Best Online Associate Degrees in Massachusetts 2025
Find the best online associate degrees in Massachusetts ranked by the academic success of faculty and alumni associated with the colleges and universities and their online degree programs.
Key Takeaways
- Massachusetts’ best online associate programs often have established articulation agreements with public and private universities, making it easier for students to transfer credits and pursue a bachelor’s degree upon completion of their associate program.
- Many of the best online associate programs in Massachusetts offer flexible scheduling, including both asynchronous and synchronous classes, allowing students to tailor their learning experience to fit their personal and professional commitments.
- The programs in our ranking provide robust online resources, including virtual tutoring, academic advising, and library access, ensuring that students receive the same support as their on-campus counterparts.
Top Online Associate Degree Programs in Massachusetts in 2025
- University of Massachusetts Amherst
- University of Massachusetts Lowell
- Fisher College +1
- Bay Path University –1
- Bristol Community College +1
- Massachusetts Bay Community College +2
- Springfield Technical Community College +5
- Northern Essex Community College –3
- Greenfield Community College
- Holyoke Community College –3
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 associate degree programs in Massachusetts experienced a considerable amount of shuffling. Springfield Technical Community College gained the most ranking positions as the college expanded its STEM and healthcare programs, adding new certifications and degree tracks to meet the growing demand in these fields.
Additionally, STCC has upgraded its technology infrastructure, including modernized labs and learning spaces equipped with cutting-edge tools and software. The college has also enhanced its student support services, increasing access to academic advising, mental health resources, and career development programs, providing a well-rounded and supportive educational experience.
Featured Programs
To check out the full list of online colleges in Massachusetts, check out our ranking. If you are interested in the more traditional in-person education route in Massachusetts, see our ranking of the best colleges and universities. Additionally, many students who seek an associate’s degree are interested in saving money on education. If this is you, check out our ranking of the most affordable colleges in Massachusetts.
Best Online Associate Degrees in Massachusetts
- #1 Best Public Colleges in Massachusetts 2024 #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Massachusetts Ranked for Students in 2024 #6 Best Grad Schools in Massachusetts 2025 #6 Best Research Universities in Massachusetts 2025
Tuition + fees
$17K
Acceptance
64%
Graduation
83%
Student body
37K
Median SAT/ACT
1370/31
Career Outlook for degree at University of Massachusetts Amherst
Cost of Degree: $17,357Expenses: $17,309Starting Salary: $57,700Cost Recoup Time: 7 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Associate Degrees
AS in Sustainable Food and Farming
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #3 Best Public Colleges in Massachusetts 2024 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Massachusetts Ranked for Students in 2024 #2 Best Online Associate Degree Programs That Can Be Completed in 1 Year #2 Best Online Associate in Information Technology
Tuition + fees
$16K
Acceptance
86%
Graduation
71%
Student body
22K
Median SAT/ACT
1259/28
Career Outlook for degree at University of Massachusetts Lowell
Cost of Degree: $16,570Expenses: $17,994Starting Salary: $57,200Cost Recoup Time: 7 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Associate Degrees
Associate of Management
- Required Credits: 62
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
Associate of Information Technology
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
- #4 Best Online Bachelor's of Cybersecurity Degree Programs in Massachusetts #6 Best Online Bachelor's of Game Design Degree Programs for 2025 #12 Best Online Associate in Psychology #13 Best Online MBA Programs in Massachusetts
Tuition + fees
$34K
Acceptance
74%
Graduation
26%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Fisher College
Cost of Degree: $35,013Expenses: $22,887Starting Salary: $39,600Cost Recoup Time: 13 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Associate Degrees
AS in Business Administration
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 20 months
- Format: Online
AS in Computer Technology
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 20 months
- Format: Online
AS in Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 20 months
- Format: Online
AA in Early Childhood Education
- Required Credits: 62
- Completion time: 20 months
- Format: Online
AS in General Studies
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 20 months
- Format: Online
AS in Health Information Technology
- Required Credits: 71
- Completion time: 24 months
- Format: Online
AA in Psychology
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 20 months
- Format: Online
- #5 Best Online Degrees for a Career in Teaching Ranked 2024 #5 Best Online Bachelor’s in Child Development Degree Programs for 2024 #6 Best Online Bachelor's of Cybersecurity Degree Programs in Massachusetts #6 Best Online Associate in Early Childhood Education
Tuition + fees
$36K
Acceptance
76%
Graduation
47%
Student body
4K
Career Outlook for degree at Bay Path University
Cost of Degree: $37,227Expenses: $17,016Starting Salary: $44,800Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Associate Degrees
AS in Business Administration
- Required Credits: None Reported
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AS in Early Childhood Leadership
- Required Credits: None Reported
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AA in Liberal Studies
- Required Credits: None Reported
