Is a firm foundation in biblical knowledge important to you regardless of what career you may choose in the future? If so then an associate degree in biblical studies might be the perfect place to start. Whether or not you plan to earn a bachelor’s degree in the future, an associate’s degree in biblical studies can transfer into most bachelor’s programs and ensure that you have a firm understanding of biblical truth. Unlike most associate’s degrees, the 2-year degree in biblical studies is often offered by private Christian universities instead of public universities and community colleges. They often cost a bit more because they are a private degree, but taking the courses online can lead to steep discounts, and at least you don’t have to pay room and board while you take care of your first two years of college.
Featured Programs
Our ranking of the most affordable online associate’s in biblical studies degrees is a great place to start looking for the program that best suits your needs. This ranking features schools from a variety of denominations, and it is likely that you can find an online school ranked here that shares your beliefs.
Reviewing Affordable Online Associate Degree in Theology/Biblical Studies Programs
#10. Trinity Bible College and Graduate School
Online Associate of Arts in Biblical Studies
The AA in biblical studies online at Trinity Bible College is a 60-credit program and one of three associate level degrees offered by the school. Students in the program will take courses like Old Testament history and literature, New Testament history and literature, life of Christ, hermeneutics, Pentecostal heritage, ethics, and global opportunities intercultural seminar.
- Tuition: $16,140
#9. Davis College
Associate of Applied Science in Biblical Studies Online
The online AAS in biblical studies online degree offered by Davis is designed to articulate well into bachelor’s degrees while providing students with a solid biblical foundation for their academic career. Students will take courses like Pentateuch, computers and their applications, general psychology, hermeneutics, systematic theology, fundamentals of speech, systematic theology, and health and fitness.
- Tuition: $16,800
#8. Johnson University
Online Associate of Arts in Biblical Studies
The goal of this AA in biblical studies online is to prepare students to pursue their bachelor’s degree of choice, providing them with a strong biblical foundation regardless of their future area of study. Students will take a mixture of biblical studies and general education courses on subjects like speech, literature, interpersonal and family relationships, health and fitness, orientation to the Old Testament, orientation to the New Testament, fundamentals of Christian faith, exegetical methods, Old Testament poetry/wisdom, and New Testament epistles.
- Tuition: $14,920
#7. Mid-Atlantic Christian University
Online Associate of Arts in Biblical Studies
Of the graduates from the online associate’s in biblical studies degree, 40% work in business, 20% work in part time ministry, 20% complete degrees at other universities, and the rest work miscellaneous jobs or are self-employed. Students in the program will take courses like fundamentals of oral communication, Christian formation: spiritual, Christian thinking: world views, general psychology, biblical doctrines, and survey of U.S. history.
- Tuition: $14,080
#6. Lincoln Christian University
Associate of Arts in Bible Online
Lincoln Christian University’s associate degree in Bible online can be completed in two years. Careers and roles graduates of this program have pursued (sometimes with further education, sometimes without) include Bible teacher, church elder, youth sponsor, worship leader, and church planter. Students will take courses like interpreting the Christian scriptures, history of American Christianity and the Stone-Campbell movement, introduction to world views, New Testament one, Old Testament one, and basic Christian beliefs.
- Tuition: $13,020
#5. Moody Bible Institute
Online Associate of Biblical Studies
The Moody Bible Institute offers an integrative associate’s in biblical studies designed to help students connect biblical interpretation to the world around them. Students in this program will take courses like historical geography of ancient Israel, second temple Jewish backgrounds, self and social identity in Christianity, reading the Old Testament, reading the New Testament, the story and structure of the Bible, critical thinking and math, research writing, and introduction to critical thinking.
- Tuition: $12,960
#4. Clear Creek Baptist Bible College
Associate of Arts in Ministry Online
Clear Creek Baptist Bible College strives to offer biblical degrees in affordable, convenient, and God-centered ways. The associate of arts in ministry degree offers courses like biblical hermeneutics, evangelism and missions, principles of teaching, spiritual formation, psychology of lifespan development, Baptist doctrine, Old Testament 1, 4, 5, 8, and New Testament 1, 4, 5, 8.
