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Compare Associate in Liberal Arts Programs

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

Compare Associate in Liberal Arts Programs

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

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Compare Associate in Liberal Arts Programs
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Best Online Associate in Liberal Arts Programs of 2025
Compare Associate in Liberal Arts Programs
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Why This Matters

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

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 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 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.

  • 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

Best Online Associate in Liberal Arts Programs badge
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Trinity Valley Community College
01

Pamlico Community College
01

Colby Community College
01

Valencia College
01

Saint Leo University
01

Syracuse University
01

Southern New Hampshire University
01

University of Delaware
01

Providence College
01

Faulkner University
01

Las Positas College
01

City College of San Francisco
01

Northwest Nazarene University
01

Park University
01

Amridge University
01

Catholic International University
01

New England College
01

Holy Apostles College and Seminary
01

Pima Community College
01

Chaminade University of Honolulu
01

Point University
01

Upper Iowa University
01

University of the Cumberlands
01

Excelsior College
01

Bristol Community College
01

Santa Barbara City College
01

California University of Pennsylvania
01

Austin Peay State University
01

Manor College
01

Los Angeles Pacific University
01

Montgomery College
01

William Woods University
01

Rogers State University
01

Brescia University

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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.


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