Best Online Associate’s in General Science 2025

Badge for BEST ONLINE ASSOCIATE'S IN GENERAL SCIENCES
By Dr. Jed Macosko and Dr. James Barham
Reviewed By Chloe Dembski
Published:
Updated:

Find top-ranked online associate in general science degree programs to prepare students to further their education in related undergraduate programs or enter the workforce as community health workers and science technicians.

Key Takeaways

  • The best online associate’s in general science programs cover a broad range of scientific disciplines, including biology, chemistry, physics, and environmental science, providing a well-rounded foundation for further education or diverse career paths.
  • Many of the programs in our ranking provide asynchronous course options, allowing students to complete coursework at their own pace, accommodating various schedules and commitments.
  • Credits earned in the best online associate’s in general science programs often seamlessly transfer to bachelor’s degree programs, facilitating a smooth transition for students aiming to pursue higher education.

Top 10 Online Associate in General Science Degrees in 2025

  1. Rochester Institute of Technology
  2. University of Alaska Fairbanks
  3. City College of San Francisco
  4. Santa Barbara City College
    +2
  5. Empire State University
    +5
  6. Albany State University
    –2
  7. Northern Virginia Community College
    +5
  8. University of Alaska Southeast
    +7
  9. Montgomery College
    –2
  10. University of the Cumberlands
    +15

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 associate’s degrees in general science saw a considerable amount of movement. The University of the Cumberlands gained the most ranking positions as the university has enhanced their robust programs in various scientific disciplines, including biology, physics, and computer science, providing students with comprehensive educational opportunities in the sciences.

Featured Programs

Best Online Associate in General Science Degree Programs

  2. #2

    University of Alaska Fairbanks

    Fairbanks , AK
    #1 Best Grad School in Alaska 2024 #1 Best Colleges in Alaska 2024 #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Alaska 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Graduation

    39%

    Student body

    11K

    Online Degrees

    AS in Associate of Science
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  12. #10

    University of the Cumberlands

    Williamsburg , KY
    #5 Best Grad Schools in Kentucky 2025 #6 Best Research Universities in Kentucky 2025 #6 Best Christian Colleges in Kentucky 2024 #7 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    83%

    Graduation

    44%

    Student body

    25K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1060/19

    Online Degrees

    Associate in Applied Science
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    AAS in General Studies

    Concentrations

    • Business
    • Health and Fitness
    • Behavioral Sciences
    • Information Science and Technology
    • Education
    • Media Studies
    • Humanities and Social Sciences
    • Christian Studies
    • STEM
    • Healthcare
    • Required Credits: 24
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  18. #15

    Allan Hancock College

    Santa Maria , CA
    #10 Best Online Associate Degrees in California 2025 #10 Best Online Associate in Sociology #17 Best Online Associate in Mathematics 2025 #19 Best Online Associate in English 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $1K

    Graduation

    29%

    Student body

    15K

    Online Degrees

    AA in Liberal Arts

    Concentrations

    • Mathematics & Science
    • Social & Behavioral Science
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  19. #16

    Northwestern Michigan College

    Traverse City , MI
    #9 Best Online Associate Degrees in Michigan 2024

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Graduation

    24%

    Student body

    4K

    Online Degrees

    ASA in Science and Arts
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  21. #18

    Monterey Peninsula College

    Monterey , CA
    #13 Best Online Associate Degrees in California 2025 #14 Best Online Associate in Economics #19 Best Online Associate in Communications

    Tuition + fees

    $1K

    Graduation

    27%

    Student body

    10K

    Online Degrees

    AA in General Studies

    Concentrations

    • Natural Science
    • Social Science
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  25. #21

    Jackson College

    Jackson , MI
    #9 Best Online Associate in Entrepreneurship #12 Best Online Associate in Business Management #12 Best Online Associate in Small Business Management

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Graduation

    16%

    Student body

    6K

    Online Degrees

    AAS in Allied Health

    Concentrations

    • Health Management
    • Science
    • Psychology / Human Behavior
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  30. #25

    Virginia Peninsula Community College

    Hampton , VA
    #4 Best Community Colleges in Virginia 2025 #6 Best Online Associate Degrees in Virginia 2024 #13 Best Online Associate in Fire Science Degree Programs #17 Best Online Associate in Health Science Degree Programs

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    31%

    Student body

    9K

    Online Degrees

    AS in Science
    • Required Credits: 60-63
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    AAS in Health Sciences
    • Required Credits: 66
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school

Career Outlook for Students with General Science Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

Science Technologies/Technicians

Degree Level: Associate's

  • Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)

Career Salaries

CareerJob GrowthAvg. Salary
Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other5.88%$58,350
Hydrologic Technicians3.12%$55,890
Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians3.26%$52,440

Top Industries

IndustryAvg. Salary
Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other$58,350
Hydrologic Technicians$55,890
Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians$52,440
Data from The Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Department of Education College Scorecard, The Department of Education NCES, and The Council for Community and Economic Research.

