An Associate of Arts (AA) degree emphasizes liberal arts and humanities coursework, while an Associate of Science (AS) degree leans toward math, science, and technical subjects. Both are two-year degrees typically earned at community colleges, and both can transfer to four-year universities. The real differences show up in how much general education you take, what subjects fill your schedule, and which bachelor’s degree path each one sets you up for.
How the Coursework Differs
The biggest practical difference between an AA and AS is how your credits break down between general education classes and major-specific classes. An AA degree is heavier on general education. At many community colleges, AA students complete around 45 credits of core general education coursework, covering subjects like English composition, history, social sciences, foreign languages, and humanities. That leaves relatively few credits for electives or a concentration.
An AS degree requires fewer general education credits, often around 28, and fills the remaining credits with coursework specific to a particular major or field. That means AS students spend more time in classes directly tied to subjects like biology, computer science, engineering, or accounting. If you already know you want to study a STEM or business-oriented field, the AS lets you start building that foundation earlier.
Which Subjects Each Degree Covers
AA degrees align with fields traditionally grouped under the liberal arts. Common AA concentrations include English, communications, psychology, sociology, political science, education, graphic design, and fine arts. The broader general education base gives you wide exposure across the humanities and social sciences.
AS degrees align with math-heavy and science-heavy disciplines. Common AS concentrations include biology, chemistry, engineering, computer science, nursing, business administration, and accounting. Because you take more courses in your field, you graduate with a stronger technical foundation, which matters if your eventual bachelor’s program expects specific prerequisite coursework.
How Each Degree Transfers to a University
Both the AA and AS are designed to transfer to four-year colleges, and at most schools either one can satisfy your lower-division requirements. The key is matching the degree type to the bachelor’s program you plan to pursue. An AA generally feeds into a Bachelor of Arts (BA), and an AS feeds into a Bachelor of Science (BS). Choosing the right associate degree means more of your credits will count toward your bachelor’s requirements, which saves you time and money after you transfer.
Many community colleges have formal transfer agreements with nearby universities. These agreements spell out exactly which courses will count, and they can guarantee that you enter the university with junior standing (meaning roughly 60 credits already completed). Some states have structured transfer degree programs, such as the AA-T (Associate in Arts for Transfer) and AS-T (Associate in Science for Transfer), that guarantee admission to participating public universities. Students who earn one of these transfer degrees can typically finish a bachelor’s degree within 60 additional semester units.
If your community college doesn’t have a specific transfer agreement with the university you’re targeting, your credits may still transfer, but you’ll want to check course-by-course. Meeting with an advisor at both the community college and the university before you start is the simplest way to avoid losing credits.
AA, AS, or AAS: Know the Difference
A third associate degree type causes frequent confusion. The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) is built for students who plan to enter the workforce right after graduation rather than transfer to a university. AAS programs focus on hands-on technical skills for fields like respiratory therapy, dental hygiene, web development, or HVAC technology. Because the curriculum prioritizes job-ready training over academic breadth, AAS credits are often harder to transfer to a four-year school. If you have any interest in eventually earning a bachelor’s degree, an AA or AS is usually the better choice.
An easy way to remember it: the AA and AS are academic degrees designed with transfer in mind. The AAS is a career-focused degree designed to get you working immediately.
Jobs You Can Get With Each Degree
If you enter the job market right after earning your associate degree, the field you studied matters more than whether it was an AA or AS. An AA in communications might lead to entry-level roles in marketing, public relations, or administrative support. An AS in accounting could land you a bookkeeping or accounts payable position. An AS in information technology might open doors to help desk or junior systems administrator jobs.
That said, many students use the AA or AS as a stepping stone. Completing two years at a community college and then transferring to a university is one of the most affordable paths to a bachelor’s degree. You pay community college tuition for half of your coursework, which can cut the total cost of a four-year degree significantly.
How to Choose Between the Two
Start with the bachelor’s program you’re aiming for. If you plan to major in English, education, or political science at a university, the AA lines up better. If you’re heading toward engineering, computer science, or a health science, the AS is the natural fit. When in doubt, look at the transfer requirements published by the university you want to attend. They’ll list which lower-division courses you need, and that list will make the choice obvious.
If you’re unsure about your major, the AA’s broader general education base gives you more flexibility to explore. You’ll sample a wider range of subjects, which can help you figure out what you want to study before committing. The AS makes more sense when you’ve already picked a direction and want to dive into that subject as early as possible.
Both degrees take about two years of full-time study and require around 60 credits. Neither one is “better” in the abstract. The right choice depends entirely on where you want to go next.