Advance your education without breaking the bank with this list of the cheapest online history degree programs. An online bachelor’s degree in history stands as one of the most popular liberal arts degrees offered by regionally accredited universities. Within the next 8 years the job market will see a growth of 6 to 9 percent in entry-level historian positions including museum tech, archiving, teaching, and more. A specialized degree in history could lead to salaries from $40,000 to $48,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Students with a critical mindset may find success in exploring other more focused areas, such as online military history degrees and advanced degrees to move beyond entry-level jobs. While searching for a the best online history bachelor’s degree for your professional and academic needs, consider cost. There can be a difference of up to $72,000 between the most expensive and cheapest online history degrees.
Average Cost (In-state): ~$46,400
Least Expensive: Sterling College ~ $16,740.00
Most Expensive: Southwestern Adventist University ~ $88,800.00
GetEducated has surveyed 58 of best online history bachelor’s degree programs from 50 different colleges to create this cost ranking. Through this list, aspiring students are able to find the most affordable online history degrees offered in the United States. Find the highest caliber education at a cost fitting your budget and professional goals before selecting a degree in this competitive field.
Our data-driven research creates a truly reliable system of scientific rankings. There are no fancy formulas here. We meticulously calculate total full-time tuition—including any fees—for the most accurate total cost. Our rankings cannot be bought, and therefore factually showcase the cheapest online history degrees at the bachelor’s level. The online history degrees listed above the gray dividing line are official 2019 “Best Buys” and cost less than the national average.
The Cheapest Online History Degrees
| Rank | School / Degree | State | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Sterling College | (KS) | $16,740.00 | All Students |
2 | Clayton State University | (GA) | $24,416.00 | All Students |
3 | Eastern New Mexico University | (NM) | $27,960.00 $35,952.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
4 | Florida International University | (FL) | $28,286.72 $42,333.92 | In-State Out-of-State |
5 |  Eastern Oregon University | (OR) | $30,590.00 | All Students |
6 | Indiana University Online | (IN) | $33,600.00 $45,600.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
7 | University of Maine at Presque Isle | (ME) | $34,180.00 $51,340.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
8 |  American Public University System | (WV) | $34,500.00 $30,100.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
9 | McNeese State University | (LA) | $34,641.84 | All Students |
10 | Nicholls State University | (LA) | $35,604.48 | All Students |
11 | University of Alaska Fairbanks | (AK) | $35,690.00 | All Students |
12 | Western New Mexico University | (NM) | $36,330.00 $43,576.80 | In-State Out-of-State |
13 | University of Maryland Global Campus | (MD) | $37,850.00 $61,730.00 $30,050.00 | In-State Out-of-State Military |
14 | Arkansas Tech University | (AR) | $38,220.00 $66,060.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
15 | University of Nebraska at Kearney | (NE) | $38,222.00 $54,422.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
16 | Granite State College (part of University of New Hampshire) Bachelor of Arts in History 14 | (NH) | $38,360.00 $44,480.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
17 | Norfolk State University | (VA) | $38,518.00 $86,230.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
18 | Valley City State University | (ND) | $38,534.40 $32,650.80 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
19 |  Southern New Hampshire University | (NH) | $38,550.00 $27,150.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
20 | Troy University | (AL) | $40,560.00 $30,000.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
21 | Drury University | (MO) | $40,896.00 $32,216.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
22 | Washington State University | (WA) | $41,472.00 $46,200.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
23 |  King University | (TN) | $41,945.00 $35,125.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
24 | University of North Alabama | (AL) | $42,000.00 | All Students |
25 | Northwestern State University of Louisiana | (LA) | $45,000.00 $23,040.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
25 | Columbia College - MO | (MO) | $45,000.00 $30,000.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
| School / Degree | State | Price | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth | (MA) | $46,536.00 | All Students | |
Baptist University of Florida | (FL) | $46,900.00 | All Students | |
University of Louisiana at Monroe | (LA) | $48,000.00 | All Students | |
Liberty University | (VA) | $48,492.00 $30,100.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Mississippi State University | (MS) | $48,577.00 | All Students | |
Ohio Christian University | (OH) | $49,760.00 $32,000.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Park University | (MO) | $49,875.00 $30,075.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
University of Missouri-St Louis | (MO) | $51,060.00 $124,656.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | (WI) | $51,455.60 $107,852.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Regent University | (VA) | $51,800.00 $34,400.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Sam Houston State University | (TX) | $51,852.00 | All Students | |
University of Memphis | (TN) | $55,560.00 | All Students | |
Mary Baldwin University | (VA) | $55,830.00 | All Students | |
Oregon State University | (OR) | $55,970.00 | All Students | |
Northern Kentucky University | (KY) | $56,194.00 | All Students | |
Pennsylvania State University | (PA) | $58,172.00 | All Students | |
Ottawa University | (KS) | $62,751.00 $31,875.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Linfield University | (OR) | $63,735.00 | All Students | |
Southwestern Assemblies of God University | (TX) | $64,255.00 | All Students | |
Excelsior College | (NY) | $65,580.00 $30,260.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
National University (School Merged) Bachelor of Arts in History 14 | (CA) | $66,700.00 | All Students | |
Maryville University | (MO) | $66,800.00 | All Students | |
Southwestern Adventist University | (TX) | $88,800.00 | All Students |
14 Options for this program have changed since publication.
Accreditation Note: To qualify for a ranking, the affordable online history degree program must be regionally accredited. Additional programmatic accreditation is noted in the rank table.
