Best Associate Degrees in Business

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*Tuition information is based on published tuition and required fees, per data by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

An associate degree in business administration is extremely versatile for the digitized and globalized economy. Core skills in business, learned through the degree program, allow you to effectively engage in multiple components of the business cycle at different scales of business. Individuals with an associate in business are also able to effectively manage businesses processes, allowing for current promotion to upper-level management positions, which provides stability to those who have the degree.

An associate degree is more affordable than other degree options. It also gives similar qualifications and teaches similar information. In general, the associate degree is more manageable to a wider array of people because degree programs can be structured for part-time students. It is also easier to get into associate programs; generally all you have to do is apply at your local community college.

Before choosing a business administration program, it is important to have a goal or career plan in mind. This will help you determine whether or not an associate degree is for you. There are a few major factors that should determine whether you should choose a specific business associate program.

The first major factor is the affordability of the program. Associate degrees are generally more affordable advanced degrees. Many local colleges also provide tuition reduction if you live in state or within the county or town. People may also want to go to local colleges to get their degree because they can live at home or they work part-time or take care of their family.

Another important factor is graduation and employment rate. These two statistics determine how strong the college alumni network and business connections are. It also may determine the difficulty of the program. Generally speaking, more difficult programs are looked at more highly by employers than less difficult programs.

The final factor is coursework structure. Depending on your employment goals, a specific degree in business administration may not be valuable to you. If you are looking to obtain a degree to help run or create a small business, an entrepreneurship degree may be a better option. Certificate programs in specific skills or online associate degrees are also good options for those looking to start a business.

Application and Admissions for Business Associate Degree Programs

Many degree programs in business administration are open enrollment, which means you only need to apply with general admission documentation. Other applications may require you to include your high school GPA, a letter of recommendation, or a basic work resume. Applications can cost around $50, and there may be some hidden fees included in enrollment, if you want to expedite the time it takes for the college to receive your high school transcript. Other colleges require you to pay for a student identification card immediately after enrolling. There are generally three periods for admissions: summer, fall, and spring. Admissions applications do not generally take that long to process; however, applicants should always apply sooner rather than later. Colleges, at any level, are strict about application dates.

It generally takes 60 credit hours to complete an associate degree. Colleges commonly count a class as three credits, because most classes meet three hours a week, which means you would complete a degree in four full-time semesters or about two years depending on whether you take breaks during the summer semester. Classes in business administration are taken in a classroom setting more often than not. However, some classes may require the use of a personal laptop or computer to access bookkeeping or financial software. Almost all colleges have computer labs and rentable laptops that have these programs.

An associate degree in business administration has different costs depending on whether you are a full- or part-time student or if you are an in-state or out-of-state student. In-state full-time students typically pay between $1,400 to $3,000 per semester, while out-of-state full-time students pay between $2,800 to $3,400 per semester. Full-time students take five classes per semester, while part-time students take between one and three classes. Part-time students are generally charged between $250 to $700 per course, no matter if they are in-state or out-of-state. Many colleges also offer tuition reduction for veterans and armed service members. You should also check if there are any additional fees like technological fees before applying. Some colleges also offer discounted or included bus shuttle services with their tuition.

Unlike bachelor's degrees in business, associate degrees in business administration follow more of a core curriculum and don't specialize within a given business field, such as finance, accounting, marketing, etc. However, students frequently take classes, similar to bachelor's common core classes, that are introductory courses into these topics. Applied courses take the form of elective courses or specializations, mattering a given colleges curriculum structure.

Popular courses include:

• Principles of Financial Accounting
• Principles of Marketing
• Principles of Finance
• Introduction to Business Law
• Business Communication

Graduates with an associate in business have a fairly high earning potential. Business associate students are prepared for jobs in a number of different types of companies ranging in scale. Many associate degree holders run small businesses or work for nonprofits, banks, or large multinational corporations. Common job roles include work as an administrative assistant, banker, customer service representative, sales associate, store manager, and sales supervisor. Associate students with additional internship experience and certificate coursework can apply for basic level business internships and transition into higher roles through that internship.

Begin a Career as a Sales Manager

While many sales managers have bachelor's degrees, many people within the role have associate degrees and work their way up from being a sales associate to a sales manager. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2020, sales managers made an annual income of $132,290 and expect to see a 4% increase in the total number of jobs over the next ten years. Sales managers direct and guide company sales teams. Top sales managers have understanding of managerial skills and have great people skills. Extroverted individuals and dedicated individuals are the most successful in this occupation. Sales managers should also be able to resolve customer issues, analyze sales statistics, and develop corporate sales strategies. Sales managers generally work in a larger office space and rarely work at home. There are open roles in sales all throughout the United States, so that gives you the freedom to live anywhere you would like within the country.