- Tuition: $9,020
#3. Spurgeon College/Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Associate of Arts in Biblical Studies Online
The low-cost online Bible programs at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary are delivered in seven terms per year with staggered start dates, which means you are never far off from beginning your biblical education. Students local to the college can choose between on campus, blended, and fully online formats. Students will take courses like quantitative reasoning, world religions, global missions, introduction to physical science, American history, two Old Testament classes, and two New Testament classes.
- Tuition: $7,810
#2. God’s Bible School and College
Online Associate’s of Arts in Bible and Theology
The online AA in Bible and theology at God’s Bible School and College is designed for students who don’t yet know what they want to do in life, but do know that they want a solid biblical foundation regardless of what path they travel in the future. Students will take courses like doctrine of holiness, Old Testament and New Testament literature, life of Christ, wisdom literature, and Pentateuch. The program is 60 credits and is most often completed in two years.
- Tuition: $7,040
#1. College of Biblical Studies-Houston
Associate of Arts in Biblical Studies Online
Students at the College of Biblical Studies can expect to find an environment that emphasizes their spiritual development equally to their academic development. The program is offered in a 100% online asynchronous format. Throughout the 63-credit, 24-month program students will take classes like Bible study methods, Gospels, Pentateuch, mathematical principles, prophets, western civilization one and two, introduction to philosophy, introduction to theological method, and Christian service.
- Tuition: $6,946
Other online associate’s in biblical studies:
Southwest Assemblies of God University
Online A.A. in Bible
Nyack College
Online A.A. in Biblical Studies
Colorado Christian University
Online A.A. in Biblical Studies
Why should I earn an online associate degree in theology/biblical studies?
Well, I assume that if you’re interested in an article ranking the most affordable online associate’s degrees in biblical studies, you probably value the pursuit of biblical understanding. Not everybody who values this necessarily wants to go into ministry, so a bachelor’s degree in the subject isn’t necessarily the best choice. Maybe the bachelor’s program you want is at a secular university but you want to gain some firm footing in the Bible before you pursue that degree. If that’s the case, the associate’s in biblical studies is a happy medium for you. It gives you that solid foundation, while still allowing you to earn your bachelor’s degree in another field, and even from another school.
Is online learning right for me?
Whether or not online learning is a good fit for you depends a lot on who you are as a person, and your strengths and weaknesses. Are you the kind of person who can learn by watching videos? Would you be comfortable taking tests online? Can you handle not having any face-to-face interaction with your professors and fellow students? Are you highly self-motivated and disciplined? If you answered yes to all these questions, then online learning is probably a great fit for you.
While online education is a powerful option, it’s not ideal for all students. If you need that in-person connection to keep you accountable for doing your homework, or you just learn better from a person teaching in a live setting, then online learning might not be the best fit. However, if you need the flexibility and are comfortable with the format and technology, online education offers unprecedented levels of flexibility. If you’re unsure about whether or not online learning will be a good fit for you personally, there are a lot of free online college courses available through services like Coursera. It might not be a bad idea to try out one of these free courses to test the waters and see if the online format feels like a good fit instead of going in blind.
How do I finance my online associate’s degree in biblical studies?
Your first stop for funding higher education should be the FAFSA website. FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The federally subsidized grants offered under FAFSA are essentially free money for students. The federally subsidized student loans offer an incredible interest rate, and on top of that have very flexible repayment options. Besides scholarships offered by your school, church, or other private organizations, FAFSA is the best place for all your funding needs. It’s often possible to get your entire cost of education funded with a combination of grants and loans from just FAFSA. If, for some reason, FAFSA doesn’t cover all your costs, and private scholarships don’t make up the rest, then private student loans are a last resort. Private student loan lending is getting better. But it’s still by far the worst option. Credit cards are a horrible option for funding college. The interest rate is insanely high, and it’s unlikely that you can get a card with a credit limit high enough to make a dent in your college bill anyway. So please don’t max out your credit cards with tuition.
What can I do with an online associate’s degree in theology/biblical studies?
The answer is, career-wise, you can’t do much with just this degree. It’s not a degree that is meant to launch a professional career by any means. You might qualify to lead volunteer ministries with your church, but outside of that sort of activity, more study is required. This degree is designed to accomplish a couple things: either to provide a basis for further study of the Bible and religion with the goal of going into ministry or education, or to provide you with a strong biblical foundation that will always be with you regardless of what path your life takes in the future, what degree you earn, or what career you choose.
CVO Staff
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