Rankings Note: These online college rankings are based on a GetEducated Winter/Spring 2020 review of regionally accredited online bachelor’s degree in history programs. Total cost includes full-time tuition and fees and was valid at the time of collection and specific to the online learning program. School profiles for the Request More Information in our directory may reflect a slightly different cost based on different editorial update schedules. The published cost is an estimated sticker price for the entire online degree including fees. Actual costs may vary by student. Factors such as transfer credits, prerequisite courses, professional licensing and financial aid availability will affect final cost.
Editorial Note: Online schools do NOT pay to be included in any GetEducated online degree cost ranking. These rankings are editorially independent, open to any regionally accredited or candidate college that offers an affordable online history degree that is available at least 80 percent through online learning and that is open to enrollment by the public. If your online college is regionally accredited and not currently reviewed by GetEducated, please contact us for inclusion.
These rankings of the cheapest online history degree programs may NOT be re-posted online or reprinted in any format without a license from GetEducated ®. Consumer finance bloggers and writers can contact our editors for a free custom article on the best online history bachelor’s degree programs for use on your website. Our mission: Help consumers GetEducated ® about the best online colleges for cost and credibility.
Cheapest Online History Degree Programs: How to Choose
The best online history bachelor’s degree programs do more than teach numbers, events, names, and dates. These degrees enhance communication and research skills while creating a strong knowledge of our past. Students will learn not just what happened, but why it happened and why it matters. The skills learned through these programs can apply to a history-focused career, but also to any job requiring communication, research, and critical thinking.
Because these skills are so broadly applicable, the best online history bachelor’s degree programs can lead to many positions. Graduates can become historians, researching and communicating the important lessons of history. These specialists often need a master’s degree. Grads can become writers and editors, using their skills in countless industries. If students complete a teaching education, they can work as high school history teachers.
One of the most direct career paths is to become a museum technician. This career, which involves the preparation and preservation of artifacts, requires at least a bachelor’s degree.
There are numerous career options for graduates of the best bachelor’s degrees in history online. Students who enjoy history, research, and writing about complex topics should consider one of these useful degrees.
Best Online History Bachelor’s Degree Program Types
While a bachelor’s degree in history can take many forms, the majority are bachelor of arts degrees. There are also bachelor of science programs, but these are less common. Also, while most are broad history degrees, covering a wide overview of topics, a handful focus on a specific subset.
These programs, like all bachelor’s degrees, require 120 credit hours, typically completed over four years of study. The programs include a general education component that covers classic topics like science, math, humanities, and literature.
Students will also complete core classes that dive into history. The subjects will vary by program, but students can expect to study U.S. history, global history, Western society, ancient history, and more.
While a bachelor of arts is the most common form for these degrees, it is not the only type. Students can also complete a bachelor of science, which has subtle differences compared to the arts programs. A bachelor of science in history will emphasize a greater knowledge in history. Courses will focus on technical skills needed for researching historical topics. It will not just teach about history, it will teach you how to research history. Students learn how to dive into subjects using primary and secondary resources to create original works. A bachelor of arts, on the other hand, is more generalized and tends to focus less on research methods.
While most do not have focus areas, a few programs do. For example, Southern New Hampshire University offers a bachelor of arts in history. Students can select from four concentrations, which include:
- American History
- European History
- Middle Eastern History
- Military History
In our list of the cheapest online history degree programs, students can also find concentrations in ancient studies from Southwestern Assemblies of God University and African American studies from University of Memphis.
Typical Courses in the Cheapest Online History Degree Programs
No matter the price tag, there are many similarities between the coursework in most expensive and the cheapest online history degree programs. Each program will have its own classes, including different requirements for general studies, core classes, and electives. To understand the differences from one program to another, let’s look at some classes in three of the best online history bachelor’s degree programs.
Mississippi State University – Bachelor of Arts in History
This is a typical program. Once the general courses are complete, students will take history classes that include Western History, East Asian History, and History of Science and Technology. Students will also complete Historiography and Historical Methods, which helps them understand the process for researching, analyzing, and sharing historical information.
Liberty University – Bachelor of Science in History
In this bachelor of science program, students complete general education classes as well as history courses. Students must complete a cultural studies elective, as well as classes on natural science, theology, and other gen ed requirements. Within the history major, students take courses that include History of Western Civilization I and II, Historical Methodology, and a world history elective.
