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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Art History Master’s Degree Schools

49 Colleges in the United States
387 Art History Degrees Awarded
$37,998 Avg Early-Career Salary

Art History programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 438 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for art history students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Art History in the United States

See the highest-ranked art history schools offering a master’s degree below.

Top Schools in Art History

1
Williams College crest
Williams College
Williamstown, MA

No school ranked higher than Williams College this year for art history. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Williamstown. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Williams College awarded about 14 art history degrees in the most recent data year. Art History graduates of Williams College earn a median of $34,560 early in their careers. Williams College graduates carry a median of $11,850 in student loans. More information about a degree in art history from Williams College

2
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in art history, ranking #2. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. There were roughly 66 art history students who graduated with this degree at New York University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the art history program make about $41,958 in their early career. New York University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full art history details for New York University

3
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Students looking for a strong art history program will find one at Florida State University, which ranked #3. This very large public university is located in the city of Tallahassee. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 art history degrees were awarded at Florida State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $30,765. Students borrow a median of $20,222 to complete this degree. See the full art history program report for Florida State University

4
The New School crest
The New School
New York, NY

Students looking for a strong art history program will find one at The New School, which ranked #4. Set in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 38 art history students who graduated with this degree at The New School in the most recent data year. Students who receive their art history degree from The New School earn around $35,829 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. More information about a degree in art history from The New School

5

Students looking for a strong art history program will find one at George Washington University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. George Washington University awarded about 13 art history degrees in the most recent data year. Art History graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $73,749 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete this degree. Get the full art history details for George Washington University

6

Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #6 spot for art history this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 22 art history students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent data year. Students who receive their art history degree from Columbia University In The City Of New York earn around $51,435 in the first couple years of their career. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $26,853 in student loans. See the full art history program report for Columbia University In The City Of New York

7
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University earned the #7 position for art history this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 art history students who graduated with this degree at Boston University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their art history degree from Boston University earn around $37,078 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the art history program at Boston University

8

Cuny Graduate School And University Center ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best art history schools. This large public university is located in the city of New York. There were roughly 12 art history students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Graduate School And University Center in the most recent data year. Graduates of the art history program make about $72,222 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,921. Get the full art history details for Cuny Graduate School And University Center

9
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College came in at #9 for art history this year. This very large public university is located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. Cuny Hunter College awarded about 31 art history degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $33,582. Cuny Hunter College graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Read more about the art history program at Cuny Hunter College

10
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University earned the #10 position for art history this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Haven. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 19 art history students who graduated with this degree at Yale University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $24,521. Yale University graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. Read more about the art history program at Yale University

11
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, MO

Lindenwood University earned the #11 position for art history this year. Set in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Lindenwood University graduates 49% of students within six years. About 34 art history degrees were awarded at Lindenwood University in the most recent year. Graduates of the art history program make about $48,197 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,663. Read more about the art history program at Lindenwood University

12
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas came in at #12 for art history this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. University Of Kansas graduates 69% of students within six years. About 10 art history degrees were awarded at University Of Kansas in the most recent year. Graduates of the art history program make about $29,107 in their early career. University Of Kansas graduates carry a median of $22,361 in student loans. Read more about the art history program at University Of Kansas

13
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best art history schools. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 art history students who graduated with this degree at Syracuse University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the art history program make about $28,444 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full art history program report for Syracuse University

14

Suny College At Buffalo ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best art history schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Buffalo. Roughly 33% of students complete a degree within six years here. Suny College At Buffalo awarded about 22 art history degrees in the most recent data year. Art History graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $24,041 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000. Read more about the art history program at Suny College At Buffalo

15
Bard College crest
Bard College
Annandale-On-Hudson, NY

Bard College placed #15 among the best art history schools. Located in the rural area of Annandale-On-Hudson, Bard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Bard College graduates 68% of students within six years. Bard College awarded about 29 art history degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the art history program make about $37,112 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in art history from Bard College

16

State University Of New York At New Paltz placed #16 among the best art history schools. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 art history students who graduated with this degree at State University Of New York At New Paltz in the most recent data year. Students who receive their art history degree from State University Of New York At New Paltz earn around $18,842 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,562. Get the full art history details for State University Of New York At New Paltz

17

School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago earned the #17 position for art history this year. Located in the city of Chicago, School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 67% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 30 art history students who graduated with this degree at School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Students who receive their art history degree from School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago earn around $24,521 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in art history from School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago

Other Art History Degree Levels

Explore the best art history schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Art History
Associate's Degrees in Art History
Bachelor's Degrees in Art History
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View All Art History Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 438 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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