Best Online Bachelor’s in Art and Art History Programs

Bachelor’s in art and art history programs cater to students looking to transform their passion for art, sculpture, photography, or multimedia into marketable professional skills. The demand for workers with art skills and strong art history knowledge varies widely across professions. For example, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment for multimedia artists and animators to grow 4% between 2019 and 2029, while the number of archivists, curators, and museum workers is projected to increase 11% over that same time period.

Earning a bachelor’s degree typically qualifies students for entry-level positions, and some career paths require a more advanced degree. Read on to learn more about the top online bachelor’s in art and art history programs. For even more information, consult our bachelor’s in art and art history program guide.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

A bachelor’s degree in art and art history may offer concentrations in painting, sculpture, drawing, or fine arts. Each program designs its own graduation requirements, concentrations, and curriculum, however, so students should research their potential programs carefully.

Art and art history degree programs offer broad introductory classes in different mediums before students specialize in an area of fine art. Some programs require a foundation in art before majors take advanced classes in one area. While each program sets its own curriculum, many offer a version of the classes listed below.

Typically, a bachelor’s degree takes four years of full-time study and requires a minimum of 120 credits. However, the length of an art degree may vary depending on the program and a student’s educational background. Students with significant transfer credits, for example, may be able to finish a bachelor’s degree in art and art history in only one or two years. On the other hand, students who choose a part-time option may require more than four years.

The program structure also affects the length of time to degree. Some art programs require an internship component, which may add time to the degree, or include a capstone project with an art exhibition. Art history students may need to also write a research paper as part of their graduation requirements. Because these requirements vary by program, prospective students need to carefully research the curriculum at each potential program.

The cost of an art and art history bachelor’s degree varies depending on the program and the institution. In-state public colleges and universities charge the lowest tuition rate, for example, with College Board reporting that these institutions charged an average tuition rate of just under $10,000 a year in 2017/2018. Out-of-state public schools, by comparison, charged over $25,000 in tuition, with private schools exceeding $35,000 a year.

An art degree may cost less if students secure scholarships, grants, or other forms of financial aid. Some schools also offer tuition discounts for fully online programs. When calculating the cost of a degree, students need to consider additional costs beyond tuition, such as books and supplies, fees, and living expenses. Online students may save on commuting, parking, and childcare expenses, which can add up to thousands of dollars each year.

When researching the cost of different programs, prospective students should reach out to an admissions advisor to discuss tuition discounts, scholarships, and work study opportunities. Students may be able to lower costs by transferring in college credits earned at another institution or a community college, so transfer students also need to research each school’s transfer credit policies.

Art and art history graduates pursue a variety of careers after graduation, most of which do not require a certification or license. However, artists who choose to specialize in education may decide to earn a teaching license or become a board certified art teacher. In addition, artists in graphics or animation may benefit from earning certifications in their specialty.

Jobs that can be pursued with a bachelor’s in art and art history span several industries and specialty areas. Art major careers typically involve creating art or photography, designing graphics, and/or developing websites. According to the BLS, art and design workers earn a median annual wage of $48,130, which is higher than the median of $39,810 for all occupations. Demand for these jobs varies widely by career.

Professionals in art history tend to focus on careers in preservation, education, and/or archiving. This field is competitive, but growing — the BLS projects 11% job growth for archivists, curators, and museum workers between 2019 and 2029.

Learn more about how a bachelor’s in art and art history can help you launch an exciting and rewarding career.

The Art Jobs Board boasts over 500,000 artists using the free resource to find paid and unpaid job opportunities, with events and workshops to support artists.

The online resources at the Met website include learning resources for students, teachers, and professionals, with a full timeline of art history.

With over 40,000 images from museums around the world, Google’s ART Project lets artists and art historians zoom in on images and learn about artists throughout history.

AIGA offers a jobs board for design openings across the country, including positions for graphic designers, UX/UI designers, and academic positions. The board also features freelance, internship, and pro bono opportunities for designers.

Artists looking for an appraiser can benefit from the Appraisers Association. Resources include a membership directory to locate a local appraiser.

Students with a bachelor’s degree in art and art history can leverage the numerous resources available through professional associations. These organizations bring together artists working in different mediums, and provide networking opportunities, awards and competitions, and professional development resources. Many organizations also offer career services, which include jobs boards where graduates can post their resume. By joining a professional organization, artists and art historians connect with professionals in their field to advance their careers.

Dating back to 1911, the College Art Association promotes the exchange of ideas between artists and art historians. The CAA publishes The Art Bulletin and Art Journal, hosts an annual conference, and provides information about job openings.

Founded in 1901, the Society of Illustrators supports the art of illustration and runs a museum in New York City. The Society hosts events, confers awards, and organizes competitions for artists.

NAIA offers opportunities to network, resources for hosting art shows, and information for artists to advance their career. Members receive access to a directory for networking, discount programs, and the NAIA newspaper.

A professional organization for art educators, NAEA members include K-12 art teachers, professors, future art educators, and teaching artists. The association publishes standards, provides resources on teaching, and hosts conferences and summer programs.

Dating back to 1914, AIGA brings together design professionals, advocates for the value of design, and offers professional development resources. Members receive access to the jobs board, member discounts, and health insurance enrollment assistance.