Top 15 Regionally Accredited Online Colleges Offering Associate Degrees

top online colleges for associate's degrees

Don’t fret if you lack time or finances to get a bachelor’s degree. Two-year associate programs provide the credentials many employers seek. Luckily, many of these programs are much lower in cost. This is particularly true of the regionally accredited online colleges on our list!

Associate degrees can unlock many high-paying jobs. You can be a nuclear technician, registered nurse, or a web developer with little to no debt. In fact, there are many high-paying jobs that only require an associate’s degree.

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Getting a regionally accredited online associates degree makes it even more convenient for you to further your education. You can study when and where you like, often on your own schedule. And since the programs listed below are accredited, the credits you earn are more likely to transfer. With transfer credits, you can finish your online degree much faster.

To help you achieve your goals, we’ve compiled the following list of the top regionally accredited online schools. These schools weren’t just picked at random. Instead, we’ve developed a methodology for finding the best programs.

We began by searching for online schools with regional accreditation accepted by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.

Next, we used the NCES College Navigator’s Advanced Search to determine which online colleges offered associate degrees. Average annual undergraduate tuition was noted for each school as well.

We only selected accredited online colleges with at least two associate degrees. Extra points were given to universities boasting national rankings and awards. Other factors considered are:

financial aid
ROI
enrollment size
online learning technology
scheduling flexibility
curriculum quality

With that, let’s get to the list of the best accredited online colleges for associates degree programs! A list of the top 10 online colleges wasn’t enough, so we’ve listed 15 schools to get you started in your school search.

Top Online Degree Programs With Regional Accreditation

1. Pennsylvania State University

At the top of our list of regionally accredited online schools is Penn State.

Educating tens of thousands of students, Penn State’s World Campus was the nation’s first accredited public, land-grant institution to provide online education.

Penn State has a 71 percent graduation rate. The school also ranks in the top 20 best online undergraduate programs according to the U.S. News and World Report.

Asynchronous online classes are available for seven associate degrees. Your options include:

A.S. in Business Administration
A.S. in Turfgrass Science and Management
A.S. in Human Development and Family Studies
A.S. in Criminal Justice
A.S. in Information Sciences and Technology
A.S. in Labor and Human Resources
A.A. in Letters, Arts, and Sciences

If you need financial aid for your higher education, you can visit Penn State’s financial aid website. There, you can find details about tuition, fees, and scholarships. Information about other types of aid is also available.

Penn State is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Tuition: $590 per credit

Learn more about Pennslvania State University’s Accredited Online Associate Degrees

2. Florida Institute of Technology

Florida Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit research institution with just over 3,100 undergraduate students. It’s located in Melbourne just 50 miles from the Kennedy Space Center.

U.S. News and World Report ranked Florida Tech the 202nd best national university. The rankings for its undergraduate degrees are even better. There are four different rankings for Florida Tech in U.S. News’ top 100.

As an associate degree student, you can choose eight online degrees. These include:

A.A. in Aviation Management
A.S. in Computer Information Systems
A.A. in Accounting
A.A. in Applied Psychology
A.A. in Business Administration
A.A. in Healthcare Management
A.A. in Management
A.A. in Marketing

If you decide to continue your education, there are many programs to choose from at Florida Tech. There are currently 16 online bachelor’s programs and 14 online graduate degrees available.

Florida Tech is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Tuition: $510 per credit

Learn more about the Florida Institute of Technology’s Accredited Online Associate Degrees.

3. Albany State University

Next on in our rankings of the top online regionally accredited colleges is Albany State University. The school is accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). It has various areas of study online, including:

A.A. in Psychology
A.A. in Sociology
A.S. in Computer Science
A.S. in Criminal Justice
A.S. in Health Science
A.A.S. in Histologic Technician
A.S. in Health Information Technology
A.S. in Medical Laboratory Technology

This school is part of the University System of Georgia. So, while it is a small university with some bachelor’s degree and master’s degree programs, students have access to the entire Georgia University system. Speaking of students, there are about 6,000 full-time undergraduates.

According to Niche, Albany State gets high marks for various campus programs. This includes a B+ grade for diversity and a B grade for student life opportunities. This is an Historically Black College and University (HBCU).

Tuition: $95.00 per credit hour (tuition might be more depending on the program)

Learn more about Albany State University’s Accredited Online Associate Degrees.

