With an online associate’s degree in supply chain management, you can successfully pursue a variety of academic and professional goals in the field of logistics. The following ranking is for students seeking better entry-level opportunities and aspiring leaders interested in more advanced studies. Below, you will find online AA and AS degrees, associate of applied science (AAS) programs, and associate of applied business (AAB) degrees as well.
Online associate of science and art degrees in supply chain management will prepare students for transfer into more advanced logistics programs at four-year institutions. It is essential to research these degrees based on your location and tuition costs, and whether your credits will transfer to the next program you want to pursue. On the other hand, AAS and AAB degrees are more career-centric, offering practical and theoretical courses directly applicable to the field. Often these degrees will prepare you for leadership and supervisory roles in lieu of a bachelor’s degree. No matter your goals in the operations and logistics field, an online associate’s degree in supply chain management is an excellent way to start.
GetEducated compared 37 associate’s in supply chain management from 32 regionally accredited online schools to create this ranking. Below is our editorially independent list of the 10 ‘Best Buys’ for an affordable online associate’s degree in supply chain management. Each online operations degree program costs less than the national average.
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Average Cost (In-state): ~$11,000
Least Expensive: Coastline Community College ~$2,824.00
Most Expensive: National American University ~$33,210.00
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 associate’s degree in supply chain management programs. This rank includes both transfer and job ready degrees in supply chain, operations and logistics management. Associate degrees listed above the gray dividing line are official 2022 “Best Buys” and cost less than the national average.
Most Affordable Online Associate’s Degree in Supply Chain Management
| Rank | School / Degree | State | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Coastline College | (CA) | $2,824.00 $19,924.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
2 | Forsyth Technical Community College | (NC) | $5,196.00 $17,484.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
3 | Davidson-Davie Community College | (NC) | $5,271.00 $17,943.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
4 | Forsyth Technical Community College | (NC) | $5,272.00 $17,752.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
5 | Vance-Granville Community College | (NC) | $5,360.50 $18,224.50 | In-State Out-of-State |
6 | Wake Technical Community College | (NC) | $5,536.00 $17,824.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
7 | Wake Technical Community College | (NC) | $5,615.00 $18,095.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
8 | Pima Community College | (AZ) | $5,702.50 $13,724.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
9 | Edgecombe Community College | (NC) | $5,720.00 $18,200.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
10 | Florida State College at Jacksonville | (FL) | $6,292.80 $13,113.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
11 | Albany Technical College | (GA) | $7,292.00 $13,392.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
12 | Washtenaw Community College | (MI) | $7,740.00 $8,220.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
13 | Lakeshore Technical College | (WI) | $8,967.60 $13,197.60 | In-State Out-of-State |
14 | Shoreline Community College | (WA) | $9,147.36 $10,610.16 | In-State Out-of-State |
15 | Cuyahoga Community College District | (OH) | $9,983.88 $18,347.59 | In-State Out-of-State |
16 | Laramie County Community College | (WY) | $10,147.50 $24,007.50 | In-State Out-of-State |
17 | Northcentral Technical College | (WI) | $10,244.95 $14,545.45 | In-State Out-of-State |
18 | Chippewa Valley Technical College | (WI) | $10,374.60 $15,471.60 | In-State Out-of-State |
19 | Ivy Tech Community College | (IN) | $10,473.00 $12,022.80 | In-State Out-of-State |
20 | Palo Alto College | (TX) | $10,480.00 | All Students |
| School / Degree | State | Price | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Columbus State Community College | (OH) | $11,387.52 $22,622.08 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College | (WI) | $11,479.56 $16,038.09 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Chemeketa Community College | (OR) | $12,276.00 | All Students | |
Kentucky Community and Technical College System | (KY) | $12,322.00 | All Students | |
Hagerstown Community College | (MD) | $12,480.00 $16,080.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Herkimer County Community College | (NY) | $12,560.00 $18,928.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
University of Cincinnati | (OH) | $12,756.00 $13,476.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Volunteer State Community College | (TN) | $14,340.00 $19,380.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Vincennes University | (IN) | $14,778.40 $18,179.20 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Georgia Military College | (GA) | $15,930.00 | All Students | |
Indiana Wesleyan University | (IN) | $17,940.00 $15,000.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
 American Public University System | (WV) | $18,500.00 $15,100.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
 Colorado Christian University | (CO) | $31,020.00 $17,880.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
National American University | (SD) | $33,210.00 $16,574.40 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
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 online associate’s degree in supply chain management 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 associate degree in supply chain management 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 associate’s degree in supply chain management for use on your website. Our mission: Help consumers GetEducated ® about the best online colleges for cost and credibility.
