10 Most Affordable Online Spanish Degree Programs

Being bilingual can be an asset in any career, and getting an online Spanish degree will make you fluent in the second most spoken language in the world. Jobs with a Spanish degree can range from teaching in a high school to working as a border control agent, working in business development or international television, and so many other careers. If you already speak Spanish or want to learn, you can use your language skills in jobs around the world.

ARTICLE NAVIGATION: What Can I Do with a Spanish Degree? | What Level Spanish Degree for the Best Jobs? | Is an Associate Degree Enough to Get Started? | 10 Most Affordable Programs: Associate, Bachelor, Master

What Can I Do with a Spanish Degree?

Some people who embark on a degree in Spanish are interested in teaching, perhaps high school, adult education, or higher education. High school teachers make a median salary of $62,870 per year, while adult education and ESL teachers make a median of $55,350. Others may be interested in becoming translators or interpreters, who make a median of $52,330 a year.

But the job possibilities for Spanish majors are actually much wider than just working with the language. Many businesses value bilingual employees as more capable of handling needs of their Spanish-speaking clients and business partners. Plus, being bilingual with Spanish gives you a leg up in any profession you may wish to pursue. For instance, nurses, customer service agents, salespeople, IT professionals, and many other jobs look to have bilingual team members to operate with flexibility and skill in two languages. Spanish is a terrific second language to have because it is spoken by about 600 million people worldwide, and by about 60 million in the United States. Jobs with a Spanish degree can take you anywhere in the world, and will enhance your job prospects in any profession you pursue.

The benefit of getting an online Spanish degree is in the way it sets you up for so many possible career fields—and with a skillset that can make you a very competitive hire. You can work in a job that directly involves language learning or translation, but you can also take your skills into business, finance, manufacturing, counseling, sales, marketing, engineering, law, medicine, or practically any other line of work that excites you. If you are wondering “what can I do with a Spanish degree,” the answer is: practically anything. For many careers, you will need additional training, but the basics of having your degree in Spanish will help you compete in the job market, putting you ahead of other applicants. Cons may be that you could need additional education to pursue more specialized careers that are not centered on the language itself. If you are not sure what you want to do with your future, and you are fascinated by Spanish language and cultures, then an online Spanish degree can be a great place to start.

What Level Spanish Degree for the Best Jobs?

With an interest in learning Spanish, or skills you already have in the language, getting a bachelor’s degree in Spanish online is a great undergraduate degree. A bachelor’s degree involves about 120 credit hours of classes, which includes general education requirements as well as courses for the major in Spanish. It takes about four years of full time study to get the bachelor’s.

If you aren’t ready to complete the whole four years that it normally takes to get the bachelor’s degree, you can begin by getting an online Spanish associate’s degree. An associate degree will take you about two years of full-time study and typically includes 60 credits of work. The associate degree will have some general education requirements, but many fewer than the whole bachelor’s degree. Plus, you can easily continue on to a bachelor’s degree and get credit for all of your work in the associate degree.

If you want to get to a more advanced level, you can opt for an online master’s degree in Spanish after you have a bachelor’s degree. A master’s degree program is usually about 36 credits long and can be completed in about two years of study. Some programs will allow students with undergraduate degrees other than those in Spanish language, but may require extra prerequisite courses.

As with many online degree programs, you can often opt to go to school part time while you continue to work and take care of your family. That is the great thing about an online master’s degree in Spanish or a bachelor’s degree in Spanish online—you can keep your current life going while you get your degree to get the extra skills and credential that you want to achieve your goals in life.

Is an Associate Degree Enough to Get Started?

An online Spanish associate’s degree gives you the important credential of a college degree, and with the skill in Spanish, it helps you qualify for entry-level jobs in many fields. What can you do with a degree in Spanish? You could be an administrative assistant, a bank teller, a property manager, a travel agent, a customer service agent, a salesperson for wholesale or retail goods, a computer support specialist, and so on. Most of these jobs don’t require a degree, but you will be more competitive for the best entry-level jobs with a degree and some fluency in Spanish. In the hot job market, having an associate’s degree can help employers see your potential and even consider hiring you into a position where there are education benefits to help you continue studying to get your bachelor’s degree. The important thing is to work in a job that you have a passion for, and one that can help guide you towards your next steps.

For most teaching or interpreting jobs with a Spanish degree, an associate’s degree in Spanish would not be enough. For teaching positions, you may need teacher certification and a bachelor’s degree in Spanish online. If you want to delve more fully into the language, going for the online master’s degree in Spanish would get you into translation and education jobs with the credential that most employers will require. But the benefit of starting with an associate degree is that it can help you get a good job while you consider what you want to do with your career. It is also the cheapest online Spanish degree. You may decide to continue on with Spanish, or you might opt to transfer to business, computer science, counseling, or any subject you choose. And the associate degree quickly gets you a credential so you can try your hand in the job market before you commit to further study in any subject.