4. Ashland University

Ashland University is a private, non-profit Brethren institution. It’s programs are rooted in Judeo-Christian values.

There are approximately 2,500 undergraduate students at Ashland. It’s a small school in a small Ohio town, but with online programs, its reach is far beyond that.

Ashland is the 351st Best Value in the ETC College Rankings Index. The school’s rating from Niche for overall value is a B while academics get a B-.

The Higher Learning Commission is the accrediting agency for Ashland. This accreditation means the school can offer degrees from the associate to master’s level.

If you’re interested in an associate’s degree program, you can select from:

Associate in Business
Associate in Criminal Justice
Associate in General Studies
Associate in Addictions

You can also continue your online learning in one of many bachelor’s degrees and master’s programs online.

Tuition: $940 per credit (this figure includes applicable fees)

Learn more about Ashland University’s Accredited Online Associate Degrees here.

5. Seminole State College of Florida

With well over 100 associate’s degree programs, Seminole State College of Florida is a top choice for a two-year degree.

The school is in Sanford, Florida, and has nearly 14,000 undergraduate students. About 64 percent of students attend part-time. Many are involved in distance learning, too. This speaks to the college’s commitment to helping you complete your degree

Seminole State is highly regarded. U.S. News and World Report ranks it as the 17th-best public school. It also ranks 25th in social mobility and 61st among regional colleges in the south.

As noted earlier, there are many associate’s degree programs you can choose from, including:

A.S. in Business Administration
A.S. in Early Childhood Education
A.S. in Computer-Aided Drafting & Design
A.S. in Health Information Technology
A.S. in Social Media & Marketing
A.A. in Art
A.A. in Biotechnology

Seminole State has accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Tuition: The average annual cost of attendance is $8,427

Learn more about Seminole State College’s Accredited Online Associate Degrees.

6. Saint Leo University

Saint Leo University is affiliated with the Holy Name Monastery. It’s a private, Catholic liberal arts college located in rural Florida. However, with its online programs, Saint Leo has a much wider reach to students across the country and the world.

The university currently ranks #29 among regional universities in the south. It also ranks highly for social mobility at number 39.

An online education at Saint Leo’s means taking eight-week courses. With short, intensive courses, you can focus on coursework for one subject at a time and improve your mastery of the content. Saint Leo’s also offers different online degree programs so you can tailor your online learning experience. You can pursue areas of study in:

A.A. in Business Administration
A.A. in Criminal Justice
A.A. in Cybersecurity
A.A. in Information Technology
A.A. in Liberal Arts

Saint Leo University is accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Tuition: $24,990 per year

Learn more about Saint Leo University’s Accredited Online Associate Degrees.

7. Colorado Technical University

Colorado Technical University is an accredited private, for-profit school. It’s located in Colorado Springs, and has more than 24,000 college students.

CTU ranks in the top 400 among U.S. News’ national universities. The school is also ranked for social mobility and its engineering program.

At the associate level, you can earn an:

A.S. in Health Administration Services
A.S. in Accounting
A.S. in Business Administration
A.S. in Management

CTU offers various benefits that make your studies easier. For example, the programs are flexible and intended to work around your schedule. Likewise, you can transfer up to 75% of the required credits to finish your degree.

Additionally, CTU has a Fast Track distance learning program that helps you advance your studies by testing out of courses that you already know. You simply take an exam, and if you get a satisfactory score, you can get credit. CTU also offers military education benefits and career development resources.

Colorado Technical Institute is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Tuition: $17,203 per year (including tuition and fees)

Learn more about Colorado Technical University’s Accredited Online Associate Degrees.

8. Eastern Kentucky University

Eastern Kentucky University has more than 11,000 undergraduate students at its Richmond, Kentucky campus and online. It’s a public, co-educational research institution.

EKU is respected as a military-friendly school. In fact, it’s ranked 9th in Military Times’ “Best for Vets” schools. Eastern Kentucky also ranks 25th among public schools and 40th among best value schools according to U.S. News and World Report.

There are four associate degree programs at EKU that are completely online. You can choose from:

A.A. in General Studies
A.A.S. in Paralegal Science
A.S. in Paramedicine
A.A. in Police Studies

EKU is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Tuition: $13,763 per year (including tuition and fees)

Learn more about Eastern Kentucky University’s Accredited Online Associate Degrees.

