associate degree
noun
variants
or less commonly associate's degree
: a degree that is given to a student who has completed two years of study typically at a community or junior college in the U.S.
Examples of associate degree in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The program, established in 2024 by Mark and Robin Seigle, supports graduating high school seniors and first-year college students by covering all student expenses for up to 60 credits toward an associate degree at ECC, according to a news release.
—
Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
Today, the first-generation college student is working at the job of her dreams and is poised to receive her associate degree in automotive technology from Santa Ana College.
—Santa Ana College, Oc Register, 30 Apr. 2026
Four hundred will also receive an associate degree, and others have earned a post‑secondary credential.
—Briseida Holguin, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026
Students aged 18 to 20 represented the largest share of first-time associate degree earners in the 2024-25 academic year — accounting for nearly one-third, according to a new report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.
—Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2026
Among associate degree students, that share rises to 56%, with 15% giving it serious consideration.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2026
Through the post-secondary program, Tran will also graduate from Dakota County Technical College with an associate degree in construction management, while Sonterre will complete a sales specialist certificate at DCTC.
—Elliot Mann, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2026
Those enrollment quotas are 10 graduates for an associate degree, 15 for a bachelor's, seven for a master's and three for a doctorate or education specialist degree.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 1 Apr. 2026
Simmons joined the Air Force in 2017 and earned an associate degree from the Community College of the Air Force.
—ABC News, 15 Mar. 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
Today, the first-generation college student is working at the job of her dreams and is poised to receive her associate degree in automotive technology from Santa Ana College.
—Santa Ana College, Oc Register, 30 Apr. 2026
Four hundred will also receive an associate degree, and others have earned a post‑secondary credential.
—Briseida Holguin, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026
Students aged 18 to 20 represented the largest share of first-time associate degree earners in the 2024-25 academic year — accounting for nearly one-third, according to a new report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.
—Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2026
Among associate degree students, that share rises to 56%, with 15% giving it serious consideration.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2026
Through the post-secondary program, Tran will also graduate from Dakota County Technical College with an associate degree in construction management, while Sonterre will complete a sales specialist certificate at DCTC.
—Elliot Mann, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2026
Those enrollment quotas are 10 graduates for an associate degree, 15 for a bachelor's, seven for a master's and three for a doctorate or education specialist degree.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 1 Apr. 2026
Simmons joined the Air Force in 2017 and earned an associate degree from the Community College of the Air Force.
—ABC News, 15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Associate degree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/associate%20degree. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