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #5 Best Community Colleges in Massachusetts 2025 #13 Best Online Associate in Communications #22 Best Online Associate in Liberal Arts 2025 #22 Best Online Associate in Psychology
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
22%
Student body
8K
Career Outlook for degree at Bristol Community College
Cost of Degree: $5,412Starting Salary: $35,100Online Associate Degrees
AA-T in Business Administration
- Required Credits: 65
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AS in General Management
- Required Credits: 64-65
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AS-T in Computer Information Systems
Concentrations
- Information Systems
- Required Credits: 64-72
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AS in General Studies
Concentrations
- General
- Legal and Social Studies
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA-T in Liberal Arts and Sciences
Concentrations
- Humanities
- Behavioral and Social Sciences
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA-T in Communication
- Required Credits: 61-63
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA-T in Psychology
- Required Credits: 60-63
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
18%
Student body
6K
Career Outlook for degree at Massachusetts Bay Community College
Cost of Degree: $5,616Starting Salary: $44,900Online Associate Degrees
AS in General Business
- Required Credits: 66-71
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AS in Business Administration
- Required Credits: 68-71
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA/AS in General Studies
- Required Credits: 61-63
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA in Liberal Arts
- Required Credits: 62-63
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA in Liberal Arts: Psychology and Sociology
- Required Credits: 61-63
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
Tuition + fees
$6K
Graduation
22%
Student body
5K
Career Outlook for degree at Springfield Technical Community College
Cost of Degree: $5,520Starting Salary: $36,500Online Associate Degrees
AS-T in Business Administration
- Required Credits: 62
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
Tuition + fees
$6K
Graduation
19%
Student body
6K
Career Outlook for degree at Northern Essex Community College
Cost of Degree: $5,688Starting Salary: $37,200Online Associate Degrees
AS in Business Management
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
Tuition + fees
$6K
Graduation
32%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Greenfield Community College
Cost of Degree: $5,810Starting Salary: $36,300Online Associate Degrees
Associate of Business Administration
- Required Credits: 60-67
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AA in Liberal Arts
- Required Credits: 60-62
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AA in Liberal Arts - English
- Required Credits: 60-62
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AA in Liberal Arts - Social Science
- Required Credits: 60-63
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
Tuition + fees
$6K
Graduation
25%
Student body
5K
Career Outlook for degree at Holyoke Community College
Cost of Degree: $5,810Starting Salary: $34,900Online Associate Degrees
AS in Hospitality and Culinary Arts
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AS in Business Administration
Concentrations
- General
- Human Resources Management
- Marketing
- Required Credits: 62
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AS-T in Business Administration
- Required Credits: 62-63
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AS in Applied Technology
- Required Credits: 60-62
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AS in Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 62
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA in Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Required Credits: 60-61
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
- #10 Best Online Certificate in Liberal Arts and Humanities Ranked for Students 2025 #11 Best Online Associate's in Physics 2025 #20 Best Online Associate in Fire Science Degree Programs #21 Best Online Colleges in Massachusetts 2024
Tuition + fees
$6K
Graduation
27%
Student body
4K
Career Outlook for degree at Mount Wachusett Community College
Cost of Degree: $6,000Starting Salary: $36,400Online Associate Degrees
AS in Fire Science
- Required Credits: 62-63
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
Associate of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Required Credits: 62-63
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
19%
Student body
8K
Career Outlook for degree at Massasoit Community College
Cost of Degree: $5,376Starting Salary: $38,800Online Associate Degrees
AS in Business Administration
Concentrations
- Accounting
- Management
- Marketing
- Required Credits: 62
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AS in Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 62
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AS in Liberal Arts Studies
- Required Credits: 62
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
- #12 Best Online Associate in Christian Ministry #22 Best Online Associate in Biblical Studies #23 Best Online Colleges in Massachusetts 2024
Tuition + fees
$14K
Graduation
31%
Student body
<1K
Career Outlook for degree at Northpoint Bible College
Cost of Degree: $14,160Expenses: $18,102Starting Salary: $33,500Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Associate Degrees
AA in Assemblies of God Credentialing Preparation
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA in Bible and Theology
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA in Specialized Ministry
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
21%
Student body
7K
Career Outlook for degree at North Shore Community College
Cost of Degree: $5,352Starting Salary: $38,600Online Associate Degrees
AS in Fire Protection and Safety Technology
- Required Credits: 63
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
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.