- 1.Cloud Architects earn a median salary of $115,000 with 28% projected job growth through 2032 (BLS OES 2024)
- 2.Top-ranked Cloud Computing programs include Weber State University, Idaho State University, Bellevue College based on graduation rates, program strength, and career outcomes
- 3.Best value: Weber State University offers cloud computing education at $5,471/year with 92% graduation rate
- 4.50 accredited Cloud Computing programs analyzed using IPEDS 2023 completion data
Best Cloud Computing Programs - Top 10 Associate's
Weber State University
18 cloud computing graduates annually
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 for Cloud Computing based on 92% graduation rate, 18 graduates, and overall score of 58.7/100. Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Program Strengths
- 92% graduation rate
- 18 cloud computing graduates annually
- Accredited institution
Idaho State University
12 cloud computing graduates annually
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 for Cloud Computing based on 87% graduation rate, 12 graduates, and overall score of 57.4/100. Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Program Strengths
- 87% graduation rate
- 12 cloud computing graduates annually
- Accredited institution
Bellevue College
18 cloud computing graduates annually
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 for Cloud Computing based on 96% graduation rate, 18 graduates, and overall score of 56.9/100. Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Program Strengths
- 96% graduation rate
- 18 cloud computing graduates annually
- Accredited institution
Dallas College
44 cloud computing graduates annually
Columbia Basin College
2 cloud computing graduates annually
Edmonds College
7 cloud computing graduates annually
Madison Area Technical College
25 cloud computing graduates annually
Cypress College
14 cloud computing graduates annually
Renton Technical College
14 cloud computing graduates annually
Herzing University-Atlanta
11 cloud computing graduates annually
Best Cloud Computing Programs - Compare Top 5 Associate's
| School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Weber State University | Ogden, UT | Public | $5,471 | 92% | 58.7/100 |
| #2 Idaho State University | Pocatello, ID | Public | $5,992 | 87% | 57.4/100 |
| #3 Bellevue College | Bellevue, WA | Public | $4,074 | 96% | 56.9/100 |
| #4 Dallas College | Dallas, TX | Public | $4,050 | 71% | 55/100 |
| #5 Columbia Basin College | Pasco, WA | Public | $5,514 | 97% | 52.5/100 |
Best Associate's Degrees in Cloud Computing 2026 Rankings
| Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | — | Ogden, UT | $5,471 | 92% | — | 58.7 |
| 2 | — | Pocatello, ID | $5,992 | 87% | — | 57.4 |
| 3 | — | Bellevue, WA | $4,074 | 96% | — | 56.9 |
| 4 | — | Dallas, TX | $4,050 | 71% | — | 55 |
| 5 | — | Pasco, WA | $5,514 | 97% | — | 52.5 |
| 6 | — | Lynnwood, WA | $4,073 | 93% | — | 52.3 |
| 7 | — | Madison, WI | $4,386 | 82% | — | 51.9 |
| 8 | — | Cypress, CA | $1,104 | 68% | — | 50.2 |
| 9 | — | Renton, WA | $4,673 | 65% | — | 49.5 |
| 10 | — | Atlanta, GA | $12,360 | 86% | — | 49.1 |
| 11 | — | Kirkland, WA | $3,195 | 43% | — | 47.5 |
| 12 | — | Fort Lauderdale, FL | $22,936 | 84% | — | 46.6 |
| 13 | — | Cupertino, CA | $1,395 | — | — | 45.3 |
| 14 | — | Whittier, CA | $1,306 | 65% | — | 45.3 |
| 15 | — | Milwaukee, WI | $4,386 | — | — | 44.8 |
| 16 | — | Houston, TX | $2,904 | 86% | — | 44.7 |
| 17 | — | Eau Claire, WI | $4,386 | — | — | 44.6 |
| 18 | — | Minneapolis, MN | $23,825 | 52% | — | 44 |
| 19 | — | Vancouver, WA | $4,306 | — | — | 43.5 |
| 20 | — | San Bruno, CA | $1,288 | — | — | 43.2 |
| 21 | — | Appleton, WI | $4,386 | — | — | 43.1 |
| 22 | — | Fort Myers, FL | $15,000 | — | — | 43 |
| 23 | — | San Francisco, CA | $0 | — | — | 42.8 |
| 24 | — | Culver City, CA | $1,196 | — | — | 42.8 |
| 25 | — | Linn, MO | $6,270 | — | — | 42.7 |
Showing 1–25 of 50
Career Paths
Cloud Support Specialist
SOC 15-1244Provide technical support for cloud infrastructure, troubleshoot connectivity issues, and assist with system migrations.
