English Associate Degrees: Best Programs, Jobs, and Salaries

A degree in English can be a gateway to unlimited career options and academic growth. However, you don’t have to start with a bachelor’s program if you want to work in this field. English associate degrees and lay the necessary groundwork for your future studies.  

Community college students often pay less for their courses than students in a four-year college or university. This post will explore the best colleges for English, jobs, salaries, and English Associate Degree requirements. Let’s begin!

What Is English?

English is a discipline involving studying the English language and literature in forms like poetry, short stories, plays, and novels. College students can major in English for an undergraduate degree in the best institutions around the country. There is a wide range of applications for an English degree program since there are numerous focus areas.

What Is an English Associate Degree?

An English Associate Degree provides a strong academic foundation for a baccalaureate degree in English. It helps students develop critical thinking, research, writing, and communication skills. The main two-year Associate Degrees in English include the Associate of Arts in English program or an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts with a concentration in English. 

These associate degrees are two-year programs that prepare English students to transfer to a four-year program. Some of the common courses in this program include writing, world literature, speech, non-fiction, technical writing, and humanities. This degree is a great choice for those who want to get a four-year Bachelor’s Degree in English in the future.

English Associate Degree Requirements

A high school diploma or a GED is a prerequisite for pursuing an AA degree. Non-native speakers must also take the Test of English as a Foreign Language to be accepted at an English-speaking institution. 

How Much Does an English Associate Degree Cost?

The cost of an English Associate Degree program differs by school. However, in an institution like Valencia College, the in-state tuition rate is $103 per credit hour, and out-of-state tuition is $391 per credit hour. 

English Associate Degree Financing Options: How to Pay for Your English Degree 

The easiest way to pay for an English Associate Degree is to apply for financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can also work part-time as you study to help pay for your tuition costs. 

Best Colleges for English: Top English Associate Degree Programs

Best Colleges for English: Top English Associate Degree Programs

An associate degree is a great way to start off your academic career. You can transfer your credits to a four-year university if you wish to go back later and earn your bachelor’s degree. Let’s look at the best colleges offering English Associate Degree courses. 

Associate of Arts, English Literature emphasis | Colorado Mountain College

Students hoping to become English majors can pursue their AA degree at Colorado Mountain College. The two-year program offers the chance to study for a bachelor’s degree at accredited institutions within Colorado so long as the transfer requirements are met. 

Associate of Arts in English | De Anza College

De Anza College is another great place to prepare for a professional career in English. It’s meant for students looking to advance their academic careers at a California State University campus. The course load covers creative writing, composition, and literary analysis, and is applicable in different fields of study. 

Associate of Arts in English | South Georgia State College

Another great option is South Georgia State College, which offers an Associate Degree in English. Those planning to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in English Education at a senior university will find this is the best institution to get started. 

Associate of Arts in English | Glendale Community College

Glendale Community College also offers an Associate of Arts in English degree. The degree provides foundational knowledge in logical argumentation, composition, and writing skills. Once they’ve earned an associate degree, students can transfer to a four-year institution for advanced studies. 

Associate of Arts in English | Las Positas College

Another institution that offers a strong foundation for a degree plan is Las Positas College. It’s specifically meant for students who’ll transfer to the California State University system. The associate degree track helps students sharpen their reading, critical thinking, creative writing, and writing skills.  

Associate of Arts in English | Lorain County Community College

Students who plan to complete their studies at a public university in Ohio will find Lorain County Community College is their best bet. Lorain offers an associate degree program that allows prospective transfer students to conveniently meet English major requirements.

Associate of Arts in General Studies |  Nunez Community College

Students can also opt to tackle a college-level program at Nunez Community College. Its degree track involves academic studies about English composition with a focus on humanities. Since the coursework is transferable, this degree can provide a solid basis for undergraduate studies. 

Associate of Arts in English | Reedley College

Another great school for an English Associate Degree is Reedley College. This accredited institution also offers an Associate Degree for Transfer, allowing students to be admitted with junior standing within the California State University system. So, it’s among the best institutions for career preparation. 

Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts, English Concentration | SUNY Schenectady County Community College

SUNY Schenectady County Community College offers an AA Degree in Liberal Arts with an English concentration. This program works with the SUNY Transfer Pathways, allowing prospective students to meet baccalaureate requirements. As such, students can transfer to a four-year SUNY institution once they finish the program. 

Associate of Arts in English | Tallahassee Community College

Tallahassee Community College also offers an Associate of Arts in English. The degree path provides the necessary groundwork needed for advanced learning and multiple employment opportunities in the English career field. 

Best Online English Associate Degree Programs and Schools: Overview

Best Colleges for English: Top Online English Associate Degree Programs

Students need not pursue on-campus learning if they don’t want to. There are plenty of online alternatives that ensure the education needed for many degree pathways. Let’s consider the top online schools for an English Associate Degree. 

Associate of Arts in English | Allen Community College

Students can pursue an Associate of Arts in English at Allen Community College entirely virtually. The degree is meant to ensure the successful transfer to an institution offering a Bachelor’s Degree in English. 

Associate of Arts in English | College of Southern Nevada

The College of South Nevada also provides an excellent virtual AA in English program. The degree track helps develop critical thinking, creative problem-solving, writing, and communication skills. After completing this degree, students can transfer to a four-year institution for advanced learning. 

