Best Online Associate in English 2025

Badge for BEST ONLINE ASSOCIATE'S IN ENGLISH LITERATURE

Find top-ranked online associate in english degree programs to help students get on the right pathway toward a career in writing, teaching, film, communications, or journalism.

Key Takeaways

  • The associate degree in English 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 English.

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

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.

In 2025, the top ten schools in our ranking of the best online English associate degrees saw a considerable amount of change. Blinn College gained the most ranking positions as the college has enhanced its online Associate of Arts in English program to better serve students. The program now offers a comprehensive curriculum that includes courses in British, American, and World Literature, providing a well-rounded foundation in English studies.

Additionally, Blinn has expanded its online course offerings, allowing students to complete the degree entirely online, providing greater flexibility for those balancing work and personal commitments. The college also offers academic support services, including online tutoring and writing center assistance, to help students succeed in their courses.

Featured Programs

Best Online Associate in English Degree Programs

  1. Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Graduation

    27%

    Student body

    15K

    Career Outlook for English degree at Anne Arundel Community College

    Cost of Degree: $8,186
    Starting Salary: $24,172
    Salary after 4 years: $31,605

    Online Degrees

    AA in English Arts And Sciences

    Concentrations

    • Transfer
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  2. #2

    Sacramento City College

    Sacramento , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $1K

    Graduation

    26%

    Student body

    29K

    Career Outlook for English degree at Sacramento City College

    Cost of Degree: $1,288
    Starting Salary: $23,313
    Salary after 4 years: $30,482

    Online Degrees

    AS in English
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
  3. Tuition + fees

    $27K

    Acceptance

    98%

    Graduation

    52%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1010/20

    Online Degrees

    AA in English
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  4. Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Graduation

    35%

    Student body

    69K

    Career Outlook for English degree at Northern Virginia Community College

    Cost of Degree: $5,703
    Starting Salary: $27,036
    Salary after 4 years: $35,350

    Online Degrees

    AA in Liberal Arts

    Concentrations

    • English
    • Required Credits: 60-62
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  5. #6

    Blinn College

    Brenham , TX

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Graduation

    10%

    Student body

    33K

    Career Outlook for English degree at Blinn College

    Cost of Degree: $6,350
    Expenses: $18,274
    Starting Salary: $25,489
    Salary after 4 years: $33,328
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    AA in English
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
  6. Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    17%

    Student body

    40K

    Career Outlook for English degree at College of Southern Nevada

    Cost of Degree: $4,110
    Starting Salary: $21,423
    Salary after 4 years: $28,010

    Online Degrees

    AA in English
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  7. Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    18%

    Student body

    10K

    Career Outlook for English degree at Community College of Denver

    Cost of Degree: $4,902
    Starting Salary: $20,850
    Salary after 4 years: $27,261

    Online Degrees

    AA in English Literature Emphasis
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  8. #10

    Saddleback College

    Mission Viejo , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $1K

    Graduation

    46%

    Student body

    29K

    Career Outlook for English degree at Saddleback College

    Cost of Degree: $1,432
    Starting Salary: $26,349
    Salary after 4 years: $34,451

    Online Degrees

    AA in English

    Concentrations

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

    $9K

    Graduation

    29%

    Student body

    14K

    Career Outlook for English degree at Brookdale Community College

    Cost of Degree: $9,056
    Starting Salary: $22,740
    Salary after 4 years: $29,733

    Online Degrees

    AA in English Humanities
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  10. Tuition + fees

    $2K

    Graduation

    18%

    Student body

    32K

    Career Outlook for English degree at Pima Community College

    Cost of Degree: $2,370
    Starting Salary: $20,048
    Salary after 4 years: $26,213

    Online Degrees

    Associate in Arts

    Concentrations

    • Early Childhood Studies
    • English
    • History
    • Elementary Education
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    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
  11. #13

    Delaware Valley University

    Doylestown , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $42K

    Acceptance

    95%

    Graduation

    54%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1104/25

    Online Degrees

    AA in English
    • Required Credits: 62-64
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  12. #14

    Del Mar College

    Corpus Christi , TX

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    16%

    Student body

    14K

    Career Outlook for English degree at Del Mar College

    Cost of Degree: $4,940
    Starting Salary: $21,766
    Salary after 4 years: $28,460

    Online Degrees

    AA in English with Emphasis in Literature
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
  13. Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    21%

    Student body

    16K

    Career Outlook for English degree at Tyler Junior College

    Cost of Degree: $4,056
    Expenses: $16,224
    Starting Salary: $21,251
    Salary after 4 years: $27,786
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    AA in English
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
  14. Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Graduation

