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The 81 Most Affordable Online Liberal Arts Associate’s Degree Programs

Online liberal arts associates degree cost rankingsWhen choosing a degree most suited to academic and professional expectations, the aspiring online student must consider the layout of their future. By opting into an online liberal arts associate’s degree, students are considering a pliable and lucrative financial and personal plan. Associate of Liberal Arts programs offer broad based knowledge and transferable credits which are to be built upon by advanced degrees. For those unable to choose between varying interests in business, education, healthcare, communications, politics, law, and other occupations, this is the perfect place to start. Liberal arts jobs will see a varying rate of growth and decline throughout 2028, according to the BLS, with an outlook of negative 10 to positive 8 percent. By entering the workforce with an accredited degree, students are likely to find professions best suited to their goals. By using this degree as a transferable academic starting point, students are preparing themselves for success in the competitive fields of political science, English, history, graphic design, and more.

GetEducated has surveyed 171 online liberal arts associate’s degree programs from 156 regionally accredited four-year colleges to make your search easier. This “Best Buy” list is comprised of the most affordable options in the US. With tuition differences of up to $72,700, it is imperative to become an informed consumer before making one of the most substantial financial decisions of a lifetime.

Average Cost (In-state): ~$22,900
Least Expensive: Broward College ~ $5,660.00
Most Expensive: Fairleigh Dickinson University ~ $78,372.00

Our data-driven research creates a truly reliable system of scientific rankings. There are no fancy formulas here. We meticulously calculate total full-time tuition—including any fees—for the most accurate total cost. Our rankings cannot be bought, and therefore factually showcase the cheapest online liberal arts associate’s degree options. The online liberal arts degrees listed above the gray dividing line are official 2020 “Best Buys” and cost less than the national average.

