Top 10 Best Free Online Associate’s Degree Programs

free online associate’s degree programs

Top 10 Best Free Online Associate’s Degree Programs – Are you looking for a low-cost or free college education? Surprisingly, such choices exist in modern academics! Various free online universities provide free online degrees to alleviate the financial stress of higher education. Tuition-free education is currently available for students at reputable, recognized, and highly-ranked schools. Some colleges and universities even provide tuition-free choices for all students, regardless of color, gender, or financial need. Today we will cover the top 10 best free online associate’s degree programs. 

Top 10 Best Free Online Associate’s Degree Programs

  • Alice Lloyd College
  • Rio Grande Valley College
  • Great Basin College
  • Warren Wilson College
  • Tallahassee Community College 
  • Berea College
  • Broward College
  • Alvin Community College
  • Curtis Institute of Music

1. Alice Lloyd College

Alice Lloyd College is a private trade school near Pippa Passes, Kentucky. It offers one of the best free online associate’s degree programs. As of 2014, Alice Lloyd College’s courses included 18 major degree programs and eight pre-professional programs. There is a 20:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Ninety-five percent of Alice Lloyd College alumni are admitted to graduate and professional institutions.

Online degrees in business management, liberal arts, sociology, and sports and fitness are available to students. Alice Lloyd offers to provide tuition-free education to pupils residing in specific Central Appalachian counties. While some students receive free tuition, others who live on campus may be required to pay for housing and board. Work-study hours and grants (both state and federal) are available to help offset costs.

2. Rio Grande Valley College

RGV College, founded in 2008 in the border city of Pharr, Texas, was the vision of educators and entrepreneurs who directed the institution’s rise into one of the most sought-after vocational schools in the Rio Grande Valley for its A+ grade level curriculum. RGV College was founded on the concept that everyone, regardless of color, age, previous education, or economic background, may benefit from Vocational Education.

This two-year college is completely approved and provides some of the most affordable associate’s degrees. These online associate’s degree programs include a strong emphasis on health care. While programs are not online, students can take online classes to reduce time spent in the classroom owing to lab work and clinical requirements. Rio Grande Valley focuses on vocational education. 

The programs available emphasize the skills required to work as medical assistants, medical billers, patient care technicians, and phlebotomists. The school does, however, offer an associate’s degree in nursing. 

3. Great Basin College

Great Basin College is a public college located in Elko, Nevada. Elko College, which opened in 1967, was later renamed Northern Nevada College and eventually to its current name. It is part of the Nevada System of Higher Education and has 3,836 students.

Associate degrees, such as the Associate of Arts (A.A.) and the Associate of Science (AS), are generally two-year programs that prepare graduates to transition to a four-year program. The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree is a two-year program that prepares graduates for entry-level positions or career or technical sector advancement.

Great Basin College is a fully approved university that is now permitted to provide online degrees to students in all states. The university also has a student-faculty ratio of 16-1 and an open admissions policy.

GBC improves people’s lives by offering student-centered postsecondary education in rural Nevada. GBC students benefit from excellent academic programs, smaller class sizes, and outstanding faculty who genuinely care about their students. 

4. Warren Wilson College

Warren Wilson Institution is located near Swannanoa, North Carolina. It is a private liberal arts college and offers one of the best free online associate’s degree programs. It is well-known for its curriculum, which mixes academics, employment, and service by requiring all students to finish a required course of study, work an on-campus job, and undertake community service. Warren Wilson is one of only nine institutions in the Work Colleges Consortium and one of the few colleges in the United States that requires students to work for the university in order to graduate.

Warren Wilson College has established a tuition-free program for North Carolina residents who qualify for federal and/or state need-based financial assistance. Tuition-free enrollment is available for full-time students admitted to Warren Wilson for the first time. 

According to the college, Warren Wilson scholarships will cover the remainder of student tuition after federal or state financial assistance is applied (merit or athletic). If scholarships are unavailable, need-based grants and work grants will be applied. The institution guarantees that student loans will not be used to pay tuition.

5. College of the Ozarks

The College of the Ozarks is a private Christian university in Point Lookout, Missouri. The institution has 1,426 students and offers over 30 academic majors in Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees. The institution has a significant endowment, which allows full-time students to graduate debt-free owing to scholarships, fellowships, and several work-study programs. 