    16%

    Student body

    23K

    Career Outlook for English degree at Community College of Baltimore County

    Cost of Degree: $6,918
    Starting Salary: $22,167
    Salary after 4 years: $28,984

    Online Degrees

    AA in English
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  15. Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    27%

    Student body

    27K

    Career Outlook for English degree at Front Range Community College

    Cost of Degree: $4,740
    Starting Salary: $23,256
    Salary after 4 years: $30,407

    Online Degrees

    AA in English
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  16. #18

    College of Southern Idaho

    Twin Falls , ID

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    31%

    Student body

    14K

    Career Outlook for English degree at College of Southern Idaho

    Cost of Degree: $4,560
    Expenses: $11,188
    Starting Salary: $19,303
    Salary after 4 years: $25,239
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    AA in English
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  17. #19

    Allan Hancock College

    Santa Maria , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $1K

    Graduation

    29%

    Student body

    15K

    Career Outlook for English degree at Allan Hancock College

    Cost of Degree: $1,146
    Starting Salary: $20,334
    Salary after 4 years: $26,587

    Online Degrees

    AA in English

    Concentrations

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

    $9K

    Graduation

    25%

    Student body

    10K

    Career Outlook for English degree at Bucks County Community College

    Cost of Degree: $9,184
    Starting Salary: $24,229
    Salary after 4 years: $31,680

    Online Degrees

    AA in English

    Concentrations

    • Writing Emphasis
    • Secondary Education Emphasis
    • Women’s Studies Emphasis
    • Required Credits: 61
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  19. Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    25%

    Student body

    11K

    Career Outlook for English degree at Community College of Aurora

    Cost of Degree: $4,030
    Starting Salary: $21,995
    Salary after 4 years: $28,759

    Online Degrees

    AA in English
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  20. #22

    Tusculum University

    Greeneville , TN

    Tuition + fees

    $27K

    Acceptance

    81%

    Graduation

    34%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1010/19

    Online Degrees

    AA in General Studies

    Concentrations

    • Communication
    • English
    • K-12 Education
    • History
    • Religious Studie
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  21. #23

    Kishwaukee College

    Malta , IL

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Graduation

    36%

    Student body

    4K

    Career Outlook for English degree at Kishwaukee College

    Cost of Degree: $9,390
    Starting Salary: $22,053
    Salary after 4 years: $28,834

    Online Degrees

    AA in English
    • Required Credits: 64
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    AS in English
    • Required Credits: 64
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  22. Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    31%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for English degree at West Virginia Northern Community College

    Cost of Degree: $4,544
    Starting Salary: $17,298
    Salary after 4 years: $22,618

    Online Degrees

    AA in English/Humanities
    • Required Credits: 60-61
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  23. Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Graduation

    33%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for English degree at Sussex County Community College

    Cost of Degree: $7,272
    Starting Salary: $21,594
    Salary after 4 years: $28,235

    Online Degrees

    AA in English
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online

Career Outlook for Students with English Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

English Language And Literature

Degree Level: Associate's

  • Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
  • Avg. Starting Salary*: $21,666
  • Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $28,329
  • * denotes ‘annually’

Career Salaries

CareerJob GrowthAvg. Salary
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary1.14%$78,130
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education-0.64%$65,220
Proofreaders and Copy Markers-2.99%$48,790

Top Industries

IndustryAvg. Salary
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary$78,130
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$65,220
Proofreaders and Copy Markers$48,790

Frequently Asked Questions About English Degrees

Students who earn an associate in English degree program will develop a wide range of valuable workplace skills including critical thinking, comparative analysis, and mastery of English language in both written and spoken word. The associate degree program can prepare students for a wide range of jobs in education, marketing, journalism, digital media development, and more.

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The English degree program at the community college level typically requires the completion of 60 credit degrees. Most students can earn this associate of arts in about two years. Prospective students may be able to choose from both on-campus and online English degree programs.

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Students earning the online English degree will take both general education courses and core courses in subjects like world literature, technical writing, and literary analysis. For those who hope to move on to a bachelor’s degree program after graduation, many schools also offer an associate transfer English degree, which makes for an easier transition into an accredited liberal arts degree program.

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While most tend to connect an English degree path with becoming a writer or teacher, it should also be noted that pursuing an associate degree in English can be the first step toward a career in film, communications, or journalism.

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Learn more about how to major in english.

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 English.

Did you know that an associate degree in English can be a good stepping stone into a career in linguistics. Find out what you can do with a linguistics degree.

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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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