81 Most Affordable Online Liberal Arts Associate’s Degree

RankSchool / DegreeStatePriceNote
1
Broward College
(FL)
$5,660.00
$17,904.00
In-State
Out-of-State
2
Eastern Florida State College
(FL)
$6,260.00
$24,365.60
In-State
Out-of-State
3
Great Basin College
(NV)
$6,495.00
$9,570.00
In-State
Out-of-State
4
Florida SouthWestern State College
(FL)
$6,681.60
$25,837.20
In-State
Out-of-State
5
Polk State College
(FL)
$6,733.20
$24,543.60
In-State
Out-of-State
6
College of Southern Nevada
(NV)
$6,775.00
$9,850.00
In-State
Out-of-State
7
Seminole State College of Florida
(FL)
$6,793.80
$23,443.20
In-State
Out-of-State
8
Western Nevada College
(NV)
$6,880.00
$9,955.00
In-State
Out-of-State
9
Daytona State College
(FL)
$7,062.80
$24,839.00
In-State
Out-of-State
10
Florida State College at Jacksonville
(FL)
$7,192.80
$14,013.00
In-State
Out-of-State
11
Pasco-Hernando State College
(FL)
$7,225.80
$24,978.00
In-State
Out-of-State
12
College of Central Florida
(FL)
$7,375.20
$26,892.00
In-State
Out-of-State
13
Georgia State University
(GA)
$7,620.00
All Students
14
Atlanta Metropolitan State College
(GA)
$7,625.00
All Students
15
Albany State University
(GA)
$7,670.00
All Students
16
Georgia Highlands College
(GA)
$7,828.00
$23,708.20
In-State
Out-of-State
17
Miami Dade College
(FL)
$7,993.20
$25,050.60
In-State
Out-of-State
18
Brazosport College
(TX)
$8,270.00
$11,510.00
In-State
Out-of-State
19
University of North Georgia
(GA)
$8,760.00
All Students
20
Bellevue College
(WA)
$9,078.00
$15,271.50
In-State
Out-of-State
21
South Texas College
(TX)
$9,180.00
$15,960.00
In-State
Out-of-State
22
Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology
(OK)
$11,100.00
All Students
23
Montana State University-Billings
(MT)
$11,112.56
$20,343.92
In-State
Out-of-State
24
Pierce College
(WA)
$11,138.40
$27,146.70
In-State
Out-of-State
25
Utah Valley University
(UT)
$11,640.00
$33,140.00
In-State
Out-of-State
26
Weber State University
(UT)
$11,972.52
$18,672.52
In-State
Out-of-State
27
Gods Bible School and College
(OH)
$12,900.00
All Students
28
Fort Hays State University
(KS)
$13,120.20
All Students
29
Cameron University
(OK)
$14,190.00
$34,914.00
In-State
Out-of-State
30
Georgia Military College
(GA)
$14,220.00
All Students
31
Ohio University
(OH)
$14,400.00
$14,580.00
In-State
Out-of-State
32
Lewis-Clark State College
(ID)
$14,684.00
$22,664.00
In-State
Out-of-State
33
Louisiana State University-Alexandria
(LA)
$15,040.00
All Students
34
MidAmerica Nazarene University
(KS)
$15,052.00
All Students
35
Arkansas State University
(AR)
$15,480.00
All Students
36
Mount Vernon Nazarene University
(OH)
$15,900.00
All Students
37
Thomas Edison State University
(NJ)
$16,150.00
$20,010.00
$15,298.00
In-State
Out-of-State
Military
38
University of Alaska Fairbanks
(AK)
$16,430.00
All Students
39
Central Methodist University
(MO)
$16,575.00
All Students
40
University of Maine at Fort Kent
(ME)
$17,010.00
$25,410.00
In-State
Out-of-State
41
American Public University System
(WV)
$17,300.00
$15,100.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
42
McNeese State University
(LA)
$17,320.92
All Students
43
University of Maine at Augusta
(ME)
$17,705.25
$21,365.25
In-State
Out-of-State
44
SUNY College of Technology at Canton
(NY)
$17,775.00
$20,595.00
In-State
Out-of-State
45
Amridge University
(AL)
$17,900.00
All Students
46
Indiana Wesleyan University
(IN)
$17,940.00
All Students
47
Waldorf University
(IA)
$18,120.00
$15,120.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
48
Western New Mexico University
(NM)
$18,165.00
$21,788.40
In-State
Out-of-State
49
Ball State University
(IN)
$18,200.00
$30,740.00
In-State
Out-of-State
50
Hampton University
(VA)
$18,600.00
All Students
51
Granite State College (part of University of New Hampshire)
Associate of Arts in General Studies 14
(NH)
$19,180.00
$22,240.00
In-State
Out-of-State
52
Southern New Hampshire University
(NH)
$19,350.00
$13,650.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
53
Clarion University of Pennsylvania (part of Pennsylvania Western University)
Associate of Arts in Arts & Sciences 14
(PA)
$19,658.80
$22,216.40
In-State
Out-of-State
54
Arkansas Tech University
(AR)
$19,747.00
$34,131.00
In-State
Out-of-State
55
Jackson College
(MI)
$19,822.80
$24,630.00
In-State
Out-of-State
56
Austin Peay State University
(TN)
$19,954.00
$26,014.00
In-State
Out-of-State
57
Oklahoma Wesleyan University
(OK)
$19,970.00
$17,030.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
58
Troy University
(AL)
$20,280.00
$15,000.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
59
University of Toledo
(OH)
$20,329.52
$39,049.52
In-State
Out-of-State
60
King University
(TN)
$20,425.00
$17,125.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
61
Rogers State University
(OK)
$20,438.00
$37,674.00
In-State
Out-of-State
62
Drury University
(MO)
$20,498.00
$16,158.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
63
Charter Oak State College
(CT)
$20,561.00
$26,845.00
$15,525.00
In-State
Out-of-State
Military
64
Grace Christian University
(MI)
$20,700.00
$15,000.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
65
Toccoa Falls College
(GA)
$20,720.00
All Students
66
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
(WI)
$20,820.00
All Students
67
Northern State University
(SD)
$21,075.00
All Students
67
South Dakota State University
(SD)
$21,075.00
All Students
67
University of South Dakota
(SD)
$21,075.00
$15,000.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
67
Dakota State University
(SD)
$21,075.00
$15,000.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
71
Tusculum University
(TN)
$21,100.00
All Students
72
Dickinson State University
(ND)
$21,145.80
All Students
73
Wichita State University
(KS)
$21,360.30
All Students
74
Holy Apostles College and Seminary
(CT)
$21,910.00
All Students
75
LeTourneau University
(TX)
$22,465.00
All Students
76
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
(LA)
$22,500.00
$11,520.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
76
Columbia College - MO
(MO)
$22,500.00
$15,000.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
78
Pennsylvania Western University
(PA)
$22,572.00
$23,532.00
$18,252.00
In-State
Out-of-State
Military
79
Notre Dame College (School Closing)
Associate of Arts in Liberal Studies 14
(OH)
$22,650.00
All Students
80
Saint Leo University
(FL)
$22,765.00
$15,565.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
81
Murray State University
(KY)
$22,836.00
$32,340.00
In-State
Out-of-State
NOTE: The following schools did not make our Best Buy ranking but are also great online options.
School / DegreeStatePriceNote
Wilmington University
(DE)
$23,060.00
$15,200.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
Bryan College
(TN)
$23,210.00
All Students
Shorter University
(GA)
$23,330.00
All Students
The Baptist College of Florida
(FL)
$23,500.00
All Students
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
(PA)
$23,600.00
$30,218.00
In-State
Out-of-State
Ohio Christian University
(OH)
$23,800.00
$16,000.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
Faulkner University
(AL)
$23,870.00
All Students
Trine University
(IN)
$23,940.00
$15,000.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
Bay Path University
(MA)
$24,000.00
$21,000.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
Columbia International University
(SC)
$24,120.00
All Students
Asbury University
(KY)
$24,132.00
All Students
Franklin Pierce University
(NH)
$24,200.00
All Students
Touro University Worldwide
(CA)
$24,200.00
All Students
Indiana Institute of Technology
(IN)
$24,290.00
All Students
Liberty University
(VA)
$24,296.00
$15,100.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
New England College
(NH)
$24,300.00
$11,250.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
Baker College
(MI)
$24,700.00
$15,400.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
Andrews University
(MI)
$25,010.00
All Students
Concordia University-Saint Paul
(MN)
$25,200.00
$15,000.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
University of Louisiana at Monroe
(LA)
$25,200.00
All Students
Southeastern University
(FL)
$25,380.00
All Students
Endicott College
(MA)
$25,446.00
All Students
Central Christian College of Kansas
(KS)
$25,500.00
All Students
Fisher College
(MA)
$25,600.00
All Students
Point University
(GA)
$25,600.00
All Students
Medaille College (School Closed)
Associate of Science in General Studies 14
(NY)
$25,650.00
$15,150.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
Campbellsville University
(KY)
$25,836.00
All Students
Southern Wesleyan University
(SC)
$25,925.00
All Students
Bethel University - MN
(MN)
$25,984.00
All Students
Colorado Mesa University
(CO)
$26,052.00
All Students
Belhaven University
(MS)
$26,090.00
$17,100.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
Eastern Kentucky University
(KY)
$26,176.00
$16,000.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
University of Northwestern St. Paul
(MN)
$26,400.00
All Students
Roger Williams University
(RI)
$26,447.00
All Students
Geneva College
(PA)
$26,460.00
All Students
Northwest Nazarene University
(ID)
$26,695.00
All Students
Central Baptist College
(AR)
$26,700.00
All Students
Barclay College
(KS)
$27,300.00
All Students
Limestone University
(SC)
$27,467.00
$15,191.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
Regent University
(VA)
$27,480.00
$18,200.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
Pennsylvania State University
(PA)
$27,976.00
All Students
Campbell University
(NC)
$28,140.00
$15,740.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
Crown College
(MN)
$28,140.00
All Students
Upper Iowa University
(IA)
$28,330.00
$15,070.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
Maranatha Baptist University
(WI)
$28,445.00
All Students
Eastern University
(PA)
$28,652.00
All Students
Hope International University
(CA)
$28,800.00
$16,800.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
Bushnell University
(OR)
$29,100.00
All Students
University of Massachusetts Global
(CA)
$30,000.00
$15,000.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
Brescia University
(KY)
$30,165.00
All Students
San Diego Christian College
(CA)
$30,528.00
All Students
Florida Institute of Technology
(FL)
$31,110.00
$15,250.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
Colorado Christian University
(CO)
$31,800.00
$18,660.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
University of the Incarnate Word
(TX)
$31,890.00
$15,090.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
Western Kentucky University
(KY)
$32,400.00
$15,000.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
Southwestern Assemblies of God University
(TX)
$32,654.00
All Students
Ashland University
(OH)
$32,775.00
All Students
Excelsior College
(NY)
$32,790.00
$15,260.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
National University (School Merged)
Associate of Arts/Associate of Science in General Education 14
(CA)
$33,400.00
All Students
Pace University
(NY)
$33,710.00
All Students
Chaminade University of Honolulu
(HI)
$35,070.00
$17,070.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
Manor College
(PA)
$36,044.00
All Students
Peirce College
(PA)
$37,335.00
All Students
City University of Seattle
(WA)
$38,070.00
$14,940.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
Mercy College
(NY)
$39,188.00
All Students
Villanova University
(PA)
$39,600.00
All Students
Golden Gate University
(CA)
$40,040.00
All Students
Brenau University
(GA)
$40,551.00
$16,090.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
Centenary University
(NJ)
$41,540.00
All Students
Syracuse University
(NY)
$41,700.00
All Students
Southwestern Adventist University
(TX)
$44,400.00
All Students
Alliance University
Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences 14
(NY)
$51,000.00
All Students
Hawaii Pacific University
(HI)
$54,750.00
$15,750.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
Dallas Baptist University
(TX)
$58,840.00
All Students
Fairleigh Dickinson University
(NJ)
$78,372.00
All Students

