by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, art history was the 192nd most popular major nationwide with 3,512 degrees awarded. This 204 less than the prior year, a decrease of 5.8%.
This year's Best Art History Schools ranking compares 257 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of art history programs later in this article.
A major in art history prepares you for careers in which giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times is crucial. Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents and talking to others to convey information effectively are all required skills for careers related to this major.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. Specific art history careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
Art History degree levels vary. Art History programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest art history degree you can get. Art History programs can take anywhere between one to four or more years for a full-time student to complete.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A master's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to art history, with approximately 54.2% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for art history workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 54.3% |
| Doctoral Degree | 19.8% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 13.7% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 3.7% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 3.0% |
Most workers in art history have at least a master's degree. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in art history have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the art history career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your art history degree? Art History careers are expected to grow 12.3% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to art history.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Professors | 137,200 | 12.0% |
| Curators | 14,100 | 13.7% |
| Museum Technicians and Conservators | 13,300 | 12.7% |
| Archivists | 7,800 | 14.7% |
As you might expect, salaries for art history graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for art history graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers art history grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Professors | $82,560 |
| Curators | $58,490 |
| Archivists | $56,400 |
| Museum Technicians and Conservators | $46,870 |
With over 780 different art history degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased art history school rankings to help you with this.
Art History is one of 12 different types of Fine & Studio Arts programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Art Studies | 18,323 |
| Fine Arts | 11,922 |
| Other Fine Arts & Art Studies | 837 |
| Intermedia/Multimedia | 805 |
| Painting | 646 |
Image Credit: By Jorge Royan under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
