Best Online Associate in Political Science 2025
Find top-ranked online associate in political science degree programs for students seeking entry-level employment as campaign staff members, public affairs specialists, or legal assistants. They can also continue in their education, earning a bachelor’s or master’s in political science.
Featured Programs
Key Takeaways
- Online associate degree programs in political science typically take two years to complete and require 60 credits or more.
- Students who complete an online associate degree in political science are qualified for entry-level employment, but many continue on to earn their bachelor’s or master’s degree.
- Earning an online associate degree in political science from a top-ranked school is possible, but to advance in your career, an advanced degree and work experience are a necessity.
Top 10 Online Political Science Associate Degrees in 2025
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 political associate’s degrees saw a considerable amount of movement. Kingsborough Community College was able to rise to the first ranking position as the college expanded its online political science program to include more interactive learning tools, such as virtual simulations of political processes and live discussions with political experts.
Additionally, the program now offers a wider selection of electives focusing on current global issues, including environmental policy, international relations, and social justice movements, giving students a broader perspective on political science. Kingsborough has also strengthened its online academic support services, providing enhanced access to tutoring, advising, and career counseling, tailored specifically to online learners.
Best Online Associate’s in Political Science Degree Programs
- #13 50 Best Community Colleges for Future Success in 2025 #2 Best Community Colleges in New York 2025 #3 Best Online Associate in Gender Studies #6 Best Online Associate Degrees in New York 2025
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
27%
Student body
19K
Online Degrees
AA in Liberal Arts
Concentrations
- Political Science
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2-3 years
- Format: Online
- #1 Best Online Associate in Software Development #2 Best Online Associate in American Sign Language (ASL) Degree Programs #3 Best Online Associate in Health Information Technology & Informatics #4 Best Online Associate in Health Science Degree Programs
Other Rankings
- #5 Best Online Associate in Anthropology
- #5 Best Online Associate in Gender Studies
- #7 Best Online Associate's in History Degrees 2025
- #9 Best Online Associate Degrees in California 2025
- #10 Best Online Associate in English 2025
- #12 Best Online Associate's in General Science 2025
- #14 Best Online Associate in Entrepreneurship
- #18 Best Online Associate in Small Business Management
- #18 Best Online Associate in Business Management
- #20 Best Online Associate in Sociology
Tuition + fees
$1K
Graduation
46%
Student body
29K
Online Degrees
AA in Political Science
Concentrations
- Transfer
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2-3 years
- Format: Online
- #3 Best Community Colleges in New Jersey 2025 #4 Best Online Associate Degrees in New Jersey 2024 #8 Best Online Associate's in History Degrees 2025 #11 Best Online Associate in English 2025
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$9K
Graduation
29%
Student body
14K
Online Degrees
AA in Political Science
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
- #4 Best Community Colleges in Arizona 2025 #3 Best Online Associate Degrees in Arizona 2025 #3 Best Online Associate in Biology #6 Best Online Associate in Gender Studies
Other Rankings
- #7 Best Online Associate in Anthropology
- #8 Best Online Associate in Communications
- #9 Best Online Associate's in History Degrees 2025
- #9 Best Online Associate in Sociology
- #12 Best Online Associate in English 2025
- #13 Best Online Associate's in General Science 2025
- #15 Best Online Associate in Education
- #17 Best Online Associate in Cybersecurity
- #17 Best Online Associate in Health Information Technology & Informatics
- #18 Best Online Associate in Liberal Arts 2025
- #21 Best Online Associate in Early Childhood Education
Tuition + fees
$2K
Graduation
18%
Student body
32K
Online Degrees
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
- #5 Best Schools for Becoming an Air Traffic Controller in 2024 #5 Best Online Associate in Finance #5 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Georgia #6 Best Online Associate Degrees in Georgia 2025
Other Rankings
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- #21 Best Online Colleges in Georgia 2024
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- #25 Best Online Master’s in Information Technology 2025
- #7 Fastest Accelerated Online Associate's of Finance Degree Programs 2025
- #9 The Most Affordable Traditional MBA Degree Programs for 2024
Tuition + fees
$4K
Acceptance
100%
Graduation
24%
Student body
10K
Median SAT/ACT
1025/19
Online Degrees
AS in Humanities
Concentrations
- Political Science
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 24 months
- Format: Online
- #1 Best Community Colleges in Colorado 2025 #2 Best Online Associate in French Degree Programs #3 Best Online Associate in Anthropology #3 Best Online Associate Degrees in Colorado 2025
Other Rankings
- #4 Best Online Associate in Philosophy
- #5 Best Online Associate in Economics
- #7 Best Online Associate in Sociology
- #11 Best Online Associate in Education
- #13 Best Online Associate's in History Degrees 2025
- #15 Best Online Associate in Mathematics 2025
- #17 Best Online Associate in English 2025
- #17 Best Online Associate in Early Childhood Education
- #20 Best Online Associate in Accounting 2025
- #25 Best Online Associate in Psychology
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
27%
Student body
27K
Online Degrees
AA in Political Science
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
- #2 Best Community Colleges in Idaho 2025 #3 Best Online Associate in American Sign Language (ASL) Degree Programs #3 Best Online Associate Degrees in Idaho 2025 #4 Best Online Associate in Biology