Career Guide: Online Associate’s Degree in Supply Chain Management
Supply chain and logistics management is one of the most important and fastest-growing professions in our global economy. To understand this profession, it helps to take a closer look at the terms “supply chain” and “logistics.” A supply chain refers to all the connection points for how a product is made, stored, distributed, and sold. At one end of the metaphorical chain there are raw materials; at the other end there is a consumer using a final product. All the different links, from material extraction to production to assembly to storage to shipping and much, much more, make up the supply chain.
“Logistics” is similar, and often used interchangeably with “supply chain.” Logistics generally refers to the flow of things, basically ensuring that all the materials and people are in the right place at the right time. They are similar, and intersect in man ways, but there are subtle differences that are important to these careers.
These careers are interesting and exciting. They present professionals with unique yet engaging challenges, making this one of the most stimulating and appealing careers.
Why an Associate’s Degree in Supply Chain Management?
If you think a career in supply chain or logistics would be right for you, you’ll need an education of some kind. While a bachelor’s degree could be a fine route, many students will launch their careers with an online associate’s degree in supply chain management. These degrees are fast and effective educations that allow you to start a career in less time and, often, with less money.
The cost of an associate’s degree, regardless of the academic focus, is usually much cheaper than a four-year bachelor’s degree. It’s not only more affordable in total, it’s often less expensive per semester and per credit hour. When this article was written the average cost of an online associate’s degree in supply chain management was around $11,000, while the lowest cost was $2,824. Prices are subject to change, and these numbers are for example only, but they show just how affordable an associate’s degree can be. (For official pricing, speak with the school’s administration.)
One of the top advantages to these degrees is that they give you options. With these programs, you’ll have the chance to go straight into a career in supply chain and logistics. Many of the programs are intended to deliver career-ready skills, allowing you to go from the first day in the classroom to the first day on the job in two years or less. However, you can also transfer the education into a bachelor’s degree; if you have an associate’s, you can likely complete a bachelor’s with just another two years of study. (Be sure to research transferable credits before enrolling.)
What to Expect from an Associate’s in Supply Chain and Logistics
If you enroll in an online associate’s degree in supply chain management, you’ll engage in a variety of classes that make you more knowledgeable in logistics, organization, leadership, and technology, specifically software and programs used to manage the supply chain.
Specific classes will change depending on the program, but you can expect classes to include productions and operations, the management of information systems, purchasing, and transportation management. Contracting, product acquisition, retail transportation, and the economics of product storage are all aspects that you may study during an online associate’s degree in supply chain management.
You may also take classes that are focused on overall business, subjects that are important to supply chain management but can also apply to businesses of all types. For example, you may take classes that include the principles of leadership, human resources, economics, and marketing.
These classes prepare you for a variety of unique and engaging careers.
Popular Careers in Supply Chain Management
Logistician
- Salary: $76,270
- Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Experience: None
These professionals analyze and coordinate the supply chain, overseeing the lifecycle of a product from an untapped resource to a final, useful product. Many work in one part or section of the supply chain, such as the manufacturing and assembly phase, storage, or final shipping. This career brings a strong salary, but the job outlook is perhaps the most attractive aspect. Between 2020 and 2030, this career is expected to grow by 30%, adding 56,000 positions in a ten-year span.
Industrial Production Manager
- Salary: $108,790
- Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Experience: At least 5 years
Industrial production is complex, but educated and experience managers help keep it going. Tasks in this difficult yet rewarding career include organizing equipment and staff, ordering materials, monitoring production efforts, and fixing any problems with the system. With median salaries over $108,000, this is a high-paying career. The top 10% in the profession command salaries over $181,000, making this one of the best careers possible.