[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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 [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/bachelors/best-online-bachelors-business-administration/”]bachelor’s in business administration program[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”editorialListings” /] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]10 Best Online Business Associate Degree Programs[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How We Chose These Schools”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]At TheBestSchools, we use trusted data from the U.S. Department of Education to evaluate schools without bias. Our ranking methodology helps prospective students from various backgrounds find the best fit. We consider key factors like academic quality, online offerings, and affordability so every type of student can find the best fit for them.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This ranking is from 2024. Learn more about how our formula works on [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/ranking-methodology/”]our ranking methodology page[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [/hen-ui-accordion] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Why Get an Associate Degree in Business?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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 [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/masters/best-online-mba/”]an MBA program[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Why Get Your Business Associate Degree Online?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Cost Savings: You’ll save on transportation costs when you learn from home. Many programs also charge less for online degrees.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [/hen-ui-list] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Can You Do With an Associate Degree in Business Administration?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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 [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/business/accelerated/”]bachelor of business administration[/hen-ui-link] or a bachelor of business management program. These business degrees can help you expand your [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/business-jobs/”]career in business[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Job Outlook for Entry-Level Business Careers[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-table-caption]Entry-Level Business Careers and Job Outlook[/hen-ui-table-caption] [hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]8 Careers You Can Pursue With an Associate Degree[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Median Annual Salary (May 2024)[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Projected Job Growth (2023-2033)[/hen-ui-table-head] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-body] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Administrative Services Managers[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”8 Careers You Can Pursue With an Associate Degree”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/administrative-services-managers.htm#tab-5″ target=”_blank”]$108,390[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Median Annual Salary (May 2024)”]6%-8%[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Facilities Managers[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”8 Careers You Can Pursue With an Associate Degree”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/administrative-services-managers.htm#tab-5″ target=”_blank”]$104,690[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Median Annual Salary (May 2024)”]3%-5%[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”8 Careers You Can Pursue With an Associate Degree”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/secretaries-and-administrative-assistants.htm#tab-5″ target=”_blank”]$74,260[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Median Annual Salary (May 2024)”]0%[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Real Estate Brokers[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”8 Careers You Can Pursue With an Associate Degree”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/sales/real-estate-brokers-and-sales-agents.htm#tab-5″ target=”_blank”]$72,280[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Median Annual Salary (May 2024)”]1%-2%[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Insurance Sales Agents[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”8 Careers You Can Pursue With an Associate Degree”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/sales/insurance-sales-agents.htm” target=”_blank”]$60,370[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Median Annual Salary (May 2024)”]6%-8%[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Human Resources Assistants[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”8 Careers You Can Pursue With an Associate Degree”][hen-ui-link href=”https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/industry/000000″ target=”_blank”]$49,440[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Median Annual Salary (May 2024)”]-1%[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”8 Careers You Can Pursue With an Associate Degree”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/bookkeeping-accounting-and-auditing-clerks.htm” target=”_blank”]$49,210[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Median Annual Salary (May 2024)”]-1%[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Travel Agents[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”8 Careers You Can Pursue With an Associate Degree”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/sales/travel-agents.htm” target=”_blank”]$48,450[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Median Annual Salary (May 2024)”]3%-5%[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-body] [/hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How Much Does an Online Associate in Business Administration Degree Cost?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to NCES, the median cost of an online associate degree in business is $2,248 per year. That is lower than the [hen-ui-link href=”https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d23/tables/dt23_330.20.asp” target=”_blank”]national average for all degrees[/hen-ui-link] for two-year institutions, where in-state tuition costs an average of $3,598, and out-of-state tuition averages $8,565.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Median Annual Cost of an Associate Degree in Business[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-grid columns-lg=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Is an Associate Degree in Business Worth It?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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 [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/bachelors/affordable/online-bachelors-business/”]business bachelor’s degree program[/hen-ui-link], you could save thousands on tuition.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-table-caption]Associate vs. Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration[/hen-ui-table-caption] [hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Factor[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Associate Degree[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Bachelor’s Degree[/hen-ui-table-head] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-body] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Length[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Factor”]2 years (60 credits)[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Associate Degree”]4 years (120 credits)[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Median Cost[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Factor”]$4,496[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Associate Degree”]$29,468[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Average Salary (April 2025)[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Factor”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Degree=Associate_of_Business_Administration_(ABA)/Salary” target=”_blank”]$64,000[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Associate Degree”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Degree=Bachelor_of_Business_Administration_(BBA)/Salary” target=”_blank”]$78,000[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-body] [/hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions About Online Associate Degrees in Business[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How long does it take to get an associate degree in business administration?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What’s the difference between an AAS and AA in business administration?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]When researching prospective programs, you may notice several different [hen-ui-link href=”https://thebestschools.org/degrees/business-degrees/”]types of business administration degrees[/hen-ui-link]. Associate of applied science (AAS) and associate of arts in business administration (AA) programs can both transfer to a four-year institution after graduation. An AAS prepares you for professional roles and can help you to enter the workforce immediately.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]These programs require fewer general education credits and include more business-specific classes. However, AAS degrees may not allow as many transfer credits if you decide to pursue a [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/bachelors/”]bachelor’s degree[/hen-ui-link] later.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Are online business degrees respected?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Yes, employers respect online business degrees as long as they hold accreditation. Not all online business associate degree programs are created equal, which is why it’s crucial to research and compare online programs. One of the most common accreditors for associate-level business degrees is the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How much can you make with an associate degree in business?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to the BLS, the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/emp/chart-unemployment-earnings-education.htm” target=”_blank”]median annual salary[/hen-ui-link] for an associate degree-holder is $57,150. But, the average salaries for common business careers can vary widely depending on the industry.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]For example, while human resources assistants only saw a median salary of $49,440 in 2024, administrative services and facilities managers earned a median salary of $106,880. Ultimately, your experience, industry, job, and location will all impact how much you can make with an associate degree in business.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [/hen-ui-accordion] [hen-ui-section-header title=”Discover More College Resources” /] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”2-col” ids=”970,905,1271″][/hen-ui-article-row]