Best Online Associate in General Science

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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.

Top 10 Online Associate in General Science Degrees

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  1. Rochester Institute of Technology
  2. University of Alaska Fairbanks
  3. City College of San Francisco
  4. Albany State University
  5. Saddleback College
  6. Santa Barbara City College
  7. Montgomery College
  8. Lewis–Clark State College
  9. Pima Community College
  10. Empire State University
  1. Rochester Institute of Technology
  2. University of Alaska Fairbanks
  3. City College of San Francisco
  4. Santa Barbara City College
  5. Albany State University
  6. Northern Virginia Community College
  7. University of Alaska Southeast
  8. Empire State University
  9. Montgomery College
  10. Saddleback College
  1. Alliance University 100%
  2. Lewis–Clark State College 100%
  3. University of the Cumberlands 85%
  4. Albany State University 73%
  5. Rochester Institute of Technology 71%
  6. University of Alaska Fairbanks 65%
  7. University of Alaska Southeast 56%
  1. Northern Virginia Community College 28 to 1
  2. Saddleback College 27 to 1
  3. Santa Barbara City College 25 to 1
  4. Allan Hancock College 22 to 1
  5. Elizabethtown Community and Technical College 22 to 1
  6. City College of San Francisco 22 to 1
  7. College of Southern Idaho 21 to 1
  8. Monterey Peninsula College 21 to 1
  9. University of the Cumberlands 20 to 1
  10. Albany State University 19 to 1
  1. Rochester Institute of Technology $52,756
  2. Alliance University $26,500
  3. University of the Cumberlands $9,875
  4. Montgomery College $8,070
  5. Northwestern Michigan College $7,488
  6. University of Alaska Fairbanks $7,296
  7. University of Alaska Southeast $7,121
  8. Empire State University $7,070
  9. Lewis–Clark State College $6,982
  10. Jackson College $5,700
  1. Rochester Institute of Technology $52,092
  2. Alliance University $14,000
  3. Empire State University $11,310
  4. University of Alaska Fairbanks $11,265
  5. University of Alaska Southeast $10,876
  6. Lewis–Clark State College $4,500
  7. University of the Cumberlands $4,282
  8. Albany State University $3,438
  1. University of the Cumberlands
  2. Virginia Peninsula Community College
  3. Alliance University
  4. Paradise Valley Community College
  5. Monterey Peninsula College
  6. College of Southern Idaho
  7. Elizabethtown Community and Technical College
  8. Trinity Valley Community College
  9. Bluegrass Community and Technical College
  10. Cape Fear Community College
  1. Virginia Peninsula Community College
  2. Paradise Valley Community College
  3. Cape Fear Community College
  4. Elizabethtown Community and Technical College
  5. Alliance University
  6. Lewis–Clark State College
  7. Bluegrass Community and Technical College
  8. College of Southern Idaho
  9. Monterey Peninsula College
  10. Jackson College
  1. University of Alaska Southeast 56%
  2. University of Alaska Fairbanks 65%
  3. Rochester Institute of Technology 71%
  4. Albany State University 73%
  5. University of the Cumberlands 85%
  6. Alliance University 100%
  7. Lewis–Clark State College 100%
  1. University of Alaska Southeast 10 to 1
  2. University of Alaska Fairbanks 11 to 1
  3. Rochester Institute of Technology 13 to 1
  4. Paradise Valley Community College 13 to 1
  5. Northwestern Michigan College 14 to 1
  6. Cape Fear Community College 14 to 1
  7. Trinity Valley Community College 15 to 1
  8. Lewis–Clark State College 15 to 1
  9. Jackson College 15 to 1
  10. Alliance University 16 to 1
  1. Allan Hancock College $1,104
  2. Santa Barbara City College $1,104
  3. Monterey Peninsula College $1,104
  4. Trinity Valley Community College $1,170
  5. Saddleback College $1,288
  6. Paradise Valley Community College $2,040
  7. Pima Community College $2,088
  8. Cape Fear Community College $2,432
  9. Albany State University $4,064
  10. Elizabethtown Community and Technical College $4,296
  1. Albany State University $3,438
  2. University of the Cumberlands $4,282
  3. Lewis–Clark State College $4,500
  4. University of Alaska Southeast $10,876
  5. University of Alaska Fairbanks $11,265
  6. Empire State University $11,310
  7. Alliance University $14,000
  8. Rochester Institute of Technology $52,092

Featured Programs

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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Best Online Associate in General Science Degree Programs

  1. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    65%

    Graduation

    38%

    Student body

    11K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1160/22

    Online Degrees

    AS in Associate of Science
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  2. #11

    Allan Hancock College

    Santa Maria , CA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $1K

    Graduation

    28%

    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
  3. #13

    Jackson College

    Jackson , MI

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Graduation

    15%

    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
  4. #14

    Northwestern Michigan College

    Traverse City , MI

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Graduation

    23%

    Student body

    4K

    Online Degrees

    ASA in Science and Arts
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  5. #16

    Cape Fear Community College

    Wilmington , NC

    Tuition + fees

    $3K

    Graduation

    27%

    Student body

    17K

    Online Degrees

    AS-Transfer in Associate in Science
    • Required Credits: 34
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  6. Tuition + fees

    $1K

    Graduation

    33%

    Student body

    11K

    Online Degrees

    AA in General Studies

    Concentrations

    • Natural Science
    • Social Science
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
  7. Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    28%

    Student body

    10K

    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
  8. #25

    University of the Cumberlands

    Williamsburg , KY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    85%

    Graduation

    48%

    Student body

    25K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1035/21

    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

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
Hydrologic TechniciansNo data$63,304
Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians2.13%$56,869
Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other3.87%$50,875

Average Career Salaries

Bottom 10%MedianTop 10%
$36,453$54,813$85,842

Promising Job Markets

StateCost of LivingAvg. Salary
#2 Louisiana9% higher than average$91,427
#3 Oklahoma13% higher than average$68,533
#4 Georgia13% higher than average$61,750
#5 Colorado3% higher than average$72,053
#6 Mississippi18% higher than average$56,695

Top Industries

IndustryAvg. Salary
Hydrologic Technicians$63,304
Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians$56,869
Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other$50,875

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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