Best Online Associate in Business Administration

Badge for BEST ONLINE ASSOCIATE'S IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

Find top-ranked online associate in business administration degree programs to prepare students to compete for jobs in fields like sales, human resources, medical and health services, and fundraising.

Top 10 Online Associate in Business Administration Degrees

Sort by:
  1. University of Cincinnati
  2. Hampton University
  3. University of Massachusetts Lowell
  4. Southern New Hampshire University
  5. Fisk University
  6. Andrews University
  7. Baker University
  8. University of Alaska Fairbanks
  9. Liberty University
  10. National University
  1. University of Cincinnati
  2. Fisk University
  3. Thomas Jefferson University
  4. University of Alaska Fairbanks
  5. Hampton University
  6. Liberty University
  7. Andrews University
  8. Campbell University
  9. University of Massachusetts Lowell
  10. Southern New Hampshire University
  1. New England College 100%
  2. Liberty University 99%
  3. Davenport University 99%
  4. Keiser University 97%
  5. Southern New Hampshire University 96%
  6. Franklin Pierce University 93%
  7. Baker University 92%
  8. Andrews University 91%
  9. Thomas Jefferson University 89%
  10. Campbell University 89%
  1. Blinn College 35 to 1
  2. Southern New Hampshire University 22 to 1
  3. City College of San Francisco 20 to 1
  4. Grand Rapids Community College 18 to 1
  5. University of Cincinnati 18 to 1
  6. Liberty University 18 to 1
  7. University of Massachusetts Lowell 17 to 1
  8. Hawaii Pacific University 16 to 1
  9. Davenport University 16 to 1
  10. National University 16 to 1
  1. Thomas Jefferson University $44,350
  2. Franklin Pierce University $43,155
  3. New England College $41,518
  4. Campbell University $39,230
  5. Upper Iowa University $33,639
  6. Andrews University $32,734
  7. Baker University $32,320
  8. Hawaii Pacific University $31,940
  9. Hampton University $29,162
  10. Fisk University $23,578
  1. Franklin Pierce University $37,200
  2. Keiser University $30,032
  3. Andrews University $26,580
  4. Thomas Jefferson University $22,509
  5. Fisk University $21,600
  6. Hawaii Pacific University $20,306
  7. Southern New Hampshire University $18,900
  8. Upper Iowa University $18,870
  9. Davenport University $17,262
  10. National University $15,912
  1. City College of San Francisco
  2. Blinn College
  3. Davenport University
  4. Grand Rapids Community College
  5. Hawaii Pacific University
  6. Murray State University
  7. Franklin Pierce University
  8. Keiser University
  9. New England College
  10. Idaho State University
  1. Grand Rapids Community College
  2. Davenport University
  3. Blinn College
  4. Franklin Pierce University
  5. Keiser University
  6. New England College
  7. Upper Iowa University
  8. National University
  9. Hawaii Pacific University
  10. Idaho State University
  1. Upper Iowa University 54%
  2. Fisk University 71%
  3. Hampton University 74%
  4. Murray State University 84%
  5. University of Massachusetts Lowell 86%
  6. University of Cincinnati 86%
  7. Hawaii Pacific University 87%
  8. Campbell University 89%
  9. Thomas Jefferson University 89%
  10. Andrews University 91%
  1. New England College 7 to 1
  2. Andrews University 10 to 1
  3. University of Alaska Fairbanks 11 to 1
  4. Fisk University 12 to 1
  5. Franklin Pierce University 12 to 1
  6. Hampton University 13 to 1
  7. Baker University 13 to 1
  8. Idaho State University 13 to 1
  9. Campbell University 13 to 1
  10. Thomas Jefferson University 13 to 1
  1. Blinn College $3,600
  2. Idaho State University $5,928
  3. Grand Rapids Community College $7,470
  4. University of Alaska Fairbanks $7,659
  5. Murray State University $8,196
  6. University of Cincinnati $10,656
  7. National University $13,320
  8. Southern New Hampshire University $15,380
  9. University of Massachusetts Lowell $15,462
  10. Davenport University $22,244
  1. Liberty University $7,893
  2. Idaho State University $8,601
  3. Murray State University $9,144
  4. Baker University $11,466
  5. University of Alaska Fairbanks $11,535
  6. Hampton University $13,099
  7. University of Cincinnati $13,224
  8. New England College $13,678
  9. Campbell University $14,417
  10. University of Massachusetts Lowell $14,956

Key Takeaways

  • The associate degree in business administration is an affordable way to get started on your college education. The typical associate degree will take about two years to complete.

  • Many community colleges and two-year schools offer both traditional and online degree programs for students pursuing their associate degree in business administration.

  • Earning an online associate degree in business administration can prepare you for a variety of entry level jobs in your field. Many students also continue into a bachelor’s degree program in business administration or a related area.