Southern New Hampshire University – Bachelor of Arts in History / Military History
Military history is a key aspect of historical study. Battles and wars shape the course of history, and studying these events is essential to studying the globe’s history. The military history concentration from Southern New Hampshire University examines topics like the Civil War, military advances during World War II, and the history of the Cold War.
Accreditation for the Best Online History Bachelor’s Degrees
When considering this list of the cheapest online history degrees, it’s important to look at a school’s accreditation. Accreditation is the process of reviewing a school or program to ensure they deliver a high-quality education. Independent bodies known as accrediting organizations affirm that standards are being met.
Regional accrediting groups grant accreditation to entire schools. These organizations include the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Individual programs are accredited by groups that focus on a specific discipline. For example, the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE) focuses on the construction industry. However, no group accredits history degrees.
These online degrees still meet a high standard, as they come from schools that have accreditation from groups approved by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Admission Requirements for the Cheapest Online History Degrees
Each affordable online history degree will have its own set of requirements for incoming students. To be accepted, you need a high school diploma or GED. Some programs may also require ACT or SAT scores, although plenty of schools are moving away from this requirement.
Most bachelor’s programs have fairly light entry requirements. This does not mean that acceptance will come easy, but most students will find a bachelor’s program that accepts their application. The primary requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent. If you have not met this requirement, you will need to complete a GED program before enrolling in a top bachelor’s degree in history online.
Most programs will have a GPA requirement of some type. Usually this requirement is around 2.0 and 2.5, while elite programs may only accept students with a 3.0 or better.
As an example, Valley City State University, which offers a bachelor of arts and a bachelor of science in history, requires freshman students to have a high school GPA of 2.0 or better. For this program, ACT and SAT score submission is encouraged but not required.
Other programs have different requirements. For example, Southwestern Adventist University offers a top bachelor’s degree in history online program that requires a high school GPA of 2.5 or better.
What is the Cheapest Online History Degree at the Bachelor’s Level?
Most online bachelor’s programs in history are relatively affordable. Our list includes the 25 cheapest online history degree programs. Among these, the average is $46,400. This price can seem high, but this is for a four-year degree, which means the average per-year cost is $11,600. Of course, this assumes a four-year track; students can complete degrees faster or slower. Over four years, most students will complete eight semesters, meaning the average per-semester price is $5,800.
Some of the best online history bachelor’s degree programs are even more affordable. The most affordable online history degree at the bachelor’s level comes from Sterling College. The Bachelor of Arts in History has a total cost of $16,740. This translates to $4,185 per year or just over $2,000 per semester.
The highest-priced degree is the Bachelor of Arts in History from Southwestern Adventist University. This degree has a total price tag of $88,800, which is $20,000 more than the second-most-expensive degree on our list. The per-year price for this program is $22,200, meaning students need $11,100 each semester.
Licensing & Certification Requirements After an Affordable Online History Degree
Most history graduates will not need licensing or certification for their careers. Historians, who usually need a master’s degree, do not need a license. There are also no significant certifications held by these professionals.
Museum technicians also do not need a license or certification, although archivists (another master’s-level profession) can enhance their careers with certification. These designations are awarded by the Academy of Certified Archivists. The ACA offers the Certified Archivist credential to master’s-qualified candidates who pass a mandatory test.
There is one notable profession that requires a license: history teacher. This is a common job for people who graduate from the best bachelor’s degrees in history online. Teachers often have a bachelor’s degree in their specialization (ex: a history teacher will have a bachelor’s degree in history) as well as teaching instruction. They will also need to complete student-teaching programs, pass a background check, and pass a teaching certification test.
Salary & Career Outlook
Historians have a decent median salary, although the projected growth is just under the national average. Most people in this profession need a master’s degree. The median salary in 2021 for this career was $63,940, while the top 10% earned over $118,000. Those working for the federal government had the strongest salaries; their median earnings were $101,910.
Job growth, however, will be slow. This career will grow by 4%, which is a slower rate than the overall job market, which is expected to grow by 5%. In 2021 there were only 3,300 historians across the United States. In 2031, the number will only be 3,400.
Museum-based careers are expected to have better job growth, although salaries will be less. Archivists, curators, and museum workers will grow by 12%, which is much faster than average, according to the BLS. In total, there will be roughly 37,700 people working in this occupation, which will include 14,300 museum technicians and conservators. The median pay for all of these professions is $50,120.
Next Step in the Education
If you want a career in history, either in teaching, research, or working at a museum, you’ll likely need a master’s degree. This degree level is one step above a bachelor’s. History-based professions that typically require a master’s degree include:
- Historian
- Archivist
- Curator
- Conservator
- Anthropologist
- Archaeologist
To complete a master’s degree, you’ll need to maintain a strong performance throughout your undergrad studies. These programs often require a GPA of 3.0 or even 3.5 and will request documents like a statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and a resume.
Create Your Future by Studying the Past!
There is an affordable online history degree at the bachelor’s level that is perfect for your budget and schedule. Whether you are starting your college journey or want to finally complete a bachelor’s degree after years away from the classroom, we have the resources and information you need!