Best Online Associate Degrees in Colorado 2024

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Top Online Associate Degrees in Colorado 2024

  1. Aspen University
    • Most Popular Degrees: Nursing, Education, and Computer Science
  2. Community College of Denver
    • Most Popular Degrees: Nursing, Education, and Computer Science
  3. Front Range Community College
    • Most Popular Degrees: Nursing, Education, and Computer Science
  4. Colorado Christian University
    • Most Popular Degrees: Religious Studies, Psychology, and Philosophy
  5. Community College of Aurora
    • Most Popular Degrees: Education, Computer Science, and Criminal Justice
  6. Aims Community College
    • Most Popular Degrees: Nursing, Criminal Justice, and Medical Sciences

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.

Best Online Associate Degrees in Colorado 2024

  1. #1

    Aspen University

    Phoenix , AZ
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Student body

    14K

    Aspen University provides students with an affordable associate degree education with scheduling options that fit a variety of lifestyles. At the end of each program, students will be ready to contribute to a wide variety of industries.

    What we love about Aspen University:

    Associate degree students at Aspen University can choose to complete their programs at their own pace.

    Aspen University is ideal for students who:

    Want to attend a school that offers affordable education.

    Aspen University might not be the best fit for students who:

    Prefer to have more communication with teachers.

  2. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    18%

    Student body

    10K

    Career Outlook for degree at Community College of Denver

    Cost of Degree: $4,586
    Starting Salary: $36,400

    With a rich history, the Community College of Denver is a diverse school offering top-rated associate degree programs and serving diverse communities and students.

    What we love about the Community College of Denver:

    The college is focused on accommodating students from minority groups and underrepresented populations in the US. It is home to students from 40 nations, giving them access to a supportive and dynamic learning environment.

    The Community College of Denver is ideal for students who:

    Want to attend a diverse and cultural college.

    The Community College of Denver might not be the best fit for students who:

    Want to go to a school with more clubs or student organizations.

  3. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    27%

    Student body

    27K

    Career Outlook for degree at Front Range Community College

    Cost of Degree: $4,126
    Starting Salary: $40,600

    Front Range Community College provides thorough training to students so they become work-ready. The school offers 500 courses that can be taken 100% online.

    What we love about Front Range Community College:

    School faculty and staff are known for offering great support and guidance to students as they navigate their degree programs.

    Front Range Community College is ideal for students who:

    Want a community college that comes with supportive staff.

    Front Range Community College might not be the best fit for students who:

    Prefer a school with more research opportunities.

  4. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $18K

    Graduation

    61%

    Student body

    16K

    Career Outlook for degree at Colorado Christian University

    Cost of Degree: $26,846
    Expenses: $12,774
    Starting Salary: $44,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    A Christ-centered college, Colorado Christian University is known for offering adult learners five-week block courses.

    What we love about Colorado Christian University:

    Every program and course at Colorado Christian University is taught with a Christian worldview in mind.

    Colorado Christian University is ideal for students who:

    Want an online program focused on Christian teachings and values.

    Colorado Christian University might not be the best fit for students who:

    Desire more rigorous classes.

  5. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    25%

    Student body

    11K

    Career Outlook for degree at Community College of Aurora

    Cost of Degree: $4,030
    Starting Salary: $38,400

    The Community College of Aurora comes with a plethora of career opportunities for associate degree graduates. Education at this college can be paid for in many ways, making it accessible to all kinds of learners. Associate degree students can choose from a variety of flexible learning options and classroom environments.

    What we love about the Community College of Aurora:

    The Community College of Aurora is a minority-serving college that focuses on teaching students to advance their skills in an inclusive environment. The institution also optimizes hands-on experiences for students.

    The Community College of Aurora is ideal for students who:

    Want to study at a school that provides students with an easy process if they decide to transfer to a bachelor’s program.

    The Community College of Aurora might not be the best fit for students who:

    Want to attend a college with more consistent policies.

  6. Tuition + fees

    $3K

    Graduation

    27%

    Student body

    9K

    Career Outlook for degree at Aims Community College

    Cost of Degree: $2,954
    Starting Salary: $37,800

    Inclusive and affordable education are the highlights at Aims Community College. Associate degree students can achieve their dreams and goals through the college’s supportive network and practices. Numerous associate degrees and certificates are available for any type of adult learner.

    What we love about Aims Community College:

    The school focuses on serving diverse communities, ensuring students develop knowledge and skills useful in a variety of industries.

    Aims Community College is ideal for students who:

    Want to attend a school that celebrates achievements.

    Aims Community College might not be the best fit for students who:

    Want to attend a larger school.


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!

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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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