Associate of Arts in English | Cowley County Community College

Another great school offering a concentration in literature is Cowley County Community College. This institution offers one of the best online platforms for the start of a college journey. The program teaches skills in composition, communication, and analysis of American literature, among others. 

Associate of Arts in English |  East Mississippi Community College

East Mississippi Community College also offers an Associate of Arts in English program online. The course is designed to facilitate a smooth transfer of credits from the college to an accredited institution of higher learning. 

Associate of Arts in English, Transfer | Front Range Community College

For students who plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree at a Colorado university, Front Range Community College is the best place to take their foundational classes. This program opens doors to different institutions and allows students to select their career paths without challenges. Plus, since it’s online, they won’t have to attend the on-campus program. 

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Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences | Jamestown Community College

Prospective students can also apply for the Language, Literature, and Writing degree at Jamestown Community College. It offers the entire degree online, allowing remote students to learn skills like communication management, technical writing, and literary analysis.

Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts | Leeward Community College

The AA degree program in Leeward Community College is another excellent online course. The program works as a stepping stone for students looking to further their studies in English in the future. It’s meant to prepare students for a four-year degree at any University of Hawaii campus. 

Associate of Arts in General Arts and Sciences | Pace University

Pace University offers a part-time associate degree that trains in the fundamentals of communication, writing, and reasoning. Students will acquire a variety of skills that can be applied to different fields without attending on-campus classes. 

Associate of Arts in English, Transfer | San Joaquin Delta College

The Associate of Arts in English program at San Joaquin Delta College is meant to prepare students for advanced learning at a campus in the University of California or California State University system.

Associate of Arts in English | South Texas College

Students pursuing an Associate of Arts in English at South Texas College have the option of specializing in either literature or creative writing. The degree transfers to a four-year university as a block and those who wish to pursue a bachelor’s degree are set up nicely for a BA in General Studies or English, or an English minor. 

What’s the Average English Associate Degree Salary?

The salary of a student with an English Associate Degree depends on the nature of the job. According to PayScale, the average salary will range between $27,898 and $48,040. You can use an English degree in a wide range of careers and there are many factors that affect your potential salary. 

Top English Associate Degree Jobs and Salaries: Overview

Best English Associate Degree Jobs Explained

Court Reporter

• Average Salary: $61,660
• Job Outlook: 3%
• Number of Jobs: 21,300
• Highest-Paying States: New York, California, Washington, Texas

This job involves verbatim transcriptions of various legal proceedings such as trials and depositions. You will need impressive listening skills, as well as an above-average typing speed to succeed in this field. 

Legal Assistant

• Average Salary: $52,920 
• Job Outlook: 12%
• Number of Jobs: 345,600
• Highest-Paying States: Washington DC, California, Washington

Paralegals and legal assistants can work in government agencies, law firms, and legal departments to support lawyers. You will need especially strong organizational skills and strong attention to detail. 

Travel Agent

• Average Salary: $42,350
• Job Outlook: 5%
• Number of Jobs: 60,500
• Highest-Paying States: Washington, Arizona, California

Travel agents work for travel agencies, marketing and selling transport, lodging, and entertainment services to travelers. You will be helping individuals and large groups plan domestic and overseas trips. 

Medical Transcriptionist

• Average Salary: $35,270
• Job Outlook: -7%
• Number of Jobs: 52,400
• Highest-Paying States: California, Minnesota, Connecticut

This job involves converting audio recordings of healthcare professionals into written forms. If you are interested in the healthcare industry, this may be a good role for you. You will also need exceptional listening and typing skills. 

Preschool Teacher

• Average Salary: $31,930 per year
• Job Outlook: 18%
• Number of Jobs: 469,600
• Highest-Paying States: New Jersey, Washington DC, New York

Preschool teachers are instructors who care for children under 5 years old as a precursor to kindergarten. If you love young children or are interested in early childhood development, this might be a rewarding career for you. 

Benefits of an English Associate Degree

Getting an English Associate Degree provides several advantages. It can help you save money on your education, provide you with various career options, and can set you up to earn a higher wage than you with only a high school diploma. Keep reading below for more. 

• Save on Tuition. Paying for an English Associate Degree is much cheaper than paying for a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in English. For those who have financial constraints but are still committed to advancing their education, an associate degree is the best choice. 
• Job Flexibility. Graduate and undergraduate programs can be demanding on a student. Those who choose to focus on their education while working face many challenges when pursuing a bachelor’s degree. Fortunately, an associate program can be flexible enough for students to work while studying. 
• Higher Income. A student with an English Associate Degree is better positioned for higher-paying jobs than a student with a high school diploma. So, those who want to start making money from their studies should invest in an English associate program. 
• Multiple Career Options. An Associate of Arts in English can be the stepping stone for advanced learning in different fields. It’s a versatile degree that can apply to different disciplines. 
• Effective Communication. An English academic degree provides soft skills in issues like communication that can help improve day-to-day life. Strong reading comprehension skills can be beneficial in countless ways. 

Should You Get an Associate Degree in English?

Yes, you should. An English Associate Degree will provide a firm foundation for an advanced degree in English and other disciplines. Plus, since it only takes two years, you don’t have to worry about spending too much time in school. 

English Associate Degree FAQ