Kickstart your industry career with an AAS accounting online degree. An AAS, or an associate of applied science degree, is a credential that prepares students for direct entry into the field. Expand your entry-level accounting career opportunities with an AAS accounting degree and land jobs in finance, accounting, bookkeeping, economics, banking, and more.
Unlike an AS in accounting, an AAS accounting online program does not necessarily set students up for transfer to a four-year degree program. An AAS provides more practical and theoretical courses focused on the career field wherein studies are directly applicable to the workplace. There are also fewer general education courses required for an associate of applied science in accounting since it is not a transfer-centric program. Plus, online AAS accounting degrees are incredibly affordable! But with their growing popularity, the difference in price between the cheapest and most expensive programs is still a stifling $50,000! Considering that there is typically a big cost difference between in-state and out-of-state community colleges, it pays to research the right program for your location as well as your professional goals.
GetEducated has compared the cost of 134 AAS accounting online degrees from 123 programmatically accredited schools to bring you this ‘Best Buy’ list. Our editorially independent listing reveals AAS accounting online programs that cost less than the current national tuition average for this degree.
ARTICLE NAVIGATION: Rankings Table | Career Guide
Average Cost (In-state): ~$12,700
Least Expensive: Isothermal Community College ~$5,160.00
Most Expensive: Berkeley College ~$55,300.00
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 AAS accounting online programs. The online applied accounting and finance degrees listed above the gray dividing line are official 2022 “Best Buys” and cost less than the national average.
Most Affordable AAS Accounting Online
| Rank | School / Degree | State | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Isothermal Community College | (NC) | $5,160.00 $17,640.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
2 | Davidson-Davie Community College | (NC) | $5,195.00 $17,675.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
3 | Wayne Community College | (NC) | $5,276.00 $18,140.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
4 | Lenoir Community College | (NC) | $5,286.60 $17,958.60 | In-State Out-of-State |
5 | Haywood Community College | (NC) | $5,287.50 $17,767.50 | In-State Out-of-State |
6 | Fayetteville Technical Community College | (NC) | $5,296.00 $17,968.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
7 | Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute | (NC) | $5,297.00 $18,161.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
8 | Mohave Community College | (AZ) | $5,340.00 $17,490.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
9 | Wilson Community College | (NC) | $5,403.06 $18,267.06 | In-State Out-of-State |
10 | Stanly Community College | (NC) | $5,453.00 $18,317.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
11 | Surry Community College | (NC) | $5,571.00 $18,435.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
12 | Craven Community College | (NC) | $5,727.00 $19,167.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
13 | Yavapai College | (AZ) | $5,795.00 $22,997.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
14 | Central Carolina Community College | (NC) | $5,818.00 $18,874.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
15 | Nash Community College | (NC) | $5,820.00 $19,260.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
16 | Wake Technical Community College | (NC) | $5,852.00 $18,908.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
17 | Edgecombe Community College | (NC) | $5,896.00 $18,760.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
18 | Highland Community College | (KS) | $6,300.00 | All Students |
19 | Metropolitan Community College Area | (NE) | $6,900.00 $10,100.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
20 | York County Community College | (ME) | $6,950.40 $12,710.40 | In-State Out-of-State |
21 | Kennebec Valley Community College | (ME) | $6,991.80 $13,644.60 | In-State Out-of-State |
22 | Great Basin College | (NV) | $7,035.00 $10,320.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
23 | Central Texas College | (TX) | $7,140.00 $14,880.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
24 | Coastal Pines Technical College | (GA) | $7,280.00 $13,580.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
25 | Atlanta Technical College | (GA) | $7,464.00 $13,864.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
26 | Great Falls College Montana State University | (MT) | $7,711.24 $13,766.44 | In-State Out-of-State |
