Best Online Associate in Biology
Key Takeaways
- Earning an online associate in biology can prepare you for a variety of entry level jobs and provide you with a rich knowledge base in the field of biological sciences.
- Many community colleges and two-year schools offer both traditional and online degree programs for students pursuing their online associate in biology.
- An online associate in biology degree is an affordable way to get started on your college education, and will take about two years to complete.
Top 10 Online Associate in Biology Degree Programs in 2025
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 lost ground for the 2025 school year.
Georgia Military College makes a huge jump to move up 10 positions to our number 1 spot in our 2025 ranking of the best online associate degrees for biology majors, while the Community College of Denver remains in the number 2 position.
While Georgia Military College didn’t announce any specific improvements for the 2025 school year, the biology program at GMC continues to offer one of the most comprehensive curriculum designed to prepare students for further studies in biology or related fields, with courses covering fundamental biological concepts and laboratory experiences. The school also has a strong commitment to providing affordable, flexible, and fully online degree options for students.
Learn more about how to major in biology.
Even if you are considering an online biology degree program, you may still want to visit campus before choosing your degree program. Find out why visiting campus is a smart move.
Featured Programs
An associate degree is a great way for many to start their educational journey, but you may want to also consider an online bachelor’s in biology.
Best Online Associate in Biology Degree Programs
Tuition + fees
$7K
Graduation
37%
Student body
12K
Career Outlook for Biology degree at Georgia Military College
Cost of Degree: $7,605Expenses: $15,156Starting Salary: $24,998Salary after 4 years: $34,181Cost Recoup Time: 8 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
AA in Science
Concentrations
- Biology
- Required Credits: 100
- Completion time: 24 months
- Format: Online
AS in Science
Concentrations
- Biology
- Required Credits: 95
- Completion time: 24 months
- Format: Online
- #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Colorado 2025 #10 Best Public Colleges in Colorado 2025 #1 Best Online Associate in Anthropology #1 Best Online Associate in French Degree Programs
Other Rankings
- #2 Best Online Associate's in Physics 2025
- #2 Best Online Associate in Philosophy
- #2 Best Online Associate Degrees in Colorado 2025
- #4 Best Online Associate in Economics
- #6 Best Online Associate's in History Degrees 2025
- #8 Best Online Associate in Marketing
- #8 Best Online Associate in Education
- #9 Best Online Associate in English 2025
- #10 Best Online Associate in Mathematics 2025
- #15 Best Online Associate in Criminal Justice
- #16 Best Online Associate in Psychology
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
18%
Student body
10K
Career Outlook for Biology degree at Community College of Denver
Cost of Degree: $4,902Starting Salary: $25,346Salary after 4 years: $34,657Online Degrees
AS in Biology Designation
- Required Credits: 60-61
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #4 Best Community Colleges in Arizona 2025 #3 Best Online Associate Degrees in Arizona 2025 #4 Best Online Associate in Political Science 2025 #6 Best Online Associate in Gender Studies
Other Rankings
- #7 Best Online Associate in Anthropology
- #8 Best Online Associate in Communications
- #9 Best Online Associate's in History Degrees 2025
- #9 Best Online Associate in Sociology
- #12 Best Online Associate in English 2025
- #13 Best Online Associate's in General Science 2025
- #15 Best Online Associate in Education
- #17 Best Online Associate in Cybersecurity
- #17 Best Online Associate in Health Information Technology & Informatics
- #18 Best Online Associate in Liberal Arts 2025
- #21 Best Online Associate in Early Childhood Education
Tuition + fees
$2K
Graduation
18%
Student body
32K
Career Outlook for Biology degree at Pima Community College
Cost of Degree: $2,370Starting Salary: $24,371Salary after 4 years: $33,324Online Degrees
AA in Liberal Arts
Concentrations
- General
- Administration of Justice
- Anthropology
- Biology
- Communication
- Early Childhood Education
- Elementary Education
- English
- Ethnic
- Gender and Transborder Studies
- Fashion Design
- History
- Political Science
- Social Services
- Sociology
- Translation and Interpretation Studies
- Required Credits: 60-64
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #2 Best Community Colleges in Idaho 2025 #3 Best Online Associate in American Sign Language (ASL) Degree Programs #3 Best Online Associate Degrees in Idaho 2025 #5 Best Online Associate's in Physics 2025
