Build Your Skills with an Online Associate Degree Program

An associate degree is an undergraduate degree that typically takes around 2 years to earn. It provides a foundational education in a specific field of study and can help you prepare to pursue a variety of entry-level careers. It can serve as a standalone qualification or act as a steppingstone towards pursuing a higher-level credential, such as a bachelor's degree.

The total cost to complete your online associate degree program depends on several factors, including any qualifying transfer credits you may have as well as scholarships or grants you may qualify for. To learn more about our cost per credit hour, visit our Tuition page. Our Admissions Team can help you develop a customized tuition plan based on your individual circumstances and needs. 

The three main types of associate degrees are:

1. Associate of Arts (AA): Primarily focuses on liberal arts and general education, including courses in humanities, social sciences and communication.

2. Associate of Science (AS): Emphasizes a concentration in scientific and technical subjects, including mathematics and physical sciences.

3. Associate of Applied Science (AAS): Targets practical, job-specific skills and vocational training to prepare students for entry into the workforce.

The length of time it takes to complete our associate degree programs depends on several factors, such as whether you study full- or part-time, how many qualifying transfer credits you may have and if you take any breaks throughout your education. Here at DeVry, we offer 6 class sessions per year, with classes lasting 8 weeks each. Many students take 1 or 2 classes per session. 

To give an example, our Associate in Business can be completed in as little as 1 year and 4 months with an accelerated schedule or 2 years with normal schedule.¹

¹Accelerated schedule is per 12-month period, assumes completion of 3 semesters, enrollment in 12-18 credit hours per semester and continuous, full-time year-round enrollment with no breaks. Normal schedule is per 12-month period, assumes completion of 2 semesters and full-time enrollment in 12-18 credit hours per semester.

Yes! Online associate degrees can offer the flexibility to help you arrange your study time around your work and personal commitments. Here at DeVry, all of our associate degrees can be earned 100% online or in a hybrid⁴ format that combines online education with in-person learning. 

The number of credits you’ll need to complete an associate degree depends on the specific program you choose and any qualifying transfer credits you may have. At DeVry, our associate degree programs require a minimum of 60 credit hours, and some require up to 64 credit hours. Most non-lab courses are worth either 3 or 4 credit hours, making the average number of courses required to earn an associate degree typically somewhere between 15 and 25 courses.

Depending on your career goals, there are a few things to consider as you choose between an associate vs a bachelor’s degree. 

• A bachelor's degree usually takes 4 years to complete as it offers a more comprehensive education, including general education coursework and in-depth skill building. It may also help you qualify for higher paying roles. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, those with a bachelor’s degree make 42% more per week than the national median of those with an associate degree. 

• An associate degree typically takes 2 years to complete and provides foundational knowledge and skills in a specific field. It can be a good option to help you enter the workforce more quickly and can also be used as a steppingstone towards earning your bachelor's degree, through stackable credentials.³

You can learn more about college degree levels on our blog.

The first step to enrolling in a bachelor’s degree program is to submit your application. Our Admissions Team will contact you to discuss your education plan. Best of all, many of our programs are designed to stack, meaning some or all of the credits earned in your associate degree program may apply toward a related bachelor’s degree here at DeVry,³ so you can learn at the time and pace that’s right for you.