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
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
The state law dictated at least 10 graduates for an associate degree program; 15 for a bachelor’s; seven for a master’s; and three for a doctorate program or an education specialist degree typically held by superintendents.
—Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 2 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
But the per-unit cost to earn a two-year associate degree is $46, and most classes are three units each.
—Phil Blair, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 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.
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
The state law dictated at least 10 graduates for an associate degree program; 15 for a bachelor’s; seven for a master’s; and three for a doctorate program or an education specialist degree typically held by superintendents.
—Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 2 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
But the per-unit cost to earn a two-year associate degree is $46, and most classes are three units each.
—Phil Blair, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Associate degree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/associate%20degree. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
