Best Online Bachelor’s of History Degree Programs Ranked for 2023

BEST ONLINE BACHELOR'S IN HISTORY

Find top-ranked online bachelor’s in history degree programs for students wanting to work for historical societies, schools, government agencies, libraries, and nonprofit organizations. They can also use their degree to apply for law school or to pursue a master’s degree.

Top 10 Online Bachelor's in History Degree Programs

Sort by:
  1. University of Arizona
  2. University of Nebraska–Lincoln
  3. Florida International University
  4. University of Central Florida
  5. University of Memphis
  6. University of Idaho
  7. University of Alaska Fairbanks
  8. Liberty University
  9. Southeast Missouri State University
  10. Providence College
  1. Liberty University 99%
  2. Sam Houston State University 97%
  3. West Texas A&M University 97%
  4. University of Memphis 95%
  5. Troy University 95%
  6. Westfield State University 94%
  7. Arkansas Tech University 94%
  8. Southern New Hampshire University 92%
  9. University of Massachusetts Dartmouth 92%
  10. University of North Alabama 90%
  1. University of Central Florida 31 to 1
  2. Florida International University 25 to 1
  3. Southern New Hampshire University 21 to 1
  4. Sam Houston State University 21 to 1
  5. University of Missouri–St. Louis 19 to 1
  6. Southeast Missouri State University 19 to 1
  7. Regent University 19 to 1
  8. Troy University 18 to 1
  9. Northern Kentucky University 18 to 1
  10. Arkansas Tech University 17 to 1
  1. Providence College $55,988
  2. Liberty University $22,713
  3. Regent University $18,820
  4. Southern New Hampshire University $15,380
  5. University of Massachusetts Dartmouth $13,833
  6. University of Missouri–St. Louis $12,015
  7. University of Arizona $10,990
  8. Northern Kentucky University $10,008
  9. University of North Alabama $9,600
  10. Troy University $9,312
  1. Southern New Hampshire University $18,900
  2. University of Massachusetts Dartmouth $16,390
  3. Regent University $15,590
  4. University of Missouri–St. Louis $12,528
  5. University of Arizona $12,106
  6. University of Alaska Fairbanks $11,265
  7. Northern Kentucky University $9,900
  8. Providence College $9,750
  9. University of Memphis $9,378
  10. University of Tennessee at Martin $9,278
  1. Arkansas Tech University
  2. West Texas A&M University
  3. University of North Alabama
  4. University of Missouri–St. Louis
  5. University of Nebraska at Kearney
  6. Norfolk State University
  7. University of Tennessee at Martin
  8. Northern Kentucky University
  9. Regent University
  10. Westfield State University
  1. University of Central Florida 36%
  2. Regent University 41%
  3. University of Missouri–St. Louis 57%
  4. Providence College 58%
  5. Florida International University 64%
  6. University of Alaska Fairbanks 65%
  7. University of Tennessee at Martin 75%
  8. Southeast Missouri State University 79%
  9. Northern Kentucky University 80%
  10. University of Nebraska–Lincoln 81%
  1. University of Alaska Fairbanks 11 to 1
  2. Providence College 11 to 1
  3. University of Nebraska at Kearney 13 to 1
  4. Idaho State University 13 to 1
  5. University of Massachusetts Dartmouth 15 to 1
  6. University of North Alabama 15 to 1
  7. West Texas A&M University 15 to 1
  8. Westfield State University 15 to 1
  9. University of Arizona 15 to 1
  10. University of Idaho 16 to 1
  1. Westfield State University $970
  2. University of Central Florida $4,478
  3. Florida International University $4,721
  4. Arkansas Tech University $5,736
  5. Norfolk State University $5,752
  6. Sam Houston State University $5,856
  7. Idaho State University $5,928
  8. University of Idaho $6,182
  9. West Texas A&M University $6,211
  10. University of Nebraska at Kearney $6,270
  1. Westfield State University $1,890
  2. West Texas A&M University $5,086
  3. Arkansas Tech University $5,414
  4. Sam Houston State University $5,765
  5. Southeast Missouri State University $5,858
  6. University of Nebraska–Lincoln $6,138
  7. University of Nebraska at Kearney $6,216
  8. University of North Alabama $6,600
  9. University of Central Florida $6,916
  10. University of Idaho $7,754

Featured Programs

Frequently Asked Questions About History Degrees

A bachelor’s degree in history gives students a comprehensive education of the past and a contextual understanding of the present.

Back to Top

Students can study either online or on campus and can choose from various concentrations, such as African history, Asian history, Eastern European history, European history, Latin American history, and United States history.

Back to Top

On average, an undergraduate degree in history requires 120 credits, which typically takes about four to five years to complete.

