by our College Data Analytics TeamWhen pursuing a college degree in today's world, there are many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its Best Associate Degree Colleges ranking as one thing you can use to help make this decision.
What's on This Page: * Our Methodology
After analyzing 1,330 schools in the United States, we came up with our list of those that offered the best associate degree programs. Our ranking for the best schools is based on objective factors. We steer clear of subjective measures since they don't give a clear picture when determining how one school compares to another. The following gives more info on what goes into our ranking factors and why we consider those factors.
The average early-career salary of those graduating with a associate degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. While associate degree recipients from schools in the United States earn an average starting salary of $35,806, those from the top 20 school on this list made an average of $40,734.
Another factor that we look at to determine a school's ranking is the average debt load that students take on while they are working on their associate degree. During their time at college, associate degree seekers from schools in the United States take out an average of $19,336. The average debt load at a particular school may not be bad, but it's an important thing to consider in conjunction with post-graduation earnings.
Our Best Associate Degree Schools considers other factors in addition to average post-graduation earnings and average student debt. On a broad level, other factors that go into our rankings include such things as the demand of the school, the student body caliber, if the school has online options, and the educational resources provided by the school.
To learn more, visit our best colleges ranking methodology page.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Washington University in St Louis to be the best school for associate degrees in the United States in this year’s ranking. WUSTL is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 14 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
A rank of #2 on our Best Associate Degree in the United States list means New York University is a great place for students working on their degree. NYU is a private not-for-profit institution located in New York, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 109 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from NYU make an average of $60,040 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $20,000.
A rank of #3 on our Best Associate Degree in the United States list means Southeastern University is a great place for students working on their degree. Located in Lakeland, Florida, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 197 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Associate students leave the school with an average of $13,145 in student loans.
A rank of #4 on our Best Associate Degree in the United States list means Thomas Jefferson University is a great place for students working on their degree. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 54 students in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $47,661 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $36,635 after getting their degree.
Out of the 1,330 associate degree schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, The New School landed the #5 spot on the list. New School University is a private not-for-profit institution located in New York, New York. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 167 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from New School University is $45,807 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $18,250 after getting their degree.
George Washington University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in the United States list. This large private not-for-profit school is located in Washington, District of Columbia, and it awarded 61 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a associate degree from GWU go into careers with an average salary of $35,205 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $11,500.
With a ranking of #7, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry did quite well on the 2023 Best Associate Degree Schools in the United States list. Located in Syracuse, New York, the small public school handed out 52 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Report
University of Phoenix - Arizona ranked #8 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in the United States list. University of Phoenix - Arizona is a large private for-profit school located in Tempe, Arizona that handed out 3,574 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $31,738 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $24,680 after getting their degree. This translates to an average monthly payment of $141 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
Ranken Technical College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in the United States list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 372 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $41,520 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $13,271 in student loans. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $131.
North Carolina State University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in the United States list. Raleigh, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 125 students in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from NC State make an average of $35,537 a year. Associate students leave the school with an average of $13,167 in student loans.
University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Associate Degree Schools in the United States ranking. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the large public school handed out 49 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from Pitt make an average of $43,591 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $20,875. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $270.
Read full report on University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus
American Public University System did quite well in the 2023 Best Associate Degree Schools in the United States ranking, coming in at #12. Charles Town, West Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 3,411 students in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a associate degree from American Military University make an average of $38,331 per year during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $19,979 after getting their degree.
Fashion Institute of Technology came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in the United States ranking. FIT SUNY is located in New York, New York and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,925 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
Those who receive a associate degree from FIT SUNY go into careers with an average salary of $20,231 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $11,833 after getting their degree. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $276.
With a ranking of #14, Virginia Tech did quite well on the 2023 Best Associate Degree Schools in the United States list. Located in Blacksburg, Virginia, the large public school handed out 30 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a associate degree from Virginia Tech go into careers with an average salary of $33,436 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $11,000 after getting their degree. Average monthly loan payments are around $291 for a 10-year repayment plan.