Furthermore, as part of the institution’s debt-free purpose, students work on-campus in college-provided positions. Still, no money is transferred between an employee (the student) and the employer (the college). 

Students instead receive compensation in the form of free tuition. Full-time students must work 15 hours per week during the academic year and two forty-hour weeks during vacations. U.S. News and World Report has accredited and ranked the College of the Ozarks.

6. Tallahassee Community College 

Tallahassee Community College (TCC) is a community college in Tallahassee, Florida. It is a member of the Florida College System and has received accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Tallahassee Community College offers a wide range of online associate’s degree programs. TCC offers popular and reasonably priced online associate degree programs in criminal justice technology, early childhood development, education, nursing, and paralegal and legal studies. 

The school offers a general associate in arts degree for students who want to finish their general education credits before moving to a four-year university. The TCC online experience, according to the school’s website, is great for those who work full-time and need to manage their outside duties with their education. TCC is a nationally known educational institution that provides fully approved online programs and classes.

7. Berea College

Berea College is a private liberal arts work college. Berea College, founded in 1855, was the first coeducational and racially integrated college in the Southern United States. The Tuition Promise scholarship ensures that no enrolled student has to pay tuition. Berea students instead pay an average of $1,000 for accommodation, food, and student fees. In addition, the school provides financial support for textbooks, substantially reducing expenditures. 

Berea’s dedication to debt-free education enables students to acquire degrees without debt. In comparison to national trends, Berea graduates have minimal or no debt. Berea is a well-regarded Christian university that is also fully accredited.

8. Broward College

Broward College is a public college located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It belongs to the Florida College System. It was founded in 1959 as part of an effort to extend Florida’s two-year college system.

Broward College provides low-cost associate degree online programs in practically every field. Broward College offers online degrees in business, education, health science, humanities, science and technology, social, behavioral sciences, and human services. Furthermore, according to the school’s website, alumni from Broward’s programs earn more than graduates from similar programs throughout Florida. 

Aside from earning potential, Broward provides some of the most affordable online associate’s degree programs on our list. In addition to being one of the most inexpensive colleges, Broward is ranked as a top regional college in the South by U.S. News & World Report.

9. Alvin Community College

Alvin Community College (ACC) is a public community college located in Alvin, Texas. Alvin Community College offers educational possibilities in workforce development, academics, technical professions, adult basic education, and personal development.

Alvin Community College offers three low-cost associate degree programs online. Management, psychology, and sociology A.A. degrees are available. A completely online certificate management program is provided in addition to the A.A. degrees. ACC offers online courses in a range of subjects in addition to the online programs mentioned above. 

Students who participate in online choices generally work or have other responsibilities that prevent them from attending regular on-campus classes. ACC has some of the most affordable online associate’s degree programs, with tuition of less than $1,700 per year. Furthermore, the college is officially accredited.

10. Curtis Institute of Music

Curtis Institute of Music is one of our top picks that offers free online associate’s degree programs. The institution, recognized as a top conservatory, gives instruction and education to outstanding musicians and prepares them for careers as professional performing artists. Curtis is extremely selective and only accepts the top students. All accepted students, regardless of financial need, receive full-tuition scholarships based on merit. 

The school recognizes talent rather than necessity. Some courses are available for students to educate themselves through free open and online courses; nevertheless, degrees are only offered to those who learn on campus.

Frequently Asked Questions

As a specialist music institution, Curtis is very selective, with an admittance rate of slightly over 5%. An application, SAT or ACT scores, and a high school transcript is required.

An online Associate Degree in General Studies, Liberal Studies, or Education is the easiest to obtain. Although the curriculum for these online associate degree programs is adaptable, how easily you find your courses will rely on your learning talents and learning style.

Broward College provides bachelor’s degree programs in a variety of high-demand fields. After completing an A.A. or A.S. degree, or 60 appropriate college-level courses, you may be entitled to apply for admission to one of the following bachelor’s degree programs.

References

  • https://www.warren-wilson.edu/
  • https://www.collegevaluesonline.com/rankings/cheapest-online-associates-degree/
  • bestcollegesonline.org/most-affordable/free-online-colleges/
  • https://worldscholarshipvault.com/free-online-associate-degrees/
  • https://best-universities.net/resources/free-online-colleges/

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