Best Online Associate Degrees in Oklahoma 2025
Top Online Associate Degree Programs in Oklahoma 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 last ground for the 2025 school year.
For 2025, the top 6 spots in our ranking for the best online associate degrees in Oklahoma remain the same. Tulsa Community College gained 2 positions to move into the number 7 spot.
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.
Featured Programs
Best Online Associate Degrees in Oklahoma
- #8 Cheapest Colleges in Oklahoma 2025 #9 Best Public Colleges in Oklahoma 2024 #8 Best Online Master's Programs in Oklahoma 2025 #8 Best Online MBA Programs in Oklahoma
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$7K
Graduation
25%
Student body
4K
Career Outlook for degree at Cameron University
Cost of Degree: $6,900Expenses: $16,923Starting Salary: $38,200Cost Recoup Time: 7 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryLocated in Lawton, Cameron University is a public, four-year institution of higher education established in 1908 as one of Oklahoma’s six agricultural high schools. Today, the University offers graduate and undergraduate online programs through CU Online, including three Associate in Science degree programs.
What we love about Cameron University:
It is committed to providing students with top-quality education from qualified and caring faculty.
Cameron University is ideal for students who:
Are looking for a wide range of scholarship opportunities to support their online education.
Cameron University might not be the best fit for students who:
Aren’t comfortable in a small, close-knit academic community where faculty can keep a close eye on their educational progress.
Online Associate Degrees
AS in Business
- Required Credits: 69
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AS in Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 64
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AS in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Required Credits: 66
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA in Strategic Communication
- Required Credits: 66
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
- #2 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Degree Programs in Oklahoma #9 Best Online MBA Programs in Oklahoma #11 Best Online Master's Programs in Oklahoma 2025 #12 Best Online Colleges in Oklahoma 2024
Other Rankings
- #14 Best Online Associate in Computer Science Degree Programs 2025
- #17 Top 20 Most Affordable Online MBA Degree Programs Ranked 2025
- #19 Best Online Associate in Liberal Arts 2025
- #25 Best Online Bachelor’s in Information Technology Degree Programs for 2025
- #25 Best Online Bachelor's of English Degree Programs for 2024
Tuition + fees
$7K
Graduation
25%
Student body
4K
Career Outlook for degree at Rogers State University
Cost of Degree: $7,392Expenses: $16,948Starting Salary: $39,300Cost Recoup Time: 7 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWith its main location in Claremore, Rogers State University is a public four-year institution of higher education with three campuses to serve northeastern Oklahoma and the Tulsa metropolitan area. Through RSU Online, it offers a range of online academic programs, including Associate degree programs with concentration options.
What we love about Rogers State University:
It is the first Oklahoma-based university, and one of the pioneers in the country, to offer fully online Bachelor’s and Associate degree programs.
Rogers State University is ideal for students who:
Prefer online Associate degree programs in the fields of Accounting, Applied Technology, Business Administration, Computer Science, Elementary Education, Liberal Arts, or Social Science.
Rogers State University might not be the best fit for students who:
Prefer an online school with physical locations within cities or suburban areas for convenient access if there’s a need to visit.
Online Associate Degrees
AA in Business Administration
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AAS in Applied Technology
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AS in Computer Science
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA in Liberal Arts
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
- #1 Best Community Colleges in Oklahoma 2024 #25 Best Online Associate in Business Management #25 Best Online Associate in Small Business Management #25 Best Online Associate in Cybersecurity
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
21%
Student body
9K
Career Outlook for degree at Rose State College
Cost of Degree: $5,032Expenses: $17,674Starting Salary: $36,300Cost Recoup Time: 7 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryRose State College is a public, two-year postsecondary educational institution in Midwest City. It offers various academic programs for Associate in Applied Science (AAS), Associate in Science (AS), and Associate in Arts (AA) with courses available in a variety of learning formats, including online, live instruction, and on-campus.
What we love about Rose State College:
The school offers a range of certificate and degree programs designed to prepare students for today’s in-demand careers.