10 Most Affordable Online Spanish Degree Programs

Online Spanish Associate’s Degree

1. Taft College

   Degree: Associate in Arts in Spanish
   Total Cost (In-State): $2,760
   Total Cost (Out-of-State): $18,240

   Taft College offers the Associate of Arts in Spanish for Transfer (AA-T) as a fully online program designed so students can transfer directly to a California State University to complete a bachelor’s degree in Spanish online. Students need to complete all courses with a grade of “C” or better to be eligible for transfer. High school students and students without a high school diploma may register for the program with some extra permissions, and students who place out of any course may take a substitute class to fulfill the credit requirements. There is support and counseling for transferring to college. The online AA in Spanish for Transfer is a terrific program for anyone seeking an online associate’s in Spanish, but especially for California students who wish to continue on to get their bachelor’s degree.

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   Associate in Arts in Spanish

    

2. Truckee Meadows Community College

   Degree: Associate of Arts in Spanish
   Total Cost (In-State): $6,915
   Total Cost (Out-of-State): $9,990

   The online AA in Spanish from Truckee Meadows Community College offers students a wide variety of interesting course options to complete the general education requirements for the degree. There are also great courses in the major, including Iberia and Its Cultures, Hispanic America and Its Cultures, and Spanish for Heritage Speakers. This AA degree is designed for those who wish to transfer to complete a bachelor’s degree in Spanish online, and the school has a transfer agreement with the University of Nevada – Reno. For students who seek an associate’s degree program in Spanish, Truckee Meadows has a program with many courses to satisfy the most curious minds wrapped into a convenient online degree program.

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   Associate of Arts in Spanish

    

3. East Mississippi Community College

   Degree: Associate of Arts in Spanish
   Total Cost (In-State): $8,400
   Total Cost (Out-of-State): $14,400

   East Mississippi Community College has designed its online AA in Spanish to have courses that are easily transferred to a four-year college to complete a bachelor’s degree. Students can complete all of their general education requirements and major classes online, and required courses include Introduction to Sociology I, Spanish I, and American National Government. Normally, students are required to submit ACT scores in addition to transcripts from high school and any other college attended, but test scores have been waived because of the pandemic. Financial aid is available for students, including many scholarships, plus the school offers support services for veteran and military students. IT support and library services are also available to students in this program. For a first-rate education at a very affordable price, the AA in Spanish from East Mississippi Community College offers a perfect online Spanish associate’s degree program.

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   Associate of Arts in Spanish

    

Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish Online

1. Eastern New Mexico University

   Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Spanish
   Total Cost (In-State): $27,960
   Total Cost (Out-of-State): $35,952

   The 100% online Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Eastern New Mexico University is the only program of its kind in New Mexico, with tracks for heritage or native speakers of Spanish as well as those looking to become bilingual. Courses in the program include Advanced Composition, Latin American Culture and Civilization, Transatlantic Survey, and Advanced Conversation and Film. The online lectures require students to be available for live sessions so they can interact with professors and peers. ENMU also has extra resources for students in the program, including tutoring, library services, and a month-long summer immersion program in Guatemala. There is assistance to transfer credits from prior study. For a robust and interactive program, ENMU’s bachelor’s degree in Spanish online is a terrific and cost-effective program for students from all over.

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   Bachelor of Arts in Spanish

    

2. Florida International University

   Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Spanish
   Total Cost (In-State): $28,287
   Total Cost (Out-of-State): $42,334
   

   Florida International University’s online BA in Spanish offers fall, spring, or summer start dates. Required courses include Advanced Grammar and Composition, Intro to Spanish American Literature, and Intro to Peninsular Spanish Literature. Electives can be selected from the topics of literature, cinema, translation, conversation, or upper-division language. For admission, students need to submit SAT or ACT scores, high school transcripts, and any college transcripts for transfer students. International students are welcomed. The program offers interactive online lectures, feedback from faculty, and collaboration with peers all with the convenience of online flexibility. Students are paired with a success coach to help them navigate the college experience and access everything FIU has to offer. The online BA program from FIU is a great choice for students serious about their studies but who need to study around their other work or personal commitments. It is an especially great bargain for Florida residents, but is also affordable for out-of-state students.

