by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Art History covers Art History, Criticism And Conservation. A Program That Focuses On The Study Of The Historical Development Of Art As Social And Intellectual Phenomenon, The Analysis Of Works Of Art, And Art Conservation. Includes Instruction In The Theory Of Art, Art History Research Methods, Connoisseurship, The Preservation And Conservation Of Works Of Art, And The Study Of Specific Periods, Cultures, Styles, And Themes. Continue reading for the key facts every art history major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering art history programs.
In the U.S., art history draws strong interest, with 3,557 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Art History Schools ranking analyzes these 351 schools to determine the best overall colleges for art history students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of art history programs later in this article.
Studies in Art History develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations art history graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a art history program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a art history major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several art history degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 143 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 2,381 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 825 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 208 |
People currently working in careers related to art history tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 48.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 16.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 15.0% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 4.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.2% |
| Some college courses | 3.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.7% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 2.6% |
| First professional degree | 1.3% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.2% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in art history careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in art history opens doors to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to art history.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to art history.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Curators | 1,554,871 | 4.1% |
| Archivists | 1,193,221 | 1.6% |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,074,154 | 9.1% |
| Appraisers of Personal and Business Property | 814,640 | 8.0% |
| Museum Technicians and Conservators | 663,221 | 0.0% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of art history graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $25,613 |
| 4 years | $36,289 |
| 5 years | $41,536 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for art history graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers art history grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Appraisers of Personal and Business Property | $118,242 |
| Museum Technicians and Conservators | $96,273 |
| Curators | $79,764 |
| Archivists | $53,759 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,983 |
With 351 different art history programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased art history school rankings to help you.
Students interested in art history, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Art/Art Studies, General | 18,711 |
| Fine/Studio Arts, General | 12,013 |
| Fine Arts and Art Studies, Other | 751 |
| Intermedia/Multimedia | 732 |
| Painting | 607 |
| Jewelry Arts | 483 |
| Drawing | 254 |
| Sculpture | 235 |
| Printmaking | 154 |
| Ceramic Arts and Ceramics | 153 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
