Best Online Associate Degrees in Iowa 2024

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Top 10 Online Associate Degree Programs in Iowa

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  1. Upper Iowa University
  2. Indian Hills Community College
  3. Kirkwood Community College
  4. Des Moines Area Community College
  5. Iowa Central Community College
  6. Hawkeye Community College
  7. Iowa Western Community College
  8. Ellsworth Community College
  9. Southeastern Community College
  10. North Iowa Area Community College
  1. Upper Iowa University
  2. Iowa Central Community College
  3. Kirkwood Community College
  4. Des Moines Area Community College
  5. Ellsworth Community College
  6. Southeastern Community College
  7. Indian Hills Community College
  8. Iowa Western Community College
  9. Western Iowa Tech Community College
  10. Hawkeye Community College
  1. Upper Iowa University 54%
  1. North Iowa Area Community College 21 to 1
  2. Iowa Western Community College 19 to 1
  3. Des Moines Area Community College 19 to 1
  4. Kirkwood Community College 19 to 1
  5. Iowa Central Community College 19 to 1
  6. Marshalltown Community College 17 to 1
  7. Ellsworth Community College 15 to 1
  8. Indian Hills Community College 15 to 1
  9. Hawkeye Community College 15 to 1
  10. Western Iowa Tech Community College 13 to 1
  1. Upper Iowa University $33,639
  2. Iowa Western Community College $6,030
  3. Southeastern Community College $6,000
  4. Hawkeye Community College $5,916
  5. Kirkwood Community College $5,600
  6. North Iowa Area Community College $5,378
  7. Des Moines Area Community College $5,340
  8. Indian Hills Community College $4,680
  9. Iowa Central Community College $4,620
  10. Ellsworth Community College $4,560
  1. Upper Iowa University $18,870
  1. Marshalltown Community College
  2. Western Iowa Tech Community College
  3. North Iowa Area Community College
  4. Southeastern Community College
  5. Ellsworth Community College
  6. Iowa Western Community College
  7. Hawkeye Community College
  8. Iowa Central Community College
  9. Des Moines Area Community College
  10. Kirkwood Community College
  1. Marshalltown Community College
  2. North Iowa Area Community College
  3. Hawkeye Community College
  4. Western Iowa Tech Community College
  5. Iowa Western Community College
  6. Indian Hills Community College
  7. Southeastern Community College
  8. Ellsworth Community College
  9. Des Moines Area Community College
  10. Kirkwood Community College
  1. Upper Iowa University 54%
  1. Southeastern Community College 12 to 1
  2. Western Iowa Tech Community College 13 to 1
  3. Upper Iowa University 13 to 1
  4. Ellsworth Community College 15 to 1
  5. Indian Hills Community College 15 to 1
  6. Hawkeye Community College 15 to 1
  7. Marshalltown Community College 17 to 1
  8. Iowa Western Community College 19 to 1
  9. Des Moines Area Community College 19 to 1
  10. Kirkwood Community College 19 to 1
  1. Western Iowa Tech Community College $4,032
  2. Ellsworth Community College $4,560
  3. Marshalltown Community College $4,560
  4. Iowa Central Community College $4,620
  5. Indian Hills Community College $4,680
  6. Des Moines Area Community College $5,340
  7. North Iowa Area Community College $5,378
  8. Kirkwood Community College $5,600
  9. Hawkeye Community College $5,916
  10. Southeastern Community College $6,000
  1. Upper Iowa University $18,870

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 Iowa 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 Iowa, 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 Iowa

With a large number of both brick-and-mortar and online colleges in Iowa, students have plenty of great schools to choose from.

Iowa’s largest public university, Iowa State University, serves over 30,000 students and offers extra flexibility for both undergraduate and graduate students through a selection of online degree programs in more than 50 academic fields including business administration, psychology, computer science, and more.

The University of Iowa-home of the Hawkeyes-is also home to some of the nation’s top programs in literature, philosophy, and law. The University of Iowa has also been at the forefront of higher education, starting the nation’s first co-educational medical school, as well as being the first public school to grant a law degree to a woman, Mary B. Hickey Wilkinson, in 1873.

Find college admissions consultants in your state.

For prospective students hoping to obtain their degrees at a smaller school, Iowa offers over 40 options to choose from. For a more affordable option, students can pay $4,000 per year for tuition at Indian Hills Community College. Like most community colleges in Georgia, Indian Hills also offers an array of online programs.

At the other end of the spectrum, students will pay up to $52,000 for an academic year at Grinnell College. Furthermore, nearly half of the schools in Iowa are religiously affiliated.

Iowa is often recognized for its agriculture as it produces the most pork and corn in the nation. Equally noteworthy is Iowa’s wealth of one-of-a-kind roadside attractions. From the largest wooden nickel, to the crookedest street, to the Grotto of Redemption, The Hawkeye State is full of wonders. Students in search of curiosities and oddities while earning a degree can attend one of Iowa’s public or private colleges.

Whether you’re looking to earn your associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree, Iowa offers a wealth of on-campus and online learning options. Discover more about Iowa’s top brick-and-mortar and online programs as well as top career paths in the state of Iowa.


What are Iowa’s Colleges & Universities?

