Best Online Business Administration Associate Degrees
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.
10 Best Online Business Associate Degree Programs
Delgado Community College
New Orleans, LA- 2 year
- Campus + Online
From its main campus in New Orleans, Delgado Community College boasts a highly-ranked online associate in business administration, one of five online associate degree programs. The program prepares students for the demands of the business management field through foundational and advanced coursework. Learners seeking to advance through further studies can apply their credits towards a bachelor's degree.
While enrolled, students can benefit from career services, academic advising, and other success-centered resources. Other institutional resources include virtual library services and academic tutoring.
The average student is awarded $5,257 in financial aid, to offset the cost of education. Of its enrollees, the college reports that 89% receive financial aid, and 50% receive loans.
Delgado Community College at a Glance:
Type of School: Public, two-year
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Student-Faculty Ratio: 18-to-1
Undergrad Tuition In State: $3,335
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $7,624
- In-State$3,335
- Out-of-state$7,624
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate51%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled14,140
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment39%
- AccreditationYes
West Kentucky Community and Technical College
- Paducah, KY
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
From its main campus in Paducah, West Kentucky Community and Technical College boasts a highly-ranked online associate of applied science in business administration, one of six online associate degree programs. Students in the business management program gain knowledge and industry-relevant skills through coursework and experiential learning opportunities. Upon completion, students can apply their credits toward a bachelor's degree or other educational endeavors.
The college connects business management students with career services, academic advising, and other success-geared resources. Distance learners can access other resources such as virtual library services and academic tutoring.
The average financial aid award, the college reports, is $5,270. Typically, 96% of all degree-seekers receive financial aid, with 13% receiving loans.
West Kentucky Community and Technical College at a Glance:
Type of School: Public, two-year
Location: Paducah, Kentucky
Student-Faculty Ratio: 20-to-1
Undergrad Tuition In State: $4,176
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $14,616
- In-State$4,176
- Out-of-state$14,616
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate69%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled6,327
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment39%
- AccreditationYes
Central Maine Community College
- Auburn, ME
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
A leader in online education, Central Maine Community College supports six online associate degree programs, including its associate in business administration and management. Students in the business management program gain foundational and advanced knowledge relevant to the business management field. Graduates seeking to advance in their studies can apply their credits toward a bachelor's degree.
During their studies, enrollees can access career services, academic advising, and other resources. Other resources available for distance learners include academic tutoring and virtual library services.
The college connects students with numerous financial aid opportunities, reporting that enrollees receive an average of $6,460 in financial aid. Approximately 88% of all incoming learners receive financial aid, with 28% receiving student loans.
Central Maine Community College at a Glance:
Type of School: Public, two-year
Location: Auburn, Maine
Student-Faculty Ratio: 16-to-1
Undergrad Tuition In State: $2,820
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $5,640
- In-State$2,820
- Out-of-state$5,640
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate57%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled3,218
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment32%
- AccreditationYes
Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College
- Moorefield, WV
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
At Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College, the associate in business management is offered online. The program prepares students for the demands of the business management field through foundational and advanced coursework. Students seeking further education can apply their business management credits toward a bachelor's degree.
Students can access numerous college resources such as career services and academic advising. Distance learners benefit from virtual library services, academic tutoring, and other resources.
Typically, enrollees receive $6,772 in financial aid awards. The institution reports that 92% of all enrollees receive financial aid, and 12% receive student loans.
Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College at a Glance:
Type of School: Public, two-year
Location: Moorefield, West Virginia
Student-Faculty Ratio: 9-to-1
Undergrad Tuition In State: $3,432
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $6,816
- In-State$3,432
- Out-of-state$6,816
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate72%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled530
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment32%
- AccreditationYes
Genesee Community College
- Batavia, NY
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
At Genesee Community College, the associate in business administration is one of seven online associate programs offered online. Students in the business management program gain foundational and advanced knowledge relevant to business administration careers. Enrollees can apply their earned credit towards a bachelor's degree, certificates, and educational credentials.
Degree-seekers can access career services, academic advising, and other support options during their studies. Other resources available for distance learners include academic tutoring and virtual library services.
Typically, students are awarded $6,752 in financial aid. The institution reports that 90% of all enrollees receive financial aid, and 23% receive student loans.
Genesee Community College at a Glance:
Type of School: Public, two-year
Location: Batavia, New York
Student-Faculty Ratio: 14-to-1
Undergrad Tuition In State: $4,350
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $4,950
- In-State$4,350
- Out-of-state$4,950
- 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.
| 8 Careers You Can Pursue With an Associate Degree | Median Annual Salary (May 2024) | Projected Job Growth (2023-2033) |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative Services Managers | $108,390 | 6%-8% |
| Facilities Managers | $104,690 | 3%-5% |
| Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $74,260 | 0% |
| Real Estate Brokers | $72,280 | 1%-2% |
| Insurance Sales Agents | $60,370 | 6%-8% |
| Human Resources Assistants | $49,440 | -1% |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $49,210 | -1% |
| Travel Agents | $48,450 | 3%-5% |
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
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.
| Factor | Associate Degree | Bachelor’s Degree |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 2 years (60 credits) | 4 years (120 credits) |
| Median Cost | $4,496 | $29,468 |
| Average Salary (April 2025) | $64,000 | $78,000 |
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.