14 Options for this program have changed since publication.

Accreditation Note: To qualify for a ranking, a program must be regionally accredited. Additional programmatic accreditation is noted in the rank table.

Rankings Note: These online college rankings are based on a GetEducated Winter/Spring 2020 review of regionally accredited online liberal arts associate’s degree options. Total cost includes full-time tuition and fees and was valid at the time of collection and specific to the online learning program. School profiles for the Request More Information in our directory may reflect a slightly different cost based on different editorial update schedules. The published cost is an estimated sticker price for the entire online degree including fees. Actual costs may vary by student. Factors such as transfer credits, prerequisite courses, professional licensing and financial aid availability will affect final cost.

Editorial Note: Online schools do NOT pay to be included in any GetEducated online degree ranking. These rankings are editorially independent, open to any regionally accredited or candidate college that offers an associate’s degree that is available at least 80 percent through online learning and that is open to enrollment by the public. If your online college is regionally accredited and not currently reviewed by GetEducated, please contact us for inclusion.

These rankings of the cheapest online schools for liberal arts may NOT be re-posted online or reprinted in any format without a license from GetEducated ®. Consumer finance bloggers and writers can contact our editors for a free custom article on the best online liberal arts associate’s degrees for use on your website. Our mission: Help consumers GetEducated ® about the best online colleges for cost and credibility.