Best Online Associate Degrees in Arkansas 2025

Badge for BEST ONLINE ASSOCIATE'S IN ARKANSAS
By Dr. James Barham
Reviewed By Jenn Finley
Published:
Updated:

Top Online Associate Degree Programs in Arkansas in 2025

  1. University of Arkansas
  2. Arkansas State University
  3. Arkansas Tech University
  4. North Arkansas College
  5. Cossatot Community College
  6. Arkansas State University-Beebe
  7. National Park College
  8. University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College

2025 Ranking Update

Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or last ground for the 2025 school year.

There are no changes to our ranking of the best online associate degree programs in Arkansas for 2025.

Key Takeaways

  • Earning an associate degree is an affordable way to get started on your college education and typically only takes about two years to complete.
  • Many community colleges and two-year schools in Arkansas offer both traditional and online degree programs for students pursuing their associate degree in a wide variety of disciplines.
  • Students who earn their online associate degree in their state of residence are typically eligible for in-state discount rates.

Featured Programs

Best Online Associate Degrees in Arkansas

  1. #1

    University of Arkansas

    Fayetteville , AR
    #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #1 Best Public Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #1 Best Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #1 Best Grad Schools in Arkansas 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    79%

    Graduation

    69%

    Student body

    32K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1125/24

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Arkansas

    Cost of Degree: $9,748
    Expenses: $20,260
    Starting Salary: $52,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    The University of Arkansas is a top public research university founded in 1871. It is committed to making the world a better place by ensuring all its students have equal opportunities to the right skills and opportunities.

    What we love about the University of Arkansas:

    It offers a wide range of online associate degrees in Computer Science, Healthcare Administration, and Paralegal Studies, among others.

    The University of Arkansas is ideal for students who:

    Prefer a university that offers four-year degree programs, too, to make it easier to pursue a bachelor’s degree.

    The University of Arkansas might not be the best fit for students who:

    Find this school’s cost of attendance to be higher compared to other academic institutions.

    Online Associate Degrees

    AS in Law Enforcement
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  2. #2

    Arkansas State University

    Jonesboro , AR
    #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #3 Best Public Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #3 Best Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #3 Best Grad Schools in Arkansas 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    70%

    Graduation

    53%

    Student body

    18K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1090/22

    Career Outlook for degree at Arkansas State University

    Cost of Degree: $7,754
    Expenses: $18,472
    Starting Salary: $36,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Arkansas State University was founded in 1909. It is the second-largest university in the state and is a doctoral-level national institution offering over 150 areas of study. It is a destination university that provides world-class education and student-friendly instruction to 14,000 students.

    What we love about Arkansas State University:

    It has public-private partnerships such as the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine.

    Arkansas State University is ideal for students who:

    Would opt for a university committed to athletic programs, especially in football.

    Arkansas State University might not be the best fit for students who:

    Value a school with a strong national or international reputation, like more prestigious universities.

    Online Associate Degrees

    AAS in Disaster Preparedness/Emergency Management
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    AGS in General Studies
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  3. #3

    Arkansas Tech University

    Russellville , AR
    #5 Most Affordable Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #5 Best Public Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #7 Best Grad Schools in Arkansas 2025 #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Arkansas 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    94%

    Graduation

    49%

    Student body

    11K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1085/20

    Career Outlook for degree at Arkansas Tech University

    Cost of Degree: $8,508
    Expenses: $15,186
    Starting Salary: $38,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Arkansas Tech University was founded in 1909. Its curriculum is approved by the ATU Board of Trustees and the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board. It is dedicated to providing opportunities for civic engagement and intellectual development.

    What we love about Arkansas Tech University:

    It offers associate degrees in Business Administration, Cybersecurity, Manufacturing, and Nuclear Technology.

    Arkansas Tech University is ideal for students who:

    Seek a university that offers an affordable master’s degree in Emergency Management.

    Arkansas Tech University might not be the best fit for students who:

    Want to attend a school with a student-faculty ratio that’s lower than 18:1.

    Online Associate Degrees

    AS in Banking Services
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    AS in Law Enforcement
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    AS in Early Childhood Education (Pre-K)
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    AS in General Studies
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  4. #4

    North Arkansas College

    Harrison , AR
    #4 Best Community Colleges in Arkansas 2025

    Tuition + fees

    $3K

    Graduation

    32%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at North Arkansas College

    Cost of Degree: $3,816
    Expenses: $13,386
    Starting Salary: $28,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    North Arkansas College was founded in 1974. It is a public two-year college offering technical degrees and certificates, as well as adult basic education classes and non-credit community courses. This college is committed to providing affordable and quality academic experiences to its students.

