Program guide · 2026–27
Associate degrees for adults going back to school.
A two-year college degree offered by community colleges, career colleges and online schools. Some are built around a specific career, and others are designed to count toward a bachelor’s degree later.
Free · About two minutes · Not a school or a government agency
- Typical length
- About 2 years
- full time, around 60 credits
- What you earn
- Associate degree
- an AA, AS or AAS
- Pell Grant
- Up to $7,395
- a year · most students receive less
Typical figures, not promises. Program length and cost are set by each school. Federal aid is decided by your FAFSA and the school you attend, and applying is free at studentaid.gov.
What it is
How associate degrees work.
An associate degree usually takes about two years of full-time study, or around 60 credits. Studying part time takes longer, and credit you already earned elsewhere can shorten it.
There are two broad kinds. An Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) is often built to transfer into a bachelor’s degree. An Associate of Applied Science (AAS) is focused on a specific career, and fewer of its credits may transfer.
Many community colleges and online schools schedule classes for working adults, in the evening, on weekends or entirely online.
A good fit if
- You want a college degree without committing to four years up front.
- You started college before and want your earlier credits to count.
- You may continue to a bachelor’s degree later and want a lower-cost first step.
Pick your field
Start with what you want to study.
Choose a field to skip ahead in the questions.
Paying for it
Grants that can help.
Associate degree programs at schools that take part in federal aid are generally eligible for the Federal Pell Grant. For 2026–27 the maximum is $7,395 a year for a full-time student. Most students receive less, and part-time students receive a smaller amount.
Pell is for undergraduates who do not already have a bachelor’s degree. The amount is based on financial need worked out on the FAFSA, not on your age or past grades, and to keep receiving it you need to make satisfactory progress in your program. Many states also run grants for residents at community colleges.
The school’s financial aid office decides your award after you file the FAFSA, which is free at studentaid.gov.
Before you enroll
Five questions to ask any school.
Whichever schools you look at, ask every one of them these questions. A good school answers them plainly.
Is the school accredited, and by whom?
Look for an accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. You can search any school in the Department’s DAPIP database.
Is this program eligible for Pell Grants and other federal aid?
Not every program at a school is, and some qualify only for federal loans. Ask about the specific program you want, not the school in general.
What will it cost me after grants?
Ask for the total: tuition, fees, books, equipment and any exam or license fees, minus the aid you would receive.
Which of my credits will you accept?
Ask for a transcript review before you sign anything. It is usually free and can shorten a program.
When and how are classes held?
Online, evenings, weekends, or set times on campus. Make sure the schedule works with your job and family.
Questions
About associate degrees.
Often some of them will. Each school decides which credits it accepts, so ask for a transcript review before you enroll. It is usually free.
Yes, many schools offer fully online associate degrees. Some fields, such as nursing, include in-person clinical hours.
AA and AS degrees are usually designed to transfer, and many states have agreements between community colleges and public universities. AAS degrees transfer less predictably. Check with the school you would transfer to.
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