What Is an Associate of Applied Science Degree?

Key takeaways

An Associate of Applied Science (AAS) is a two-year degree focused on career preparation, allowing you to enter the workforce right away.

• The AAS degree differs from other associate degrees in that it typically requires fewer general education courses and offers more opportunities for hands-on learning rather than theoretical studies. 

• Earning an Associate of Applied Science degree is worth it if your priorities include entering the workforce quickly, avoiding educational debt, learning transferable skills, and having a variety of career choices.

• You can qualify for various jobs that do not require a four-year degree, including those in automotive technology, child care management, construction management, accounting, respiratory therapy, and more, by earning an Associate of Applied Science degree. 

Discover what it takes to earn an AAS degree, how it differs from an Associate of Science (AS) degree, and what you can do after graduation. 

What is an Associate of Applied Science degree?

An Associate of Applied Science (AAS) is a two-year degree that focuses more on career preparation than other types of associate degrees. With this credential, you can enter the workforce right away, using the skills you’ve developed and the knowledge you've gained in school.

College degrees are often awarded depending on the type of major you choose. At the associate level, you can pursue arts degrees, science degrees, and applied science degrees, the latter of which refers to career-specific majors such as automotive technology, child care management, and construction management. 

In these programs, you’ll learn a science-based education that prepares you to enter an industry after graduation. As such, your curriculum will often involve hands-on assignments in a simulated or real workplace located on campus. 

How long does it take to earn an AAS degree?

An Associate of Applied Science is a two-year degree you can earn at a community college or certain four-year colleges in the United States. Typically, it takes 60 to 80 credit hours to complete this degree, so some paths take two years of full-time study to finish, while others take longer. 

What jobs can you do with an applied science associate degree?

Each school offers different AAS programs, so it’s a good idea to review the ones available in your area and see which align with your goals. Consider some of the more common examples. 

Accounting

An AAS program in accounting helps you prepare to take a job as an accounting assistant, a bookkeeper, or a financial clerk. Some of the courses you might take in this program include:

• Business law

• Cost accounting

• Data analytics for accounting

• Government and nonprofit accounting

• Principles of accounting

Computer information systems

With this degree, you'll be ready to work on a company’s network systems as a network IT analyst or network IT project manager. 

Sample courses can include:

• Introduction to networking 

• Network security fundamentals 

• Network essentials

• IT project management

Childcare management

Working with children in a daycare or preschool setting involves more than caring for their immediate needs. A childcare management degree can provide a useful foundation for this type of work. 

Sample courses can include:

• Principles of nutrition

• Early childhood development

• Family relations

• Preschool training

Respiratory therapy 

Respiratory therapy involves the treatment of patients with breathing issues, whether temporary or chronic. Respiratory therapists can work in areas such as adult critical care, sleep disorder clinics, and neonatal units. 

Sample courses can include:

• Anatomy and physiology

• Medical terminology

• Respiratory assessment

• Respiratory pharmacology

• Clinical practice

Welding

A welder uses heat, pressure, or a combination of both to join metal pieces or parts. Welders work with a variety of different metals, as well as thermoplastics. 

Sample courses can include:

• Welding processes

• Reading mechanical blueprints

• Gas metal arc welding

• Industrial robotics

• Industrial safety

What’s the difference between an AAS degree and an AS? 

An Associate of Applied Science is different from an Associate of Science (AS) or an Associate of Arts (AA) in a few ways. First, the available majors tend to be much more career-focused. As such, the curriculum for an AAS degree typically involves fewer general education classes. What you’ll end up taking may likely provide more hands-on learning than the theoretical classes offered as part of an Associate of Arts or an Associate of Science. 

An AAS degree is also considered a degree that leads almost immediately to a career; therefore, you may not be able to transfer the credits you earn as part of your degree. Many students who get an AA or AS degree go on to earn a bachelor's degree, so those credits are usually transferable.

Read more: What Is a Bachelor’s Degree? Types, Cost, and Application Requirements 

Benefits of an AAS degree

You may experience a number of benefits while working toward your Associate of Applied Science degree. 

Short time to completion

Due to the average length of time it takes to earn an AAS degree (two years), it can be an ideal educational option when you’re interested in pursuing higher education, know what you want to do as a career, and are ready to get started in less time than it takes to earn a bachelor’s degree.

Lower cost 

According to the College Board, the average cost for a public four-year, in-state college is $25,850, which includes tuition, housing, and food [1]. However, an associate degree from a community college can be more affordable. In 2025, the average cost to attend any two-year institution was $13,282 in total [2]. 

Stable salaries

Jobs requiring AAS degrees tend to be in demand across the labor force. The job you get after you've earned an AAS degree may not pay as much as a bachelor's-level job, but it will typically pay more than a high school diploma alone, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) [3].

Choice of many career paths

The National Student Clearinghouse states that 865,400 learners earned associate degrees from 2024 to 2025 [4]. Many students are drawn to an Associate of Applied Science because of the many career paths available. You can select a track in the financial sector, medical field, or hands-on careers such as auto technology. 

Transferable skills

Employers increasingly seek skill-forward applicants. No matter which career path you choose, an AAS degree can enhance your workplace and technical skills and, in turn, strengthen your candidacy for various roles. 

Is an Associate of Applied Science worth it?

An AAS degree can be a valuable investment if you know exactly what career you want, and it doesn't require a bachelor's degree, you want to enter the workforce quickly, your financial resources are limited, you want to avoid educational debt, or you prefer learning practical skills through hands-on experiences.

Jobs you can get with an AAS degree

You can find a number of career options with an AAS degree, though your opportunities will depend on the program you enroll in. Below, you’ll find a list of common jobs that people who earn their AAS degree within the relevant major go on to pursue. Salary figures include both base salary and additional pay, such as profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other forms of compensation.

Because AAS programs are designed to shift students into a specific career, your program may have connections with local businesses to help you transition into a job after graduation. As you research potential degree programs, take note of the career services each school offers. 

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