2023 Most Popular Online Associate Degree Schools
When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Most Popular Online Associate Degree Schools ranking. Our analysis looked at 973 schools in the United States to see which online associate degree programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from schools with online programs.
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Most Popular Online Associate Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these popular schools with online programs:
Our analysis found Lone Star College System to be the most popular school for students who want to pursue a associate degree in the United States. North Harris Montgomery is located in The Woodlands, Texas and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 8,422 associate degrees to qualified students.
Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $4,848 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend North Harris Montgomery. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,168. On average, associate degree students take out $15,481 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.
During the 2019-2020 year, about 72% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ultimate Medical Academy - Clearwater. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Online Associate Degree Schools list. Located in Clearwater, Florida, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 6,351 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
Associate Degree recipients from UMA Clearwater accumulate an average of $24,458 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 97% of those degree recipients were women.
Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 98% took at least some of their classes online.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Utah Valley University. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Most Popular Online Associate Degree Schools list. UVU is located in Orem, Utah and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5,538 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from Utah who attend UVU full time pay an average of $6,010 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $17,092. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,381 in student loans. Around 50% of those degree recipients were women.
In 2019-2020 about 70% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Collin County Community College District is a great place for students working on their associate degree. Located in McKinney, Texas, the large public school awarded 4,408 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Collin County Community College District is $3,094. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,104. On average, associate degree students take out $17,379 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.
Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 95% took at least some of their classes online.
Out of the 973 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Phoenix - Arizona landed the # 5 spot on the list. UOPX - Arizona is a large private for-profit school situated in Tempe, Arizona. It awarded 3,574 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, associate degree students take out $23,839 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.
To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 100% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
St Petersburg College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs. SPC is located in Clearwater, Florida and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 4,371 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at SPC is $2,682. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,286. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,838 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.
Around 87% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #7, American Public University System did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. American Military University is located in Charles Town, West Virginia and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3,411 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees at American Military University is $7,360. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,232 in student loans. Around 33% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, American Military University is an excellent choice, since the school is online.
Hillsborough Community College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs. Tampa, Florida is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 4,137 students in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $2,506 in tuition and fees if they attend HCC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,111. On average, associate degree students take out $19,707 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.
To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 88% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Southern New Hampshire University ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Online Associate Degree Schools list. Manchester, New Hampshire is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 3,227 students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees at SNHU is $15,380. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $22,352 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.
In 2019-2020 about 96% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Northern Virginia Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #10 on the list. Northern Virginia Community College is a large public school located in Annandale, Virginia that handed out 6,023 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Virginia pay an average of $5,565 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Northern Virginia Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,648. On average, associate degree students take out $17,116 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
Around 74% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
University of Maryland Global Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #11 on the list. UMGC is located in Adelphi, Maryland and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,512 associate degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $7,704 in tuition and fees if they attend UMGC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $12,336. Associate Degree recipients from UMGC accumulate an average of $13,959 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 39% were women.
Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 92% took at least some of their classes online.
South Texas College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Associate Degree Schools ranking. South Texas College is a public institution located in McAllen, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3,920 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Students from Texas who attend South Texas College full time pay an average of $4,530 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,920. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,401 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 67% were women.
Around 94% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Cuyahoga Community College District came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Associate Degree Schools ranking. This fairly large public school is located in Cleveland, Ohio, and it awarded 3,410 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,998 in student loans. Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.
In 2019-2020 about 80% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #14, Santa Monica College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. Located in Santa Monica, California, the large public school awarded 3,921 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Students from California who attend SMC full time pay an average of $1,146 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,090. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,428 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 45% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Seminole State College of Florida landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs. Sanford, Florida is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 2,926 students in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Florida pay an average of $3,131 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Seminole State. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,456. On average, associate degree students take out $18,707 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 88% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #16, Excelsior College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. Excelsior College is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in Albany, New York that handed out 2,266 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Associate Degree recipients from Excelsior College accumulate an average of $15,946 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.
Excelsior College is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.
Georgia Military College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #17 on the list. Georgia Military College is located in Milledgeville, Georgia and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,039 associate degrees to qualified students.
Associate Degree recipients from Georgia Military College accumulate an average of $16,673 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 67% were women.
To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 58% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Associate Degree Schools ranking. Colorado Springs, Colorado is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 1,998 students in 2020-2021.
Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $12,581. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $29,574 in student loans. Around 77% of those degree recipients were women.
During the 2019-2020 year, about 100% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Full Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs Report
With a ranking of #19, Wake Technical Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. This large public school is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, and it awarded 3,141 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,768 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Wake Technical Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,912. On average, associate degree students take out $22,857 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 94% took at least some of their classes online.
Indian River State College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #20 on the list. Located in Fort Pierce, Florida, the fairly large public school awarded 2,353 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Florida pay an average of $2,764 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Indian River State College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,201. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,642 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.
Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 79% took at least some of their classes online.
Eastern Florida State College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #21 on the list. Located in Cocoa, Florida, the fairly large public school handed out 2,325 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Florida pay an average of $2,791 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend EFSC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,976. On average, associate degree students take out $19,729 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
Around 93% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #22, Purdue University Global did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, the large public school handed out 1,986 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $10,125 in tuition and fees if they attend Purdue University Global full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $14,436. Associate Degree recipients from Purdue University Global accumulate an average of $27,073 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 40% were women.
Purdue University Global is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
Florida SouthWestern State College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Associate Degree Schools ranking. Located in Fort Myers, Florida, the fairly large public school awarded 2,380 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Students from Florida who attend FSW full time pay an average of $3,401 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $12,979. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,085 in student loans. Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.
Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 73% took at least some of their classes online.
Daytona State College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #24 on the list. Daytona State College is located in Daytona Beach, Florida and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,332 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from Florida who attend Daytona State College full time pay an average of $3,106 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,994. Associate Degree recipients from Daytona State College accumulate an average of $15,832 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.
During the 2019-2020 year, about 77% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Weber State University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Associate Degree Schools ranking. WSU is a public institution located in Ogden, Utah. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3,079 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $6,228 in tuition and fees if they attend WSU full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $16,644. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,128 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
Around 59% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Rest of the Top 50 Most Popular Online Associate Degree Schools in the United States
Not only did these schools make the top most popular online list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
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Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Online Associate Degree Schools in the United States
To learn more about the schools below, just click on their names:
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular online schools ranking:
Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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