27 | Central Maine Community College | (ME) | $7,728.00 $13,488.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
28 | Ogeechee Technical College | (GA) | $7,880.00 | All Students |
29 | Albany Technical College | (GA) | $7,890.00 $14,290.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
30 | Wiregrass Georgia Technical College | (GA) | $7,924.00 $14,324.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
31 | West Georgia Technical College | (GA) | $8,004.00 $14,704.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
32 | College of Southern Nevada | (NV) | $8,043.25 $8,714.25 | In-State Out-of-State |
33 | Dallas College | (TX) | $8,100.00 $12,000.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
34 | Augusta Technical College | (GA) | $8,175.00 $14,575.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
35 | Baltimore City Community College | (MD) | $8,248.00 $18,448.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
36 | Washtenaw Community College | (MI) | $8,256.00 $8,768.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
37 | Hinds Community College | (MS) | $8,400.00 $14,500.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
37 |  East Mississippi Community College | (MS) | $8,400.00 $14,400.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
39 | Casper College | (WY) | $8,700.00 $21,300.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
40 | Lorain County Community College | (OH) | $8,799.44 $16,681.08 | In-State Out-of-State |
41 | Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas | (AR) | $8,820.00 $9,120.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
42 | Lakeshore Technical College | (WI) | $8,967.60 $13,197.60 | In-State Out-of-State |
43 | Shoreline Community College | (WA) | $9,147.36 $10,610.16 | In-State Out-of-State |
44 | Northwood Technical College | (WI) | $9,300.00 $13,530.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
45 | Moraine Park Technical College | (WI) | $9,306.00 | All Students |
46 | South Texas College | (TX) | $9,360.00 $16,140.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
47 | Lamar Institute of Technology | (TX) | $9,540.00 $34,020.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
48 | Barton Community College | (KS) | $9,600.00 | All Students |
49 | Cowley County Community College | (KS) | $9,670.00 $12,646.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
50 | Western Technical College | (WI) | $10,133.28 $14,504.28 | In-State Out-of-State |
51 | Laramie County Community College | (WY) | $10,147.50 $24,007.50 | In-State Out-of-State |
52 | Southwest Virginia Community College | (VA) | $10,188.75 $23,032.75 | In-State Out-of-State |
53 | Milwaukee Area Technical College | (WI) | $10,192.00 $14,326.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
54 | Sauk Valley Community College | (IL) | $10,230.00 | All Students |
55 | Brightpoint Community College | (VA) | $10,240.00 $15,424.00 $11,584.00 | In-State Out-of-State Military |
56 | Northcentral Technical College | (WI) | $10,412.90 $14,783.90 | In-State Out-of-State |
57 | Ivy Tech Community College | (IN) | $10,473.00 $12,022.80 | In-State Out-of-State |
58 | New River Community College | (VA) | $10,488.85 $23,895.55 | In-State Out-of-State |
59 | Milwaukee Area Technical College | (WI) | $10,529.80 $14,801.60 | In-State Out-of-State |
60 | Columbus State Community College | (OH) | $10,675.80 $21,208.20 | In-State Out-of-State |
61 | Clark State College | (OH) | $10,886.79 $19,538.58 | In-State Out-of-State |
62 | Rose State College | (OK) | $10,930.50 $24,321.15 | In-State Out-of-State |
63 | Blinn College District | (TX) | $11,100.00 $20,640.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
64 | Saint Louis Community College | (MO) | $11,286.00 $15,378.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
65 | Hudson Valley Community College | (NY) | $11,460.00 $12,060.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
66 | Lakeland Community College | (OH) | $11,542.40 $22,934.40 | In-State Out-of-State |
67 | Illinois Eastern Community College District | (IL) | $11,551.00 | All Students |
68 | Stark State College | (OH) | $11,800.60 $19,669.60 | In-State Out-of-State |
69 | Northern Virginia Community College | (VA) | $11,872.00 $24,848.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
70 | Chemeketa Community College | (OR) | $11,880.00 | All Students |
71 | Blue Ridge Community College - VA | (VA) | $11,979.60 $25,386.30 $13,554.10 | In-State Out-of-State Military |
72 | Edison State Community College | (OH) | $12,000.30 $21,446.10 | In-State Out-of-State |
73 | Lone Star College System | (TX) | $12,120.00 $15,420.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
74 | Stark State College | (OH) | $12,179.80 $20,306.80 | In-State Out-of-State |
75 | Southwest Wisconsin Technical College | (WI) | $12,289.36 $17,221.54 | In-State Out-of-State |
