Best Online Associate Degrees in Colorado 2024
Top Online Associate Degree Programs in Colorado
- Colorado Christian University
- Community College of Denver
- Front Range Community College
- Aims Community College
- Community College of Aurora
- Aspen University
- Aspen University
- Community College of Denver
- Front Range Community College
- Colorado Christian University
- Community College of Aurora
- Aims Community College
- Front Range Community College 21 to 1
- Community College of Denver 20 to 1
- Aims Community College 17 to 1
- Colorado Christian University 16 to 1
- Community College of Aurora 13 to 1
- Aspen University 5 to 1
- Colorado Christian University $17,476
- Aspen University $5,355
- Community College of Denver $3,754
- Community College of Aurora $3,754
- Front Range Community College $3,754
- Aims Community College $2,736
- Colorado Christian University $13,931
- Aspen University $3,900
- Aspen University
- Community College of Aurora
- Aims Community College
- Front Range Community College
- Community College of Denver
- Colorado Christian University
- Aims Community College
- Community College of Aurora
- Colorado Christian University
- Front Range Community College
- Community College of Denver
- Aspen University
- Aspen University 5 to 1
- Community College of Aurora 13 to 1
- Colorado Christian University 16 to 1
- Aims Community College 17 to 1
- Community College of Denver 20 to 1
- Front Range Community College 21 to 1
- Aims Community College $2,736
- Community College of Denver $3,754
- Community College of Aurora $3,754
- Front Range Community College $3,754
- Aspen University $5,355
- Colorado Christian University $17,476
- Aspen University $3,900
- Colorado Christian University $13,931
Key Takeaways
- Earning an associate degree 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 in Colorado offer both traditional and online degree programs for students pursuing their associate degree in a wide variety of disciplines.
- Students who earn their online associate degree in their state of residence are typically eligible for in-state discount rates. If you are a resident of Colorado, finding an online associate degree here at home will typically be the most affordable way to begin your higher education.
Featured Programs
Colleges and Universities in Colorado
Fans of the outdoors will feel right at home in Colorado. With the Rocky Mountains, Colorado River, and even part of the Great Plains, you’re sure to find adventure in The Centennial State. Students looking to balance outdoor adventure with higher education can choose from over 40 colleges and universities offering associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees for an average in-state tuition of $10,800.
Find college admissions consultants in your state.
Colorado’s 28 public institutes include junior colleges, universities, the United States Air Force Academy, and the Colorado School of Mines, a research university that specializes in science, technology, engineering, and math.
Tuition for Colorado’s public schools ranges from $3,000 to $19,000, with many of the colleges and junior colleges starting at $4,000 and the universities at $8,000. Several of public colleges in Colorado enroll a large number of online students, including Colorado State University
.Colorado’s private institutions boast smaller class sizes and student populations. This category includes five religiously affiliated campuses. Private colleges in Colorado tend to be more expensive, ranging from $4,000 to $55,000 in tuition. There are several online colleges in Colorado that are categorized as private schools.
The University of Colorado, Boulder, a notable research institute, is ranked as the number one school in the state and has a student population of just over 32,000. Students can earn degrees in computer science and physics both through in-person courses and online learning. Influential Boulder alumni include Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and Academy Award-winning actor and director Robert Redford.
Prospective art students can check out Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, and those desiring a career in the medical field can look into the Institute of Business and Medical Careers.
To learn more, check out the best brick-and-mortar and online colleges in Colorado.
What are Colorado’s Colleges & Universities?
- 9 Research Universities
- 15 Liberal Arts Colleges & Universities
- 9 Graduate Schools
- 17 Public Colleges & Universities
- 7 Private Colleges & Universities
- 2 Christian Colleges & Universities
- 9 Small Colleges & Universities (fewer than 5,000 students)
- 23 Affordable Colleges (below $20,000/year)
- 12 Community Colleges
- Best Online Colleges
Colorado’s Best Overall
What is an Associate Degree?
An associate degree is a two-year degree that can be earned at state community colleges, vocational schools, and most accredited colleges and universities.
What will I study with an associate degree?
The associate degree provides an introductory level college education. You will usually take an array of liberal arts or humanities courses along with introductory level courses in a specific subject area. Most associate degree programs are available to both on campus students and online students.