Other Rankings
- #6 Best Online Associate in Anthropology
- #7 Best Online Associate in Political Science 2025
- #8 Best Online Associate in Entrepreneurship
- #9 Best Online Associate in Emergency Management 2025
- #10 Best Online Associate in Economics
- #11 Best Online Associate in Small Business Management
- #11 Best Online Associate in Business Management
- #13 Best Online Associate in Health Science Degree Programs
- #14 Best Online Associate's in General Science 2025
- #14 Best Online Associate's in History Degrees 2025
- #16 Best Online Associate in Mathematics 2025
- #17 Best Online Associate in Computer Science Degree Programs 2025
- #18 Best Online Associate in English 2025
- #22 Best Online Associate in Fire Science Degree Programs
- #23 Best Online Associate in Communications
- #25 Best Online Associate in Early Childhood Education
- #25 Best Online Associate in Education
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
31%
Student body
14K
Career Outlook for Biology degree at College of Southern Idaho
Cost of Degree: $4,560Expenses: $11,188Starting Salary: $23,466Salary after 4 years: $32,086Cost Recoup Time: 6 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
AS in Biology
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
- #6 Best Online Associate's in Physics 2025 #9 Best Online Associate in Economics #13 Best Online Associate Degrees in Texas 2024 #14 Best Online Associate in Paralegal Studies
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
25%
Student body
8K
Career Outlook for Biology degree at Trinity Valley Community College
Cost of Degree: $4,920Expenses: $14,760Starting Salary: $24,789Salary after 4 years: $33,895Cost Recoup Time: 7 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
AA in Biology
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2-3 years
- Format: Online
- #2 Best Community Colleges in Colorado 2025 #4 Best Online Associate in Anthropology #5 Best Online Associate Degrees in Colorado 2025 #6 Best Online Associate in Economics
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
25%
Student body
11K
Career Outlook for Biology degree at Community College of Aurora
Cost of Degree: $4,030Starting Salary: $26,739Salary after 4 years: $36,561Online Degrees
AS in Biology
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
- #2 Best Online Associate in Agribusiness Degree Programs 2025 #7 Best Online Associate Degrees in Arizona 2025 #7 Best Online Associate's in Physics 2025 #8 Best Online Associate in Graphic Design 2025
Other Rankings
- #8 Best Online Associate in Building and Construction Degree Programs
- #10 Best Online Associate in Political Science 2025
- #13 Best Online Associate in Emergency Management 2025
- #13 Best Online Associate in Sociology
- #18 Best Online Associate in Fire Science Degree Programs
- #20 Best Online Associate's in History Degrees 2025
- #20 Best Online Associate in Mathematics 2025
Tuition + fees
$3K
Graduation
21%
Student body
12K
Career Outlook for Biology degree at Arizona Western College
Cost of Degree: $2,820Expenses: $16,508Starting Salary: $22,282Salary after 4 years: $30,467Cost Recoup Time: 7 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
AS in Biology
- Required Credits: 64
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #8 Best Online Associate Degrees in Arizona 2025 #8 Best Online Associate's in Physics 2025 #11 Best Online Associate in Philosophy #13 Best Online Associate in Political Science 2025
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$2K
Graduation
10%
Student body
31K
Career Outlook for Biology degree at Rio Salado College
Cost of Degree: $2,358Starting Salary: $30,220Salary after 4 years: $41,321Online Degrees
AS in Biology
- Required Credits: 60-74
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #9 Best Online Associate Degrees in Arizona 2025 #9 Best Online Associate in Anthropology #9 Best Online Associate in Philosophy #9 Best Online Associate in Game Development
Other Rankings
- #10 Best Online Associate in Gender Studies
- #12 Best Online Associate's in Physics 2025
- #12 Best Online Associate in Web Design
- #13 Best Online Associate in Economics
- #17 Best Online Associate in Political Science 2025
- #17 Best Online Associate in Emergency Management 2025
- #17 Best Online Associate in Sociology
- #21 Best Online Associate in Fire Science Degree Programs
- #24 Best Online Associate's in General Science 2025
Tuition + fees
$2K
Graduation
13%
Student body
9K
Career Outlook for Biology degree at Paradise Valley Community College
Cost of Degree: $2,358Starting Salary: $28,201Salary after 4 years: $38,560Online Degrees
AS in Biology
- Required Credits: 60-74