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   Bachelor of Arts in Spanish

    

3. University of North Alabama

   Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Spanish
   Total Cost (In-State & Out-of-State): $42,000
   

   There are three emphasis options for students in the online BA in Spanish from University of North Alabama: Language & Culture, Spanish for Commerce, or Literature. These options give students the ability to minor or double major in another field of their choice. Courses in the program include Intermediate Spanish, Intro to Hispanic Literature, and Senior Thesis. Students can access learning materials 24/7, as well as arrange to meet online or face-to-face with faculty. Online students pay the same low tuition rate no matter where they live, and there are scholarships and other ways to save money while earning the bachelor’s degree. With very affordable tuition for all students, and interesting options for a specialty in this major, the UNA online Spanish degree makes a great choice.

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   Bachelor of Arts in Spanish

    

4. Northern State University

   Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Spanish
   Total Cost (In-State & Out-of-State): $42,150
   

   Northern State University’s online BA in Spanish is completely asynchronous, meaning students can fit their schoolwork into any type of work or family life. It is also a great program for those who have previous college credits, as they offer a very inexpensive transfer credit policy. Courses in the major include Integrated Writing Conversation and Grammar, Intro to Latin-American Literature, and Texts, History, and Contexts in Spain and Latin America. Students can also take advantage of a 4-week intensive program in Chile during the summer. The SAT or ACT is not required for admissions but may be for scholarships, and there are many different criteria students can fulfill to qualify for admission. The online Spanish degree tuition price is the same for all students regardless of their location. With a strong curriculum, flexible scheduling, and low tuition, Northern State University has a great program for a bachelor’s degree in Spanish online.

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   Bachelor of Arts in Spanish

    

Online Master’s Degree in Spanish

1. University of Nebraska at Kearney

   Degree: Master of Science in Education / Spanish Education
   Total Cost (In-State): $12,769
   Total Cost (Out-of-State): $17,197

   The online Master of Arts in Education / Spanish from University of Nebraska at Kearney is 36 credit hours long and can incorporate study-abroad credits as part of the program. Applicants should have an undergraduate degree in Spanish, Spanish Education, or other major with a 3.0 minimum GPA. Advanced-low language proficiency is required, and an English statement of purpose and Spanish academic writing sample are also required to apply. Courses in the program include Spanish Language Heritage Pedagogy, Second Language Acquisition, and Curriculum Development and Research. The elective choices include Seminar in Contemporary Spanish Thought, Topics in Peninsular Literature and Culture, and Directed Readings in Spanish. They also offer a graduate certificate in Spanish for those who don’t need the full degree. With interesting courses, flexible scheduling, and study abroad options, the University of Nebraska MAE in Spanish is a great program for those seeking a cost-effective online master’s degree in Spanish.

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   Master of Science in Education / Spanish Education

    

2. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

   Degree: Master of Arts in Spanish Translation & Interpreting
   Total Cost (In-State): $14,255
   Total Cost (Out-of-State): $29,447
   

   The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s online MA in Spanish Translating and Interpreting covers skills for translating texts and simultaneous or consecutive interpreting. Other topics that will be touched upon include legal, medical, finance, and literary translation. The program also offers two program tracks: non-research and research. Courses in the program include Translation Theory, Translation Workshop – Spanish to English, and Consecutive Interpreting. Electives include Medical Interpreting and Terminology, Audiovisual Translation, and Business and Finance Translation. Applicants should have a 3.0 GPA in their undergraduate degree in a related field plus acceptable GRE scores, though these requirements may be waived for those with a translation graduate certificate or a license. Tuition for Texas residents is a bargain, and international or out-of-state students who receive scholarships or assistantships may also be eligible for resident tuition rates. For those who seek the highest quality education in Spanish translation and interpreting, the MA from UTRGV is an excellent choice.

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   Master of Arts in Spanish Translation & Interpreting

    

3. New Mexico State University

   Degree: Master of Arts in Spanish
   Total Cost (In-State & Out-of-State): $14,382
   

   New Mexico State University’s online MA in Spanish offers a choice of two areas of concentration: literature or linguistics. The 36-credit program takes two years to complete and has affordable tuition with additional discounts for military students. Courses in the linguistics track include Technology Enhanced Language Learning, Advanced Spanish Phonetics, and Spanish Sociolinguistics. For the literature track, classes include Hispanic Micro Fiction, Methods of Research and Literary Criticism, Advanced Culture and Literature of New Mexico, Advanced U.S.-Hispanic Film, and Contemporary Spanish-American Essay. In addition, students must fulfill a language requirement beyond English and Spanish, and will be required to pass a final exam during their last semester. International students are welcome. The NMSU online Spanish MA program is great for students who are looking for a very affordable online master’s degree in Spanish that allows choice in coursework and top-notch education.

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   Master of Arts in Spanish

    

Your Spanish Career Can Start Today!

What can you do with a degree in Spanish? Realize your dreams with one of the cheapest online Spanish degrees at any level from the list above without breaking the bank. Brush up your skill with an online Spanish degree so you can take the next step towards a career you will love.

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