a year of degree completion.

• Estimated tuition cost: $425 per credit hour
• Program length: Three years
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

8. Germanna Community College

Germanna Community College has an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree for nurses, featuring online, evening, and weekend courses. The admissions process requires either a high school diploma or GED, and you must pass the school's pre-admissions test in five subject areas: math, science, English, reading and critical thinking.

• Estimated tuition cost: $180.20 per credit hour
• Program length: Three years
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)

9. Northwood Technical College

Northwood Technical College has a self-paced, part-time nursing program, which requires 70 credit hours and takes four years to complete. The theoretical coursework is entirely online, whereas skills labs and clinical rotations take place at one of its four campuses in Wisconsin.

• Estimated tuition cost: $175.57 per credit hour
• Program length: Four years
• Accreditation: HLC

10. John A. Logan College

John A. Logan College offers a part-time path for earning an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) for students who already hold an unencumbered active Illinois license as a licensed practical nurse (LPN). This nursing program also requires you to pass an entrance exam.

Students can complete this in three years or fewer if they follow the school's curriculum track, which includes summer and winter sessions.

• Estimated tuition cost: $145.00 per credit hour
• Program length: Two to Three years
• Accreditation: HLC

Popular Part-Time Associate Degree Majors

This section shows some of the most popular associate degree programs for part-time students. These are college majors you can declare while taking courses during evenings or weekends.

• Nursing: An entry-level nursing degree is a terrific first step into entering this in-demand field, allowing graduates to sit for state licensure.
• Criminal Justice: This is a popular way to enter law enforcement roles or specialize in areas like cybersecurity, homeland security, and more.
• Psychology: Psychology majors focus on the behavioral aspects of human beings for research and therapeutic purposes.
• Business Administration: A business degree offers training in concepts like finance, entrepreneurship, leadership, marketing, and other essential skills.
• Accounting: This credential helps you begin an entry-level career as a bookkeeper, tax professional, or assistant at an accounting firm.
• Radiology: Radiology technicians must safely handle radiological equipment in many patient-care roles, including mammography, sonography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
• Paralegal: Paralegals provide valuable administrative support in private practice law firms.
• Respiratory Therapist: This is a specialized practitioner who offers critical pulmonary care for patients.
• Veterinary Technician: You can study this subject to become an assistant to a veterinarian in a private clinic or animal hospital.
• Dental Hygienist: Dental assistants must undergo licensing after earning a two-year degree to qualify for lucrative roles in private dental practice.

How We Rank Schools

Check out how we ranked the part-time programs listed above. Each school must possess academic accreditation, flexible program delivery, and a reputation for awarding worthwhile degrees.

• Accreditation: These community colleges and universities possess valid accreditation from organizations like HLC.
• Program flexibility: Academic programs should permit part-time attendance and/or self-paced curricula.
• Program reputation: You should only attend a reputable college that grants degrees, which lead graduates to rewarding career opportunities.

FAQs About Part-Time Associate Degrees

Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding part-time associate degrees. This section addresses cost considerations, career options upon graduation, and typical program duration.

How Much Does a Part-Time Associate Degree Cost?

This depends heavily on where you attend college, whether you can secure in-state tuition, and the program type. While these programs may range from $2,000 to $6,000, tuition may be higher for medical programs, out-of-state students, and at some institutions with differential rates for part-time students.

What Careers Can I Pursue With a Part-Time Associate Degree?

There are many part-time associate degree jobs that pay pretty well. The job you land after graduation has more to do with your major and previous work experience.

If you take advantage of career counseling and faculty networking at your school, you may find entry-level employment shortly after graduating with a degree in business administration, nursing, criminal justice, and so forth.

How Long Does It Take To Get an Associate Degree Part-Time Online?

A traditional associate degree takes about two years to finish. If you enroll part-time and complete about 75% of a full-time schedule, you can expect to take about 2.5 to three years for degree completion.

What Is the Quickest Associate Degree To Get?

Some academic fields offer ''accelerated'' or ''fast-track'' degrees, which prepare students to graduate in roughly half the traditional enrollment period. This is common in business administration and healthcare degree programs, which you can complete within 12 to 16 months, especially if you have previous academic credits you can transfer.

Are Online Associate Degrees Worth It?

Yes, they're worth it for the convenience and affordability. Remember that when you earn these degrees, your diploma won't say ''online degree'' on it, meaning employers will honor it the same as they would an on-campus credential.

Discover Flexible Degree Programs

You can use everything on Learn.org to discover top online and flexible degree programs at every academic level. Discover how to attend college part-time for an associate degree, bachelor's degree, master's degree, and beyond.