Why get an associate degree?
There are several good reasons to get an associate degree. An associate degree is an affordable and accessible way to get a college education while improving your earning potential. The associate degree is popular both among students looking for entry-level work in their field, and for those who are already working.
The online degree is particularly popular at the associate level because so many students must balance work responsibilities and studies. Online courses and complete online programs make it possible for students to earn associate credits and degrees without disrupting daily work responsibilities.
The associate is also a far more affordable and accessible alternative to earning a bachelor’s degree. The associate degree takes about half as long to earn as a bachelor’s degree. Associate students need 60 credits to graduate, versus the 120 credits needed for a bachelor’s degree. And many state community colleges offer low tuition rates.
Can I get a job with an associate degree?
You can get an entry-level job in your field with an associate degree. Many students will use the associate degree as a way to get relevant job training before entering the job market. In fact, many associates will pursue entry level work in their field while earning a bachelor’s degree through online education.
Should I get an associate degree before pursuing a bachelor’s degree?
You may want to get an associate degree first to save money, or improve your admission chances, before getting a bachelor’s degree. The associate degree is a popular stepping stone for students who will seek a bachelor’s degree. When you earn an associate degree from an accredited state community college, you can usually transfer your credits toward your bachelor’s degree program.
Can I get an online degree at the associate level?
You can definitely get an online degree at the associate level. A growing number of online colleges offer high-quality associate-level online courses and complete online programs. Online students will typically take the same courses and curricula as on campus students.
Are associate degrees from online colleges respected?
Online degrees at the associate level are respected as long as these online degrees come from accredited community colleges or two-year schools. Regional accreditation is important when it comes to online colleges. If you plan to go into a bachelor’s degree program at a regionally accredited school, you must earn your online degree from a regionally accredited associate degree program.
If you need more answers to frequently asked questions about online degrees, we can help.
Best Online Associate Degrees in Colorado 2023
- #2 Best Christian Colleges in Colorado 2024 #7 Best Private Colleges in Colorado 2024 #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Colorado #2 Best Online Associate in Psychology
Other Rankings
- #4 Best Online Bachelor’s of Counseling Degree Programs for 2024
- #5 How To Get an Online Master’s Degree in Biblical Studies
- #5 Best Online Colleges in Colorado 2024
- #6 Best Online Associate in Human Resources
- #8 Best Online MBA Programs in Colorado
- #9 Best Online Associate in Biblical Studies
- #10 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Accounting Programs
- #13 Best Online Associate in Marketing
- #13 Best Online Bachelor’s of Data Science and Analytics Degree Programs for 2024
- #13 Best Online Bachelor’s in Biblical Studies
- #14 Best Online Associate in Communications
- #14 Best Online Bachelor’s of Data Science and Analytics Degree Programs for 2024
- #15 Best Online Bachelor's in Network Administration Degree Programs for 2024
- #16 Best Online Bachelor’s of Christian Ministry Degree Programs for 2024
- #19 Best Online Bachelor's of Economics Degree Programs for 2024
- #19 Best Online Master's in Economics
- #20 Best Online Master’s in Counseling
- #21 Best Online Associate in Information Technology
- #12 Fastest Online Associate's of Business Degree Programs Ranked 2024
- #19 Top 20 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's in Counseling
Tuition + fees
$18K
Graduation
61%
Student body
16K
Career Outlook for degree at Colorado Christian University
Cost of Degree: $26,846Expenses: $12,774Starting Salary: $44,600Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Associate Degrees
AS in Business Administration
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AS in Human Resource Management
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AS in Logistics and Supply Chain Management
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AS in Marketing and Sales
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AS in Nonprofit Management
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AS in Computer Information Technology
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AS in Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA in Biblical Studies
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA in Communication Studies
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA in General Studies
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AS in Healthcare Administration
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AS in Psychology
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
- #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Colorado 2024 #1 Best Online Associate's in Physics #1 Best Online Associate in Anthropology #2 Best Online Associate in French Degree Programs
Other Rankings
- #2 Best Online Associate in Philosophy
- #2 Best Online Associate in Biology
- #4 Best Online Associate in Economics
- #4 Best Online Associate in Mathematics
- #8 Best Online Associate in Marketing
- #8 Best Online Associate in Education
- #13 Best Online Associate in History Degrees
- #14 Best Online Associate in English
- #15 Best Online Associate in Criminal Justice
- #16 Best Online Associate in Psychology
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
18%
Student body
10K
Career Outlook for degree at Community College of Denver
Cost of Degree: $4,586Starting Salary: $36,400Online Associate Degrees
AAS in Business Administration
Concentrations
- Marketing
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AA in Business
