Best Online Art History Degrees

A bachelor's degree in art history will generally require around 120 credits, with a good portion of these credits composed of general education classes.
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Updated January 31, 2023

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Art is more than just appreciating it with your eye—understanding its societal and cultural framework is equally important.

Art history is the study of art in its historical, cultural, and societal context. Students who choose this major will develop strong writing and analytical skills. As this course of study is often embedded in a liberal arts curriculum, students will have the opportunity to take a variety of courses other than just Art history departments. At the undergraduate level, Art history majors will be exposed to a variety of cultures, but may be able to choose a certain concentration. Some schools will even allow students to participate in research.

A bachelor’s program for this major will generally require around 120-credits, with a good portion of these credits composed of general education classes. Other than major courses, students will also be able to take several related electives. Online degrees operate under the same credit system as traditional on-campus programs.

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What type of bachelor’s in art history should you get?

An online degree may be ideal for already working professionals or students who are heavily devoted to other outside activities. Online degrees allow students to finish coursework and tests on their own pace, with minimal timed group sessions. Online programs are either 100 percent online, or offered in hybrid versions. A hybrid program is composed of both on-campus and online classes, with online courses composing most of the degree. Online degrees may also be cheaper than traditional on-campus programs.

Check out our master ranking of the Best Online Colleges and Universities here.

How much money do people make with an online bachelor’s in art history?

According to PayScale, the average salary for those who hold a Bachelors of Arts (BA) in Art History is $54,000. Those who hold an online degree will have no different salary (in fact, “online” is never mentioned on transcripts or the diploma). In May 2015, the median salary of an archivist was $50,250. Curators made $51,520. While the top 25 percent of earners made $64,750, the lowest 25 percent made only $37,820 or less.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for archivists, curators, and museum technicians are expected to grow with 2,100 new jobs between the years of 2014 and 2024. Location greatly affects these opportunities, as well as salary potential. The most popular cities to work in for this field is New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Washington.

What can you do with an online bachelor’s in art history?

Those who hold an undergraduate degree in art history typically work in art galleries or museums. Art institutions, colleges and universities, and the government are the top employers in this field. The most common positions for art history majors are archivists, curators, and museum officials. Archivists assess different artwork to see if they belong in a certain collection. Curators are responsible for cataloging different art pieces and working with the public. Museum officials are in charge of overseeing different museum sections.

About 56.3 percent of Art History graduate are employed within six months of graduation. More than a fifth of graduates choose to pursue graduate studies, with 42 percent of these people getting their master’s in art history. Although a Master’s is not required for all jobs, an advanced degree is preferred in many companies and can increase your salary potential. An online Bachelor’s in Art History is a perfect way to get the basic foundation you need to continue in your education.

What are the requirements for an online bachelor’s in art history?

Online applicants must submit all of the required documents by the deadlines. Typically online programs will have several start dates throughout the year. Students should be prepared to submit test scores, transcripts, and any letters of recommendations (if required). Although most programs do not have minimum GPA requirements, it is advised that applicants have a GPA of at least 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale.

What are the best online bachelor’s in art history?

College Choice has compiled a ranking of the best online bachelor’s in art history degree programs. We have ranked these schools based on overall school excellence and student success. Data was collected and analyzed based on a variety of points, such as overall school reputation, entering students’ test scores, affordability, etc. Our sources come from the U.S. News & World Report, individual school websites, the National Center for Education’s IPEDs database, and PayScale.

Rankings

See our rankings methodology page.

#1 Best Online Art History Degrees

University of Massachusetts Lowell

  • Lowell, MA
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

All kinds of degree-seekers choose the University of Massachusetts Lowell because the public institution offers learning opportunities with a great deal of flexibility. The Lowell, Massachusetts, school supports 5,831 learners attending remotely from all over the country, offering them 11 virtual bachelor's programs to choose from. Many people looking to go into art or a related field find that the top-choice bachelor's in liberal arts to be a great option.

The program features premier faculty members and a tight-knit learning community to support students. The online learning environment includes classwork and projects relevant to degree-seekers' personal and professional goals. Learners can participate in faculty-driven research, internships, and externships. Program enrollees work with advisors to customize their academic experience by choosing electives and tailoring coursework to their individual needs and interests.