    What we love about North Arkansas College:

    This school has consistently ranked high in both state and national organizations.

    North Arkansas College is ideal for students who:

    Thrive in a school that allows students to maximize learning beyond the classroom, such as the Buffalo National Park.

    North Arkansas College might not be the best fit for students who:

    Are not comfortable with attending a school that is close to nature, like the Ozark Mountains.

    Online Associate Degrees

    AAS in Business Administration

    Concentrations

    • Accounting
    • Management
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    AS in Business
    • Required Credits: 62
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    AGS in General Studies
    • Required Credits: 31
    • Completion time: 1 year
    • Format: Online
    AAS in Medical Laboratory Technology
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  6. #5

    Cossatot Community College

    De Queen , AR
    #8 Best Community Colleges in Arkansas 2025

    Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    46%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at Cossatot Community College

    Cost of Degree: $4,416
    Starting Salary: $28,000

    Cossatot Community College is committed to providing quality education, relevant industry training, and outstanding service to improve lives in the region. It also has a language lab, internet labs, trade and industry shops, and computer labs for research and distance learning students.

    What we love about Cossatot Community College:

    It has professionally trained life coaches to help students address specific issues and stay on track.

    Cossatot Community College is ideal for students who:

    Seek a local college offering associate’s degrees in General Business, Agriculture, Criminal Justice, and more.

    Cossatot Community College might not be the best fit for students who:

    Want a school that offers both associate’s and bachelor’s degrees to make it easier to transfer.

    Online Associate Degrees

    AAS in Accounting
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    AAS in Administrative Assistant
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    AAS in Business Management
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    AS in Business
    • Required Credits: 65
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    AS in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    AGS in General Studies
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    AS in Psychology
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  7. #6

    Arkansas State University-Beebe

    Beebe , AR
    #9 Best Community Colleges in Arkansas 2025

    Tuition + fees

    $3K

    Graduation

    38%

    Student body

    4K

    Career Outlook for degree at Arkansas State University-Beebe

    Cost of Degree: $3,216
    Expenses: $15,961
    Starting Salary: $32,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Arkansas State University-Beebe was founded in 1927. It is a two-year university and is operationally separate from the Arkansas State University System. It is currently home to 2,900+ students with 100+ academic pathways.

    What we love about Arkansas State University-Beebe:

    It offers associate’s degrees in Agriculture, Computerized Machining Technology, and Nursing Assistant, to name a few.

    Arkansas State University-Beebe is ideal for students who:

    Value a university nationally recognized by the Aspen Institute for student success rates.

    Arkansas State University-Beebe might not be the best fit for students who:

    Think that this university does not offer the same range of sporting, social, and academic opportunities that larger schools have.

    Online Associate Degrees

    AS in Business
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    AALA in Liberal Arts
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    ASLAS in Liberal Arts and Sciences
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  8. #7

    National Park College

    Hot Springs , AR

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Graduation

    26%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for degree at National Park College

    Cost of Degree: $6,050
    Expenses: $11,600
    Starting Salary: $28,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Located in a beautiful resort community, National Park College is surrounded by the Ouachita Mountains and several lakes. It is known for being a close-knit group dedicated to molding students to overcome challenges and achieve their professional goals.

    What we love about National Park College:

    This college offers credit and non-credit courses, adult education classes, and workforce training.

    National Park College is ideal for students who:

    Prefer a school offering associate’s degrees in Arts and Humanities, Business, Education, and Nursing, among others.

    National Park College might not be the best fit for students who:

    Would opt for larger universities with a diverse selection of entertainment options and exciting activities.

    Online Associate Degrees

    AS in Business
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    AAS in Networking and Cybersecurity
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  9. #8

    University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College

    North Little Rock , AR
    #15 Best Online Associate in Hospitality and Tourism

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Graduation

    23%

    Student body

    6K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College

    Cost of Degree: $6,060
    Starting Salary: $30,700

    University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College was established in 1945. This student-centric academic institution of higher education is committed to connecting talent, knowledge, and resources to ensure student success. It is also passionate about developing students’ full potential.

    What we love about the University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College:

    This university offers associate’s degrees in Business, Education, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Technology, and Engineering.

    University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College is ideal for students who:

    Thrive in a school committed to preparing lifelong learners and top-notch employees in various fields.

    University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College might not be the best fit for students who:

    Seek a school with a more traditional academic education or liberal arts experience.

    Online Associate Degrees

    AAS in Hospitality Management
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AS in Health Information Technology
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school

What is an Associate Degree?

An associate degree is a two-year degree that can be earned at state community colleges, vocational schools, and most accredited colleges and universities.