Purdue University - Main Campus ranked #15 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in the United States list. This large public school is located in West Lafayette, Indiana, and it awarded 50 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
University of Maryland Global Campus came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in the United States ranking. This large public school is located in Adelphi, Maryland, and it awarded 2,512 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a associate degree from UMGC go into careers with an average salary of $34,203 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $9,573 in student loans.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach did quite well in the 2023 Best Associate Degree Schools in the United States ranking, coming in at #17. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in Daytona Beach, Florida that handed out 38 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $52,944 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $18,074 in student loans.
Read full report on Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach
Excelsior College did quite well in the 2023 Best Associate Degree Schools in the United States ranking, coming in at #18. This fairly large private not-for-profit school is located in Albany, New York, and it awarded 2,266 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from Excelsior College make an average of $53,610 a year. Associate students leave the school with an average of $13,053 in student loans.
Roger Williams University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Associate Degree Schools in the United States ranking. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Bristol, Rhode Island, and it awarded 42 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $36,189 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $21,599 after getting their degree.
With a ranking of #20, Rutgers University - New Brunswick did quite well on the 2023 Best Associate Degree Schools in the United States list. Located in New Brunswick, New Jersey, the large public school awarded 37 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a associate degree from Rutgers New Brunswick make an average of $57,048 per year during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $17,899 after getting their degree.
With a ranking of #22, Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale did quite well on the 2023 Best Associate Degree Schools in the United States list. Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale is a private not-for-profit institution located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3,334 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a associate degree from Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale make an average of $32,693 per year during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $26,140 in student loans. This translates to an average monthly payment of $160 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
St Catherine University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in the United States list. St. Kate’s is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 354 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from St. Kate’s make an average of $53,180 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $37,074. This translates to an average monthly payment of $182 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Associate Degree Schools in the United States ranking, coming in at #24. University of South Florida - Main Campus is a large public school located in Tampa, Florida that handed out 224 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
University of Cincinnati - Main Campus came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in the United States ranking. Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, the large public school handed out 47 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from UC make an average of $40,605 a year. Associate students leave the school with an average of $18,534 in student loans. Average monthly loan payments are around $150 for a 10-year repayment plan.
Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
To learn more about the schools below, just click on their names:
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | Utah Valley University | Orem, UT |
| 52 | Lancaster Bible College | Lancaster, PA |
| 53 | Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte | Charlotte, NC |
| 54 | Purdue University Global | Indianapolis, IN |
| 55 | Northern Virginia Community College | Annandale, VA |
| 56 | Rockhurst University | Kansas City, MO |
| 57 | Widener University | Chester, PA |
| 58 | New England Institute of Technology | East Greenwich, RI |
| 59 | The University of Findlay | Findlay, OH |