Since the price of an education can be high, the college features a variety of internal and external opportunities for financial assistance. Students who qualify benefit from fellowships, scholarships, and other types of financial assistance. Getting some kind of financial assistance helps 90% of the college's enrollees bring down the price of their education.

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$15,078
Out-of-state
$33,004
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$14,590
Out-of-state
$26,370
Retention Rate
83%
Acceptance Rate
73%
Students Enrolled
18,352
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
32% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes New England Commission on Higher Education

#2 Best Online Art History Degrees

Arizona State University

  • Phoenix, AZ
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

The premier online programs at Phoenix, Arizona-based Arizona State University suit students seeking competitive study. The BA in art history provides a rigorous, industry-related education to degree-seekers interested in art.

The remote classroom environment of the art program lets participants connect with the supportive virtual learning community, including classmates and faculty. Foundational and advanced topics in art are covered in the program's classes, giving enrollees the relevant knowledge to prepare them for their future careers in the field. The hands-on practice that learners get in experiential learning opportunities like internships and research projects helps them advance their competency for a future art job. Degree-seekers enjoy access to institutional resources focused on student success, such as career and academic advising, throughout the course of the program.

Funding opportunities found by working with a financial aid officer can lower the costs of an art degree. The college's students have many funding opportunities available to them, including fellowships, scholarships, and federal aid. Of all enrollees, 98% receive some kind of financial aid.

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$10,710
Out-of-state
$28,800
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$11,720
Out-of-state
$26,160
Retention Rate
85%
Acceptance Rate
82%
Students Enrolled
11,420
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
57% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Higher Learning Commission

#3 Best Online Art History Degrees

Lindenwood University

  • Saint Charles, MO
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

A Saint Charles, Missouri, school, Lindenwood University offers premier online degrees for students looking for a competitive program. The private institution's 4,457 online learners choose from five virtual bachelor's programs. The rigorous, industry-relevant education provided by the BA in art history and visual culture appeals to degree-seekers interested in art history.

Connecting with classmates and instructors in the virtual classroom space helps participants gain the full benefits of the program's supportive online learning community. Enrollees gain knowledge relevant to their future careers from classes covering foundational and advanced topics in art history. Learners' competency for a future profession in the art field is strengthened through hands-on practice in experiential learning opportunities like research projects and internships. Degree-seekers enjoy access to institution resources focused on student success, such as career and academic advising, throughout the course of the program.

Financial aid officers can alert learners to funding opportunities that may help defray the costs of a degree. The college features many different scholarships, fellowships, and federal financial aid options. Some type of financial assistance is given to 100% of the institution's enrollees.

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$18,000
Out-of-state
$18,000
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$18,000
Out-of-state
$18,000
Retention Rate
64%
Acceptance Rate
88%
Students Enrolled
8,392
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
53% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Higher Learning Commission

#4 Best Online Art History Degrees

Prescott College

  • Prescott, AZ
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Located in Prescott, Arizona, Prescott College provides premier online degree programs for students seeking competitive study. The private institution supports 649 online learners, with 14 bachelor's programs offered remotely. The BA in arts and humanities offers degree-seekers interested in a rigorous education with industry relevance.

Connecting with colleagues and faculty in an online learning environment helps participants in the program get the full benefits from the supportive remote community. Enrollees attend classes that cover both foundational and advanced topics, giving them relevant knowledge for a future career. Internships, research projects, and other experiential learning opportunities help learners practice hands-on skills to build their competency for a job. The institution offers resources focused on student success to help degree-seekers throughout the course of their program, such as academic advising and career counseling.

When preparing for the costs of a degree, students should meet with the financial aid office to discuss funding opportunities. The college features many different scholarships, fellowships, and federal financial aid opportunities. Some kind of financial aid is provided to 100% of enrollees at the institution.

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$30,888
Out-of-state
$30,888
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$21,696
Out-of-state
$21,696
Retention Rate
61%
Acceptance Rate
97%
Students Enrolled
993
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
65% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Higher Learning Commission

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