Begin a Career as a Accounting Clerk

Accounting clerks, also known as bookkeeping and auditing clerks, create financial records for companies and check existing financial records for accuracy. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, accounting clerks in 2020 made an annual income of $42,410 and expect to see a job decline of -6% over the next ten years. Contrary to this statistic, many accounting roles provide security and transition into high-paying jobs over time. The decrease in the number of jobs has to do with automated digital accounting tools being affordable. Accounting clerks may work independently by contracting work from nearby companies, or may work for a larger company focusing on the accuracy of internal financial reports. Accounting clerks generally have basic computer and mathematical skills. They often use spreadsheet programs like Microsoft Excel or other bookkeeping software. Accounting clerks are often on the more introverted side because they are able to do a lot of work independently.

Colleges that offer associate programs in business have to meet specific standards set by accreditation agencies. The most well-known organization for accrediting business associate programs is the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Standards may include specific coursework in a number of fields, professors who have obtained certain-related degrees or who have related work experience, and that the college fits specific legal qualifications allowing them to give degrees out. Students in accredited colleges are able to obtain financial aid and scholarship awards more easily; students in programs that aren't accredited aren't generally able to receive federally-granted financial aid.

After obtaining an accredited associate degree in business, you have a lot of new career opportunities to pursue. Modern societies develop around its economic landscape, profiting off of natural resources, technological development, and cultural entertainment. Prospective business students work within a certain facet of this either by selling, analyzing, or developing relationships with connecting global businesses. Those interested in careers in business should be aware of both broad and specific developments in the business world to increase their opportunities for a more secure and specialized occupation. Further education through certificate programs and advanced degrees is a great way to develop valuable skills to add to your resume. Advanced and additional degrees are likely to touch on some level of business relationship management and development, which should teach you valuable information to carry onto your future career endeavors.

As noted within the past few sections, many prospective employers are looking for individuals with advanced business degrees. If you obtain an associate degree at a public college or university, it is likely that you will be able to transfer into a larger state campus or state-satellite campus to extend your degree work towards a bachelor's degree. For business-specific associate degree transfers, your classwork can transfer in as business common core classes and as a few general common core classes; however, you will still have to take a few more general common core classes. You also will have to take major-specific classes in a related business field. You can choose to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in finance, management, HR, economics, international business, marketing, and business data analytics, or extend your class time by majoring in two subjects. You also may need to obtain a minor or cognate.

Many people choose to continue their business education through higher education. Students looking to obtain the highest degrees in business have to obtain a bachelor's degree first in a specific business field, then obtain a master's in that same field, and finally a doctoral degree in that field. As these degrees are obtained, an individual's job opportunities and pay brackets increase. Business career options are often limited by which degree you have obtained. Other options such as certificate programs qualify individuals in specific skills in business, which many employers are looking for.

Bachelor's Degree in Business

After obtaining an associate degree in business, many students continue their higher education and apply for bachelor's degrees. Bachelor's degrees also teach specific core business information, but also teach more about business theory, international business, and corporate business affairs. A bachelor's degree in business can be a degree in marketing, finance, economics, international business, management, accounting, human resources and supply chain management. Many students who have associate degrees in business and are looking to obtain a bachelors tend to stick to degrees in marketing, human resources, and management due to the similar coursework between the programs.

Master's Degree in Business

Master's programs are the next step in a business student's higher education. The Master of Business Administration degree teaches students advanced business information in a given business field. It also prepares students to take upper management roles and perhaps even executive roles in companies. These new job opportunities pay a lot more than the job opportunities you may get from a bachelor's or associate degree. Business students interested in continuing their education towards a master's should have letters of recommendations prepared from faculty and employers, and should have a high GPA and GMAT or GRE test scores.

Doctoral Degree in Business

A doctorate or PhD in a business-related field is the final step in the higher education process. Doctorate programs qualify students to teach business at universities and for the highest-level business occupations, such as a CEO, CFO, top-level economist, or the head of marketing for a company. PhDs in business include degrees such as economics, accounting, finance, marketing, business analytics, and management. As the business world becomes more interconnected, many more universities are also offering doctoral degrees in international business degrees.

Certificate Programs in Business

Business certificate programs are a more affordable, faster alternative to associate degrees. Certificate programs are available for individuals with different levels of education and can be taken online or in-person at a community college or university. Certificate programs generally teach a specialized set of skills, but can also teach similar curriculum to an associate degree. The major drawback to certificate programs is that certain employers look for more traditional degrees such as a bachelor's or associate on the resumes of potential hires.

Business students have a great variety of financial aid and scholarship options to choose from. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) loans are generally the safest option because it's backed by the United States federal government. FAFSA loans are available to American students depending on a few criterium mattering the type of loan. There are four major types of federal loans: direct subsidized loans, direct unsubsidized loans, direct PLUS loans, and direct consolidation loans. The most common of these loans is direct subsidized loans, which is determined based on a student's relative financial need. Direct unsubsidized loans and direct PLUS loans are only available for bachelors, graduate, and masters' students.

There are a number of scholarship options for associate business students. These awards vary in requirements based on individual demographics; such as age, veteran status, ethnicity, gender, and nationality. Business scholarships also generally have stricter educational requirements, like maintain a certain GPA. Certain companies may offer scholarships or may help pay for your tuition depending on future work requirements or to promote individual growth within the company. Colleges typically have lists of available scholarships, which should be your first reference when applying for scholarships. Many websites have online databases with available scholarships.