Why This Matters
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ASSOCIATE DEGREES ARE REQUIRED FOR NEARLY 50 OCCUPATIONS
From air traffic controller to veterinary technician, there are 49 occupations that typically require an associate degree for entry-level positions.
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AN ASSOCIATE DEGREE IMPROVES YOUR EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
Among those with an associate degree in the United States, the unemployment rate is only 2.7%. That’s compared to 4.0% for those with only a high school diploma and 5.5% for those with less than a high school diploma.
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EARN $1,005 PER WEEK ON AVERAGE WITH AN ASSOCIATE DEGREE
Across all occupations, people with an associate degree earn $1,005 per week on average. Compare that to the average of $853 per week for those with only a high school education.
Our Research
This list features some of the best online associate in liberal arts 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 liberal arts 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.
- 57 hours to write this article
- 40 universities and colleges we assessed
- 70 education programs we compared
The Top 50 Online Associate in Liberal Arts Programs
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What You Should Know About This Degree
Degrees that are somewhat similar include associate degrees in history, English, and communications. These degrees are all typically considered liberal arts degrees, but they concentrate on a specific topic or niche. A general associate in liberal arts may allow you to spread your classes over more topics.
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.
Those who hold an associate degree may be able to get jobs that require more than a high school education. That opens the door to more positions and can potentially improve your job outlook.
No certifications or licensing is linked specifically to this degree. However, you may want to get a certification to demonstrate your skills or knowledge if you’re moving into a specific field.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching online associate in liberal arts programs:
- Am I eligible for this program? Most associate degree programs require you to have a high school diploma or GED. They don’t tend to require a certain score on standardized tests or GPA, though in some cases you may need to take a placement test with the school. This helps determine where you should be placed with regard to math and language classes.
- Are courses offered synchronously or asynchronously? Synchronous programs require you to log in during specific class times. You’ll be able to get a more classroom-like experience, interact with others, and ask the teacher questions in a live environment. Asynchronous programs offer more flexibility as you learn at your own pace, but they do typically require self-motivation.
As you’re researching online associate in liberal arts programs, keep track of the information you find. Facts to write down include number of credits required, cost per credit, deadlines for applications, and what you have to do for admissions. You might also want to contact the school’s financial aid office to learn more about your options for paying for your degree.