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #8 Best Online Associate in Philosophy #13 Best Online Associate's in Physics 2025 #13 Best Online Associate in Anthropology #15 Best Online Associate Degrees in Illinois 2025
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$9K
Graduation
36%
Student body
4K
Career Outlook for Biology degree at Kishwaukee College
Cost of Degree: $9,390Starting Salary: $26,808Salary after 4 years: $36,656Online Degrees
AS in Biology
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
- #4 Best Online Associate in French Degree Programs #6 Best Online Associate in Building and Construction Degree Programs #11 Best Online Associate in Economics #12 Best Online Associate in Human Services
Other Rankings
- #12 Best Online Associate in Entrepreneurship
- #14 Best Online Associate in Human Resources
- #15 Best Online Associate's in Physics 2025
- #16 Best Online Associate in Small Business Management
- #16 Best Online Associate in Business Management
- #18 Best Online Associate in Sociology
- #20 Most Affordable Online Associate Degree Programs Ranked for 2025
- #20 Best Online Associate in Psychology
- #22 Best Online Associate Degrees in California 2025
- #22 Best Online Associate in Communications
- #22 Best Online Associate in Marketing
- #22 Best Online Associate in Education
- #24 Best Online Associate in Cybersecurity
- #25 Best Online Associate in Emergency Management 2025
- #25 Best Online Associate in Information Technology
Tuition + fees
$1K
Graduation
23%
Student body
14K
Career Outlook for Biology degree at Coastline Community College
Cost of Degree: $1,180Starting Salary: $30,011Salary after 4 years: $41,036Online Degrees
AS in Biology and Allied Health Program
Concentrations
- Biology
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2-3 years
- Format: Online
Career Outlook for Students with Biology Degree
Go to Degree Finder toolBiology/Biological Sciences
Degree Level: Associate's
- Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
- Avg. Cost of Degree*: $3,040
- Avg. Expenses*: $14,080
- Avg. Starting Salary*: $26,115
- Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $35,708
- Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 6 years
- Job Growth: 1.47%
- Number of Jobs: 1,457,600
- * denotes ‘annually’
- ** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’
Career Salaries
Career | Job Growth | Avg. Salary |
---|---|---|
Natural Sciences Managers | 7.49% | $157,740 |
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | 11.46% | $100,890 |
Biological Scientists, All Other | 5.69% | $91,100 |
Life Scientists, All Other | 6.25% | $86,950 |
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 8.32% | $83,920 |
Top Industries
Industry | Avg. Salary |
---|---|
Natural Sciences Managers | $157,740 |
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $100,890 |
Biological Scientists, All Other | $91,100 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Biology Degrees
Earning an associate in biology degree can be a great starting point for a wide range of career paths in the natural sciences. While students who wish to pursue careers in the biological sciences will often be required to earn a bachelor’s degree or even a graduate degree, the associate-level biology degree program is an affordable and accessible way to get started.
Back to TopThis two-year associate of science degree provides the framework needed to pursue bachelor’s degree programs in fields like pre-nursing, pre-med, pre-vet, pre-pharmacy, wildlife biology, and laboratory sciences. It can also be an affordable way to help prepare students for entry-level technician and laboratory positions.
Key Point: An online associate in biology is a great starting point for a number of entry-level positions, but many employers may still require at least a bachelor’s degree for certain jobs.
Students can pursue this 60-credit, two-year degree either on-campus or through a mumber of highly reputable online biology programs. Whether pursuing a traditional on online biology degree, students will study an array of life sciences subjects like molecular biology, organic chemistry, anatomy, cell biology and more.
Most students will also be required to complete general education courses alongside biology degree program courses. Biology majors will also learn critical skills in areas like math, research, and laboratory practices.
Key Point: It is important to note that some online associate in biology programs may require a component of on campus lab work. Each online program is different, so check with the school to determine their lab requirements.
If you are interested in a degree that focuses on the health sciences, check out the Best Online Associate in Health Sciences degree programs.
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.