If you are a customer service or sales professional with an eye on a middle management position (and on from there), this list of the top great value colleges for an online associate degree in retail and sales management is just for you. An associate degree is a great first step up the corporate ladder that can make the difference between being the person every customer consults with endless questions or being the person who is sought out when your subordinates can’t answer the customer’s questions. This degree prepares you for many facets of management and business operations that you would encounter at the next level of your career.
Being able to complete this degree 100% online means that you are able (within reason) to complete tasks at your own schedule while still meeting your career and personal responsibilities. (You may have to let something temporarily take a back-burner for midterms and finals.) But online class skills are different from the skills needed for traditional college. Almost every school will have a brief assessment you can take to see how you measure up to what is most helpful for online academic success.
Methodology
In compiling this list of the top ten great value colleges for an online associate in retail and sales management, we looked at tuition value (10 points), relevancy of the curriculum to the current demands of the field (10 points), and the amount of stress the program puts on individual attention (as evidenced by the student to faculty ratio, 10 points). Five bonus points were awarded in case of special tuition price point for online students, national recognition for excellence in online education, or exceptional student services available for online learners. In the event of a tie on points, schools were ranked in order of decreasing tuition.
All tuition numbers in the bullet points are yearly out of state tuition rates as reported by the National Center for Education Statistics, a service of the US government. The student-to-faculty ratios and enrollments figures are also from this website. All details of the individual programs are from the pertinent school’s website.
#9 – Rio Salado College
Tempe, Arizona
Points: 28
Enrollment: 18,304
Tuition: $7,854
Rio Salado College has been in the online degree granting game for more than 15 years. They offer more than fifty diploma and certificate programs. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 31:1, their online associate in applied science in retail management is a 61-63 credit hour program including coursework in techniques of supervision and merchandising. Rio Salado College’s department of career services can help you find a career path or a job. The Higher Learning Commission accredits them.
#8 – Mesa Community College
Mesa, Arizona
Points: 29
Enrollment: 20,387
Tuition: $7,854
Mesa Community College is the largest school in the ten college Maricopa Community College District. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 22:1, their online associate in applied science in retail management is a 64 credit hour program of study including coursework in small group communication and society and business. The career services office at Mesa Community College offers help with job searches, resumes, interview prep and career planning. They are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
#7 – National American University
Rapid City, South Dakota
Points: 30
Enrollment: 1,421
Tuition: $15,000
National American University offers seven associate degrees and sixteen bachelor’s degrees entirely online. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10:1, their online associate of applied science in retail management is a 104-week program of study that teaches about customer service and marketing. As alumni of National American University, you are eligible to retake any course you have previously passed without any tuition cost so that you can stay current with any changes to your field. They are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
#6 – Northland Community and Technical College
Thief River Falls, Minnesota
Points: 31
Enrollment: 3,500
Tuition: $5,715
Northland Community and Technical College is dedicated to quality education achieved through partnerships with students and the community. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 18:1, their online associate of applied science in sales, marketing, and management is a 60 credit hour program of study that includes coursework in principles of sales and small business management. At the Northland Community and Technical College career center, you can receive career counseling or utilize tools to sharpen your resume and interview skills. They are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
#5 – Washtenaw Community College
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Points: 31.5
Enrollment: 12,264
Tuition: $5,688
Washtenaw Community College has been offering quality, affordable education options to Washtenaw County and the rest of southeast Michigan since 1965. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 18:1, their online associate in applied science in retail management is a 61-62 credit hour program of study including coursework in creating the customer experience and managing operations. Washtenaw Community College’s student resource center offers help with any barriers between you and academic and personal success. They are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
#4 – Blue Ridge Community College
Flat Rock, North Carolina
Points: 32
Enrollment: 2,186
Tuition: $8,795
Students who graduate from Blue Ridge Community College are eligible to transfer to any of North Carolina’s 18 public colleges and universities. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1, their online associate in applied science in business administration, marketing, and retail pathway is a 70-71 credit hour program of study that includes studies in management and statistics. Blue Ridge Community College has transfer agreements with all public colleges and universities in North Carolina, ensuring acceptance to any graduate who meets all admission criteria. They are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
#3 – Minnesota State Community and Technical College
Fergus Falls, Minnesota
Points: 32
Enrollment: 6,222
Tuition: $5,560
Minnesota State Community and Technical College offers more than 70 technical and liberal arts programs online and through their four locations in the Red River Valley. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 18:1, their online associate in applied science in business management, marketing, and sales is a 66 credit hour program of study including the courses global business and professional selling. Minnesota State Community and Technical College charges one rate for online student tuition, regardless of residency status. They are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
#2 – Albany Technical College
Albany, Georgia
Points: 32
Enrollment: 3,181
Tuition: $5,396
Albany Technical College has been helping people jumpstart their careers since 1961. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 15:1, their online associate degree in marketing management with retail management specialization is a 62 credit hour program of study including coursework in visual merchandising and consumer behavior. The career development center at Albany Technical College offers help with resume writing as well as tips for crushing that interview. They are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
#1 – Southeast Technical Institute
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Points: 32.5
Enrollment: 2,166
Tuition: $6,488
Southeast Technical Institute won an award in 2017 for its high rate of student retention. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 14:1, their online associate in applied science in marketing with a sales emphasis is a 66 credit hour program of study that includes coursework in web essentials and market research. The career services department at Southeast Technical Institute offers career exploration assessments and online access to employment opportunities. They are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
This concludes the list of the top ten great value colleges for an online associate degree in retail and sales management.
This ranking was updated in June 2020. The 2020 updates may affect the ranking order, but the list has not been re-ordered.
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