What will I study with an associate degree?

The associate degree provides an introductory level college education. You will usually take an array of liberal arts or humanities courses along with introductory level courses in a specific subject area. Most associate degree programs are available to both on campus students and online students.

Why get an associate degree?

There are several good reasons to get an associate degree. An associate degree is an affordable and accessible way to get a college education while improving your earning potential. The associate degree is popular both among students looking for entry-level work in their field, and for those who are already working.

The online degree is particularly popular at the associate level because so many students must balance work responsibilities and studies. Online courses and complete online programs make it possible for students to earn associate credits and degrees without disrupting daily work responsibilities.

The associate is also a far more affordable and accessible alternative to earning a bachelor’s degree. The associate degree takes about half as long to earn as a bachelor’s degree. Associate students need 60 credits to graduate, versus the 120 credits needed for a bachelor’s degree. And many state community colleges offer low tuition rates.

Can I get a job with an associate degree?

You can get an entry-level job in your field with an associate degree. Many students will use the associate degree as a way to get relevant job training before entering the job market. In fact, many associates will pursue entry level work in their field while earning a bachelor’s degree through online education.

Should I get an associate degree before pursuing a bachelor’s degree?

You may want to get an associate degree first to save money, or improve your admission chances, before getting a bachelor’s degree. The associate degree is a popular stepping stone for students who will seek a bachelor’s degree. When you earn an associate degree from an accredited state community college, you can usually transfer your credits toward your bachelor’s degree program.

Can I get an online degree at the associate level?

You can definitely get an online degree at the associate level. A growing number of online colleges offer high-quality associate-level online courses and complete online programs. Online students will typically take the same courses and curricula as on campus students.

Are associate degrees from online colleges respected?

Online degrees at the associate level are respected as long as these online degrees come from accredited community colleges or two-year schools. Regional accreditation is important when it comes to online colleges. If you plan to go into a bachelor’s degree program at a regionally accredited school, you must earn your online degree from a regionally accredited associate degree program.

If you need more answers to frequently asked questions about online degrees, we can help.

Arkansas is just one of many states offering excellent online associate’s degrees. To check out our rankings, look into the best online associate’s degrees in Kansas, Iowa, Connecticut, and more!

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Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require a time of adjustment. Although you’ll typically learn the same material and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, going online will require greater independence and responsibility than going in person. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, for harnessing the online educational technology that you’ll need to use, and for completing the course requirements, such as listening to lectures, learning lessons, reading texts, and handing in assignments. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take the initiative in building relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

No. The only part of online education that’s easier than campus-based education is ease of access: all you need is a computer and an internet connection for online education. But even this seeming advantage of online education can be misleading: what’s easier, studying online with your computer and internet connection from your home where you need to cook, clean, pay rent, and maintain a job? Or studying on campus in a dorm where all your living needs are handled by the school, and college staff are there to help you every step of the way?

If you take the commute to campus out of the equation, campus-based education is easier. All the support structures available on campus for students, especially with real people to help you in person, are not there online. The demands on you as an online student will largely be the same as for your campus-based counterpart, but without the same helps.

In general, your online courses will present the same material and test you in the same way as traditional in-person courses. In many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning with remote educational technology for the first time, online college may be considerably more challenging than campus-based college. For a few insights on how to manage this new online experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable non-profit institutions on the one end and less-than-reputable for-profit institutions on the other end. Accreditation gives you the power to identify the more reputable actors in online education. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency indicating that a college or university is meeting standards of quality and credibility. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university that is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. For students seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that they opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree. For more on this important topic, check out our What is Accreditation and Why Does It Matter? College & University Accreditation Guide.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited (see the previous point), you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer of credits. In many cases, you will encounter some bureaucratic haggling in which some of your credits will be transferred and others may be refused. However, provided that you have attended an online school with recognized regional accreditation, you should be in good shape in transferring your credits earned online.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript, or resumé differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

Some employers may express the concern that because you did your degree online, you may need to transition from an online education experience to in-person workplace experience. But in an age of Covid, that concern seems much diminished. The fact is that much employment these days is remote. And collaboration increasingly happens online over Zoom. Many employers will therefore view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will be less than ideal for you (though depending on your circumstances, it may also be the only viable option).

While there is much in traditional campus-based education that can be substituted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing that can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual in-person classroom setting. As you transition to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face in getting the most out of your online classes is overcoming this difference between “real reality” and “virtual reality.” Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

The advantages of online classes are many. Above all, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete at your own pace and on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

Resources for Online College-Bound Students

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

Do you have a question about this topic? Ask it here