76 | Chemeketa Community College | (OR) | $12,408.00 | All Students |
77 | Tidewater Community College | (VA) | $12,418.45 $25,825.15 | In-State Out-of-State |
78 | Cincinnati State Technical and Community College | (OH) | $12,448.32 $23,072.64 | In-State Out-of-State |
79 | Finger Lakes Community College | (NY) | $12,515.00 $14,491.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
80 | Herkimer County Community College | (NY) | $12,576.00 $18,944.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
81 | Rhodes State College | (OH) | $12,614.85 $24,327.20 | In-State Out-of-State |
82 | Northwest Iowa Community College | (IA) | $12,640.00 | All Students |
83 | Portland Community College | (OR) | $12,642.70 $24,927.70 | In-State Out-of-State |
84 | Cincinnati State Technical and Community College | (OH) | $12,642.96 $23,435.92 | In-State Out-of-State |
| School / Degree | State | Price | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
St. Cloud Technical and Community College | (MN) | $12,705.60 | All Students | |
University of Cincinnati | (OH) | $12,756.00 $13,476.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Dakota County Technical College | (MN) | $12,772.20 | All Students | |
North Hennepin Community College | (MN) | $12,785.40 | All Students | |
Lake Superior College | (MN) | $12,831.00 | All Students | |
Montana State University-Billings | (MT) | $12,850.56 $22,094.40 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Northeast Iowa Community College | (IA) | $12,852.00 $14,364.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Minnesota State Community and Technical College | (MN) | $12,978.00 | All Students | |
Des Moines Area Community College | (IA) | $13,056.00 | All Students | |
Minnesota State College Southeast | (MN) | $13,066.80 | All Students | |
Anoka-Ramsey Community College | (MN) | $13,171.20 | All Students | |
Horry-Georgetown Technical College | (SC) | $13,256.00 $21,416.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Trident Technical College | (SC) | $13,257.62 $22,569.02 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Northeast Iowa Community College | (IA) | $13,260.00 $14,820.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Minnesota West Community and Technical College | (MN) | $13,323.00 | All Students | |
Southwestern Community College - IA | (IA) | $13,600.00 | All Students | |
Riverland Community College | (MN) | $13,741.80 | All Students | |
Tompkins Cortland Community College | (NY) | $13,790.00 | All Students | |
Klamath Community College | (OR) | $13,841.00 $20,703.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Williston State College | (ND) | $13,884.28 | All Students | |
Dakota College at Bottineau | (ND) | $14,034.00 | All Students | |
Rio Salado College | (AZ) | $14,761.00 $15,310.00 $13,785.00 | In-State Out-of-State Military | |
Prince George's Community College | (MD) | $15,040.00 $21,160.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Iowa Lakes Community College | (IA) | $15,460.00 | All Students | |
Front Range Community College | (CO) | $15,849.40 $24,132.40 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Jackson College | (MI) | $16,662.00 $24,882.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Lehigh Carbon Community College | (PA) | $16,860.00 $24,120.00 $9,600.00 | In-State Out-of-State Military | |
Pikes Peak State College | (CO) | $16,936.40 $25,219.40 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Raritan Valley Community College | (NJ) | $17,315.00 | All Students | |
Bay de Noc Community College | (MI) | $17,360.00 $20,646.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
University of Alaska Fairbanks | (AK) | $18,120.00 | All Students | |
Western Dakota Technical Institute | (SD) | $20,832.00 | All Students | |
Southeast Technical College | (SD) | $21,045.00 | All Students | |
Montgomery County Community College | (PA) | $21,390.00 $30,938.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Northampton County Area Community College | (PA) | $22,080.00 $32,576.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Community College of Philadelphia | (PA) | $23,239.00 $33,717.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Harper College | (IL) | $26,037.00 $30,718.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
University of Northwestern Ohio | (OH) | $29,700.00 | All Students | |
Monroe University | (NY) | $32,852.00 | All Students | |
National American University | (SD) | $33,210.00 $16,574.40 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Pennsylvania College of Technology | (PA) | $36,534.00 | All Students | |
Bryant & Stratton College | (NY) | $37,655.00 | All Students | |
Berkeley College | (NJ) | $55,300.00 | All Students |
Accreditation & Program Notes
To qualify for a ranking, a program must be regionally accredited. Additional programmatic accreditation is noted in the rank table.
