Best Online Associate in Economics

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Find top-ranked online associate in economics degree programs to prepare students for earning a bachelor’s in business, economics, or finance. Graduates can also pursue entry-level roles as sales representatives, research assistants, and finance clerks.

Top 10 Online Associate in Economics Degrees

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  1. Liberty University
  2. Empire State University
  3. City College of San Francisco
  4. Community College of Denver
  5. Front Range Community College
  6. Community College of Aurora
  7. Grand Rapids Community College
  8. Tyler Junior College
  9. Trinity Valley Community College
  10. College of Southern Idaho
  1. Liberty University
  2. City College of San Francisco
  3. Blinn College
  4. Empire State University
  5. Community College of Denver
  6. Tyler Junior College
  7. Front Range Community College
  8. Trinity Valley Community College
  9. Monterey Peninsula College
  10. Coastline Community College
  1. Liberty University 99%
  1. Blinn College 35 to 1
  2. Coastline Community College 30 to 1
  3. Rio Salado College 28 to 1
  4. Volunteer State Community College 24 to 1
  5. College of Southern Idaho 22 to 1
  6. Front Range Community College 21 to 1
  7. Community College of Denver 20 to 1
  8. Tyler Junior College 20 to 1
  9. City College of San Francisco 20 to 1
  10. Grand Rapids Community College 18 to 1
  1. Liberty University $22,511
  2. Illinois Central College $9,316
  3. John Wood Community College $7,770
  4. Grand Rapids Community College $7,470
  5. Empire State University $7,070
  6. Community College of Baltimore County $5,784
  7. College of Southern Idaho $4,560
  8. Volunteer State Community College $4,104
  9. Community College of Denver $3,754
  10. Community College of Aurora $3,754
  1. Empire State University $11,310
  2. Liberty University $7,893
  1. Scottsdale Community College
  2. Volunteer State Community College
  3. Rio Salado College
  4. John Wood Community College
  5. Community College of Baltimore County
  6. Blinn College
  7. Monterey Peninsula College
  8. Paradise Valley Community College
  9. Illinois Central College
  10. Coastline Community College
  1. John Wood Community College
  2. Paradise Valley Community College
  3. Rio Salado College
  4. Volunteer State Community College
  5. Grand Rapids Community College
  6. Illinois Central College
  7. Community College of Aurora
  8. Community College of Baltimore County
  9. Scottsdale Community College
  10. College of Southern Idaho
  1. Liberty University 99%
  1. Paradise Valley Community College 11 to 1
  2. John Wood Community College 12 to 1
  3. Community College of Aurora 13 to 1
  4. Scottsdale Community College 14 to 1
  5. Community College of Baltimore County 14 to 1
  6. Illinois Central College 15 to 1
  7. Trinity Valley Community College 16 to 1
  8. Empire State University 17 to 1
  9. Grand Rapids Community College 18 to 1
  10. Liberty University 18 to 1
  1. Coastline Community College $1,104
  2. Monterey Peninsula College $1,104
  3. Trinity Valley Community College $1,170
  4. Rio Salado College $2,040
  5. Scottsdale Community College $2,040
  6. Paradise Valley Community College $2,040
  7. Tyler Junior College $2,208
  8. Blinn College $3,600
  9. Community College of Denver $3,754
  10. Community College of Aurora $3,754
  1. Liberty University $7,893
  2. Empire State University $11,310

Key Takeaways

  • The associate degree in economics 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 economics.

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

Featured Programs

Frequently Asked Questions About Economics Degrees

An associate degree in economics is a great starting point for students who enjoy analyzing data, researching trends, and preparing charts and reports. The online economics degree is a great way to get started on the path toward a career in business administration, economics, or finance. Most community colleges and two year schools offer both an in-person and online economics degree program. Completing an online economics degree program at the associate level may qualify you to work as an administrative assistant, clerical support, or in another entry level role for a business.

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Students enrolled in the online economics degree program at the associate level will take both general education courses and core courses in economics. The typical economics program will include courses in areas like economics theory, political economy, business administration, and more. Associate economics programs also delve into topics like trade, market economy, and role of governments in fiscal economics. Students will also study the global economy, labor statistics, and behavioral science in addition to the principles of micro and macroeconomics.

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Whether earning an online economics degree or completing a traditional economics degree program, most students will be required to take 60 credit hours. Both the in-person an online associate degree program can typically be completed in about two years.

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Associate degree holders in economics can pursue entry-level roles as sales representatives, research assistants, and finance clerks. Students who earn the online associate degree in economics will have improved employment prospects and salary potential relative to those with a high school diploma.

However, many roles in economics do require the completion of at least a bachelor’s degree program. Students who pursue bachelor’s degrees in this area will often combine the economics major with courses in business administration. And in order to hold the title of economist, you would likely need to earn an advanced degree in economics.

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Learn more about how to major in economics.

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 economics.

20 Best Online Associate in Economics Degree Programs

  1. #1

    Liberty University

    Lynchburg , VA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $23K

    Acceptance

    99%

    Graduation

    66%

    Student body

    131K

    Online Degrees

    AA in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 1.5 years
    • Format: Online
  2. #12

    Illinois Central College

    East Peoria , IL

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Graduation

    32%

    Student body

    10K

    Online Degrees

    AA in Economics
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  3. Tuition + fees

    $1K

    Graduation

    27%

    Student body

    10K

    Online Degrees

    AA in Economics

    Concentrations

    • Transfer Prep Degree
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
    AA-T in Economics

    Concentrations

    • Transfer
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
  4. Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Graduation

    47%

    Student body

    2K

    Online Degrees

    AA in Economics
    • Required Credits: 64
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  5. Tuition + fees

    $2K

    Graduation

    22%

    Student body

    12K

    Online Degrees

    AA in Economics
    • Required Credits: 60-64
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online

Career Outlook for Students with Economics Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

Economics

Degree Level: Associate's

  • Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
  • Avg. Cost of Degree*: $1,393
  • Avg. Expenses*: $15,098
  • Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 5 years
  • Job Growth: 2.90%
  • Number of Jobs: 2,434,100
  • * denotes ‘annually’
  • ** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’

Career Salaries

CareerJob GrowthAvg. Salary
Managers, All Other5.75%$133,560
Economists5.14%$115,730
Economics Teachers, Postsecondary3.23%$115,300
Data Scientists36.03%$108,020
Statisticians11.73%$104,110

Top Industries

IndustryAvg. Salary
Managers, All Other$133,560
Economists$115,730
Economics Teachers, Postsecondary$115,300
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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.

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