Guide to Online Associate's Degrees in Economics
If you’re fascinated with money, then an associate’s degree in economics might be for you. People with an economics degree often go into financial planning. They manage others people’s cash by investing it for them and making it grow. Sounds like fun, sure, but it’s actually a pretty big responsibility.
With an associate’s degree in economics, you’ll learn all about financial planning, budget analysis and planning, economic analysis, and much more. Basically, you’d learn how to look at our current economy, where it’s going, and make financial decisions based on the information you’re looking at.
You’ll study many business and finance issues in depth. For example, ever wondered just how wages are calculated? What to learn the theory of competition? With an economics associate degree, you will.
The careers that are open to you are fairly complex, but they’re exciting (if you love money) and financially lucrative. Just so you don’t skim down to the part to learn just how much you can make with an economics associate degree, we’ll go into right here. The good news is this: you can make anywhere from $60,000 to $100,000 or more as a financial analyst. Yep, this job pays well.
The bad news? You’re not going to make this amount of money with just an associate’s degree. At the minimum you’re going to need your bachelor’s degree in economics for a big firm to even look at you. This is a very complex career with a lot of responsibility. Any company is going to make sure you know what you’re doing before they start handing you clients (who, in turn, will be handing you their money). If you want to prove you’ve got the skills, you must go to school.
If financial planning doesn’t sound interesting to you, there are several other careers to consider. With an economics degree you could be a research assistant, teach, work with the government, work in a commercial bank, own your own business as a consultant, get involved in the insurance industry, help with market research, and much more. There is a lot you can do with an economics degree, so if you’re not into money then don’t get discouraged; you’ve got options.
So, what’s the skinny on getting an associate’s degree in economics? Well, it’s a smart move, but be prepared to stay in school to get your bachelor’s degree if you want to make good money in this field. It’s a complex area, and having a four-year degree will prove to potential employers that you know what you’re doing.
Guide to Online Associates Degree Programs
Associate degree holders generally have better job prospects than those with only a high school diploma. Earning an associate degree usually takes two years, and doing so in at an online school can be much more convenient than at a traditional campus. Below are the top accredited online schools offering associate degrees in the US.
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With one of the largest offerings of accredited online associate degrees, Post University is consistently highly rated by its students because of its flexibility and affordability. All associate degrees offered are fully accredited. Post was founded in 1890 and has been providing highly-rated degree programs to students ever since with an emphasis on practicality and application. Read full school profile » |
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The University of Phoenix was one of the first accredited colleges to offer online degrees. Today, it has grown to become one of the nation's largest universities through its online division and campuses coast to coast. They remain one of the top choices for students looking for an associates degree online because of the broad array of choice and affordability they offer students. Read full school profile » |
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With perhaps the largest number of online associates degrees offered, Kaplan University's degrees are fully accredited, affordable, and offer a flexibility that many other online schools cannot match. This unrivaled selection spans several industries, hundreds of specializations, and all degree levels of education, empowering students to choose their own path to a career. Read full school profile » |
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One of the nation's leading Christian universities, Liberty offers a broad range of accredited associate degrees online. Their incorporation of moral and ethical considerations into study make them a popular choice for students seeking a well-rounded education built on academic integrity. Established in 1985, Liberty University has one of the longest-standing online education programs in the country. Read full school profile » |
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The online associates degrees at Everest University can be completed in under 2 years, making this a great way for students to quickly works towards their life goals. An associates degree can give you a jump-start on your career and open opportunities around every corner. Many of the programs help students pursue positions in ever-growing fields. Read full school profile » |
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Virginia College offers a wide range of accredited associates programs. VC takes several steps in helping students pays for college by offering financial aid to those who qualify, including textbooks in the tuition cost, and providing online programs that can be completed under two (2) years, giving students a quick way to jump start their careers. Read full school profile » |
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DeVry University is a highly-regarded leader in education with campuses across the nation and several online degrees available. DeVry focuses on providing degrees centered in the technology industry or fields that require a broad understanding and need for technical skills. DeVry has several highly popular degrees like Accounting, Web Graphic Design, Health IT, and Network Systems Administration. Read full school profile » |
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Strayer University has over the last decade become one of the most respected schools offering accredited online associate degrees. Their strong reputation among employers, broad course offerings, and over one hundred years in education make them consistently a top choice for students. Strayer has over 85 campuses and 60,000 students currently attending online or at one of its campuses. Read full school profile » |







