Best Online Associate in General Studies Programs
Check out our list of the best online associate in general studies programs. Learn about the programs, courses, and potential education and career paths.
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An associate in general studies program can prepare you to continue on to earn your bachelor’s degree. You can fulfill general education requirements while you decide which major to pursue at the bachelor’s level. It can be a great choice for students who don’t know just yet what career path they want to take.
Many community colleges offer associate degrees, which can be completed in about two years. Some schools offer accelerated degrees, which may be completed in as little as one year.
Popular Online Associate in General Studies Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Associate in General Studies Programs
Olney Central College
Olney, IL2 yearCampus + Online
$8,902
$10,928
N/A
39%
N/A
N/A
66%
869
Public
Yes
$8,902
$10,928
Olney, IL2 yearCampus + Online
$8,902
$10,928
N/A
39%
N/A
N/A
66%
869
Public
Yes
Ashland University
Ashland, OH4 yearCampus + Online
$23,000
$23,000
72%
62%
$7,656
$7,656
70%
4,174
Private
Yes
$23,000
$23,000
Ashland, OH4 yearCampus + Online
$23,000
$23,000
72%
62%
$7,656
$7,656
70%
4,174
Private
Yes
Chaminade University of Honolulu
Honolulu, HI4 yearCampus + Online
$28,430
$28,430
93%
67%
$25,200
$25,200
71%
1,892
Private
Yes
$28,430
$28,430
Honolulu, HI4 yearCampus + Online
$28,430
$28,430
93%
67%
$25,200
$25,200
71%
1,892
Private
Yes
Peirce College
Philadelphia, PA4 yearOnline
$14,400
$14,400
N/A
100%
$13,896
$13,896
100%
856
Private
Yes
$14,400
$14,400
Philadelphia, PA4 yearOnline
$14,400
$14,400
N/A
100%
$13,896
$13,896
100%
856
Private
Yes
Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, NH4 yearCampus + Online
$15,000
$15,000
96%
97%
$18,900
$18,900
62%
164,091
Private
Yes
$15,000
$15,000
Manchester, NH4 yearCampus + Online
$15,000
$15,000
96%
97%
$18,900
$18,900
62%
164,091
Private
Yes
Utah State University
Logan, UT4 yearCampus + Online
$8,042
$23,305
94%
57%
$6,763
$23,176
75%
27,943
Public
Yes
$8,042
$23,305
Logan, UT4 yearCampus + Online
$8,042
$23,305
94%
57%
$6,763
$23,176
75%
27,943
Public
Yes
Holmes Community College
Goodman, MS2 yearCampus + Online
$2,700
$5,400
N/A
55%
N/A
N/A
44%
4,948
Public
Yes
$2,700
$5,400
Goodman, MS2 yearCampus + Online
$2,700
$5,400
N/A
55%
N/A
N/A
44%
4,948
Public
Yes
Amarillo College
Amarillo, TX2 yearCampus + Online
$1,128
$2,664
N/A
56%
N/A
N/A
70%
8,988
Public
Yes
$1,128
$2,664
Amarillo, TX2 yearCampus + Online
$1,128
$2,664
N/A
56%
N/A
N/A
70%
8,988
Public
Yes
Keiser University
Fort Lauderdale, FL4 yearCampus + Online
$22,048
$22,048
97%
52%
$30,032
$30,032
68%
19,019
Private
Yes
$22,048
$22,048
Fort Lauderdale, FL4 yearCampus + Online
$22,048
$22,048
97%
52%
$30,032
$30,032
68%
19,019
Private
Yes
What Can I Expect From an Online Associate in General Studies Degree Program?
An online associate in general studies program can prepare you to continue your education in any career path you choose.
You can choose to pursue an associate of arts (AA), associate of science (AS), or (associate of applied science) AAS in general studies. Both the AA and AS degrees are intended to prepare you for further education — the AS focuses more on science than the AA. An AAS focuses on preparing you to enter the workforce after the program.
Associate degrees take about two years to complete and require around 60 credits of coursework. An associate in general studies degree consists mainly of general education requirements: English, math, science, speech, and history.
At Amarillo College, for example, students complete 42 general education credits and 18 credits in major course requirements. The school recommends that students work with an advisor to determine which classes to take to satisfy these electives.
Whenever you consider an online program, you should check with an admissions officer to find out if there are any on-campus requirements. Some schools require students to attend orientation, labs, or practicums in person.
What Can I Do With an Online Associate in General Studies Degree?
According to PayScale, graduates of associate in general studies programs reported making an average annual base salary of $61,000, as of April 2024.
Individuals with an associate in general studies work in many industries, including religious organizations, government, professional and technical services, educational services, and healthcare.
| Job Title | Median Annual Salary (May 2023) |
|---|---|
| Secretary | $46,010 |
| Office Manager | $53,000* |
| Executive Secretary | $70,310 |
| Operations Manager | $101,280 |
| Project Manager | $80,000* |
*As of April 2024
Frequently Asked Questions About Associate Degree in General Studies
One way to determine whether an online associate degree in general studies is worthwhile is to consider the cost of the degree compared to the salary you are likely to make once you graduate. For example, if the degree costs $8,000, you make $30,000 now, and you expect to earn $50,000 with the degree, that’s $20,000 more per year from that initial $8,000 investment.
Most people would consider that worthwhile. However, only you can decide what you need to earn to feel like you’ve made a good return on the investment you’ve made in your education.
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