Online Associate's Degree Programs

Online Associates Degree Programs: Two Years to a Professional Degree

An Associate’s degree is a postsecondary academic degree that is awarded by community, junior and technical colleges, as well as some four-year institutions. Online Associate degree programs are also highly popular—according to the Sloan Consortium, approximately 51% of all degrees earned online are Associate’s degrees.

A traditional or online Associate degree program typically takes two years to complete, and is considered the lowest of the academic degree levels. However, getting an Associate’s degree does pay off—those who hold an Associate’s degree earn approximately $8,000 per year more than those with only a high school diploma. And while blue-collar corporate jobs often require a four-year degree, there are many well-paying jobs that require only an Associate’s degree. These include: