Why This Matters
-
AN ASSOCIATE DEGREE IS THE TYPICAL LEVEL OF EDUCATION FOR 49 DIFFERENT OCCUPATIONS
From aerospace engineering technologist to veterinary technician, there are nearly 50 occupations that typically require an associate degree for entry-level positions.
-
THOSE WITH ASSOCIATE DEGREES HAVE A 2.7% UNEMPLOYMENT RATE
Among people with an associate degree in the United States, the unemployment rate is 2.7%. Unemployment for those with only a high school education is 4.0%.
-
MAKE $1,005 PER WEEK ON AVERAGE
Compare that to $853, which is the average weekly pay for those with a high school diploma, and you can see the value in getting a two-year degree.
Our Research
This list features some of the best online associate in general studies degree programs at top colleges nationwide. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary education.
We evaluated each school’s program on admission, retention, and graduation rates as well as tuition costs, faculty, reputation, and the resources provided for online students. 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 online associate in general studies degree programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like U.S. News & World Report, among others, to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
Why Trust Us
The Intelligent.com Higher Education Team is dedicated to providing students with independent, equitable school and program rankings and well-researched resources. Our expert-driven articles cover topics related to online colleges and programs, paying for school, and career outlooks. We use data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, the National Center for Education Statistics, and other reputable educational and professional organizations. Our academic advisory team reviews content and verifies accuracy throughout the year for the most current information. Partnerships do not influence rankings or editorial decisions.
- Analyzed over 2,000 national, accredited, and nonprofit colleges and universities
- 800+ rankings pages are reviewed and updated yearly
- Content is informed by reputable sources, surveys, and interviews with academic advisors and other experts
- Over 100 data points are reviewed for accuracy and quality throughout the year, including sources
How we rank schools
Our list features the best online General Studies degree programs at top colleges nationwide. 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, reputation, and the student resources provided for online students. We collected data from trusted sources like the National Center for Education Statistics, individual school and program websites, school admissions counselors, and other data sources. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100 based on the following criterion:
Academic Quality:
- Admission rate versus enrollment rate
- Retention rate of students who return after year one
- Accreditation status (regional and programmatic)
- Nonprofit status, both private and public institutions
Graduation Rate
- Overall graduation rate
- Total number of currently enrolled students, including diversity metrics
- Student-to-faculty ratio
Cost and ROI
- In-state and out-of-state per-credit tuition rates and fees
- Required credits to graduate
- Earning potential after graduation
- Availability of federal student loans, scholarships, and other financial aid options
Student Resources
- Available student services for online-only and hybrid programs
- On-campus amenities like tutoring centers and the number of libraries
Read more about our ranking methodology.
- 50 hours to write this article
- 148 universities and colleges we assessed
- 213 education programs we compared
The Top 50 Online Associate in General Studies Programs
intelligent score 99.16
Award
Rankings
#2 Best Colleges
School Information
Olney, IL
Graduation Rate: 57%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
64
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
In-State: $100
Out-of-State: $135
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
618-544-8657
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
64
intelligent score 99.15
Award
Rankings
#3 Best Colleges
#7 Premium Schools
School Information
Ashland, OH
Graduation Rate: 66%
Admission Rate: 70%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$550
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
419-289-5052
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 98.71
Award
Rankings
#5 Best Colleges
School Information
Philadelphia, PA
Graduation Rate: 25%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
61
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$600
accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Educatio
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
215-670-9214
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
61
intelligent score 98.34
Award
Rankings
#6 Best Colleges
School Information
Manchester, NH
Graduation Rate: 36%
Admission Rate: 92%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$330
accreditation
New England Commission of Higher Education
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
603-645-9611
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 98.11
Award
Rankings
#1 Premium Schools
#10 Academic Influence
School Information
Virginia Beach, VA
Graduation Rate: 49%
Admission Rate: 41%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
63
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$395
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
757-352-4127
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
63
intelligent score 98.05
Award
Rankings
#1 Academic Influence
School Information
New York, NY
Graduation Rate: 60%
Admission Rate: 88%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$600
accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
866-722-3338
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 96.73
Award
Rankings
#1 College Cliffs
#4 Premium Schools
School Information
Toledo, OH
Graduation Rate: 49%
Admission Rate: 97%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
61
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$335
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