9. Liberty University

Following the motto “Knowledge Aflame,” Liberty University is a private, non-profit Baptist institution. While there are about 47,000 students at the Lynchburg, Virginia campus, the school has more than 100,000 online college students.

Liberty isn’t just a popular destination for students that want a religious education. It’s also a popular choice if you want to enroll in a flexible online associate’s degree program.

In fact, Liberty has one of the largest selections of online degree programs in our rankings. There are 19 degrees currently available online. This includes:

A.A. in Early Childhood Education
A.A. in Military History
A.A. in Psychology
A.A. in Business
A.A. in Accounting

No matter which program you choose, you’ll learn from one of the top five online colleges in America, according to Niche. The school also gets an A- rating for academics and a B rating for its professors.

The accrediting commission for Liberty University is the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Tuition: $29,382 per year (including tuition and fees)

Learn more about Liberty University’s Accredited Online Associate Degrees.

10. Columbia College

Columbia College was chartered by the Missouri Legislature in 1851. It’s a private, non-profit liberal arts institution nestled in the Ozark Mountains.

The college is quite small in terms of enrollment. There are just over 7,000 undergraduate students. But, with its online programs, Columbia College delivers a high-quality education to thousands more students around the world.

Columbia sits in the top 157 regional universities in the Midwest. The school ranks 156th for social mobility as well.

You can choose from nine associate programs:

Associate in Business Administration
Associate in Real Estate Management
Associate in General Studies
Associate in Criminal Justice
Associate in Arts
Associate in Computer Information Systems

Additionally, there are options for Health Services, Environmental Studies, and Human Services.

Columbia College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Tuition: $26,668 per year (including tuition and fees)

Learn more about Columbia College’s Accredited Online Associate Degrees.

11. California University of Pennsylvania

California University of Pennsylvania is a public, state-funded teaching school. It enrolls over 4,500 undergraduate students on campus and online.

The school ranks among the top 61 public schools. The university also ranks in the top 171 regional universities in the north. It’s ranked even higher for social mobility at number 86.

You can get three different distance learning degrees online at California University of Pennsylvania:

A.S. in Applied Policing and Technology
A.A. in Liberal Studies
A.S. in Technical Studies

These online programs have the same faculty as on-campus programs. You also receive the same diploma as on-campus students. Of course, all online programs are 100 percent remote with no required campus visits.

If you want to continue your online studies after completing your associate’s degree, you can pick from dozens of programs. There are bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and doctorates.

CUP is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

Tuition: $19,117 per year (including tuition and fees)

Learn more about the California University of Pennsylvania’s Accredited Online Associate Degrees.

12. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University is a private, non-sectarian school. SNHU is one of the largest online colleges in the nation. It has more than 100,000 undergraduate students on campus and around the world.

This is a non-profit school. But, the average annual cost is higher at SNHU compared to other online colleges. In fact, its cost is more than double the average for four-year schools. But, it is also one of the most respected online colleges.

SNHU is a great option if you want to explore many different courses and online degree programs. You can take one of eleven courses of study online. These include:

A.S. in Accounting
A.S. in Business Administration
A.S. in Computer Science
A.S. in Criminal Justice
A.S. in Cybersecurity
A.S. in Data Analytics
A.A. in Digital Photography
A.S. in Fashion Merchandising

Additional options include A.S. degrees in Information Technology and Marketing, and an A.A. in Liberal Arts.

The accrediting commission for SNHU is the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

Tuition: $42,645 per year (including tuition and fees)

Learn more about Southern New Hampshire University’s Accredited Online Associate Degrees.

13. Keiser University

Keiser University got regional accreditation in 2011. It’s accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). It’s a private, non-profit Level VI school in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. There are more than 18,000 undergraduate students.

According to the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, Kaiser University is considered a two-year school. It’s also designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution.

The school ranks very highly – number five – in social mobility. It’s also ranked in the top 400 in national universities.

Among schools on this list, Keiser has one of the largest selection of online associate’s degree programs. There are sixteen degrees available through distance education, including:

A.A. in Accounting

A.A. in Business Administration

A.S. in Fire Science

A.A. in Health Services Administration

A.S. in Medical Administrative Billing & Coding

A.S. in Medical Assisting Science

Other popular options include an A.A. in Paralegal Studies, an A.S. in Information Technology, and an A.A. in Criminal Justice.

