Best Online Business Administration Associate Degrees

Alison Plaut
By
Updated on April 24, 2025
Edited by
Discover the best online business administration associate degrees, along with how this degree can prepare you for entry-level careers in business.

An online business administration associate degree helps you develop general business skills that can be applied to entry-level administrative and support roles across industries. It can also be a great option to build some initial professional experience and academic knowledge before pursuing a bachelor’s in business administration program.

Regardless of whether you choose to further your business education or enter the workforce immediately, an associate degree in business can be a valuable credential to jumpstart your career. Plus, the best online business associate degree programs give you the flexibility to continue working while you earn your degree.

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10 Best Online Business Associate Degree Programs

We use trusted sources like Peterson's Data and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
from our partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such.
#1 Best Online Business Administration Associate Degrees

Delgado Community College

  • Location-markerNew Orleans, LA
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$3,335
  • Out-of-state$7,624
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate51%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled14,140
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment39%
  • AccreditationYes
#2 Best Online Business Administration Associate Degrees

West Kentucky Community and Technical College

  • Location-markerPaducah, KY
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$4,176
  • Out-of-state$14,616
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate69%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled6,327
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment39%
  • AccreditationYes
#3 Best Online Business Administration Associate Degrees

Central Maine Community College

  • Location-markerAuburn, ME
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$2,820
  • Out-of-state$5,640
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate57%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled3,218
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment32%
  • AccreditationYes
#4 Best Online Business Administration Associate Degrees

Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College

  • Location-markerMoorefield, WV
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$3,432
  • Out-of-state$6,816
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate72%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled530
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment32%
  • AccreditationYes
#5 Best Online Business Administration Associate Degrees

Genesee Community College

  • Location-markerBatavia, NY
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$4,350
  • Out-of-state$4,950
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate51%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled5,285
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment31%
  • AccreditationYes

Reality Check: Will An Online Associate Degree in Business Administration Actually Pay Off?

The short answer is yes, it can pay off. The median cost of an online associate in business is about $4,500, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Given that the median weekly earnings of associate degree-holders was $1,099 in 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), an associate degree could pay off quickly. Comparatively, those with only a high school diploma had weekly earnings of $930.

Why Get an Associate Degree in Business?

An associate degree can qualify you for a wide spectrum of entry-level business positions. Alternatively, this degree can serve as a stepping stone toward a bachelor’s program in business or an MBA program.

After earning your associate degree in business, you could become an executive secretary, administrative assistant, real estate broker, or human resources assistant. And after developing some experience in these roles, you could rise into more advanced positions, increasing your earning potential.

Why Get Your Business Associate Degree Online?

  • Convenience: Earning an associate in business online allows you to earn a degree from anywhere in the world. You don’t have to give up your job or other responsibilities while working toward your degree.
  • Flexibility: Many online business administration associate degree programs offer asynchronous courses and the flexibility to choose your course load so that you can study around your schedule.
  • Cost Savings: You’ll save on transportation costs when you learn from home. Many programs also charge less for online degrees.
  • Earning Potential: According to the BLS, business leadership positions are often compensated at almost double the median U.S. salary. An associate degree in business can qualify you for some entry-level business positions, which may offer compensation at or above the median national salary.

What Can You Do With an Associate Degree in Business Administration?

With an associate degree in business administration, you can pursue professional and academic opportunities. Some graduates enter the workforce, while others move directly into a bachelor of business administration or a bachelor of business management program. These business degrees can help you expand your career in business.

Job Outlook for Entry-Level Business Careers

With an associate in business administration degree, you can qualify for jobs in a variety of industries. A general business education equips you to enter sales, accounting, human resources, or management positions. For example, you could become an insurance sales agent, an administrative services manager, or a human resources assistant.

Entry-Level Business Careers and Job Outlook
8 Careers You Can Pursue With an Associate DegreeMedian Annual Salary (May 2024)Projected Job Growth (2023-2033)
Administrative Services Managers$108,3906%-8%
Facilities Managers$104,6903%-5%
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants$74,2600%
Real Estate Brokers$72,2801%-2%
Insurance Sales Agents$60,3706%-8%
Human Resources Assistants$49,440-1%
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$49,210-1%
Travel Agents$48,4503%-5%
Source: BLS

How Much Does an Online Associate in Business Administration Degree Cost?

According to NCES, the median cost of an online associate degree in business is $2,248 per year. That is lower than the national average for all degrees for two-year institutions, where in-state tuition costs an average of $3,598, and out-of-state tuition averages $8,565.

Median Annual Cost of an Associate Degree in Business

$2,248
Online Associate Degree in Business

$2,207
Traditional, On-Campus Associate Degree in Business

Source: NCES

Is an Associate Degree in Business Worth It?

An associate degree in business can be worth it if you want to increase your earning potential or secure a position that requires an associate degree. It can also be a good option if you want to pursue a bachelor’s eventually but don’t have the money or time to do so now.

In some cases, you can actually save money by earning your associate degree first. For example, if you earn an online associate degree in business and transfer your credits to a business bachelor’s degree program, you could save thousands on tuition.

Associate vs. Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration
FactorAssociate DegreeBachelor’s Degree
Length2 years (60 credits)4 years (120 credits)
Median Cost$4,496$29,468
Average Salary (April 2025)$64,000$78,000
Source: NCES, Payscale

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Associate Degrees in Business

An online business administration associate degree typically takes two years to complete. However, several factors can affect this timeline. For example, if you have previous college or AP credits, you may be able to graduate more quickly.

Alternatively, working professionals or parents may need to enroll on a part-time basis, which can slow their progress. As a part-time student, you can expect to spend an extra year working through your degree requirements, putting your graduation timeline around three years.