Back to Top

While some students use their degree to apply for law school or to pursue a master’s degree, many history graduates go on to work for historical societies, schools, government agencies, libraries, and nonprofit organizations.

Back to Top

Learn more about how to major in history.

Best Online Bachelor's in History Degree Programs
Download Badge

Median Salaries of Similar Careers in the U.S.

The following graph depicts the average salaries of similar occupations to Historians in the U.S.

Source: U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Annual Salary
66800Anthropologists and Archeologists
72130Historians
86740Geographers
90900Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other
120430Political Scientists

25 Best Online Bachelor’s in History Degree Programs

  1. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    87%

    Graduation

    64%

    Student body

    40K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1220/25

    Online Degrees

    BA in History
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  2. #2

    University of Memphis

    Memphis , TN
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    95%

    Graduation

    54%

    Student body

    17K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1095/22

    Online Degrees

    BA in History
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  3. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Acceptance

    36%

    Graduation

    75%

    Student body

    63K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1250/27

    Online Degrees

    BA in History
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  4. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    81%

    Graduation

    66%

    Student body

    22K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1215/25

    Online Degrees

    BA or BS in History
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  5. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    64%

    Graduation

    67%

    Student body

    49K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1185/26

    Online Degrees

    BA in History
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  6. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    65%

    Graduation

    38%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1160/22

    Online Degrees

    BA in History
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  7. #9

    Troy University

    Troy , AL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    95%

    Graduation

    52%

    Student body

    13K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1020/21

    Online Degrees

    BS in History

    Concentrations

    • American and Latin American History
    • European/Asian/African History
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  8. #12

    Liberty University

    Lynchburg , VA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $23K

    Acceptance

    99%

    Graduation

    62%

    Student body

    79K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1145/25

    Online Degrees

    BS in History
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 3.5 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Military Studies

    Concentrations

    • History
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 3.5 years
    • Format: Online
  9. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $15K

    Acceptance

    92%

    Graduation

    39%

    Student body

    102K

    Online Degrees

    BA in History

    Concentrations

    • American History
    • European History
    • Middle Eastern Studies
    • Military History
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
  10. Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    94%

    Graduation

    61%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1050/22

    Online Degrees

    BA in History
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  11. #24

    Regent University

    Virginia Beach , VA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $19K

    Acceptance

    41%

    Graduation

    62%

    Student body

    7K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1080/25

    Online Degrees

    BA in History
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BA in English-History
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Professional Studies-History
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
Back to Top

Online History Programs Looking for You

Back to Top

Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require a time of adjustment. Although you’ll typically learn the same material and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, going online will require greater independence and responsibility than going in person. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, for harnessing the online educational technology that you’ll need to use, and for completing the course requirements, such as listening to lectures, learning lessons, reading texts, and handing in assignments. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take the initiative in building relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

No. The only part of online education that’s easier than campus-based education is ease of access: all you need is a computer and an internet connection for online education. But even this seeming advantage of online education can be misleading: what’s easier, studying online with your computer and internet connection from your home where you need to cook, clean, pay rent, and maintain a job? Or studying on campus in a dorm where all your living needs are handled by the school, and college staff are there to help you every step of the way?

If you take the commute to campus out of the equation, campus-based education is easier. All the support structures available on campus for students, especially with real people to help you in person, are not there online. The demands on you as an online student will largely be the same as for your campus-based counterpart, but without the same helps.

In general, your online courses will present the same material and test you in the same way as traditional in-person courses. In many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning with remote educational technology for the first time, online college may be considerably more challenging than campus-based college. For a few insights on how to manage this new online experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable non-profit institutions on the one end and less-than-reputable for-profit institutions on the other end. Accreditation gives you the power to identify the more reputable actors in online education. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency indicating that a college or university is meeting standards of quality and credibility. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university that is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. For students seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that they opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree. For more on this important topic, check out our What is Accreditation and Why Does It Matter? College & University Accreditation Guide.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited (see the previous point), you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer of credits. In many cases, you will encounter some bureaucratic haggling in which some of your credits will be transferred and others may be refused. However, provided that you have attended an online school with recognized regional accreditation, you should be in good shape in transferring your credits earned online.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript, or resumé differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

Some employers may express the concern that because you did your degree online, you may need to transition from an online education experience to in-person workplace experience. But in an age of Covid, that concern seems much diminished. The fact is that much employment these days is remote. And collaboration increasingly happens online over Zoom. Many employers will therefore view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will be less than ideal for you (though depending on your circumstances, it may also be the only viable option).

While there is much in traditional campus-based education that can be substituted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing that can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual in-person classroom setting. As you transition to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face in getting the most out of your online classes is overcoming this difference between “real reality” and “virtual reality.” Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

The advantages of online classes are many. Above all, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete at your own pace and on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

Resources for Online College-Bound Students

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.