If you think the teaching profession might be a rewarding career, a good way to enter the education field and find out is to earn an on-campus or online associate degree in education. A two-year degree is less expensive and time-consuming than getting the traditional bachelor’s program, and it could be a good way to gauge if a teaching career is something you’ll enjoy for the long-term. After all, working as teacher assistants or preschool teachers isn't for everyone. If you decide to pursue teaching, you can obtain one of the many online associate degrees. An education online program is often a cheaper option than traditional in-person classes. Furthermore, continuing your education online with an online bachelor's degree program is relatively easy, and you may even have the experience of already having been in a classroom as a teacher's aide or a job as a child care worker to help you along.
An associate degree in education is usually available either as an Associate of Arts in Education or as an Associate of Science. These associate in education programs are available from local community college options and from larger colleges and universities, as well as being available through online courses from schools all over the country. Whether you choose an Associate of Arts or an Associate of Science depends on your education goals. Either of these degrees in education will let you move of into a bachelor's program. Their core courses will cover general education and basics such as reading and mathematics. An education program at this level may also cover core courses in early childhood education, elementary education, child development, and even childcare management. Eligibility requirements will vary by program, but are likely to consist of not much more than a high school diploma or an equal level of education. Plus, you may qualify for federal financial aid to help with school costs and most schools let you transfer credits should you choose to go from a local community college to a university or to one of the online degree programs from one of the many online colleges offering online associate degree programs with national or regional accreditation.
Top 25 Best Online Associate in Education Programs
Ohio State University
Score: 85.14
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,859
- Out-of-State:$38,365
- Net Price: $19,582
- Acceptance Rate: 53%
- Retention Rate: 93%
- Graduation Rate: 88%
- Total Enrollment: 60,540
- Undergrad Students: 46,123
- Graduate Students: 14,417
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
LeTourneau University
Score: 79.71
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $35,500
- Out-of-State:$35,500
- Net Price: $26,974
- Acceptance Rate: 49%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 3,536
- Undergrad Students: 3,350
- Graduate Students: 186
- Grads Salary: $87,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Saint Francis University
Score: 75.31
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $41,720
- Out-of-State:$41,720
- Net Price: $27,459
- Acceptance Rate: 73%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 72%
- Total Enrollment: 2,857
- Undergrad Students: 2,461
- Graduate Students: 396
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
University of Cincinnati
Score: 74.74
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,570
- Out-of-State:$30,582
- Net Price: $20,149
- Acceptance Rate: 86%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 72%
- Total Enrollment: 41,155
- Undergrad Students: 29,663
- Graduate Students: 11,492
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
American Public University System
Score: 74.35
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,400
- Out-of-State:$8,400
- Net Price: $11,172
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 55%
- Total Enrollment: 48,668
- Undergrad Students: 39,206
- Graduate Students: 9,462
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 24:1
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Score: 72.57
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,640
- Out-of-State:$22,752
- Net Price: $9,450
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 39%
- Total Enrollment: 6,607
- Undergrad Students: 5,636
- Graduate Students: 971
- Grads Salary: $82,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Concordia University-Saint Paul
Score: 71.78
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $25,000
- Out-of-State:$25,000
- Net Price: $17,776
- Acceptance Rate: 69%
- Retention Rate: 61%
- Graduation Rate: 51%
- Total Enrollment: 5,544
- Undergrad Students: 3,071
- Graduate Students: 2,473
- Grads Salary: $78,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Chaminade University of Honolulu
Score: 68.28
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $29,970
- Out-of-State:$29,970
- Net Price: $27,315
- Acceptance Rate: 93%
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Graduation Rate: 66%
- Total Enrollment: 2,369
- Undergrad Students: 1,583
- Graduate Students: 786
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Campbell University
Score: 65.01
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $40,410
- Out-of-State:$40,410
- Net Price: $24,280
- Acceptance Rate: 89%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 56%
- Total Enrollment: 5,272
- Undergrad Students: 2,965
- Graduate Students: 2,307
- Grads Salary: $68,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Arkansas Tech University
Score: 64.27
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,508
- Out-of-State:$14,502
- Net Price: $12,016
- Acceptance Rate: 94%
- Retention Rate: 63%
- Graduation Rate: 49%