Other Rankings
- #5 Best Online Associate's in Physics 2025
- #6 Best Online Associate in Anthropology
- #8 Best Online Associate in Entrepreneurship
- #9 Best Online Associate in Emergency Management 2025
- #10 Best Online Associate in Economics
- #11 Best Online Associate in Small Business Management
- #11 Best Online Associate in Business Management
- #13 Best Online Associate in Health Science Degree Programs
- #14 Best Online Associate's in General Science 2025
- #14 Best Online Associate's in History Degrees 2025
- #16 Best Online Associate in Mathematics 2025
- #17 Best Online Associate in Computer Science Degree Programs 2025
- #18 Best Online Associate in English 2025
- #22 Best Online Associate in Fire Science Degree Programs
- #23 Best Online Associate in Communications
- #25 Best Online Associate in Early Childhood Education
- #25 Best Online Associate in Education
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
31%
Student body
14K
Online Degrees
AA in Political Science
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
- #7 Best Online Associate in Philosophy #11 Best Online Associate Degrees in California 2025 #16 Best Online Associate in Sociology #22 Best Online Associate in Health Information Technology & Informatics
Tuition + fees
$1K
Graduation
22%
Student body
37K
Online Degrees
AA-T in History and Political Science Double Major
Concentrations
- Transfer
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2-3 years
- Format: Online
AA-T in Political Science
Concentrations
- Transfer
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2-3 years
- Format: Online
- #3 Best Community Colleges in Idaho 2025 #4 Best Online Associate Degrees in Idaho 2025 #14 Best Online Associate in Philosophy
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
27%
Student body
21K
Online Degrees
AA in Political Science
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
- #2 Best Online Associate in Agribusiness Degree Programs 2025 #7 Best Online Associate Degrees in Arizona 2025 #7 Best Online Associate's in Physics 2025 #7 Best Online Associate in Biology
Other Rankings
- #8 Best Online Associate in Graphic Design 2025
- #8 Best Online Associate in Building and Construction Degree Programs
- #13 Best Online Associate in Emergency Management 2025
- #13 Best Online Associate in Sociology
- #18 Best Online Associate in Fire Science Degree Programs
- #20 Best Online Associate's in History Degrees 2025
- #20 Best Online Associate in Mathematics 2025
Tuition + fees
$3K
Graduation
21%
Student body
12K
Online Degrees
AA in Political Science
- Required Credits: 64
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #7 Best Community Colleges in Tennessee 2025 #6 Best Online Associate Degrees in Tennessee 2024 #6 Best Online Associate in Sociology #7 Best Online Associate in Fire Science Degree Programs
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
23%
Student body
10K
Online Degrees
AA in Political Science
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
- #7 Best Community Colleges in Oklahoma 2024 #7 Best Online Associate Degrees in Oklahoma 2025 #14 Best Online Associate in Sociology #21 Best Online Associate in Mathematics 2025
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
24%
Student body
20K
Online Degrees
AA in History and Political Science
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
- #8 Best Online Associate Degrees in Arizona 2025 #8 Best Online Associate's in Physics 2025 #8 Best Online Associate in Biology #11 Best Online Associate in Philosophy
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$2K
Graduation
10%
Student body
31K
Online Degrees
AA in Political Science
- Required Credits: 60-64
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #10 Best Community Colleges in New Jersey 2025 #8 Best Online Associate Degrees in New Jersey 2024 #8 Best Online Certificate in Liberal Arts and Humanities Ranked for Students 2025 #14 Best Online Associate in Health Science Degree Programs
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
29%
Student body
11K
Online Degrees
AA in Political Science
- Required Credits: 61
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #12 Best Online Associate Degrees in Georgia 2025 #22 Best Online Associate's in History Degrees 2025
Tuition + fees
$3K
Graduation
19%
Student body
7K
Online Degrees
AA in Social Science
Concentrations
- Political Science
- Required Credits: 65
- Completion time: 24 months
- Format: Online
- #9 Best Community Colleges in Tennessee 2025 #6 Best Online Associate in Health Information Technology & Informatics #13 Best Online Associate Degrees in Tennessee 2024 #15 Best Online Associate in Finance
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
29%
Student body
4K
Online Degrees
AS in Social Science
Concentrations
- Political Science
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 24 months
- Format: Online
- #9 Best Online Associate Degrees in Arizona 2025 #9 Best Online Associate in Anthropology #9 Best Online Associate in Philosophy #9 Best Online Associate in Game Development
Other Rankings
- #9 Best Online Associate in Biology
- #10 Best Online Associate in Gender Studies
- #12 Best Online Associate's in Physics 2025
- #12 Best Online Associate in Web Design
- #13 Best Online Associate in Economics
- #17 Best Online Associate in Emergency Management 2025
- #17 Best Online Associate in Sociology
- #21 Best Online Associate in Fire Science Degree Programs
- #24 Best Online Associate's in General Science 2025
Tuition + fees
$2K
Graduation
13%
Student body
9K
Online Degrees
AA in Political Science
- Required Credits: 60-64
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #8 Best Online Associate in Philosophy #10 Best Online Associate in Biology #13 Best Online Associate's in Physics 2025 #13 Best Online Associate in Anthropology
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$9K
Graduation
36%
Student body
4K
Online Degrees
AS in Political Science
- Required Credits: 64
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA in Political Science
- Required Credits: 64
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