14 Options for this program have changed since publication.
IACBE International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education
ACBSP Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
Rankings Note
These online college rankings are based on a GetEducated Winter 2021 review of AAS accounting online programs offered at two year institutions. 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 online associate degrees 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 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 an applied accounting associate’s degree 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 AAS accounting online for use on your website. Our mission: Help consumers GetEducated ® about the best online colleges for cost and credibility.
Career Guide: AAS Accounting Online
For some students, a four-year degree is the right choice. For others, a master’s or even a doctorate, which requires nearly a decade of education, is the perfect path to the career of their dreams.
But others do not want to spend years, nearly a decade, in the classroom. They don’t want to pay for four, six, or ten years of college education. They want to get a fast, focused education and move on to a high-paying career in two year or less.
For these people, an associate’s degree, such as an AAS accounting online degree, is the prefect choice. AAS accounting online programs allow you to transition from the classroom to the career field, and they let you do so in less time and with a lower cost.
One of the top advantages, perhaps the top advantage, is affordability. While pricing can always change (in fact, it’s guaranteed to change), these degrees offer a world-class education at an extremely low price. As of writing this article, the most affordable AAS accounting online program was only $5,160, while the average cost for these programs was around $12,700. Compared to a bachelor, a master’s, and certainly a doctorate, which can easily approach hundreds of thousands of dollars, these degrees are some of the most affordable you can find.
Don’t assume that fast and affordable also means low-quality. As you’ll discover, these degrees help you become an expert in accounting and finance, teaching you cutting-edge skills that can apply to a wide range of careers.
What to Expect from this Degree
During these AAS accounting online degrees, you’ll take a wide variety of classes. Accounting and finance, it should be remembered, are two separate skills. In a simplified summary, accounting focuses on recording past activity, while finance focuses on planning future activity. (Again, this is a simplified summary.) The classes you take will reflect these differences.
First, let’s look at what they have in common. Both an AAS accounting online program and an associate degree in finance will include general studies courses, such as mathematics, writing, and humanities. It will also likely include some business-related courses, such as the principles of management or professional development and training.
An AAS accounting will also cover your specialization or major. For accounting programs, you can look forward to classes such as payroll accounting, computerized accounting, microeconomics, and taxation. In a finance degree, the classes will be more about financial planning and forecasting, and may include financial management, corporate finance, individual savings plans, and other important topics.
There will certainly be overlap. In both of these types of programs, you can expect classes that include micro- and macroeconomics, the details of banking, and even a few business-focused classes, such as business law or project management.
When searching for an AAS accounting online program that will transition into a fruitful career, it’s important to look for degrees that are fully accredited. For these programs, you should look for accreditation through the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE) and the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Most of these programs are delivered through a college or university’s business school, so accreditation through a business-focused organization in critical. With proper accreditation, your degree will have more respect in the job market.
Popular Careers after an AAS Accounting Online Degree
Accounting Clerk
- Salary: $42,410
- Education: Some college
- Experience: Some training required
A bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerk is responsible for the production of financial records, usually for a company or organization. Using software, spreadsheets, and databases, they maintain financial records for future reference, taxation purposes, and decision making.
Financial Analyst
- Salary: $83,660
- Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Experience: None
Although this career may require additional education, a financial analyst is responsible for guiding businesses and individuals to make the right choices with their money. This can include investments and insurance, as well as savings plans. An associate’s degree in finance could provide a start to this career, although future education and certification may be required, as most of these careers require a bachelor’s degree.
Additional Requirements for Accounting or Finance Careers
To work in accounting or finance, you will likely need some form or licensing. Most business and management careers do not require licensing, but if you are going to provide public accounting services or buy and sell financial products on a client’s behalf, licensing is likely required.
Regardless of licensing requirements, if you are going to work in one of these careers, certification can be useful, especially if you have an associate’s degree and want to distinguish yourself from other job candidates who may have a bachelor’s. Bookkeeping, for example, could benefit from the Certified Bookkeeper (CB) designation, which is awarded by the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers.