Best Online History Degree Programs of 2023

Updated: May 15, 2023

History is about more than studying past events and memorizing dates or names. Earning an online degree in history will give you the critical thinking, research, and writing skills necessary for a host of jobs in law, education, communications, and more.

Why This Matters

CHOOSE FROM MORE THAN A DOZEN CAREER PATHS

History is a very versatile major. Individuals who pursue degrees in history can go on to be archivists, curators, researchers, teachers, writers, lawyers, politicians, and more.
DEMAND FOR ARCHIVISTS TO RISE 9% BY 2028

As organizations have an increasing volume of information to manage and digitize, new opportunities for archivists are expected to open up at a faster-than-average pace.
EARN $14,270 MORE PER YEAR WITH A MASTER’S

Teaching is another popular career path for history majors. Those with an advanced degree can teach at the college level and earn an annual median wage of $74,590.

Our Research

Bachelor’s and master’s degrees are the most common types of degrees in history, although some schools offer an associate’s degree in history. As history is a humanities field, most programs award a Bachelor of Arts or Master of Arts in history. For this list, we reviewed associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs.

All of the programs on our list are delivered completely online. We only included programs that are offered by regionally accredited schools, meaning that they meet high standards of quality for higher education. Coursework and degrees from regionally accredited institutions are more widely recognized and accepted by other schools and employers.

We evaluated each program based on reputation, faculty, course strength, cost, and flexibility. Then we calculated an Intelligent Score for each program on a scale of 0 to 100. For a more extensive explanation, check out Our Ranking Methodology.

55 hours to write this article
118 universities and colleges we assessed
271 education programs we compared

The Top 61 Online History Degree Programs

Best Online History Degree Programs

Intelligent Pick

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Southwestern Assemblies of God University

Most Innovative Curriculum

Florida International University

Best in the South

University of Louisiana Monroe

Best Non-Thesis Program

Fort Hays State University

Fast-Growing Program

Sam Houston State University

Best for Veterans

Western Kentucky University

Best for Small Class Sizes

Slippery Rock University

Best Modern History Focus

Nicholls State University

Best Department Resources

West Texas A&M University

Fastest Completion Time

Holy Apostles College and Seminary

Most Affordable

Sterling College

Best Baptist College

The Baptist College Of Florida

Best Bachelor's Degree

Drury University

Best for Transfer Students

Eastern Oregon University

Best Global Campus

University of Maryland Global Campus

Best Minor Program

West Virginia University

Best State University

University of Central Florida

Best Masters Program

Austin Peay State University

Most Military Friendly

Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Best in the Midwest

University of Nebraska

Best Public University

Missouri State University

Best Certificate Program

SUNY Empire State College

Best in the Northeast

University of Nebraska at Kearney

Best Assistantships

Indiana State University

Secondary Education Emphasis

Ottawa University

Best Internship Options

University of Illinois Springfield

Best For-Profit University

American Public University

Clayton State University

Best Yellow Ribbon School

Emporia State University

American History Emphasis

Pittsburg State University

Best K-12 Education Emphasis

Eastern Illinois University

Best in the Non-Continental U.S.

Chaminade University of Honolulu

Best Associate's Program

Front Range Community College

Most Military Friendly School

Norwich University

Best Christian University

Wayland Baptist University

Best Online University

Southern New Hampshire University

Best Community College

Best Private University

Ashland University

Most Transfer-Friendly

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

Research Emphasis

University of Massachusetts Boston

Best in the Southwest

Eastern New Mexico University

Most Transfer-Friendly

University of Arizona

Most Military Friendly School

King University

Best in the Southeast

University of North Carolina Wilmington

Best for Accelerated Classes

Arizona State University

Liberal Arts Emphasis

University of Massachusetts Lowell

Best in the Northwest

Washington State University

Westfield State University

Best for Multiple Start Terms

Oregon State University

Best Faith-Based Institution

Ohio Christian University

Best in the West

University of Idaho

Best Study Abroad Options

The University of Memphis

Best Secondary Education Focus

Bellevue University

Most Experienced Faculty

University of Maine at Presque Isle

Best Religious-Affiliated Institution

Liberty University

Low Student/Faculty Ratio

University of North Alabama

Best Scholarships

Regent University

Most Transfer-Friendly

Excelsior University

Best Ivy League Program

Harvard University

Best Alumni Network

National University

Best for Small Class Sizes

Norfolk State University

Award-Winning Faculty

What You Should Know About This Degree

While some individuals with history degrees go on to work as historians for museums, research organizations, or the government, there are actually multiple career paths available to those who study history. Without a specifically defined career path, history majors must be creative in their approaches to their career and look at interdisciplinary job opportunities that incorporate historical research and analysis skills.

Because a history degree program teaches a broad range of transferable skills including writing, critical-thinking, research, and problem-solving, employers in a variety of fields seek out history majors as job candidates. These fields include education, law, communications, journalism, government, and more.

When exploring online programs, it’s important to confirm that the institution is authorized to grant degrees to students in the state where you reside. Check with the National Council of State Authorization of Reciprocity Agreements for more information about authorizations for distance education providers. The school may also provide information about its authorization for granting degrees to out-of-state students.

Even when programs are advertised as online, they may have minimal in-person requirements for internships, residencies, or other hands-on learning experiences. Review the program’s curriculum carefully to confirm if there are any in-person obligations, and decide if they will fit into your schedule and lifestyle.

What’s Next?

Here are some questions to ask when researching Online History programs:

Does this program offer the specialization I want? Many bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in history give students the option to focus on the history of a particular geographic region or time period. Specializations can include Middle Eastern history, Eurpoean history, or military history. If you are interested in focusing on a particular area, check if the program offers that option.
Does the program have a thesis option? This is a consideration for master’s level students. If you plan to continue on to earn a doctoral degree in history, completing a thesis as part of your master’s degree may be advantageous or even necessary. As a prerequisite for admission to some doctoral programs, you may need to submit an academic writing sample like a thesis. Keep this in mind when selecting and completing a master’s degree.

During the research process, review the program’s admissions requirements and deadlines so that you are prepared for the application process. You can find this information on the program’s website or by contacting their admissions department directly.

Financing your education is another important consideration. Research scholarships, assistantships, loans, and payment plans.