Rose State College is ideal for students who:
Are working professionals or adult learners looking for Associate degree programs designed to suit their busy lifestyles.
Rose State College might not be the best fit for students who:
Are looking for the lowest possible average in-state tuition costs on programs offered by public colleges/universities in Oklahoma.
Online Associate Degrees
AS in Business
- Required Credits: 63
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AS in English
- Required Credits: 63
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AS in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Required Credits: 63
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
- #7 Best Private Colleges in Oklahoma 2024 #8 Best Christian Colleges in Oklahoma 2025 #6 Best Online MBA Programs in Oklahoma #13 Best Online Master's Programs in Oklahoma 2025
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$30K
Acceptance
52%
Graduation
34%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1015/19
Career Outlook for degree at Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Cost of Degree: $31,466Expenses: $13,610Starting Salary: $53,500Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOklahoma Wesleyan University is a Bartlesville-based private Christian university affiliated with the Wesleyan Church. It offers online Associate degree programs for the fields of Technical Studies, Early Childhood Education, Business, and Church Planting.
What we love about Oklahoma Wesleyan University:
Its education, through the grace & truth of Jesus Christ, aims to develop and send servant leaders and to transform the whole person for the world.
Oklahoma Wesleyan University is ideal for students who:
Prefer a low student-faculty ratio of 15:1 because professors can provide personalized guidance and instruction.
Oklahoma Wesleyan University might not be the best fit for students who:
Are easily distracted when engaging in sports, considering that the University has 120 intercollegiate athletic teams.
Online Associate Degrees
AAS in Technical Studies
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AAS in Christian Ministry
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AA in Church Planting
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AA in General Studies
Concentrations
- STEP Program
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AA in Wesleyan Ministry
- Required Credits: None Reported
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
34%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Western Oklahoma State College
Cost of Degree: $5,250Expenses: $13,765Starting Salary: $35,400Cost Recoup Time: 7 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWestern Oklahoma State College is a public, two-year postsecondary educational institution located in Altus offering a handful of fully online Associate degree programs in various fields, including Behavioral Science, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood, and many others.
What we love about Western Oklahoma State College:
This community college is dedicated to student success, community service, and regional development.
Western Oklahoma State College is ideal for students who:
Want a high-quality, two-year degree education that will empower them to become productive members of society both locally and worldwide.
Western Oklahoma State College might not be the best fit for students who:
Don’t want to enroll in fully online Associate degree programs from schools located in remote or distant towns.
Online Associate Degrees
AAS in Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 60-66
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AS in Early Childhood
- Required Credits: 60-66
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AS in Agriculture Sciences
- Required Credits: 60-66
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AAS in Nursing
- Required Credits: 60-66
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #3 Best Community Colleges in Oklahoma 2024 #9 Best Online Associate in Hospitality and Tourism #19 Best Online Associate's in History Degrees 2025 #19 Best Online Associate in Sociology
Tuition + fees
$7K
Graduation
31%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at Murray State College
Cost of Degree: $6,630Expenses: $13,682Starting Salary: $35,700Cost Recoup Time: 7 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryMurray State College is a public institution of two-year postsecondary education with its main campus in Tishomingo and another in Ardmore. Aside from traditional academic programs, the school also offers a range of fully online Associate degree programs in various fields, including Business, Child Development, and Behavioral Science.
What we love about Murray State College:
Online students at this school have access to student support services, including academic coaching, tutoring, and career services.
Murray State College is ideal for students who:
Are looking for affordable tuition costs for online education with generous credit transfer policies.
Murray State College might not be the best fit for students who:
Prefer being part of a large academic community with more than 3,000 students.
