2023 Most Popular Associate Degree Schools
When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Most Popular Associate Degree Schools to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 2,531 schools in the United States to see which ones were the most popular associate degree programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
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Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Miami Dade College the most popular school in the United States for students working on their associate degree. Located in Miami, Florida, the large public school handed out 11,464 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
Students from Florida who attend MDC full time pay an average of $2,838 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,661. Associate Degree recipients from MDC accumulate an average of $15,819 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at MDC. During the 2019-2020 year, about 80% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend El Centro College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Associate Degree Schools list. Dallas, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 9,894 students in 2020-2021.
Associate Degree recipients from El Centro College accumulate an average of $18,961 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at El Centro College. In 2019-2020 about 92% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Out of the 2,531 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Valencia College landed the # 3 spot on the list. Valencia College is a large public school situated in Orlando, Florida. It awarded 9,246 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Students from Florida who attend Valencia College full time pay an average of $2,474 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,383. Associate Degree recipients from Valencia College accumulate an average of $17,714 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.
Online courses are available at Valencia College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 96% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
The excellent associate degree programs at Ivy Tech Community College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular schools in the United States. Ivy Tech Community College is a large public school situated in Indianapolis, Indiana. It awarded 8,815 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Indiana pay an average of $4,637 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Ivy Tech Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,927. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,984 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Ivy Tech Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 81% took at least some of their classes online.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Lone Star College System is a great place for students working on their associate degree. North Harris Montgomery is a large public school situated in The Woodlands, Texas. It awarded 8,422 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $4,848 in tuition and fees if they attend North Harris Montgomery full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,168. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,481 in student loans. Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at North Harris Montgomery. In fact, around 72% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Pasadena City College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Schools ranking. Pasadena City College is a public institution located in Pasadena, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7,730 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Students from California who attend Pasadena City College full time pay an average of $1,212 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,596. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,830 in student loans. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at Pasadena City College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 100% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Broward 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 #7 on the list. BC is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6,700 associate degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $2,830 in tuition and fees if they attend BC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,952. On average, associate degree students take out $13,682 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at BC. In 2019-2020 about 87% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Ultimate Medical Academy - Clearwater landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Clearwater, Florida, and it awarded 6,351 associate degrees 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.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at UMA Clearwater. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 98% took at least some of their classes online.
Tarrant County College District 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. Tarrant County College is located in Fort Worth, Texas and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6,226 associate degrees to qualified students.
On average, associate degree students take out $17,198 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.
One thing to take note of is that Tarrant County College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 97% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Northern Virginia Community College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs. Northern Virginia Community College is located in Annandale, Virginia and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6,023 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Northern Virginia Community College is $5,565. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,648. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,116 in student loans. Around 55% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that Northern Virginia Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 74% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Utah Valley University ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools list. Located in Orem, Utah, the large public school awarded 5,538 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Students from Utah who attend UVU full time pay an average of $6,010 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $17,092. On average, associate degree students take out $14,381 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 50% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at UVU. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 70% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Houston Community College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs. Houston Community College is a large public school located in Houston, Texas that handed out 5,462 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $4,344 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Houston Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,460. On average, associate degree students take out $23,597 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at Houston Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 88% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
San Jacinto Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools list. Located in Pasadena, Texas, the large public school awarded 5,035 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
On average, associate degree students take out $13,960 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.
San Jacinto College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 95% took at least some of their classes online.
Palm Beach State College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Schools ranking. Palm Beach State College is a public institution located in Lake Worth, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4,845 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Florida pay an average of $3,050 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Palm Beach State College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,910. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,428 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.
Palm Beach State College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 96% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Sierra College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs. Sierra College is a fairly large public school situated in Rocklin, California. It awarded 4,776 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Students from California who attend Sierra College full time pay an average of $1,156 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,900. Associate Degree recipients from Sierra College accumulate an average of $16,268 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 68% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Sierra College. In 2019-2020 about 56% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Florida State College at Jacksonville landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs. Jacksonville, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 4,672 students in 2020-2021.
Students from Florida who attend FSCJ full time pay an average of $2,657 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,631. On average, associate degree students take out $18,510 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.
FSCJ does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 89% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #17, Austin Community College District did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. Austin Community College District is located in Austin, Texas and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 4,578 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Austin Community College District is $8,580. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,590. Associate Degree recipients from Austin Community College District accumulate an average of $16,220 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Austin Community College District. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 99% took at least some of their classes online.
Borough of Manhattan Community College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Schools ranking. BMCC is a public institution located in New York, New York. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4,478 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $5,170 in tuition and fees if they attend BMCC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,050. Associate Degree recipients from BMCC accumulate an average of $11,961 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at BMCC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 99% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Collin County Community College District ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools list. This large public school is located in McKinney, Texas, and it awarded 4,408 associate degrees 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. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,379 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Collin County Community College District. In 2019-2020 about 95% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Bakersfield College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs. Bakersfield College is a public institution located in Bakersfield, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4,389 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Bakersfield College is $1,430. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,380. Associate Degree recipients from Bakersfield College accumulate an average of $15,475 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 69% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Bakersfield College. In 2019-2020 about 97% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
St Petersburg 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. This large public school is located in Clearwater, Florida, and it awarded 4,371 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Students from Florida who attend SPC full time pay an average of $2,682 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,286. On average, associate degree students take out $22,838 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at SPC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 87% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Riverside City College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs. Riverside City College is a fairly large public school situated in Riverside, California. It awarded 4,223 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Students from California who attend Riverside City College full time pay an average of $1,420 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,120. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,247 in student loans. Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Riverside City College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 37% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Golden West College ranked #23 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools list. Golden West College is located in Huntington Beach, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 4,131 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Golden West College is $1,186. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,554. Associate Degree recipients from Golden West College accumulate an average of $13,650 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.
Golden West College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 77% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Hillsborough Community College ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools list. Located in Tampa, Florida, the fairly large public school handed out 4,137 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
Students from Florida who attend HCC full time pay an average of $2,506 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,111. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,707 in student loans. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at HCC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 88% took at least some of their classes online.
Central New Mexico Community College ranked #25 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools list. Albuquerque, New Mexico is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 4,114 students in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from New Mexico pay an average of $1,684 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend CNM. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,540. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,658 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at CNM. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 90% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Rest of the Top 50 Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in the United States
Not only did these schools make the top 50 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 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 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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