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Associate Degrees

Associate Degrees: Types, Costs, Salaries & Top Programs

An associate degree is a two-year undergraduate credential that typically takes about 60 credits to complete. It's the fastest full college degree you can earn, it costs a fraction of a bachelor's, and it qualifies you for hundreds of careers on its own or transfers into a four-year program later. This guide covers how associate degrees work, what they cost, what they pay, and where to find the right program by subject, format, and state.

Associate degree at a glance

  • Typical credits: 60 semester credits (about 20 courses)
  • Typical length: 2 years full-time; faster in accelerated programs
  • Average tuition (public two-year, in-district, 2025-26): $4,150 per year
  • Median weekly earnings, associate degree holders (2024): $1,099 (vs. $930 with a high school diploma)
  • Unemployment rate, associate degree holders (2024): 2.8% (vs. 4.2% with a high school diploma)

Sources: College Board, Trends in College Pricing 2025; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Education Pays 2024 (workers age 25+).

What Is an Associate Degree?

An associate degree sits between a high school diploma and a bachelor's degree. Community colleges, technical schools, and many four-year universities award them, and a growing number of programs are fully online. Coursework combines general education classes (English, math, science, social science) with courses in a major, and the balance between the two depends on the degree type.

There are more kinds of associate degrees than most students expect, but nearly all fall into a few families. If you're still choosing a field, start with the most common associate degree programs to see where students tend to land.

Types of Associate Degrees

Associate of Arts (AA). A transfer-focused degree built around humanities, social sciences, and communication. Learn more about the Associate of Arts degree and how it maps to a bachelor's.

Associate of Science (AS). A transfer-focused degree heavier in math and natural sciences, common for students headed toward STEM, health, or business majors. See what an Associate of Science degree includes.

Associate of Applied Science (AAS). A career-focused degree designed to get you into the workforce directly, common in healthcare, IT, and skilled trades. AAS credits don't always transfer as smoothly, so check before you enroll.

Associate of Applied Arts (AAA). A career-focused degree for creative fields like design, media, and culinary arts. Here's a closer look at the Associate of Applied Arts.

General studies associate degrees. A flexible option for students who haven't picked a major or want maximum transfer credit. Read about the general education associate degree or browse general studies associate programs.

How Long Does It Take to Get an Associate Degree?

Full-time students usually finish in two years. Part-time students often take three to four. Transfer credit, prior learning, and accelerated terms can shorten that considerably. Our breakdown of how long an associate degree takes covers every scenario, and the online-specific version explains timelines for online associate degrees.

If speed matters most, read what an accelerated associate degree program is and how fast you can finish an associate degree online, then compare 1-year accelerated associate programs, 6-month online associate degree programs, and our full list of accelerated online associate degree programs.

Associate Degree Requirements: Credits, Classes, and Math

Most programs require around 60 credits, with roughly half in general education. Our guide to the classes and credits required for an associate degree walks through a typical course plan.

Math is the requirement students ask about most. Most degrees require at least one college-level math course; this guide explains the math required for an associate degree, and a few pathways let you earn an associate degree without taking math.

How Much Does an Associate Degree Cost?

Average published tuition and fees at public two-year colleges were $4,150 for in-district students in 2025-26, and many full-time community college students receive enough grant aid to cover tuition entirely. Online and private programs vary widely; see what an online associate degree costs for real price ranges.

To lower your cost:

Online Associate Degrees

Online programs follow the same curriculum and accreditation standards as campus programs, with far more scheduling flexibility. If you're new to distance learning, start with how to get an associate degree online, then compare the best online associate degree programs.

Format matters as much as school. Working adults often prefer self-paced online associate degrees, part-time associate degree programs, or competency-based associate degrees, which let you move faster through material you already know. For the lowest barrier to entry, see the easiest associate degrees to earn online.

Associate Degree Salary: Is It Worth It?

Workers whose highest credential is an associate degree earned a median of $1,099 per week in 2024, about 18% more than high school graduates, with a lower unemployment rate. Field matters: healthcare, IT, and technical trades pay well above the median.

Associate vs. Bachelor's Degree

An associate degree costs less and gets you working sooner. A bachelor's opens more senior roles and pays more over a career. Many students do both, finishing an associate degree first and transferring into year three of a bachelor's. See how the comparison plays out in specific fields: ADN vs. BSN, associate vs. bachelor's in computer science, associate vs. bachelor's in cybersecurity, and reasons to choose a bachelor's over an associate in business.

Browse Associate Degrees by Subject

Find programs, rankings, and career guides for your field. Each subject starts with its program directory, then rankings, program guides, and career outcomes.

Healthcare & Medical Associate Degrees

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Careers & outcomes

Nursing & Pre-Nursing Associate Degrees

Program directory

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Degree comparison

Business, Accounting & Marketing Associate Degrees

Program directory

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Degree comparison

Careers & outcomes

Computers & IT Associate Degrees

Program directory

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Degree comparison

Cybersecurity & AI Associate Degrees

Program directory

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Degree comparison

Careers & outcomes

Education & Child Development Associate Degrees

Program directory

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Psychology, Social Work & Human Services Associate Degrees

Program directory

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Criminal Justice, Legal & Security Associate Degrees

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Engineering, Trades & Technology Associate Degrees

Program directory

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Arts, Media & Communication Associate Degrees

Program directory

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Science & Environment Associate Degrees

Program guide

General Studies & Liberal Arts Associate Degrees

Rankings

Program guide

Careers & outcomes

Browse All Associate Degree Programs

Online Associate Degrees by State

Many public colleges charge far less to in-state students, even online. Start with the most affordable online associate degrees in your state.

Affordable online associate degrees: Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming

Self-paced online associate degrees: Arizona · California · Florida · Illinois · Michigan · New York · North Carolina · Ohio · Pennsylvania · Texas

Associate Degrees at Specific Schools

Program details, costs, and requirements for associate degrees at individual schools and credit providers.

Associate Degree FAQs

How many credits is an associate degree? Most associate degrees require about 60 semester credits (or 90 quarter credits). See the full breakdown of credits and classes.

Can you get an associate degree in one year? Yes. Accelerated programs with shorter terms, heavy course loads, and transfer credit can get you there in 12 months or less. Compare 1-year associate degree programs.

Is an associate degree worth it? For most students, yes. Associate degree holders earned about 18% more per week than high school graduates in 2024 and had a lower unemployment rate, according to BLS data. Returns are highest in healthcare, IT, and technical fields.

Do associate degree credits transfer to a bachelor's? AA and AS credits are designed to transfer, and many states have guaranteed-transfer agreements between community colleges and public universities. AAS credits transfer less reliably, so confirm with the four-year school before enrolling.

Are online associate degrees respected by employers? Yes, as long as the school is regionally or nationally accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Diplomas generally don't indicate whether a degree was earned online.

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