Online Associate Degrees
AA/AS in Enterprise Development
Concentrations
- Business Administration
- General Studies
- Required Credits: 62-63
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AS in Business
Concentrations
- Hospitality Management
- Required Credits: 64-65
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AS in Computer Science
- Required Credits: 62-64
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AS in Arts and Sciences
Concentrations
- English
- History
- Required Credits: 62-63
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AS in Behavioral Science
Concentrations
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Required Credits: 62
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
- #7 Best Community Colleges in Oklahoma 2024 #12 Best Online Associate in Political Science 2025 #14 Best Online Associate in Sociology #21 Best Online Associate in Mathematics 2025
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
24%
Student body
20K
Career Outlook for degree at Tulsa Community College
Cost of Degree: $3,768Starting Salary: $36,900Tulsa Community College is a public two-year institution offering a associate degree programs including at least 15 degrees available in online or blended learning formats.
What we love about Tulsa Community College:
Its Associate degree programs are specifically designed to allow a student to seamlessly transfer to a four-year college/university or for immediate entry into the workforce.
Tulsa Community College is ideal for students who:
Prefer their online schools to have multiple physical locations in the region in order to have easy access to amenities and resources.
Tulsa Community College might not be the best fit for students who:
Prefer a more selective admission process, as the open-door policy may not align with their expectations for the student community.
Online Associate Degrees
AS in Business Administration
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AS in Marketing
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AS in Computer Information Systems
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AAS in Information Technology
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA in History
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA in Liberal Arts
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA in Sociology
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA in Psychology
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AS in Mathematics
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
- #10 Best Community Colleges in Oklahoma 2024 #18 Best Online Associate in Paralegal Studies #19 Best Online Associate in Political Science 2025 #25 Best Online Associate's in History Degrees 2025
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
44%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Carl Albert State College
Cost of Degree: $4,230Expenses: $13,540Starting Salary: $30,900Cost Recoup Time: 7 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryCarl Albert State College is a public community college with its main campus in Poteau and another branch in Sallisaw. It offers fully online certificate and Associate degree programs in various Science, Arts, and Applied Science fields.
What we love about CASC:
It is recognized as the best community college in the state and ranked No. 11 among community colleges in the country in terms of graduation rates.
CASC is ideal for students who:
Are looking for affordable and accessible education in Oklahoma with an academic environment that fosters student success.
CASC might not be the best fit for students who:
Find high student-faculty ratios of 25:1 to be undesirable for learning, as guidance and instruction may not be personalized.
Online Associate Degrees
AA in Enterprise Development
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AS in Enterprise Development
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AA in Business Administration
- Required Credits: 62
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AAS in Occupational Health and Safety
- Required Credits: 62-63
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AAS in Computer Technology
- Required Credits: 61
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AA in Pre-Law Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 62-67
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AA/AAS in Child Development
- Required Credits: 63
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AA in General Studies
- Required Credits: 63
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AA in History and Political Science
- Required Credits: 62-64
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AA in Health - Physical Education and Recreation
- Required Credits: 62-63
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AA in Sociology and Psychology
- Required Credits: 62-64
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #3 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Degree Programs in Oklahoma #16 Best Online Colleges in Oklahoma 2024
Tuition + fees
$19K
Graduation
39%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at Mid-America Christian University
Cost of Degree: $19,896Expenses: $13,684Starting Salary: $44,700Cost Recoup Time: 8 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryMid-America Christian University is a private, four-year institution of higher education affiliated with the Church of God (Anderson). It was established in 1953 originally as South Texas Bible Institute in Houston, Texas, and was relocated to Oklahoma City in 1985. At present, the school offers three online Associate degree programs, specifically in General Studies, Pre-nursing, and Network Management & Security.
What we love about MACU:
It fosters an academic community dedicated to student growth and well-being while providing a Christian worldview.
MACU is ideal for students who:
Want to enroll in academic programs with purpose-driven coursework guided by Christian values and principles.
MACU might not be the best fit for students who:
Find low student-faculty ratios to be exhausting or uncomfortable, as professors closely monitor students’ progress.
Online Associate Degrees
AA in General Studies
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
Oklahoma 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 Florida, South Dakota, New Jersey, 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.