Featured Programs

Frequently Asked Questions About Business Administration Degrees

Why get an associate in business administration?

While many associate degrees are used as a stepping stone to higher degrees, an associate degree in business administration, along with a few years of work experience, can help students not only enter the workforce, but quickly advance to leadership positions in their field as well.

The online associate degree is a great way to receive an excellent business education and develop critical business skills for entry level jobs in areas like human resource management, small business management, and even financial and managerial accounting. It’s also worth noting that most students pursuing accredited online associate degree programs will be eligible for federal financial aid.

Back to top.

How long does it take to get an associate in business administration?

Most associate business administration programs require the completion of 60 credits. Most students can complete the business administration degree program in about two years. Many business schools will provide access to both brick-and-mortar and online associate degree programs.

Back to top.

What will I learn while getting an associate in business administration?

Students pursuing completing the business administration program will typically take general education courses alongside core business courses in areas like business law, human resource management, managerial accounting, management principles and more. Additional topics may include marketing strategies, international business, business writing, financial accounting, and the principles of management. Students earning the associate’s degree will typically also learn the kinds of organizational leadership, decision making, and critical thinking skills required for a successful business career.

Back to top.

What can I do with an associate in business administration?

Students who earn an online associate degree in business administration can compete for entry level jobs in fields like sales, human resources management, medical and health services, and fundraising. Many leadership roles in business will be reserved for those who have earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration or in related areas such as business management programs. The online associate degree can be an affordable and accessible starting point on your way to a bachelor’s degree at one of the nation’s top business schools.

Back to top.

Learn more about how to major in business.

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 business administration.

Best Online Associate in Business Administration Degree Programs

  1. #1

    University of Cincinnati

    Cincinnati , OH
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    86%

    Graduation

    72%

    Student body

    48K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1260/26

    Career Outlook for Business Administration degree at University of Cincinnati

    Cost of Degree: $12,906
    Expenses: $19,772
    Starting Salary: $48,637
    Salary after 4 years: $55,984
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    AAS in Applied Business in Accounting
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    AAB in Business Information Technology
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    AAB in Business Management Technology
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  2. #2

    Hampton University

    Hampton , VA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $29K

    Acceptance

    74%

    Graduation

    46%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1030/22

    Career Outlook for Business Administration degree at Hampton University

    Cost of Degree: $29,162
    Expenses: $16,886
    Starting Salary: $41,548
    Salary after 4 years: $44,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    AS in Business Management
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  3. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $16K

    Acceptance

    86%

    Graduation

    71%

    Student body

    22K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1259/28

    Career Outlook for Business Administration degree at University of Massachusetts Lowell

    Cost of Degree: $16,570
    Expenses: $17,994
    Starting Salary: $55,977
    Salary after 4 years: $64,433
    Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    AS in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 62
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  4. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $15K

    Acceptance

    96%

    Graduation

    41%

    Student body

    224K

    Career Outlook for Business Administration degree at Southern New Hampshire University

    Cost of Degree: $16,450
    Expenses: $24,000
    Starting Salary: $41,631
    Salary after 4 years: $44,488
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    AS in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  5. #5

    Fisk University

    Nashville , TN
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $24K

    Acceptance

    71%

    Graduation

    56%

    Student body

    <1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1270/22

    Career Outlook for Business Administration degree at Fisk University

    Cost of Degree: $24,298
    Expenses: $17,198
    Starting Salary: $30,104
    Salary after 4 years: $32,170
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    AS in Business

    Concentrations

    • Human Development & Leadership
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 24 months
    • Format: Online
  6. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Graduation

    39%

    Student body

    11K

    Career Outlook for Business Administration degree at University of Alaska Fairbanks

    Cost of Degree: $10,016
    Expenses: $16,700
    Starting Salary: $44,135
    Salary after 4 years: $50,803
    Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    AAB in Applied Business

    Concentrations

    • Administrative Management
    • Computer Applications
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Finance
    • Health Care Management
    • Human Resources
    • Management
    • Marketing
    • Public Management
    • Recreation and Guiding Management
    • Tourism
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  7. #9

    Liberty University

    Lynchburg , VA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $23K

    Acceptance

    99%

    Graduation

    66%

    Student body

    131K

    Career Outlook for Business Administration degree at Liberty University

    Cost of Degree: $15,822
    Expenses: $21,458
    Starting Salary: $34,333
    Salary after 4 years: $36,689
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    AA in Business
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 1.5 years
    • Format: Online
  8. #10

    National University

    San Diego , CA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Graduation

    22%

    Student body

    29K

    Career Outlook for Business Administration degree at National University

    Cost of Degree: $13,320
    Starting Salary: $48,929
    Salary after 4 years: $52,287