| 60 | Foothill College | Los Altos Hills, CA |
| 61 | Yeshiva University | New York, NY |
| 62 | Golden West College | Huntington Beach, CA |
| 63 | DeVry University - Illinois | Chicago, IL |
| 64 | Oregon Institute of Technology | Klamath Falls, OR |
| 65 | Herzing University - Madison | Madison, WI |
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 191 | Campbell University | Buies Creek, NC |
| 192 | Dunwoody College of Technology | Minneapolis, MN |
| 193 | DeVry University - California | Pomona, CA |
| 194 | South University, Columbia | Columbia, SC |
| 195 | Florida State College at Jacksonville | Jacksonville, FL |
| 196 | Santa Barbara City College | Santa Barbara, CA |
| 197 | College of Southern Nevada | Las Vegas, NV |
| 198 | Augusta Technical College | Augusta, GA |
| 199 | Southern Regional Technical College | Thomasville, GA |
| 200 | Suffolk County Community College | Selden, NY |
These schools also performed well in our Best Associate Degree Schools ranking:
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 201 | Strayer University - Virginia | Arlington, VA |
| 202 | University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire | Eau Claire, WI |
| 203 | Edinboro University of Pennsylvania | Edinboro, PA |
| 204 | Champlain College | Burlington, VT |
| 205 | Tarrant County College District | Fort Worth, TX |
| 206 | La Salle University | Philadelphia, PA |
| 207 | Broward College | Fort Lauderdale, FL |
| 208 | Roosevelt University | Chicago, IL |
| 209 | Western Kentucky University | Bowling Green, KY |
| 210 | Hillsborough Community College | Tampa, FL |
| 211 | Lake Washington Institute of Technology | Kirkland, WA |
| 212 | University of Hartford | West Hartford, CT |
| 213 | Elgin Community College | Elgin, IL |
| 214 | Mt. San Antonio College | Walnut, CA |
| 215 | College of DuPage | Glen Ellyn, IL |
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 216 | Lake Superior State University | Sault Ste Marie, MI |
| 217 | Brenau University | Gainesville, GA |
| 218 | Rockland Community College | Suffern, NY |
| 219 | University of Massachusetts - Lowell | Lowell, MA |
| 220 | Oakton Community College | Des Plaines, IL |
| 221 | Orange Coast College | Costa Mesa, CA |
| 222 | Tennessee State University | Nashville, TN |
| 223 | Wake Technical Community College | Raleigh, NC |
| 224 | Salt Lake Community College | Salt Lake City, UT |
| 225 | Front Range Community College | Westminster, CO |
| 226 | University of Indianapolis | Indianapolis, IN |
| 227 | State Technical College of Missouri | Linn, MO |
| 228 | Northwest Kansas Technical College | Goodland, KS |
| 229 | Fresno City College | Fresno, CA |
| 230 | Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science | Paul Smiths, NY |
| 231 | Reinhardt University | Waleska, GA |
| 232 | University of Saint Francis - Fort Wayne | Fort Wayne, IN |
| 233 | Florida International University | Miami, FL |
| 234 | Gardner - Webb University | Boiling Springs, NC |
| 235 | New York City College of Technology | Brooklyn, NY |
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 236 | Richard Bland College of William and Mary | South Prince George, VA |
| 237 | Athens Technical College | Athens, GA |
| 238 | Ball State University | Muncie, IN |
| 239 | Rasmussen University - North Dakota | Fargo, ND |
| 240 | Ohio University - Athens Campus | Athens, OH |
| 241 | Moreno Valley College | Moreno Valley, CA |
| 242 | Southwestern Assemblies of God University | Waxahachie, TX |
| 243 | Ogeechee Technical College | Statesboro, GA |
| 244 | West Liberty University | West Liberty, WV |
| 245 | Ohio Christian University | Circleville, OH |
| 246 | Los Angeles Southwest College | Los Angeles, CA |
| 247 | Mitchell Technical College | Mitchell, SD |
| 248 | Shorter University | Rome, GA |
| 249 | Florida SouthWestern State College | Fort Myers, FL |
| 250 | Saint Leo University | Saint Leo, FL |
| 251 | DeVry University - Arizona | Phoenix, AZ |
| 252 | North Dakota State College of Science | Wahpeton, ND |
| 253 | Los Angeles City College | Los Angeles, CA |
| 254 | Trident Technical College | Charleston, SC |
| 255 | Pima Community College | Tucson, AZ |
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 256 | Nassau Community College | Garden City, NY |
| 257 | Sullivan University | Louisville, KY |
| 258 | Northeast Wisconsin Technical College | Green Bay, WI |
| 259 | College of the Canyons | Santa Clarita, CA |
| 260 | South Texas College | McAllen, TX |
| 261 | University of Akron Main Campus | Akron, OH |
| 262 | Community College of Aurora | Aurora, CO |
| 263 | Rivier University | Nashua, NH |
| 264 | Community College of Baltimore County | Baltimore, MD |
| 265 | Touro College | New York, NY |
| 266 | Century College | White Bear Lake, MN |
| 267 | Anoka Technical College | Anoka, MN |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
