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What Can I Do With an Associate Degree?

By Zach Skillings
Zach Skillings is the Scholarships360 Newsletter Editor. He specializes in college admissions and strives to answer important questions about higher education. When he’s not contributing to Scholarships360, Zach writes about travel, music, film, and culture. His work has been published in Our State Magazine, Ladygunn Magazine, The Nocturnal Times, and The Lexington Dispatch. Zach graduated from Elon University with a degree in Cinema and Television Arts. Full Bio
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and Cait Williams
Cait Williams is a Content Writer at Scholarships360. Cait recently graduated from Ohio University with a degree in Journalism and Strategic Communications. During her time at OU, was active in the outdoor recreation community. Full Bio
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Edited by
Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania. Full Bio
Maria Geiger
Updated: September 25th, 2023

If you want to get a college education, attending a four-year school and earning a bachelor’s degree isn’t the only way to go. Associate degrees are a popular choice for students who want to save money, spend less time in school, and enter the workforce as soon as possible. In this guide, we’ll discuss what you can do with an associate degree. 

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What is an associate degree?

An associate degree is a type of postsecondary education credential. Associate programs are offered at community colleges, take two years to complete, and are relatively affordable compared to bachelor’s degree programs. Unlike many bachelor’s degree programs, which apply to a variety of career paths, associate degree programs usually prepare students to enter a specific field. 

Some students use their associate degree as a way to quickly learn a trade and enter the workforce. Others earn their associate and then transfer into a bachelor’s degree program. In the next section, we’ll talk more about the different paths you can pursue with an associate degree. 

Associate degree pathways

If you choose to earn an associate degree, there are two main paths you can choose from. The first option is to earn an occupational degree, which will prepare you to launch your career immediately after graduation. The other option is to earn an academic degree, which is meant to be paired with further education. Let’s discuss each type of degree more in-depth. 

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Occupational degrees 

Occupational associate degrees train students to immediately enter the workforce in a specific field. Students in these programs may take courses such as: 

  • English
  • Humanities
  • Basic math and science 

The most common types of occupational degrees are:

The Associate of Applied Science (AAS)

  • Math
  • Business
  • Science

The Associate of Applied Arts (AAA)

  • Communications
  • Arts
  • Humanities

Popular AAS fields of study include accounting, business administration, medical assistance, and computer support and operations. Some of the most common AAA programs include advertising, fine arts, and commercial music. 

Academic / transfer degrees

Also known as transfer degrees, academic associate degrees serve as a foundation for students pursuing bachelor’s degrees. They’re a popular option among students who want to earn a bachelor’s degree eventually, but don’t have the financial resources or academic record needed to immediately attend a four-year college. It’s common for students to start at community college, earn their associate degree, then use transfer credits to enroll in a bachelor’s degree program. 

Unlike occupational degrees, which are very hands-on in nature, academic degree programs are more oriented around classroom study. Students typically take more general education and liberal arts courses in preparation to continue their education at a four-year university. The two most common types of academic associate degrees are the Associate of Arts (AA) and the Associate of Science (AS). While academic degrees are typically used as a stepping stone to another school, in a lot of cases they can also be used to immediately enter the workforce. That’s why you should research your particular field and see what type of degree is expected for entry-level work. 

A word about transfer credits…

If your plan is to earn an associate degree then transfer to a four-year institution, it’s important to make sure your associate degree credits will actually transfer. Do your research beforehand to understand the requirements of the college that you’d like to eventually transfer to. After all, you don’t want to spend two years earning your associate degree then find out all your hard work counts for nothing at your new school. To learn more, check out this guide on how to transfer from a community college to a four-year university. 

Benefits of earning an associate degree

There are many great advantages to earning an associate degree. As mentioned previously, they are flexible degrees that can be used to either find a job or continue your education. They’re also cost-effective and take less time to earn than bachelor’s degrees. Let’s talk more about the benefits of associate degrees:

Save money 

One of the biggest benefits of earning an associate degree from a community college is the money you save. According to Education Data Initiative, the average annual cost of tuition for in-state community college is $3,400, compared to $9,308 at four-year in-state colleges. The cost of tuition is even higher at out-of-state four-year colleges, where the average annual price is $27,091. In the end, you can save up to tens of thousands of dollars by spending the first two years of school earning an associate degree, 

Less time in school 

If your goal is to receive an education and land a job as quickly as possible, then associate degrees are a great option. Most of the time, associate degree programs require two years of full-time study. You may even be able to earn your degree in less time by taking advantage of CLEP credits or college credits that you earned in high school. 

More flexibility 

Associate degree programs are great for students who are also juggling work and family obligations. Compared to four-year universities, associate degree programs at community colleges offer students a lot more flexibility to take part-time classes. Community colleges also tend to offer more online, evening, and weekend classes. All these options are designed to accommodate students with busy schedules. Check out our in-depth guide on the highest-paying associate degree jobs to learn more about these careers. 

Final thoughts

There are plenty of positives to earning an associate degree. Associate degree programs allow you to save time and money while gaining the skills needed to land a job in your desired field. Plus, you can always continue your education and earn a bachelor’s degree if that’s still on your radar. If you want to learn more about alternative education options, check out our guide on the top certificates to earn. If you hope to maximize your earning potential, check out highest paying careers to consider. No matter what career you choose or what route takes you there, be sure to apply to all the scholarships you qualify for!

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Key Takeaways

Key Takeaways

Key Takeaways

  • An associate degree can open doors to lots of jobs in areas like the medical field, communications jobs and other technical jobs 
  • Some of the biggest benefits to associate degrees stretch beyond what you can do with them and include benefits like cost, flexibility and less time in school
  • Some associate degrees will be better suited to help you transition into a four year degree, while others may be all you need to hit the ground running and find the job you’ve always dreamed of
  • If you’re not sure if an associate degree is right for you, you should reach out to someone at the college you are looking to attend for more information and advice about what your options are, it can never hurt to gather as much information as possible before making any choices
Key Takeaways

Frequently asked questions about what to do with an associate degree

Is an associate degree enough to get a job?

An associate degree may very well be all you need to get the job of your dreams! While a degree is not something that will always guarantee you a job, it is something that can give you a competitive edge. Before signing up for an associate degree program, you should look into what the job prospects are for individuals with those degrees and what your chances of getting hired may look like after graduating.

Are online associate degrees worth it?

Online associate degrees can be just as good as one that you may receive in person. Online programs offer you flexibility that in person programs may not. It’s important, however, to thoroughly vet any online programs that you may be interested in before making any commitments or payments. It’s also important to make sure that any online programs you’re interested in are accredited.

Why is a four year degree better than a two year degree?

A four year degree is generally held in higher regard than a two year degree because of the variety of subjects you are able to study and the commitment that they require. During a four year degree, you will be able to take more courses that provide more in depth knowledge of your future field. While a two year degree may be a great jumping off point, a four year degree will likely be the better option if your future plans involve any kind of masters or graduate school programs.