800-586-5336
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
61
intelligent score 96.33
Award
Rankings
#2 College Cliffs
#3 Premium Schools
School Information
La Verne, CA
Graduation Rate: 63%
Admission Rate: 72%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$665
accreditation
Western Association of Schools and Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
909-593-3511
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 93.32
Award
Rankings
#3 Academic Influence
School Information
Marquette, MI
Graduation Rate: 53%
Admission Rate: 71%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
In-State: $517
Out-of-State: $746
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
906-227-2971
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 93.09
Award
Rankings
#7 Best Colleges
School Information
Logan, UT
Graduation Rate: 55%
Admission Rate: 93%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
In-State: $344
Out-of-State: $382
accreditation
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
435-797-1000
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 92.92
Award
Rankings
School Information
San Francisco, CA
Graduation Rate: 49%
Admission Rate: 61%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$462
accreditation
WASC Senior College and University Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
415-442-7000
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 92.64
Award
Rankings
School Information
Berrien Springs, MI
Graduation Rate: 60%
Admission Rate: 82%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
62
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$450
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
269-471-7771
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
62
intelligent score 91.62
Award
Rankings
School Information
Jonesboro, AR
Graduation Rate: 53%
Admission Rate: 63%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$276
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
870-972-2782
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 91.04
Award
Rankings
School Information
Hampton, VA
Graduation Rate: 57%
Admission Rate: 80%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$300
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
757-728-4829
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 90.5
Award
Rankings
School Information
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Graduation Rate: 56%
Admission Rate: 96%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$440
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
954-776-4456
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 90.41
Award
Rankings
School Information
Richmond, KY
Graduation Rate: 49%
Admission Rate: 98%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$434
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
859-544-2070
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 89.33
Award
Rankings
School Information
Baton Rouge, LA
Graduation Rate: 69%
Admission Rate: 71%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$260
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
833-280-5634
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 88.52
Award
Rankings
School Information
Rindge, NH
Graduation Rate: 53%
Admission Rate: 89%
Urbanicity: Rural
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$400
accreditation
New England Commission of Higher Education
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
800-437-0048
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 88.09
Award
Rankings
School Information
Rockville, MD
Graduation Rate: 21%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60-70
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
In-State: $134
Out-of-State: $380
accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
240-567-7425
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60-70
intelligent score 86.3
Award
Rankings
School Information
Adelphi, MD
Graduation Rate: 30%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
In-State: $318
Out-of-State: $499
accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
800-888-8682
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 86.22
Award
Rankings
School Information
Henniker, NH
Graduation Rate: 30%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Rural
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$375
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
603-428-2000
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 85.72
Award
Rankings
School Information
Murray, KY
Graduation Rate: 57%
Admission Rate: 85%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $404 - $427
Non-Resident: $614
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
580-387-7190
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 85.36
Award
Rankings
School Information
Amarillo, TX
Graduation Rate: 30%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
In-State: $112
Out-of-State: $155 - $305
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
806-371-5000
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 85
Award
Rankings
School Information
Columbia, MO
Graduation Rate: 32%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$375
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
573-875-8700
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 83.08
Award
Rankings
School Information
Sierra Vista, AZ
Graduation Rate: 20%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
In-State: $93
Out-of-State: $250
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
520-417-4005
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 81.61
Award
Rankings
School Information
Russellville, AR
Graduation Rate: 47%
Admission Rate: 94%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Blended
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
In-State: $134
Out-of-State: $268
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
479-968-0343
Delivery Format
Blended
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 81.05
Award
Rankings
School Information
Blytheville, AR
Graduation Rate: 33%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Rural
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
In-State: $67
Out-of-County: $77