    Online Degrees

    Associate of Science in Business

    Concentrations

    • Business
    • Required Credits: 90
    • Completion time: 2.5-3.5 years
    • Format: Online
    Associate of Arts in Business

    Concentrations

    • Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 90
    • Completion time: 2.5-3.5 years
    • Format: Online
  9. #11

    Thomas Jefferson University

    Philadelphia , PA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $44K

    Acceptance

    89%

    Graduation

    68%

    Student body

    10K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1240/29

    Career Outlook for Business Administration degree at Thomas Jefferson University

    Cost of Degree: $45,533
    Expenses: $22,874
    Starting Salary: $82,350
    Salary after 4 years: $88,002
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    AA in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 90
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  10. #13

    Campbell University

    Buies Creek , NC
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $39K

    Acceptance

    89%

    Graduation

    56%

    Student body

    6K

    Career Outlook for Business Administration degree at Campbell University

    Cost of Degree: $40,410
    Expenses: $23,301
    Starting Salary: $48,100
    Salary after 4 years: $51,401
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    AA in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 62
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  11. #14

    Idaho State University

    Pocatello , ID
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Graduation

    37%

    Student body

    15K

    Career Outlook for Business Administration degree at Idaho State University

    Cost of Degree: $8,356
    Expenses: $14,854
    Starting Salary: $42,961
    Salary after 4 years: $49,451
    Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    AS in Business
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  12. #15

    New England College

    Henniker , NH
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $42K

    Acceptance

    100%

    Graduation

    31%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for Business Administration degree at New England College

    Cost of Degree: $27,114
    Expenses: $20,014
    Starting Salary: $37,070
    Salary after 4 years: $39,614
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    AA in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  13. #16

    Keiser University

    Fort Lauderdale , FL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $23K

    Acceptance

    97%

    Graduation

    58%

    Student body

    32K

    Career Outlook for Business Administration degree at Keiser University

    Cost of Degree: $24,136
    Expenses: $26,450
    Starting Salary: $29,109
    Salary after 4 years: $31,106
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    AA in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  14. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    84%

    Graduation

    58%

    Student body

    11K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1077/22

    Career Outlook for Business Administration degree at Murray State University

    Cost of Degree: $9,708
    Expenses: $17,211
    Starting Salary: $41,395
    Salary after 4 years: $47,649
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    AA in Business Administration

    Concentrations

    • General
    • Computer Information Systems
    • Required Credits: 42
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  15. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $32K

    Acceptance

    87%

    Graduation

    45%

    Student body

    6K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1150/23

    Career Outlook for Business Administration degree at Hawaii Pacific University

    Cost of Degree: $36,080
    Expenses: $19,492
    Starting Salary: $46,773
    Salary after 4 years: $49,983
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    AS in General Business
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  16. #20

    Grand Rapids Community College

    Grand Rapids , MI
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Graduation

    19%

    Student body

    18K

    Career Outlook for Business Administration degree at Grand Rapids Community College

    Cost of Degree: $8,049
    Starting Salary: $33,664
    Salary after 4 years: $38,750

    Online Degrees

    AA in Pre-Business
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  17. #22

    Blinn College

    Brenham , TX
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Graduation

    10%

    Student body

    33K

    Career Outlook for Business Administration degree at Blinn College

    Cost of Degree: $6,350
    Expenses: $18,274
    Starting Salary: $43,548
    Salary after 4 years: $50,127
    Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    AS in Business
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
    AAS in Business Administration and Management
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
    AAS in Small Business Management
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
  18. #23

    City College of San Francisco

    San Francisco , CA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $2K

    Graduation

    37%

    Student body

    27K

    Career Outlook for Business Administration degree at City College of San Francisco

    Cost of Degree: $1,696
    Starting Salary: $40,906
    Salary after 4 years: $47,085

    Online Degrees

    AS-T in Business Administration

    Concentrations

    • Transfer
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
    AS in General Business
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online

Career Outlook for Students with Business Administration Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

Business Administration And Management

Degree Level: Associate's

  • Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
  • Avg. Cost of Degree*: $3,735
  • Avg. Expenses*: $14,481
  • Avg. Starting Salary*: $34,698
  • Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $39,940
  • Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 6 years
  • Job Growth: 6.72%
  • Number of Jobs: 12,486,499
  • * denotes ‘annually’
  • ** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’

Career Salaries

CareerJob GrowthAvg. Salary
Chief Executives5.48%$206,680
Computer and Information Systems Managers17.42%$169,510
Compensation and Benefits Managers2.09%$136,380
Purchasing Managers5.04%$136,380
Human Resources Managers6.51%$136,350

Top Industries

IndustryAvg. Salary
Chief Executives$206,680
Computer and Information Systems Managers$169,510
Compensation and Benefits Managers$136,380
Back to Top

Online Business Programs Looking for You

Back to Top

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