Search programs
x
Compare Associate in Human Services Programs

Most schools have rolling admissions and financial help so you can start your degree in a few weeks!

Compare Associate in Human Services Programs

Most schools have rolling admissions and financial help so you can start your degree in a few weeks!

Why This Matters

  • 18% OF JOBS REQUIRE AN ASSOCIATE DEGREE

    18% of social and human service assistant jobs require an associate degree, while 39% require a bachelor’s degree and 16% only require a postsecondary nondegree award.

  • 35,600 MORE SOCIAL AND HUMAN SERVICE ASSISTANTS NEEDED BY 2032

    This profession is growing much faster than average, with a 9% increase in the need for social and human service assistants anticipated by 2032.

  • POTENTIAL TO EARN OVER $55,000

    While the median pay for social and human service assistants throughout the country is $38,520, the top 10% of workers in this field make more than $58,770.

Our Research

This list features some of the best online associate in human services 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. Many of the programs on our list have been accredited by the Council for Standards in Human Services Education (CSHSE), which assesses the objectives, quality, and overall effectiveness of social and human service-related programs.

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 human services 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 Human Services 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.

  • 80 hours to write this article
  • 150 universities and colleges we assessed
  • 168 education programs we compared

The Top 50 Online Associate in Human Services Programs

Best Online Associate in Human Services Programs badge
01

Madisonville Community College
01

Great Basin College
01

Minot State University
01

Iowa Central Community College
01

Coastline Community College
01

Wake Technical Community College
01

Montgomery County Community College
01

Camden County College
01

Cornerstone University
01

Brescia University
01

Niagara County Community College
01

Herkimer County Community College
01

Bismarck State College
01

Northcentral Technical College
01

Monroe Community College
01

University of the Cumberlands
01

Alexandria Technical & Community College
01

Cypress College
01

Lorain County Community College
01

Nassau Community College
01

Hagerstown Community College
01

Ivy Tech Community College
01

Madison Area Technical College
01

Ocean County College
01

Purdue University
01

Middlesex Community College
01

Indiana Wesleyan University
01

Elizabethtown College
01

Virginia Peninsula Community College
01

Columbia College
01

Franklin Pierce University
01

Hudson Valley Community College
01

Waukesha County Technical College
01

Union County College
01

Tompkins Cortland Community College
01

Blue Ridge Community College
01

Southwestern Assemblies of God University
01

Eastern Florida State College
01

Holyoke Community College
01

Western New Mexico University
01

Stanly Community College

Discover More Options

What You Should Know About This Degree

Human services degrees are focused on teaching students how to provide advocacy and intervention help to families and individuals. While this degree has a relatively broad focus when it comes to crises, there are similar degrees that prepare students to provide more specialized services. This includes degrees in addiction studies or substance abuse counseling, as well as degrees in child development and psychology.

When selecting your degree program, it’s important to consider your career goals, as well as your learning style. Use the Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs to ensure that your chosen program is properly accredited and that credits are transferable to other institutions should you move or decide to upgrade your education.

After graduation, you may have several rewarding job opportunities to choose from. Those who complete this degree may work as probation and parole agents, social workers, benefits managers, adult daycare workers, or youth workers.

If you choose a career that involves working with private information or vulnerable individuals, it’s worth noting that background checks are usually required by employers. Additionally, some professions in this field, including social worker, may require you to obtain licensing from your state.

What’s Next?

Here are some questions to ask when researching online associate in human services programs:

  • What licensing and certifications are required? If you choose to work with at-risk youth or individuals, you may need to become a licensed social worker. This involves passing an examination with your state board and keeping your licensing up to date as per state regulations. Additionally, many careers in human services require workers to pass regular background checks.
  • Am I eligible for this program? Online associate degree programs all differ, as do their prerequisites. While some colleges offer open enrollment for human services programs, meaning there are no prerequisites, others may require students to have minimum scores on SAT or ACT tests.

While researching available programs, be sure to keep track of important details about each program that appeals to you. That includes taking note of deadlines and application requirements, as well as costs. If you require financial aid or decide to apply for scholarships or grants, be sure to submit applications on time.