- #10 Best Community Colleges in Oklahoma 2024 #8 Best Online Associate Degrees in Oklahoma 2025 #18 Best Online Associate in Paralegal Studies #25 Best Online Associate's in History Degrees 2025
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
44%
Student body
2K
Online Degrees
AA in History and Political Science
- Required Credits: 62-64
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
46%
Student body
3K
Online Degrees
AA in Political Science
- Required Credits: 63
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
Career Outlook for Students with Political Science Degree
Go to Degree Finder toolPolitical Science And Government
Degree Level: Associate's
- Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
- Avg. Cost of Degree*: $1,796
- Avg. Expenses*: $13,701
- Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $38,558
- Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 5 years
- Job Growth: 2.89%
- Number of Jobs: 2,419,300
- * denotes ‘annually’
- ** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’
Career Salaries
Career | Job Growth | Avg. Salary |
---|---|---|
Managers, All Other | 5.75% | $133,560 |
Political Scientists | 1.61% | $132,350 |
Economists | 5.14% | $115,730 |
Economics Teachers, Postsecondary | 3.23% | $115,300 |
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 3.23% | $93,810 |
Top Industries
Industry | Avg. Salary |
---|---|
Managers, All Other | $133,560 |
Political Scientists | $132,350 |
Economists | $115,730 |
The study of politics, public policy, government, and political science is a purposeful field. Students majoring in political science learn about how political systems work, the roles required to practice proper political behavior, and the impact of social and political change.
At the associate level, political science students learn the fundamentals of the American political system. Other interesting topics include the history and development of governmental rule, lobbying, the various types of political organizations, and American politics in gneral.
The online associate in political science degree is a two-year program that normally falls under a school’s humanities department. This program is known as a 2+2 program.
A 2+2 program allows students to earn their two-year associate’s in political science degree, then transfer to an accredited university to complete the remaining two years for their bachelor’s degree.
Political science is an interdisciplinary field drawing from other fields such as economics, history, industrial relations, law, political science, communication, philosophy, sociology, and other disciplines like International Business Trade, World Literature, World Regional Geography, World Religions, and World History.
Usual Curriculum for the Online Associate in Political Science
Students in an online associate degree program in political science will learn various topics, from global politics to political theory, to conflict resolution during their two years enrolled in the program.
Popular classes in this program include:
- Comparative Politics
- US Native American Relations
- Women in Politics
- Introduction to Politics
- Statistics
- Introduction to Government
- Environmental Politics
- Political Philosophy
The political science curriculum general courses may not directly be related to political science, although they enable political science majors to explore other fields such as the social sciences while obtaining a well-rounded foundation for critical thinking.
Common Careers For Associate in Political Science Degree Program Holders
Online associate in political science degree holders may proceed to the bachelor’s level and secure an advanced degree thereafter, or immediately secure an entry-level job right after completing their associate degree.
A political science major can land roles in public think tanks, the federal government, nonprofit organizations, and businesses.
Job possibilities include:
- High school teachers (with additional teaching certification)
- State legislator
- College professors
- Legislative aide
- Agency specialist
- Campaign manager
- Lobbyist
- Consultant
While most jobs related to political science will require a bachelor’s, or even a master’s degree, earning an associate degree qualifies you for your entry-level jobs.
Current jobs include:
- Political Affairs Officer: This position requires an associate degree in political science from a top school. Candidates must know about economics, law, and public administration.
- Democracy Campaign Associate: You need to have an associate’s degree in political science to qualify for this job. Experience with advocacy is a plus, along with impeccable organizing skills.
- Policy Programs Associate: On top of your associate’s degree in political science, you need to have three years of work experience in any related field to qualify for this position.
Key Point: Political analysis expertise is needed to advance into most political scientist job roles.
Frequently Asked Questions About Political Science Degrees
If you’re interested in government policies, electoral politics, or Constitutional law, earning an associate degree in political science is a great place to start on your higher education journey.
Back to TopWhether you pursue your degree online or on campus, your courses will explore local, state and national, and international politics through classes like Introduction to Political Theory, Comparative Politics, American Public Policy, and Introduction to International Relations.
Back to TopMost programs take two years to complete and require 60 or more credits. Many programs also offer transfer paths to four-year universities and colleges.
Back to TopAfter graduating, students can continue in their education, earning a bachelor’s or master’s in political science, or seek entry-level employment as campaign staff members, public affairs specialists, or legal assistants.
Back to TopLearn more about how to major in political science.
Not sure if an online associate’s degree in political science is for you? Check out our rankings of the best online associate’s degrees in physics, fire science, or information technology.
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.