The 5 Best Associates in Small Business Management Online

A ranking of the best small business associate degrees online. Programs ranked by affordability, flexibility, and academic quality.

Updated November 8, 2022 · 2 Min Read

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Many people dream of opening their own small businesses, but in reality, few people succeed in doing so. An online Associate’s degree in Small Business Management may provide the competitive edge you need to place your small business venture above the fray. These accredited, fully online programs allow you to maintain your daily responsibilities and current scheduling while building upon the professional skills you’ll need to manage your own small business. In this ranking, we explore the top 5 Small Business Associate’s degree online programs.

Rating and Ranking Methodology
Tuition Points:

  • Under $26,000—1point
  • Under $12,500—2 point
  • Under $10,000—3 points
  • Under $7,500—4 points
  • Under $5,000—5 points

Customization Options

  • Format Customizations (e.g. Hybrid/Online, Full-time/Part-Time, Accelerated, Degree Completion, etc.)—1 Point Per Customization Option
  • Content Customizations (e.g. Minors, Concentrations, Specializations, etc.)—1 Point Per Customization Option (5-point cap)

Wow Factor

  • 1 point awarded for each unique feature or program that “wowed” us

Ranking the Top Associates in Small Business Management Degrees Online
To compile this ranking, our editors began with an initial pool of over 35 online Associate’s Degrees in Small Business Management programs offered by colleges across the US. We then narrowed the pool to include only those schools that were below $35,000 (out-of-state) tuition per year. Finally, we applied the rating and ranking methodology above, and the result was the ranking you see below of the top 5 online programs for an Associate's degree in Small Business Management. We used affordability to break any ties, listing the more affordable program higher in the ranking.

Featured Online Schools

Best Associates in Small Business Management Online

#1 North Hennepin College

Entrepreneurship AAS Online

Website

Points: 5

Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, North Hennepin College’s online Associate of Applied Science is designed to equip graduates to manage, buy, or start a new business and lead to one of many 4 year institutions to complete a Bachelor’s degree. Students will take 19-credit hours of business core, then focus on the entrepreneurship major by taking courses like Managerial Accounting, Consumer Behavior, and Principles of Management. The curriculum will produce outcomes in 4 key areas: knowledge of human cultures, intellectual & practical skills, personal & social responsibility, and integrative/applied learning.

Out-of-State Tuition: $4,420

#2 North Arkansas College

Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration in ManagementOnline

Website

Points: 5

Accredited by the ACBSP, North Arkansas College offers a 60-credit small business management program results in an Associate of Applied Science degree in Business Administration in Management, with an option fo add on a Small Business Certificate. Graduates can seamlessly transition to various Bachelor’s degree programs. Sample courses include Human Resource Management, Legal Environment of Business, and Principles of Marketing. All work will culminate into a hands-on internship experience.

Out-of-State Tuition: $4,560

#3 North Central Technical College

Website

Points: 5

North Central Technical College offers a 62-credit online Associate’s degree in Small Business Entrepreneurship. Available fully online, this program merges traditional business content like accounting and marketing with the components of owning and running a business. Graduates will be prepared to enter the workforce or pursue a higher degree at many partnering universities. Students can expect to take major classes like Project Management, Entrepreneurship, Team Building and Problem Solving, and Social Media Campaigns. Coursework will also cover skills in Powerpoint, Excel, Work, and Quickbooks.

Out-of-State Tuition: $5,083

#4 Milwaukee Area Technical College

Online Associates degree in Business Management

Website

Points: 5

Milwaukee Area Technical College offers a fully online associates degree in small business management. Enrolled students will study a wide range of business topics, including human resources, marketing, business law, office technologies, and supervision. The program also offers both a trainee certificate and a technical diploma, both of which can be earned while simultaneously completing degree requirements, as well as credit for prior experience. Scholarships are also available for eligible small business associates degree online students.Tuition: $4,426

Out-of-State Tuition: $6,174

#5 Pierce College

Online Associate’s degree in Business

Website

Points: 5

Pierce College’s online associates degree in small business management offering is an Associate in Business with optional certificates in entrepreneurship, sales, and supervision and management. The curriculum consists of a 133-credit hour general education requirement as well as required business courses such as Work-Based Learning, Creative Sales, Small Business Planning, and Current Trends in Human Resources. Small business associates degree online students can complete the degree within two years and financial assistance is available for eligible students.

Out-of-State Tuition: $4,197

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