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AA in Economics
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AA in Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AA in Elementary Education
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AA in Anthropology Designation
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AA in English - Literature
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AA in French
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AA in History
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AA in Philosophy
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AA/AS in Psychology
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AS in Geology
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AS in Mathematics
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AS in Physics
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AS in Biology
- Required Credits: 60-61
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #2 Best Community Colleges in Colorado 2024 #3 Best Online Associate in French Degree Programs #3 Best Online Associate in Anthropology #4 Best Online Associate in Philosophy
Other Rankings
- #5 Best Online Associate in Economics
- #6 Best Online Associate in Political Science
- #7 Best Online Associate in Sociology
- #11 Best Online Associate in Education
- #15 Best Online Associate in History Degrees
- #17 Best Online Associate in Early Childhood Education
- #18 Best Online Associate in Accounting
- #19 Best Online Associate in English
- #21 Best Online Associate in Mathematics
- #25 Best Online Associate in Psychology
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
27%
Student body
27K
Career Outlook for degree at Front Range Community College
Cost of Degree: $4,126Starting Salary: $40,600Online Associate Degrees
AAS in Accounting
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA/AAS in Business
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA in Economics
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AAS in Computer Information Systems
Concentrations
- Database Administrator
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA in Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA in Early Childhood Education
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA in Elementary Education
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA in Anthropology
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA in English
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA in French
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AGS in General Studies
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA in Geography
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA in History
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA in Philosophy
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA in Political Science
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA in Sociology
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA in Spanish
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA/AS in Psychology
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AS in Geology
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AAS in Highway Maintenance Management
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AS in Mathematics
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
Tuition + fees
$3K
Graduation
27%
Student body
9K
Career Outlook for degree at Aims Community College
Cost of Degree: $2,954Starting Salary: $37,800Online Associate Degrees
AA in Liberal Arts
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
- #5 Best Community Colleges in Colorado 2024 #4 Best Online Associate in Anthropology #6 Best Online Associate in Economics #8 Best Online Associate in Biology
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
25%
Student body
11K
Career Outlook for degree at Community College of Aurora
Cost of Degree: $4,030Starting Salary: $38,400Online Associate Degrees
AA in Business
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA in Economics
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AAS in Applied Technology
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA in Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA-T in Elementary Education
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA in Anthropology
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
Associate of Science
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA in English
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AGS in General Studies
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA in History
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA in Spanish
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA/AS in Psychology
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AS in Biology
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
- #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Colorado 2024 #3 Best Private Colleges in Colorado 2024 #6 Most Affordable Colleges in Colorado 2024 #7 Best Grad Schools in Colorado 2024
Other Rankings
- #8 Best Small Colleges in Colorado 2024
- #9 Best Colleges in Colorado 2024
- #1 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
- #1 Most Affordable Online PhD Programs Ranked for Students in 2024
- #2 Most Affordable Online Master's Degree Programs Ranked for Students
- #6 Top 20 Most Affordable Online MBA Degree Programs Ranked 2024
- #9 Best Online Master's Programs in Colorado 2024
- #11 Best Online Colleges in Colorado 2024
- #16 Most Affordable Online Computer Science PhDs (Doctorates) 2024
- #2 Most Affordable Master's in Counseling Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
- #20 The Most Affordable Traditional MBA Degree Programs for 2024
Tuition + fees
$5K
Student body
14K
Online Associate Degrees
Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education
- Required Credits: 60-66
- Completion time: 2-3 years
- Format: Online
Colorado is just one of many states offering excellent online associate’s degrees. To check out our rankings, look into the best online associate’s degrees in Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, and more!
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.