Out-of-State: $127
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
870-838-2955
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 80.72
Award
Rankings
School Information
Indianapolis, IN
Graduation Rate: 20%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$170
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
888-489-5463
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 79.79
Award
Rankings
School Information
Kutztown, PA
Graduation Rate: 58%
Admission Rate: 97%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
In-State: $327
Out-of-State: $497
accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
610-683-4000
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 77.05
Award
Rankings
School Information
De Queen, AR
Graduation Rate: 31%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Rural
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
In-State: $80
Out-of-State: $102
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
870-584-4471
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 76.98
Award
Rankings
School Information
Ogden, UT
Graduation Rate: 42%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
In-State: $228
Out-of-State: $673
accreditation
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
801-626-6743
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 75.98
Award
Rankings
School Information
Campbellsville, KY
Graduation Rate: 40%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
64
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$424
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
800-264-6014
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
64
intelligent score 75.56
Award
Rankings
School Information
Norfolk, NE
Graduation Rate: 48%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
In-State: $108
Out-of-State: $151
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
402-844-7260
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 72.9
Award
Rankings
School Information
Batavia, NY
Graduation Rate: 31%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
62
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
In-State: $215
Out-of-State: $240
accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
585-345-6800
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
62
intelligent score 72.36
Award
Rankings
School Information
Madison, SD
Graduation Rate: 42%
Admission Rate: 86%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
in-State: $351
Out-of-State: $460
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
888-378-9988
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 72.33
Award
Rankings
School Information
Annandale, VA
Graduation Rate: 26%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
In-State: $180
Out-of-State: $359
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
703-822-6531
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 71.05
Award
Rankings
School Information
Angola, IN
Graduation Rate: 63%
Admission Rate: 79%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$399
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
877-701-3343
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 70.69
Award
Rankings
School Information
Milledgeville, GA
Graduation Rate: 28%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
65-69
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$183
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
478-387-4846
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
65-69
intelligent score 70.54
Award
Rankings
School Information
Natchitoches, LA
Graduation Rate: 43%
Admission Rate: 96%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$375
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
318-357-6011
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Discover More Options
What You Should Know About This Degree
Associate degrees are typically two-year programs when you attend full-time. Some concentrate on a specific niche such as healthcare administration or IT. A general studies program typically covers more varied knowledge and includes courses in topics such as communications, math, history, and science. While specific associate degrees prepare you for certification or licensing, general studies can help you get a job that requires a two-year degree or move into a four-year program.
Only apply to schools approved by a DOE-recognized accrediting organization, such as the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) or Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). These organizations evaluate the faculty and curriculum of postsecondary education institutions to ensure they offer students a high-quality academic experience.
While a general studies two-year degree doesn’t automatically land you a job, more education often opens doors to positions you might otherwise not be able to get. This degree doesn’t come with any type of certification or licensing requirement.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching online associate in general studies programs:
- Are courses offered synchronously or asynchronously? Synchronous classes mean you have to log in at a certain time, often via video conferencing, to interact with instructors and other classmates. The benefits of this model can include better communication and immediate assistance with learning or assignments. Asynchronous classes can be completed in your own time, which provides more flexibility. Consider your schedule and personal learning needs and choose the program that offers a structure that works best for you.
- How long does it take to complete this online degree? Most of the programs in our lineup require around 60 credits. Going full time, that’s a total of 2 years. If you attend part-time, which is usually considered less than 12 credits a semester, it could take you five or more years to complete the degree.
As you’re researching online associate degree programs, take note of the deadlines for applications, number of required credits, cost per credit, and requirements for admission.
You should also consider how you’re going to pay for the degree. Contact the financial aid office at the schools you’re interested in to find out what options are available to you.