If I were advising someone to do a cheap and fast associates degree this what I recommend. Go to your local Community College. Because there are cheap, flexible, and have name recognition in your area. Many community colleges also have generous policies that accept CLEP/DSST/AP credit generously. So take as many test outs as you can (some CC's allow as many as 45 credits test out). This is made easier if your specific CC is also a test center for CLEP/DSST. Then do the rest of your credits in one or two semesters at community college. Many states have programs that offer free/discounted community college for adults and if you are younger there are scholarships. If you are low income there is the pell grant. And many CC's offer scholarships through the college can apply for through them. So in the end, this could be super cheap.
This also has the advantage of being RA credit so if you ever decide on going to the big 3 for bachelors you have some ra credit done.
The only issue I have is advising people to take clep/dsst during covid. It all depends on the state and school. So maybe this advice would have worked better a year ago. But at least look into it, more test centers are opening up.
Example. The CC near me:
$90/cr
allows 45 cr from test outs
accepts ap, clep and dsst with spelled out equivalencies on website
CLEP and DSST test center on site
free tuition for those over 65, free tuition for adults over 25 who meet certain criteria, huge scholarships for young students, pell grant more than covers tuition cost if full time
I got an associate degree there. Only 17 credits in residence at the CC. My cost: I got paid $300.
Note that all the stats I listed for price and free tuition only for in-district rates. This is why I recommend checking local because can take advantage of lower rates and special programs your state has to offer.
Also if you are in a union you can get community college for free: https://www.egccfreecollege.org/
Also you didn't mention. Do you have any prior credit at all?
This also has the advantage of being RA credit so if you ever decide on going to the big 3 for bachelors you have some ra credit done.
The only issue I have is advising people to take clep/dsst during covid. It all depends on the state and school. So maybe this advice would have worked better a year ago. But at least look into it, more test centers are opening up.
Example. The CC near me:
$90/cr
allows 45 cr from test outs
accepts ap, clep and dsst with spelled out equivalencies on website
CLEP and DSST test center on site
free tuition for those over 65, free tuition for adults over 25 who meet certain criteria, huge scholarships for young students, pell grant more than covers tuition cost if full time
I got an associate degree there. Only 17 credits in residence at the CC. My cost: I got paid $300.
Note that all the stats I listed for price and free tuition only for in-district rates. This is why I recommend checking local because can take advantage of lower rates and special programs your state has to offer.
Also if you are in a union you can get community college for free: https://www.egccfreecollege.org/
Also you didn't mention. Do you have any prior credit at all?
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