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24 Best Associate in Business Programs 2020

By the GradReports team | Updated 4/1/2020

These 24 schools offer the best business degrees at the associate level based on student outcomes. Alumni of the business administration program at top-ranked McHenry County College have the highest annual entry-level median salary of $46,000. Second-ranked Excelsior College has the lowest median student debt on the list. Alumni of the associate in administrative and management studies program at Excelsior graduated with a median debt of $5,250.

Tuition, median salaries, and median debt were reported by the U.S. Department of Education in November 2019. View our methodology for more details about these rankings or read more about the top-ranked schools.

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Salary and debt data reported by the U.S. Department of Education
Salary and debt data reported by the U.S. Department of Education
Rank School Location Annual Tuition Median Debt Median Salary
#1 #1 Crystal Lake (IL) Crystal Lake (IL) $14,692 Not Reported $46,000
#2 #2 Albany (NY) Albany (NY) Not Provided $5,250 $45,700
#3 #3 Fountain Valley (CA) (and 3 others) Fountain Valley (CA) (and 3 others) $8,734 $9,250 $44,400
#4 #4 Worcester (MA) Worcester (MA) $10,774 $12,107 $44,200
#5 #5 Waterbury (CT) Waterbury (CT) $16,610 $34,929 $43,600
#6 #6 Trenton (NJ) Trenton (NJ) $9,556 $18,386 $43,200
#7 #7 Orem (UT) Orem (UT) $17,830 $11,757 $42,700
#8 #8 Manchester (NH) Manchester (NH) $9,600 $17,438 $42,500
#9 #9 Brooklyn Park (MN) Brooklyn Park (MN) $5,050 $20,509 $41,700
#10 #10 Saint Paul (MN) Saint Paul (MN) $6,318 $24,250 $41,500
#11 #11 White Bear Lake (MN) White Bear Lake (MN) $6,105 $25,972 $41,200
#12 #12 St. Leo (FL) St. Leo (FL) $27,050 $32,187 $41,100
#13 #13 Bedford (MA) (and 1 other) Bedford (MA) (and 1 other) $12,120 $7,292 $40,900
#14 #14 Norwalk (CA) Norwalk (CA) $10,324 $12,500 $40,700
#15 #15 Rosemount (MN) Rosemount (MN) $6,419 $13,295 $40,200
#16 #16 Charles Town (WV) Charles Town (WV) $7,360 $22,973 $40,000
#17 #17 Arnold (MD) Arnold (MD) $13,760 $11,500 $39,000
#18 #18 Edison (NJ) Edison (NJ) $6,876 $9,163 $38,900
#19 #19 Orange Beach (AL) Orange Beach (AL) $6,600 $16,137 $38,100
#20 #20 Multiple Locations Multiple Locations $32,320 $22,556 $37,900
#21 #21 Nationwide Nationwide $9,552 $21,750 $37,700
#22 #22 Rochester (MN) Rochester (MN) $5,670 $17,500 $37,400
#23 #23 Santa Rosa (CA) (and 1 other) Santa Rosa (CA) (and 1 other) $9,310 $6,500 $37,200
#24 #24 Greenville (SC) Greenville (SC) $10,202 $26,250 $36,100

2020 Best Colleges Highlights

Learn more about the top colleges for a Associate in Business degree. You can also read student reviews of each school by clicking on the stars. Although student reviews were not used as a ranking factor in this list, we provide ratings and reviews so students can consider the experience of alumni in their decision-making process.

#1
Crystal Lake (IL)
Median Salary $46,000
Median Debt Not Reported
Annual Tuition $14,692
Graduation Rate 29%

At McHenry County College, students can earn an Associate of Applied Science in Business Management. Students in the program receive a comprehensive education in business management that includes coursework in business procedures, management, and marketing strategies. Coursework focuses on practical, real-world applications through simulations, hands-on projects, and business scenario studies and discussions. Graduates of the program are qualified to pursue careers in operations, cost estimation, and sales management.

The business management program is delivered in person, allowing for engaging interaction and support among peers and professors. Classes are scheduled to accommodate the schedules of working adults. The average student completes the 60-credit degree program in 64 weeks. The program is suitable for individuals just entering the field as well as those currently employed in business who are seeking to enhance their knowledge and skills. McHenry County College also offers certificates in international business, entrepreneurship, and organizational leadership to complement the associate degree.

Visit McHenry County College's website.

#2
Albany (NY)
Median Salary $45,700
Median Debt $5,250
Annual Tuition Not Provided
Graduation Rate N/A

Excelsior College offers an Associate of Applied Science in Administrative and Management Studies. This program has a total of 60 credits and is fully accredited by both the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and the International Accreditation Council for Business Education. Enrolled students gain knowledge and skills applicable to a business setting through coursework in Microsoft Office applications, recruiting and hiring techniques, employee management, human resources, and business ethics and law. Students are required to complete a business analysis, identifying areas of strength, weakness, opportunity, and threats. This project provides students the opportunity to apply what they have learned in scenarios similar to those they will encounter upon graduation.

The administrative and management studies program is offered entirely online at a flexible pace and schedule.

Visit Excelsior College's website.

#3
Fountain Valley (CA) (and 3 others)
Median Salary $44,400
Median Debt $9,250
Annual Tuition $8,734
Graduation Rate 19%

Coastline College offers four business and business administration degree pathways to match each students’ academic and career goals. These programs include the Associate of Science in Business Administration, Associate of Arts in Business Administration, Associate of Science in Business, and Associate of Science in Business Administration for Transfer. Each degree offered by Coastline College requires the completion of 60 credits and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.

The college’s Associate of Science and Associate of Arts in Business Administration provides graduates the education to enter the workforce in a for-profit, non-profit, or public sector organization following graduation. Students enrolled in the Associate of Science in Business program can choose to specialize in one of four academic concentrations, including general business, business administration, human resources management, and marketing. The college’s Associate of Science in Business Administration for Transfer offers a curriculum tailored to students who wish to further their education with a bachelor’s degree in business administration upon graduation from Coastline.

Visit Coastline Community College's website.

#4
Worcester (MA)
Median Salary $44,200
Median Debt $12,107
Annual Tuition $10,774
Graduation Rate 19%
Student Reviews None (Add review)

Quinsigamond Community College’s business administration career program is a 61-credit course leading to an associate degree in business administration. The program includes instruction in the entire spectrum of administration, including finance, accounting, marketing, and management. Quinsigamond provides students with an understanding of modern business techniques, including computer and internet literacy, global marketing and business strategy, and business software, databases, and applications.

Students can choose to complement their studies through the completion of additional certificate programs, including those in accounting, business administration, entrepreneurship and small business management, and supply chain logistics. These courses enhance a student’s expertise in business administration, providing a fluent understanding of the world of business as a whole. Students at Quinsigamond have the flexibility of studying at the main QCC Worcester campus, the QCC Southbridge campus, or entirely online.

Visit Quinsigamond Community College's website.