Find your online history program in minutes!

Most schools have rolling admissions and financial help so you can start your degree in a few weeks!

Jump to this section:
Find your online history program in minutes!
Best Online History Degree Programs of 2023
Best Online History Degree Programs of 2023
Find your online history program in minutes!
Back to top

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
01
Intelligent Pick
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
01
Best Advisors
Southwestern Assemblies of God University
01
Most Innovative Curriculum
Florida International University
01
Best in the South
University of Louisiana Monroe
01
Best Non-Thesis Program
Fort Hays State University
01
Fast-Growing Program
Sam Houston State University
01
Best for Veterans
Western Kentucky University
01
Best for Small Class Sizes
Slippery Rock University
01
Best Modern History Focus
Nicholls State University
01
Best Department Resources
West Texas A&M University
01
Fastest Completion Time
Holy Apostles College and Seminary
01
Most Affordable
Sterling College
01
Best Baptist College
The Baptist College Of Florida
01
Best Bachelor's Degree
Drury University
01
Best for Transfer Students
Eastern Oregon University
01
Best Global Campus
University of Maryland Global Campus
01
Best Minor Program
West Virginia University
01
Best State University
University of Central Florida
01
Best Masters Program
Austin Peay State University
01
Most Military Friendly
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
01
Best in the Midwest
University of Nebraska
01
Best Public University
Missouri State University
01
Best Certificate Program
SUNY Empire State College
01
Best in the Northeast
University of Nebraska at Kearney
01
Best Assistantships
Indiana State University
01
Secondary Education Emphasis
Ottawa University
01
Best Internship Options
University of Illinois Springfield
01
Best For-Profit University
American Public University
01
Good Value
Clayton State University
01
Best Yellow Ribbon School
Emporia State University
01
American History Emphasis
Pittsburg State University
01
Best K-12 Education Emphasis
Eastern Illinois University
01
Best in the Non-Continental U.S.
Chaminade University of Honolulu
01
Best Associate's Program
Front Range Community College
01
Most Military Friendly School
Norwich University
01
Best Christian University
Wayland Baptist University
01
Best Online University
Southern New Hampshire University
01
Best Community College
Cowley College
01
Best Private University
Ashland University
01
Most Transfer-Friendly
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
01
Research Emphasis
University of Massachusetts Boston
01
Best in the Southwest
Eastern New Mexico University
01
Most Transfer-Friendly
University of Arizona
01
Most Military Friendly School
King University
01
Best in the Southeast
University of North Carolina Wilmington
01
Best for Accelerated Classes
Arizona State University
01
Liberal Arts Emphasis
University of Massachusetts Lowell
01
Best in the Northwest
Washington State University
01
Most Flexible
Westfield State University
01
Best for Multiple Start Terms
Oregon State University
01
Best Faith-Based Institution
Ohio Christian University
01
Best in the West
University of Idaho
01
Best Study Abroad Options
The University of Memphis
01
Best Secondary Education Focus
Bellevue University
01
Most Experienced Faculty
University of Maine at Presque Isle
01
Best Religious-Affiliated Institution
Liberty University
01
Low Student/Faculty Ratio
University of North Alabama
01
Best Scholarships
Regent University
01
Most Transfer-Friendly
Excelsior University
01
Best Ivy League Program
Harvard University
01
Best Alumni Network
National University
01
Best for Small Class Sizes
Norfolk State University
01
Award-Winning Faculty
Mercy College

Discover More Options

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.


Compare School Options


Related Degrees