Key Takeaways:
- Our #1 ranking school for online history degree programs is the University of Illinois at Springfield, followed by Arizona State University.
- Online history programs offer flexibility with no need for in-person requirements, making them ideal for distance learners.
- Programs emphasize asynchronous learning, diverse specializations, and comprehensive online resources to enhance the educational experience.
In this ranking, we examine the 10 best value colleges for online history degree programs.
History is one of the most traditional subjects that a student could choose to study. Grounded in the liberal arts, broadly focused, and lacking a specific career focus, history might not seem like the most obvious choice for online learning.
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After all, most distance ed. programs emphasize vocational training and practical industry skills – like IT or nursing. But because history programs don’t typically require internships, practicums, or lab courses, they don’t often require any face-to-face meetings or campus visits. This makes them an especially convenient choice for online learners!
And it would be hard to go wrong with any of these top 10 online history degree programs listed below. In fact, these programs are so closely matched that the ranking includes more than one set of tie scores! Here is a great article if you’re wondering what you can do with a history degree.
The Best Value History Degrees Online
10. Troy University (TIED)
Online Major in History: American/Latin American or European/Asian/African
Website
Troy University’s online history degree programs offer three emphases: America/Latin American, European/Asian/African, and Public History. The school’s online resources are abundant, and there is even a non-credit “Introduction to Online Learning” course that prospective students can take to “test-drive” Troy’s program.
The learning is asynchronous but highly structured, with a tight and fast-paced schedule. And for high school students interested in online learning, Troy has a unique ACCELERATE program that enables high schoolers to earn college credits on their own schedule and transfer them to another college or university.
Net Price: $10,118/yr
Score: 62.1
9. University of North Alabama (TIED)
Online B.A. or B.S. Degree in History
Website
The University of North Alabama’s affordable online history degree programs come in two flavors – a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science – and can be completed in four years. Whether a student obtains a B.A. or a B.S. depends on whether she wants to incorporate an intermediate-level foreign language into her coursework. UNA’s elective courses are split evenly between United States and non-United States history, and students are required to complete a senior thesis. UNA is particularly proud of its Public History program, and students with an interest in this area will graduate well-prepared for employment at archives, museums, and at historical preservation organizations.
Net Price: $10,118/yr
Score: 62.1
8. Westfield State University
Online History (B.A.) Degree Completion
The History Online Completion Program at Westfield State University is somewhat unusual. It’s designed for students who have graduated with an associates degree from a Massachusetts Community College and want to apply their credits toward earning a bachelor’s degree. The program is open to other students, but not all of the courses required for graduation are necessarily available online. This means a few visits to campus may be necessary to graduate with an online history degree. WSU offers classes at every speed: traditional 15-week semesters, six-week summer sessions, and an accelerated two-week winter session.
Net Price: $15,498/yr
Score: 62.9
7. University of Memphis
Online Bachelor of Arts Degree in History
Website
One great feature of the online history degree at the University of Memphis is that online students are eligible for and encouraged to take advantage of the same extensive study abroad programs as on-campus students. UM offers study abroad programs in over 50 countries across Asia, Europe, and South America and throughout the world. Students interested in African-American, Women, Gender, and Family, Global, and Egyptian History should look closely at UM’s program, as the school claims particular strength in those areas. UM offers its online education through Tennessee’s statewide Regents Online Campus Collaborative, which requires a separate application.
Net Price: $12,369/yr
Score: 64.4
6. University of Maine at Presque Isle
Online History Degree
Website
The affordable online history degree program at the University of Maine at Presque Isle features flexible timing – students can graduate in just three years with summer sessions or on a regular four-year schedule. UMPI students also benefit from close involvement with full-time advisors who are also teachers (and one of the student’s regular professors). The school’s online program offers the same student to faculty ratio as its on-campus counterpart and puts a priority on communication and collaboration between instructors and fellow students. The selection of classes is pretty standard but includes several specialty topics, including a course on Acadian and French Canadian Folklore.
Net Price: $10,374/yr
Score: 68.2
4. Nicholls State University (TIED)
Online Bachelor of Arts in History
Nicholls State University offers an online history degree with a special focus on modern and military history as well as an emphasis on Louisiana culture. World War II buffs will love the university’s relationship with the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, through which it offers a study abroad program in Normandy, France. That program offers a deep dive into the Allied invasion of Normandy, with special access to a number of historical sites in the region (including the famous Omaha Beach). NSU’s online classes are offered asynchronously, although some instructors require in-person testing at an approved proctor site.
Net Price: $9,369/yr
Score: 68.9
4. University of Central Florida (TIED)
Online History B.A.
Website
The University of Central Florida’s online history degree is, above all, flexible – the majority of the 36 required credit hours are in elective courses that cover regions all over the world. UCF is also home to the editorial offices of the Florida Historical Quarterly, one of the Sunshine State’s oldest publications dedicated to the study of history. The school also offers a Florida Studies minor, which includes classes in Floridian writers, archaeology, politics, and more. It’s important to note that due to state regulations, UCF is unable to offer online courses to students in Minnesota or Oregon.
Net Price: $14,745/yr
Score: 68.9
3. University of Louisiana at Monroe
Online Bachelor of Arts in History
Website
If you’re looking for a cheap history degree online, ULM’s Online Bachelor of Arts in History is a great bargain – although unlike many competing programs, it does require that students pair a minor with their online history degree. All of the school’s core history courses are available through distance education, and the classes cover a number of unique subjects that include hoodoo and voodoo and Polish history in the south. One nice perk is that ULM employs a Student Advocate and Retention Coordinator whose job it is to serve as a liaison for online students.
Net Price: $8,287/yr
Score: 74.2
2. Arizona State University
Online History (BA)
Website
What sets Arizona State University apart from other affordable online history degree programs is the depth of its online resources. The school has an extensive “Online Student Orientation” website with videos walking students through every aspect of its program. The school’s major has two tracks – United States History and World History – and cutting-edge online tools like Google Apps are an integral part of its program. ASU works hard to create a great online learning experience, providing extensive technical support, full access to the school’s library, a dedicated advisor for every online degree, plus many other resources at no additional cost.
Net Price: $12,125/yr
Score: 75.0
1. University of Illinois at Springfield
Online Bachelor’s Degree in History
The University of Illinois at Springfield is tops among online history degree programs because it provides the best bang for your buck. At a net price of just $9,000 a year, the cost is extremely competitive, and the school’s small class sizes, broad range of expertise, and dedication to its online program make it a strong choice for any prospective student. The admission requirements aren’t easy, however – students must have a minimum of 30 credit hours under their belts and complete a 500-word Statement of Purpose along with their application. One note: The history online degree program at UIS won’t accept applicants who live within 50 miles of the school unless those prospective students have documented disabilities that limit their ability to travel.
Net Price: $9,049/yr
Score: 84.1
This concludes our ranking of the top 10 values in online history degree programs.
See our methodology page for more information about how we calculated this ranking.
Sources:
College Navigator
By CVO Staff
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