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2023 Most Popular Online Nursing Associate Degree Schools

20 Schools Ranked
$8,532 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$19,692 Avg Student Debt

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for nursing students. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Or you may find the programs at a trade school or bootcamp to be a better alternative for you.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Nursing Degree Search has created the Most Popular Online Nursing Associate Degree Schools to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 20 schools in the United States to see which ones had the most popular online associate degree programs for nursing students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from schools with online programs.

Learn more about these popular schools with online programs:

#1

Excelsior College

Albany, New York
1,522 Total Awards
$15,946 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found Excelsior College to be the most popular school for nursing students who want to pursue a associate degree in the United States. Excelsior College is located in Albany, New York and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,522 associate degrees to qualified students.

Associate Degree recipients from Excelsior College accumulate an average of $15,946 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 84% were women.

Excelsior College is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.

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#2

Unitek College

Fremont, California
258 Total Awards
$23,323 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 20 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Unitek College landed the # 2 spot on the list. Unitek College is a small private for-profit school situated in Fremont, California. It awarded 258 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Associate Degree recipients from Unitek College accumulate an average of $23,323 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 82% were women.

If you are interested in distance education, Unitek College is an excellent choice, since the school is online.

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#3

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts

San Mateo, California
238 Total Awards
$21,393 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree. Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is located in San Mateo, California and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 238 associate degrees to qualified students.

By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,393 in student loans. Around 89% of those degree recipients were women.

Around 24% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts

#4

Amarillo College

Amarillo, Texas
204 Total Awards
$3,168 Average Tuition & Fees
$18,641 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Amarillo College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Online Nursing Associate Degree Schools list. Amarillo College is a medium-sized public school situated in Amarillo, Texas. It awarded 204 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $3,168 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Amarillo College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $4,704. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,641 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 85% were women.

During the 2019-2020 year, about 57% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Amarillo College Report

#5

Polk State College

Winter Haven, Florida
157 Total Awards
$3,366 Average Tuition & Fees
$15,235 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 20 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Polk State College landed the # 5 spot on the list. Polk State is a public institution located in Winter Haven, Florida. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 157 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Polk State is $3,366. Out-of-state students pay an average of $12,271. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,235 in student loans. Around 83% of those degree recipients were women.

Around 90% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Polk State College

#6

Vermont Technical College

Randolph, Vermont
149 Total Awards
$16,082 Average Tuition & Fees
$19,382 Avg Student Debt

Vermont Technical College ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Online Nursing Associate Degree Schools list. Vermont Tech is a small public school situated in Randolph, Vermont. It awarded 149 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Students from Vermont who attend Vermont Tech full time pay an average of $16,082 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $29,498. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,382 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 88% were women.

Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 42% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Vermont Technical College

104 Total Awards
$6,010 Average Tuition & Fees
$14,381 Avg Student Debt

Utah Valley University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Nursing Associate Degree Schools ranking. Located in Orem, Utah, the large public school awarded 104 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.

Full-time students from Utah pay an average of $6,010 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend UVU. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $17,092. On average, associate degree students take out $14,381 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 79% were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 70% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Utah Valley University Report

104 Total Awards
$4,397 Average Tuition & Fees
$16,411 Avg Student Debt

James A Rhodes State College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Nursing Associate Degree Schools ranking. Rhodes State College is a small public school situated in Lima, Ohio. It awarded 104 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

In-state students pay an average of $4,397 in tuition and fees if they attend Rhodes State College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,721. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,411 in student loans. Around 93% of those degree recipients were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 42% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full James A Rhodes State College Report

#9

Western Kentucky University

Bowling Green, Kentucky
101 Total Awards
$25,980 Avg Student Debt

Western Kentucky University landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree nursing programs. Located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, the fairly large public school awarded 101 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.

By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,980 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 91% were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 86% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Western Kentucky University Report

#10

LaGuardia Community College

Long Island City, New York
95 Total Awards
$5,218 Average Tuition & Fees
$10,677 Avg Student Debt

LaGuardia Community College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree nursing programs. Located in Long Island City, New York, the fairly large public school handed out 95 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.

In-state students pay an average of $5,218 in tuition and fees if they attend LaGuardia full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,098. Associate Degree recipients from LaGuardia accumulate an average of $10,677 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 85% were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 100% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full LaGuardia Community College Report

#11

Northwest Technical College

Bemidji, Minnesota
77 Total Awards
$6,380 Average Tuition & Fees
$32,265 Avg Student Debt

Northwest Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #11 on the list. NTC is a public institution located in Bemidji, Minnesota. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 77 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

NTC does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $6,380. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from NTC accumulate an average of $32,265 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 91% were women.

In 2019-2020 about 72% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Northwest Technical College

#12

Compton College

Compton, California
64 Total Awards
$1,142 Average Tuition & Fees

Compton College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree nursing programs. Located in Compton, California, the small public school awarded 64 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.

Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,142 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Compton College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,990. Of those students who received their degree, 91% were women.

Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 34% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Compton College

#13

Columbia College

Columbia, Missouri
62 Total Awards
$29,271 Avg Student Debt

Columbia College ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Online Nursing Associate Degree Schools list. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Columbia, Missouri, and it awarded 62 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

On average, associate degree students take out $29,271 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 90% of those degree recipients were women.

Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 78% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

45 Total Awards
$6,286 Average Tuition & Fees
$17,016 Avg Student Debt

Minnesota West Community and Technical College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Nursing Associate Degree Schools ranking. Minnesota West is a public institution located in Granite Falls, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 45 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

In-state students pay an average of $6,286 in tuition and fees if they attend Minnesota West full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,936. On average, associate degree students take out $17,016 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 78% were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 49% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Minnesota West Community and Technical College Report

#15

Bronx Community College

Bronx, New York
28 Total Awards
$5,206 Average Tuition & Fees
$12,530 Avg Student Debt

Bronx Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #15 on the list. This medium-sized public school is located in Bronx, New York, and it awarded 28 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at BCC is $5,206. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,086. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,530 in student loans. Around 82% of those degree recipients were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 100% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Bronx Community College

#16

La Roche University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
9 Total Awards
$31,570 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #16, La Roche University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 9 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.

If you want to attend La Roche, expect to pay an average of $31,570 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Of those students who received their degree, 89% were women.

Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 57% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#17

University of the Cumberlands

Williamsburg, Kentucky

University of the Cumberlands landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree nursing programs.

If you are interested in distance education, Cumberlands is an excellent choice, since the school is online.

Read full report on University of the Cumberlands

#17

University of Antelope Valley

Lancaster, California
$18,319 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #17, University of Antelope Valley did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.

Associate Degree recipients from UAV accumulate an average of $18,319 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 7% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full University of Antelope Valley Report

#17

Rasmussen University - Minnesota

St. Cloud, Minnesota
674 Total Awards
$13,558 Average Tuition & Fees
$27,551 Avg Student Debt

Rasmussen University - Minnesota ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Online Nursing Associate Degree Schools list. This small private for-profit school is located in St. Cloud, Minnesota, and it awarded 674 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $13,558 to cover tuition and fees at Rasmussen University - Minnesota. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,551 in student loans. Around 87% of those degree recipients were women.

Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 99% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#17

National University

La Jolla, California
$16,212 Avg Student Debt

National University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #17 on the list.

On average, associate degree students take out $16,212 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 39% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 20 schools only.

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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