Systems Administrator
SOC 15-1244Manage cloud servers, implement security policies, monitor system performance, and maintain backup solutions.
Network Technician
SOC 15-1241Configure network infrastructure, manage VPNs, implement security protocols, and troubleshoot connectivity issues.
DevOps Technician
SOC 15-1252Support CI/CD pipelines, manage containerized applications, and assist with infrastructure automation.
Cloud Security Analyst
SOC 15-1212Monitor cloud environments for security threats, implement access controls, and ensure compliance with security policies.
Cloud Computing Associate Programs by State
California
Texas
Florida
New York
Pennsylvania
Ohio
Virginia
North Carolina
Financial Aid and Scholarships for Cloud Computing Students
Associate degree students in cloud computing access federal financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Community college students often qualify for Pell Grants, which provide up to $7,395 for the 2025-26 academic year without repayment requirements. Many students find Pell Grants cover most or all tuition costs at public institutions.
Technology-specific scholarships target cloud computing and IT students. The AWS re/Start program provides full scholarships for cloud computing bootcamps and associate degree programs, particularly focusing on underrepresented populations. Microsoft offers cloud computing scholarships through community partnerships, while Google provides funding through their Grow with Google initiatives.
Employer tuition assistance programs frequently cover cloud computing education. Major employers like IBM, Accenture, and regional IT service providers offer tuition reimbursement for employees pursuing cloud certifications or degrees. Employer tuition reimbursement programs can cover 50-100% of program costs for working students.
State-specific grant programs support community college students in high-demand fields. Programs like California's Strong Workforce Program, Texas Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funding, and Florida's Career and Professional Education programs provide additional financial support for technology students beyond federal aid.
Cloud Computing Associate Degree Curriculum Overview
Cloud computing associate programs typically require 60-64 credit hours completed over four semesters. The curriculum balances foundational computer science concepts with hands-on cloud platform training. Core courses cover network fundamentals, operating systems, database basics, and cybersecurity principles.
Technical coursework focuses on major cloud platforms. Students learn to deploy virtual machines on AWS EC2, configure Microsoft Azure storage solutions, and implement Google Cloud Platform networking. Advanced courses cover containerization with Docker, orchestration with Kubernetes, and infrastructure automation using tools like Terraform and Ansible.
- Cloud Architecture and Design Principles
- Linux/Windows Server Administration
- Network Configuration and Security
- Database Management and Migration
- Virtualization Technologies (VMware, Hyper-V)
- Container Technologies (Docker, Kubernetes)
- Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, CloudFormation)
- Cloud Security and Compliance
- Disaster Recovery and Backup Solutions
- Cloud Cost Management and Optimization
Many programs include capstone projects where students design and implement complete cloud solutions. These projects often involve migrating legacy applications to cloud platforms, implementing multi-tier architectures, or developing automated deployment pipelines. Industry partnerships provide access to real-world scenarios and mentorship from working professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on 127 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Degree completions (sqrt normalized, capped at 500)
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023
State-specific salary data from BLS OES 2024
Admission rate (lower = more selective)
Institution type (R1/R2 research bonus)
CAE-CD designation, curator bonuses
Data completeness proxy
Reporting completeness
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.