Iowa’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 Degree Programs in Iowa
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Best Online Associate Degrees in Iowa 2023

  1. #1

    Upper Iowa University

    Fayette , IA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $34K

    Acceptance

    54%

    Graduation

    42%

    Student body

    7K

    Median SAT/ACT

    970/21

    Career Outlook for degree at Upper Iowa University

    Cost of Degree: $19,000
    Expenses: $15,022
    Starting Salary: $45,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Associate Degrees

    AA in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AA in Psychology
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AA in General Business
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AA in Liberal Arts
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  2. Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    36%

    Student body

    4K

    Career Outlook for degree at Indian Hills Community College

    Cost of Degree: $4,872
    Expenses: $14,688
    Starting Salary: $34,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Associate Degrees

    Associate of Arts
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion time: 24 months
    • Format: Online
    AA in Early Childhood Teacher Licensure
    • Required Credits: 64
    • Completion time: 18 months
    • Format: Online
    Associate of Health Information Technology
    • Required Credits: 81
    • Completion time: 21 months
    • Format: Online
    AA in Elementary Education
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion time: 18 months
    • Format: Online
    AA in Secondary Education
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion time: 18 months
    • Format: Online
  3. #3

    Kirkwood Community College

    Cedar Rapids , IA

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Graduation

    36%

    Student body

    17K

    Career Outlook for degree at Kirkwood Community College

    Cost of Degree: $5,980
    Starting Salary: $38,000

    Online Associate Degrees

    AAS in Business Administration

    Concentrations

    • Accounting
    • Management
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    AA/AS in Liberal Arts
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    AA/AAS in Paralegal Studies
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    AAS in Water Environmental Technology
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  4. Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    34%

    Student body

    33K

    Career Outlook for degree at Des Moines Area Community College

    Cost of Degree: $5,550
    Expenses: $11,358
    Starting Salary: $36,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Associate Degrees

    AAS in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 64
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AAS in Accounting Specialist
    • Required Credits: 64
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AAS in Business Administration

    Concentrations

    • Entrepreneurship
    • Required Credits: 65
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AAS in Computer Information Systems
    • Required Credits: 64
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AAS in Management
    • Required Credits: 66
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AA in Liberal Arts
    • Required Credits: 64
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  5. Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    37%

    Student body

    7K

    Career Outlook for degree at Iowa Central Community College

    Cost of Degree: $5,376
    Expenses: $12,499
    Starting Salary: $38,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Associate Degrees

    Associate of Professional Studies in Health Care Administration
    • Required Credits: 66
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AAA in Digital Arts
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AAS in Human Services
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  6. Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Graduation

    33%

    Student body

    6K

    Career Outlook for degree at Hawkeye Community College

    Cost of Degree: $6,308
    Starting Salary: $38,400

    Online Associate Degrees

    AA in Early Childhood Education
    • Required Credits: 61
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AAS in Human Resource Management
    • Required Credits: 65
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AA/AS in Liberal Arts
    • Required Credits: 62
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  7. #7

    Iowa Western Community College

    Council Bluffs , IA

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Graduation

    36%

    Student body

    8K

    Career Outlook for degree at Iowa Western Community College

    Cost of Degree: $6,780
    Expenses: $15,110
    Starting Salary: $35,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Associate Degrees

    AAS in Computers

    Concentrations

    • Application and Web Programming
    • Cybersecurity Technology
    • Web Design and Development
    • Required Credits: 66
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    AA/AS in General Studies
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AA-T in Elementary Education
    • Required Credits: 64
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AA-T in Secondary Education
    • Required Credits: 61
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  8. Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    29%

    Student body

    <1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Ellsworth Community College

    Cost of Degree: $5,304
    Expenses: $15,500
    Starting Salary: $35,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Associate Degrees

    AA in Liberal Arts
    • Required Credits: 64
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  9. #9

    Southeastern Community College

    West Burlington , IA

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Graduation

    39%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for degree at Southeastern Community College

    Cost of Degree: $6,450
    Expenses: $17,556
    Starting Salary: $31,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Associate Degrees

    AAS in Information Technology
    • Required Credits: 71
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  10. Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Graduation

    55%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for degree at North Iowa Area Community College

    Cost of Degree: $6,436
    Expenses: $11,370
    Starting Salary: $37,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Associate Degrees

    AAS in Business Office Specialist
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AAS in Accounting
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Associate of Arts
    • Required Credits: 62
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AAS in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AAS in Insurance and Financial Management
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AAS in Sport Management
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  11. Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    42%

    Student body

    7K

    Career Outlook for degree at Western Iowa Tech Community College

    Cost of Degree: $5,042
    Expenses: $12,426
    Starting Salary: $34,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Associate Degrees

    AAS in Agriculture Management
    • Required Credits: 64
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AA in Business
    • Required Credits: 64
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AAS in Human Resources Management
    • Required Credits: 64
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AAS in Video Game Design
    • Required Credits: 67
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AAS in Technical Business Management
    • Required Credits: 66
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  12. #12

    Marshalltown Community College

    Marshalltown , IA

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    35%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at Marshalltown Community College

    Cost of Degree: $5,304
    Expenses: $13,400
    Starting Salary: $32,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Associate Degrees

    AA-T in Liberal Arts
    • Required Credits: 64
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online

Iowa 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 Kansas, Montana, Oregon, 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.

Do you have a question about this topic? Ask it here