2023 Most Popular Online Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region
A student has lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools and bootcamps that offer fast-track entry to many fields.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Most Popular Online Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This report analyzed 129 schools in the Plains States Region to see which ones had the most popular online associate degree programs 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 Plains States Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these popular schools with online programs:
Our 2023 rankings named Johnson County Community College the most popular school in the Plains States Region for students working on their associate degree. Located in Overland Park, Kansas, the fairly large public school handed out 1,705 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at JCCC is $2,688. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,352. On average, associate degree students take out $15,979 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
In 2019-2020 about 84% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City is a great place for students working on their associate degree. MCC is a public institution located in Kansas City, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,868 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, associate degree students take out $16,587 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
In 2019-2020 about 92% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Out of the 129 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Normandale Community College landed the # 3 spot on the list. Normandale Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Bloomington, Minnesota. It awarded 1,208 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
If you want to attend Normandale Community College, expect to pay an average of $5,789 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Normandale Community College accumulate an average of $20,674 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
Around 92% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Anoka-Ramsey Community College is a great place for students working on their associate degree. Coon Rapids, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,071 students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees at Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus is $5,515. 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 $23,645 in student loans. Around 69% of those degree recipients were women.
Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 48% took at least some of their classes online.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Columbia College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Most Popular Online Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Columbia College is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in Columbia, Missouri that handed out 839 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, associate degree students take out $29,271 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
In 2019-2020 about 78% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Moberly Area 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 #6 on the list. Located in Moberly, Missouri, the small public school awarded 807 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Students from Missouri who attend MACC full time pay an average of $6,150 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,860. On average, associate degree students take out $15,707 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.
Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 86% took at least some of their classes online.
Ozarks Technical Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Online Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Springfield, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,607 students in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at OTC is $4,924. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,028. On average, associate degree students take out $19,198 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 43% took at least some of their classes online.
Eastern Iowa Community College District landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs. This medium-sized public school is located in Davenport, Iowa, and it awarded 846 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Associate Degree recipients from Eastern Iowa Community Colleges accumulate an average of $20,417 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 61% took at least some of their classes online.
Grantham University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #9 on the list. Grantham University is a private for-profit institution located in Lenexa, Kansas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 568 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $8,280 to cover tuition and fees at Grantham University. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, associate degree students take out $23,791 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 52% of those degree recipients were women.
Since Grantham University is primarily an online school, it is an excellent choice for undergraduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.
With a ranking of #10, State Fair Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. State Fair Community College is located in Sedalia, Missouri and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 679 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at State Fair Community College is $4,680. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,168. Associate Degree recipients from State Fair Community College accumulate an average of $17,832 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 71% of those degree recipients were women.
Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 72% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #11, Century College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. Century College is a medium-sized public school situated in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. It awarded 1,145 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $5,907 to cover tuition and fees at Century College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,559 in student loans. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
In 2019-2020 about 91% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #12, Minnesota State Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. This medium-sized public school is located in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and it awarded 766 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
If you want to attend M State, expect to pay an average of $5,862 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $20,514 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.
In 2019-2020 about 49% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Read full report on Minnesota State Community and Technical College
Cowley County Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Arkansas City, Kansas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 472 students in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Kansas pay an average of $3,750 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Cowley College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,190. Associate Degree recipients from Cowley College accumulate an average of $12,642 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.
Around 67% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #14, Barton County Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. Barton Community College is a public institution located in Great Bend, Kansas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 593 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $3,776 in tuition and fees if they attend Barton Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $4,544. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,125 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
Around 78% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
North Hennepin Community College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Brooklyn Park, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 621 students in 2020-2021.
If you want to attend North Hennepin Community College, expect to pay an average of $4,882 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from North Hennepin Community College accumulate an average of $24,520 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
In 2019-2020 about 86% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
St Cloud Technical and Community College ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Online Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. St Cloud Technical and Community College is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 743 associate degrees to qualified students.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $5,874 to cover tuition and fees at St Cloud Technical and Community College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,104 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
During the 2019-2020 year, about 75% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Ridgewater College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This small public school is located in Willmar, Minnesota, and it awarded 612 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Ridgewater College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $5,914. 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 $20,453 in student loans. Around 68% of those degree recipients were women.
In 2019-2020 about 60% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Central Community College ranked #18 on this year’s Most Popular Online Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Grand Island, Nebraska is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 695 students in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Nebraska pay an average of $3,210 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Central Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $4,590. On average, associate degree students take out $10,095 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 69% took at least some of their classes online.
Central Lakes College - Brainerd did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #19 on the list. Central Lakes College is a public institution located in Brainerd, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 521 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Central Lakes College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $5,954. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $17,231 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.
In 2019-2020 about 32% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Crowder 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 Neosho, Missouri, the small public school awarded 653 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
If you want to attend Crowder College, expect to pay an average of $5,088 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could 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 $12,664 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 67% were women.
In 2019-2020 about 60% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Southeast Community College Area came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Southeast Community College is located in Lincoln, Nebraska and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,052 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Southeast Community College is $3,192. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $3,780. On average, associate degree students take out $17,475 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 41% were women.
In 2019-2020 about 42% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #22, Minneapolis Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. This medium-sized public school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 797 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees at Minneapolis Community and Technical College is $5,906. 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 $26,611 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.
To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 47% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Rochester Community and Technical College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs. Rochester Community and Technical College is a small public school situated in Rochester, Minnesota. It awarded 670 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees at Rochester Community and Technical College is $5,372. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Rochester Community and Technical College accumulate an average of $22,180 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
Around 71% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Read full report on Rochester Community and Technical College
Mineral Area College ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Online Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. This small public school is located in Park Hills, Missouri, and it awarded 487 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at MAC is $5,200. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,760. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,081 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 58% took at least some of their classes online.
Allen County Community College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs. Allen County Community College is a small public school located in Iola, Kansas that handed out 280 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Allen Community College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $3,720. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Allen Community College accumulate an average of $8,921 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
During the 2019-2020 year, about 76% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
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Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular online schools ranking:
Rank | School | Location |
---|---|---|
26 | Southeastern Community College | West Burlington, IA |
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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