Frequently Asked Questions About General Science Degrees

Why get an associate degree?

An associate degree is a great alternative to a four-year bachelor’s degree. An associate degree can be earned in half the time and can help to advance your career and boost your earning potential.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), earning an associate degree can increase your salary by more than $8000 over someone who has a high school diploma alone.

And the cost of an associate degree is around $3500 per year, while the average tuition for a bachelor’s degree at a public college or university sits at around $9000 per year.

However, if you want to go on to earn a bachelor’s degree, an associate degree can also be a great stepping stone towards earning that next degree.

In fact, many community colleges have transfer agreements with nearby public and state colleges that make the prospect of continuing on towards a four-year degree as painless as possible.

Why get an associate degree in general science?

Pursuing an associate degree in general science can be an affordable way to earn the perquisite courses needed for a higher level bachelor’s degree and can lead to careers in the science, healthcare, and education fields. It can expand a student’s knowledge in various fields such as biology, chemistry, psychology, and environmental science.

Associate degree programs in general science are typically offered at a community college and are available both online and in person, making it easier for students to earn the roughly 60 credits, as opposed to the 120 for a bachelor’s degree, needed for graduation.

If you are interested in an online degree that focuses on the health sciences, check out the Best Online Associate in Health Sciencedegree programs.

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What kinds of topics will the courses cover while getting an associate degree in general science?

Courses typically cover topics like biology, math, chemistry, environmental science, and physics. Some programs even cover psychology and computer science. Many associate degree programs in general science will also include lab work. Students will also investigate scientific methods, research practices, and theories.

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What can I do with an associate degree in general science?

Students who graduate with an associate degree in general science will be prepared to further their education in related bachelor’s degree programs or enter the workforce as community health workers and science technicians. Some popular career options include application engineer, imaging project coordinator, test technician, and clinical trial manager.

Are you looking for an associate degree in general studies? Check out our look at the Best Online Associate Degrees for General Studies.

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Student Submitted Questions about Online Associate’s Degrees in General Science

We discussed the topic of online associates degrees in general science with current college students to see what questions they had. Below you’ll find these questions and our answers to them provided by our editor, Chloe Dembski. If you have questions of your own, you can submit your question using the form below and we’ll answer it right here in this article!

Moises asked, “Is an associates degree worth it anymore?”

Whether or not a degree is worth it varies depending on the person. However, there are absolutely advantages to having an associate’s degree. Some of those advantages include an expanded choice of career paths, networking opportunities, and the ability to keep up with a changing job market. More and more roles are moving from requiring only a high school diploma to requiring an associate’s degree as well. Getting an associate’s also provides a great stepping stone towards pursuing a bachelor’s degree if you ever want to get one down the line.

Kate asked, “Is getting a degree in general science a good idea? What would it set me up for?”

Pursuing a degree in general science is a great idea for someone wanting a degree but wanting a broad curriculum and flexible course of study. A degree in general studies purposefully explores a wide range of subjects so that students have more opportunities to tailor their education to their own interests and goals. Additionally, for those who are returning to school, a degree in general studies can be a great way of leveraging previous college credits towards a degree.

Many students pursue an associate’s degree in general science and then go on to pursue a bachelor’s degree in either biology, chemistry, computer science, physics, or psychology. Many find that because they were able to learn about such diverse topics in their associate’s, they are able to have a better grasp on what they are truly passionate about going into their bachelor’s.

Olivia asked, “If I’m getting an associate’s degree, should I just go ahead and get a bachelor’s instead?”

Not necessarily. Start with the end in mind (or at least as close to it as you can get) and work towards it. Many people only need an associate’s degree for what they want to do. This can be a win for them as associate’s degrees save on time and money compared to bachelor’s degrees. Just keep in mind that there are advantages to pursuing a bachelor’s degree such as higher earning potential, broader career opportunities, depth of study, and networking and resources. That being said, if you don’t need a bachelor’s degree, an associates is a great option in terms of furthering your education and helping you reach career goals.

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