- Total Enrollment: 9,445
- Undergrad Students: 8,722
- Graduate Students: 723
- Grads Salary: $64,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Northwest Nazarene University
Score: 64.22
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $39,370
- Out-of-State:$39,370
- Net Price: $25,674
- Acceptance Rate: 88%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 58%
- Total Enrollment: 1,778
- Undergrad Students: 1,140
- Graduate Students: 638
- Grads Salary: $67,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Great Basin College
Score: 61.93
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,855
- Out-of-State:$13,448
- Net Price: $7,058
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 38%
- Graduation Rate: 48%
- Total Enrollment: 3,197
- Undergrad Students: 3,197
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $61,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
SUNY Empire State University
Score: 61.9
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,630
- Out-of-State:$17,540
- Net Price: $9,704
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 59%
- Graduation Rate: 25%
- Total Enrollment: 9,407
- Undergrad Students: 7,735
- Graduate Students: 1,672
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Liberty University
Score: 61.24
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $21,222
- Out-of-State:$21,222
- Net Price: $29,913
- Acceptance Rate: 99%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 66%
- Total Enrollment: 96,709
- Undergrad Students: 48,906
- Graduate Students: 47,803
- Grads Salary: $63,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Brenau University
Score: 60.02
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $33,275
- Out-of-State:$33,275
- Net Price: $23,635
- Acceptance Rate: 87%
- Retention Rate: 55%
- Graduation Rate: 46%
- Total Enrollment: 2,704
- Undergrad Students: 1,368
- Graduate Students: 1,336
- Grads Salary: $66,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
UMass Global
Score: 59.75
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,520
- Out-of-State:$12,520
- Net Price: $32,807
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 40%
- Graduation Rate: 50%
- Total Enrollment: 8,689
- Undergrad Students: 4,822
- Graduate Students: 3,867
- Grads Salary: $82,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Vincennes University
Score: 58.75
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,886
- Out-of-State:$16,289
- Net Price: $9,637
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Graduation Rate: 33%
- Total Enrollment: 16,773
- Undergrad Students: 16,773
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $62,000
- Student-to-faculty: 23:1
Post University
Score: 58.75
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $17,100
- Out-of-State:$17,100
- Net Price: $18,307
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 35%
- Graduation Rate: 32%
- Total Enrollment: 17,034
- Undergrad Students: 14,682
- Graduate Students: 2,352
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Dakota County Technical College
Score: 58.25
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,419
- Out-of-State:$6,419
- Net Price: $11,339
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Graduation Rate: 53%
- Total Enrollment: 2,717
- Undergrad Students: 2,717
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $49,400
- Student-to-faculty: 23:1
Southwestern Assemblies of God University
Score: 57.17
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $18,610
- Out-of-State:$18,610
- Net Price: $19,217
- Acceptance Rate: 86%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 42%
- Total Enrollment: 1,794
- Undergrad Students: 1,491
- Graduate Students: 303
- Grads Salary: $55,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Campbellsville University
Score: 56.18
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $26,990
- Out-of-State:$26,990
- Net Price: $20,987
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 60%
- Graduation Rate: 41%
- Total Enrollment: 11,775
- Undergrad Students: 6,411
- Graduate Students: 5,364
- Grads Salary: $65,000
- Student-to-faculty: 23:1
Northeast Community College
Score: 55.85
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,840
- Out-of-State:$5,130
- Net Price: $10,170
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 73%
- Graduation Rate: 51%
- Total Enrollment: 5,583
- Undergrad Students: 5,583
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $41,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
South Texas College
Score: 55.78
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,220
- Out-of-State:$7,500
- Net Price: $1,692
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 63%
- Graduation Rate: 26%
- Total Enrollment: 27,894
- Undergrad Students: 27,894
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $52,000
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
Hutchinson Community College
Score: 54.87
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,720
- Out-of-State:$4,650
- Net Price: $6,491
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 55%
- Graduation Rate: 46%
- Total Enrollment: 4,960
- Undergrad Students: 4,960
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $42,300
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Fisher College
Score: 54.81
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $35,013
- Out-of-State:$35,013
- Net Price: $26,257
- Acceptance Rate: 74%
- Retention Rate: 55%
- Graduation Rate: 26%
- Total Enrollment: 1,421
- Undergrad Students: 1,312
- Graduate Students: 109
- Grads Salary: $67,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
