Top 5 Online Associate Programs in Business Administration
Updated November 8, 2022
Online Associates Programs in Business Administration
An Associates degree in business is a great way to begin a successful corporate career and pursuing an online associates in business administration could be the perfect option for those who are balancing full-time employment and/or family duties along with their educational pursuits. Students who plan to get in-depth business knowledge and get an advanced degree in business management often start with an associate’s degree. Typically, it is a two-degree that one can complete from a university, community college or an online college. In fact, there is a rising trend of opting for an online associate’s degree which students can pursue along with an existing college course or a full-time job.
An associate’s degree in business administration is a stepping stone to a high-paying job and lucrative career. Employers like to see a proactive candidate who has taken that extra step to earn a degree while working or raising a family. It also takes less time to complete and is often more affordable than other options which makes it easy for students to earn quality credentials without incurring huge student’s debts. Young students who are still undecided about what career they want to go into, opt for this degree since adds to their experience and helps in any profession they undertake.
Students who complete an online two-year degree in business can get entry-level jobs in sales, administrative, marketing, and various office management positions. This kick-starts their career and helps them earn while they pursue an advanced degree. Students who go on to earn a bachelor’s degree in business administration can get their associate’s credits transferred and earn their degree in a shorter time. They can also combine it with another compatible associate degree to improve their job prospects. It’s a great way to build on one’s skills, qualifications, and experience. In most cases, an online associate’s degree in business administration gives a pretty good return on relatively small investment money and time.
For more general information regarding online learning visit our ranking of the top online colleges.
Featured Online Business Schools
Ranking The Best Online Associate Degrees in Business Administration
The following colleges feature the top five business administration associate programs of 2021. Each school holds either national or regional accreditation, and some also receive accreditation from business administration-specific agencies. Accreditation signifies that a program meets industry standards.
Relevant accrediting agencies for this ranking include:
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
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Carl Albert State CollegeLocation
Poteau, OK
Tuition$4936
Graduation Rate44%
Based in Poteau, Oklahoma, CASC features 32 degree programs and 82 faculty members. CASC holds the 11th-highest graduation rate for community colleges, features a campus in Sallisaw, and offers eight degrees and three certificates completely available online.
Associate of Arts in Business Administration
CASC's Division of Business and Technology offers an online associate of arts in business administration degree. The 62-credit program requires students to take at least 15 units in residence and offers three concentrations. Students choose from concentrations in accounting, business education, and organizational leadership.
General education courses comprise 40 credits. The business emphasis requires 22 credits in courses such as financial and managerial accounting and principles of macroeconomics and microeconomics. Students typically complete the curriculum over four semesters.
Applying to CASC
First-time students must test with the ACT or NextGen ACCUPLACER prior to admission. High school concurrent students may take a test or simply enroll.
Program at a Glance
School Type: Public
Accreditation: HLC
Tuition: $91/credit (in state); $229/credit (out of state)
Required Credits: 62 credits
Program Length: 4 semesters
Delivery Format: Online -
State Fair Community CollegeLocation
Sedalia, MO
Tuition$4351
Graduation Rate30%
Located in Sedalia, Missouri, SFCC offers classes in other six locations and online. SFCC enrolls nearly 5,000 students annually and features more than 300 faculty members. SFCC boasts a 19-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio.
Associate of Applied Science in Business Management with Management Specialty.
SFCC's 64-credit associate of applied science in business management features coursework that prepares students for leadership, solution creation, and problem analysis situations in business roles.
The curriculum requires classes including personal finance, principles of management, customer service management, and microcomputer applications. Students prepare for careers as business owners or to pursue a bachelor's degree in business. Additional classes required for the 64-credit curriculum include principles of financial accounting, legal environment of business, and employment strategies.
Applying to SFCC
Prospective applicants may fill out the free online application and reach out to admissions counselors for any important questions before enrolling in classes. The associate of business administration program does not require any prerequisites.
Program at a Glance
School Type: Public
Accreditation: HLC
Tuition: $117/credit (in district); $175 (in state); $237/credit (out of state)
Required Credits: 64 credits
Program Length: 2 years
Delivery Format: Online, on campus, or hybrid -
Thomas Nelson Community CollegeLocation
Hampton, VA
Tuition$6627
Graduation Rate20%
Located in Hampton, Virginia, Thomas Nelson enrolls almost 11,000 students annually, 25% of whom have military affiliation. TNCC offers three academic divisions, small class sizes, affordable tuition, and flexible schedules.
Associate of Science in Business Administration
Thomas Nelson's Division of Arts, Business, Humanities, and Social Science offers an associate of science degree. The program prepares students who plan to pursue four-year business degrees. Students complete core courses in English, history, and math, also studying important business topics such as accounting and economics.
Possible courses include principles of macroeconomics, principles of accounting, principles of management, and probability and statistics for business and economics. TNCC's program features several agreements with other state and national universities for those who graduate with the degree.
Applying to Thomas Nelson
Prospective students must complete the online application, set up their online accounts, and meet with advising and admissions counselors to assess and evaluate their preparedness for their degree of choice.
Program at a Glance
School Type: Public
Accreditation: SACSCOC
Tuition: $156/credit (in state); $332/credit (out of state); $156/credit (military)
Required Credits: 60 credits
Program Length: 4 semesters
Delivery Format: Online or on campus -
New River Community CollegeLocation
Dublin, VA
Tuition$6741
Graduation Rate32%
Based in Dublin, Virginia, NRCC features small classes for students interested in beginning their pathway to a four-year college or university. New River emphasizes working closely with other students. Faculty at this school teach in more than 40 academic programs.
Associate of Arts and Sciences in Business Administration
NRCC's two-year business administration associate degree requires 60-61 credits over four semesters. Students complete classwork in principles of accounting, humanities electives, statistical analysis for business, and principles of macroeconomics.
The program builds a liberal arts background and meets math requirements and elective portions of the curriculum. NRCC recommends that students consult with an academic advisor about the requirements of their transfer institution.
Applying to New River
First-time college students must submit an online application, complete English and math testing, and meet with a college advisor at NRCC.
Program at a Glance
School Type: Public
Accreditation: SACSCOC
Tuition: $154/credit (in state); $330/credit (out of state)
Required Credits: 60-61 credits
Program Length: 4 semesters
Delivery Format: 100% online -
Western Nebraska Community CollegeLocation
Scottsbluff, NE
Tuition$5610
Graduation Rate26%
Based in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, WNCC offers more than 70 degrees, certificates, and diplomas. Ninety-three percent of WNCC graduates pursue further education or join the workforce, and 96% of Panhandle schools partner with the school through the CollegeNow! program.
Associate of Arts in Business Administration
The WNCC associate of arts in business administration program features three track options in accounting, business administration, and management information systems. The coursework covers the first two years of a bachelor's degree and helps students with the principles, concepts, and theories that occur in business industries.
Students complete 18 credits in the business core, plus 31-32 credits in general education coursework. Core business classes include principles of macroeconomics and microeconomics, international relations, and introduction to sociology.
Applying to WNCC
Applicants to the business administration program at WNCC must be 17 years of age or older, complete the online application, and submit any GED, SAT, or ACT documentation. Students may also choose to take the Next-Generation ACCUPLACER test.
Program at a Glance
School Type: Public
Accreditation: HLC
Tuition: $106/credit (in state); $110/credit (out of state)
Required Credits: 61-62 credits
Program Length: 2 years
Delivery Format: 100% online
Featured Online Management Programs
Find a program that meets your affordability, flexibility, and education needs through an accredited, online school.