Tuition: $36,084 per year (including tuition and fees)

Learn more about Keiser University’s Accredited Online Associate Degrees here.

14. Post University

Post University is a regionally accredited online college. Its accreditation comes from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). It is a private, for-profit institution. The university offers career-driven evening and online education to nearly 13,000 students.

Post University is among the top 171 regional universities in the north. It also ranks 111th for social mobility in the nation.

At just over $16,500 per year for tuition and fees, Post is about $3,000 per year less expensive than the average for four-year schools. To go along with that affordability, you can choose from six online associate degrees. They include:

A.S. in Accounting
A.S. in Criminal Justice
A.S. in Early Childhood Education
A.S. in Legal Studies
A.S. in Management
A.S. in Marketing

Tuition: $16,529 per year (including tuition and fees)

Learn more about Post University’s Accredited Online Associate Degrees.

15. Youngstown State University

Our list of the top regionally accredited online schools concludes with Youngstown State University. It’s a public, four-year school in Ohio. There are less than 10,000 students on campus and taking online programs.

At YSU, you can choose from a diverse range of online associate’s degrees. These include:
A.A. in Business Administration
A.S. in Construction Engineering Technology
A.A.S. in Information Technology
A.T.S. in Business Technology
A.S. in Mechanical Engineering Technology

You can also major in the Arts, Early Childhood Education, or Hospitality Management.

Each of the programs listed above is available completely online. There are no campus visits required. You can continue your studies by enrolling in an online bachelor’s degree program at YSU. There are master’s degrees, doctoral degrees, and certificate programs available online as well.

YSU ranks among the top 52 public schools. It’s also among the top 157 regional universities in the midwest. The accrediting commission for YSU is the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Tuition: $12,225 per year (including tuition and fees)

Learn more about Youngstown State University’s Accredited Online Associate Degrees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Aren’t all online colleges regionally accredited?

No. Some online schools have national accreditation.

Historically, national accreditation is reserved for vocational and trade schools. About 15 percent of colleges and universities in the United States have national accreditation. Some online colleges are nationally accredited as well. Usually, these schools are for-profit institutions.

Roughly 85 percent of colleges and universities in the United States are regionally accredited. This type of accreditation is more prestigious because:

Each school is very closely reviewed by its regional accrediting body
Admissions standards to regionally accredited schools tend to be more strict for prospective learners
Regionally accredited schools tend to be non-profit

There are six regional accrediting bodies:

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

These agencies accredit associate’s programs and undergraduate programs. Master’s programs and doctoral programs are also accredited.

The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) is part of the process as well. CHEA isn’t involved in the direct accreditation process. But, it works with the U.S. Department of Education to review each accrediting agencies standards.

Why is regional accreditation important?

Getting an associate’s degree from a regionally accredited school isn’t just a prestige thing. These schools often accept credits from other regionally accredited schools. This is true even if the first school you attend is in a different region.

So, the transfer process can be much easier. Earn your online associate’s degree at a regionally accredited school, and the chances are very good that all of your credits will transfer to another school. This is not always the case when you attend a nationally accredited college or university.

Additionally, some employers require that your degree is from a regionally accredited college. Some professional credentials also require a degree from a regionally accredited institution. It depends on your field of study, though.

When looking for an associate’s degree, it’s necessary to go beyond searching for the “top 20 online universities” or “name a college where you can receive an associates degree.” Instead, ensure the school has regional accreditation. This helps guarantee your higher education is the best it can be.

Do online courses I take in high school count towards an associate’s degree?

Credits you earn in high school should count toward a degree so long as the courses are from a regionally accredited community college or other accredited school.

If you continue your college education at that school, the credits you earned in high school will count. If you transfer to another regionally accredited college, the college credits you earned in high school are also very likely to count.

Is federal financial aid available for online learning?

Yes, you can finance your online education just like a student that’s on campus. There are federal loan programs you can use to pay for your schooling. Scholarships are also an option. Some scholarships base eligibility on financial need of learners. Others look at your grades.

Additionally, scholarships are available locally, at the state level, and at the national level. Since scholarships don’t have to be paid back, it’s worth the time and effort to identify as many scholarships as you can.

Another type of financial aid to consider is grants. Typically, grants go to learners with special circumstances, like financial need, to reduce the cost of an education. Grants are available for certain types of students, too, like those that served in the military.

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