As higher education costs continue to rise, many students are looking for ways to reduce the expenses of obtaining an associate degree. One way to do this is by enrolling in an online associate degree program, which can offer greater flexibility and lower costs than traditional in-person programs. In this article, we will explore the cheapest online associate degree programs and provide tips for reducing the overall cost of your education. In addition, we will discuss various strategies for minimizing the financial burden of earning an associate degree, from scholarships and grants to prior learning assessments and choosing the right institution.
How to Reduce the Cost of Your Associate Degree
Earning an associate degree is an essential investment in your education and future career. However, it’s important to note that the cost of obtaining an associate degree can vary greatly depending on various factors. While some of these factors may be within your control, others are not. Here, we’ll examine the key factors that can impact how much you’ll pay for your associate degree, so you can better prepare and plan for your educational journey.
Cost per credit
Cost per credit is one of the most important factors in determining how much an associate’s degree will cost a student. To calculate the total cost of an associate’s degree program, multiply the cost per credit by the number of credits required to complete the program. The higher the cost per credit, the more a student will have to pay to complete their academic program.
Community colleges or two-year public institutions generally charge lower tuition rates than traditional four-year universities. In addition, community colleges have a lower cost structure, typically offering fewer amenities and services than universities. As a result, community college students can save a significant amount of money on their associate degree program.
Additionally, community colleges often offer more flexible class schedules and online courses, which can further reduce the cost of obtaining an associate degree. Furthermore, community colleges also provide an excellent opportunity for students to transfer their credits to four-year universities if they wish to pursue a bachelor’s degree later on.
Location
Since the cost of living and operating expenses vary from state to state, the tuition fees charged by institutions in different states can vary as well.
Also, public schools typically charge in-state students less than out-of-state students. This is because these students and their families have paid state taxes that support the institution. If you have recently moved to a new state, you may want to wait until you qualify for in-state residency before applying to college. However, it’s important to note that some schools charge all online students the same rate regardless of in-state or out-of-state residency.
Prior learning assessment
Earning college credit for free or completing courses through prior learning assessments is possible. Some of these ways include the following:
- Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) Exams: Students who took AP or IB exams in high school and earned passing scores may be eligible for college credit. Many colleges and universities have policies that grant college credit for high scores on these exams.
- College-Level Examination Program (CLEP): CLEP is a program that allows students to earn college credit by passing standardized exams in multiple subject areas. These exams are offered at nationwide testing centers and can be taken for a fraction of the cost of a traditional college course.
- Military Experience: Military veterans and service members can receive college credit for their military experience. Numerous colleges and universities have established policies that award academic credit for military experience and training.
- Job Training: Students who have completed job training programs, such as those offered by trade schools or apprenticeships, may be able to receive college credit for their training.
- Portfolio Assessment: Some colleges provide portfolio assessment programs that allow students to earn college credit for their prior learning and experience. This process typically involves the creation of a portfolio that documents the student’s learning and experience and is evaluated by a faculty member.
Scholarships and grants
Scholarships and grants can be beneficial in reducing the cost of tuition for an associate degree. Scholarships are typically merit-based and are awarded to students based on academic achievement, extracurricular activities, or other criteria the scholarship provider sets. Conversely, grants are usually need-based and are awarded to students who demonstrate financial need. Some scholarships and grants available specifically for students pursuing an associate degree include the following:
- The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded to community college students with a financial need who plan to transfer to a four-year institution to complete their bachelor’s degree.
- The Federal Pell Grant: This grant is available to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need. For the 2023-2024 academic year, eligible students can receive up to $7,395.
- The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded to community college students who have demonstrated leadership, academic excellence, and community involvement.
- The Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded to Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society members currently enrolled in a two-year associate degree program.
The 50 Cheapest Online Associate Degree Programs
How We Rank Schools
This list features some of the country’s cheapest online associate degree programs. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution, either public or private, with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions.
We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of the cheapest online associate degree programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications, such as U.S. News & World Report, to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.