If you have an interest in going to college, but you’re unsure if you want to invest four years of your life and the funds that go along with it to earn a bachelor’s degree, then an associate degree might be a consideration. Associates degrees typically take two years or less to complete, saving you both time and money while still launching your career and increasing your chances of gainful employment through skill and credential enhancement. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that those with an associates degree earn over $8000 more annually than those with just a high school diploma, and the unemployment rate runs about 2% lower for associate degree holders compared to those with only a high school diploma.
Bachelors Degrees vs. Associates Degrees
A bachelors degree generally takes four years to complete and requires 120-semester credits. The average cost of tuition is $37,500 through a four-year public college. For an associates degree, it generally takes two years to complete and requires 60-semester credits. The average cost of tuition is $7,002 through a two-year public college. Factors that impact tuition cost include whether the school is private, public, nonprofit private, or for-profit private and whether you’re going in-state or out-of-state.
Benefits of Online Associates Degree Programs
Pursuing an associates degree online can be a rewarding experience. In addition to gaining knowledge and enhancing one’s skillet to launch your career, secure employment, and increase your income, an associate degree online:
- Sets you up to pursue a bachelor’s degree in the future if you choose to do so
- Provides flexibility so you can continue to work as needed while pursuing your degree
- Saves you money with lower tuition compared to a more advanced college degree
There are different types of associates degrees to pursue, including:
- Associate of Arts (AA): Focuses on diverse fields of work, including humanities, art, business, and social sciences. An AA is a good option for those considering a bachelor’s degree in the future.
- Associate of Applied Science (AAS): AAS degrees generally offer technical or vocational curricula ideal for those who want to jumpstart their career and enter the workforce immediately following graduation.
- Associate of General Studies (AGS): For those not quite sure where they’d like to focus their studies, an AGS, which offers a broad curriculum, might be ideal. It’s also a good option for those considering a bachelor’s degree.
- Associate of Science (AS): Focuses more on math and sciences compared to an AA degree. An AS is another good option for those considering a bachelor’s degree.
Popular Online Associate Degree Programs
Here are five trending online associates degree programs that might be of interest.
Criminal Justice
Criminal Justice associate degrees are ideal for those interested in jobs in the court system or law enforcement. Areas of study include law enforcement, the judicial process, law, criminology, and ethics. Specializations include homeland security, criminology, and security.
Dental Hygienist
With a 2021 median annual salary of $77,810, dental hygienists are among some of the top-earning professionals with an associate degree. Dental hygienists work closely with dentists, conduct x-rays and other diagnostic tests, and complete dental cleanings.
Web Developer
With a web developer associate degree, you can work in positions like web developer, interface designer, and web designer. The median average salary for a web developer is $78,300.
Network Security
With the advancements in technology and the increase in cyberattacks, individuals that specialize in network security are in high demand. An associates degree in network security teaches you how to prevent cyberattacks and block hackers from accessing a network’s system, among other network security-related tasks.
Medical Sonographer
Medical sonographers are in high demand and help healthcare practitioners, including physicians and surgeons, diagnose patients through the use of technology like ultrasounds, sonograms, and electrocardiograms. The median annual salary for medical sonographers is $75,380.
What to Look for in an Associates Degree
When in the process of researching associates degree programs, you want to choose a major that aligns with your interests and career aspirations. You also want to consider the following.
Accreditation
Accreditation matters in terms of the credibility of your degree and the standards the school and program adhere to. Consider programs that, at a minimum, are regionally accredited. You also want to seek out programs that hold the programmatic accreditation for your area of focus since many certifications and employers require you to hold a degree from a program that’s specifically accredited. To find out what types of accreditations are important for your goals, look for information on the career path required and identify the types of programs and accreditation necessary.
Cost to Attend
Do research to compare schools with similar programs of interest to you and determine the cost to attend. Be sure to consider the true program cost, which considers all necessary expenses to attend school, including the cost of internet access for online programs. Financial aid, scholarships, and grants can help to reduce the cost.
Financial aid student loans are also an option for most schools to help pay for college. With student loans, though, it’s also wise to have a plan in place to pay the loans back in a timely fashion without feeling stressed about being in debt.
Online Learning Format
You want to understand how the school delivers in-person online training, assignments, grades, and more before you apply for a program. For example, if you prefer a more structured program with set class times and due dates, then seek that out. However, if you prefer more flexibility, an asynchronous program might be a better fit. Also, if you prefer interaction with classmates and instructors, you’ll want to clarify how much of that occurs within the program.
Ongoing Support
It’s good to clarify the types of resources and support you’ll have available to you throughout the program. Financial, personal, and academic support are all vital aspects to support your success in any college program.
There are a lot of associate degree programs to choose from. If you’re on the fence about a four-year program, then an associate degree might be the ideal starting point. You can then decide if you want to pursue a longer degree in the future.