by our College Data Analytics TeamArt History is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their art history programs.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 98 schools to find the best for art history students.
What’s on this page:
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the art history degrees they offer, see the list below.
No school ranked higher than Pennsylvania State University Main Campus this year for art history. This very large public university is located in the city of University Park. About 86% of students finish within six years. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 19 art history degrees in the most recent data year. See the full art history program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
A rank of #2 makes University Of Maryland College Park one of the top schools for art history. This very large public university is located in the suburb of College Park. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 16 art history degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $32,031. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000. Read more about the art history program at University Of Maryland College Park
Princeton University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in art history, landing the #3 spot this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Princeton. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. There were roughly 28 art history students who graduated with this degree at Princeton University in the most recent data year. Art History graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete this degree. Read more about the art history program at Princeton University
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best art history schools. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 23 art history degrees were awarded at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent year. Art History graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $26,709 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,477. Read more about the art history program at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Fordham University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in art history, ranking #5. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bronx. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 art history students who graduated with this degree at Fordham University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their art history degree from Fordham University earn around $35,929 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,495 to complete this degree. Read more about the art history program at Fordham University
Barnard College landed the #6 spot for art history this year. Set in the city of New York, Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 25 art history degrees were awarded at Barnard College in the most recent year. Students who receive their art history degree from Barnard College earn around $39,947 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,750. More information about a degree in art history from Barnard College
New York University landed the #7 spot for art history this year. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. New York University awarded about 121 art history degrees in the most recent data year. Art History graduates of New York University earn a median of $33,506 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full art history program report for New York University
Suny At Binghamton placed #8 among the best art history schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Vestal. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Suny At Binghamton awarded about 11 art history degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the art history program make about $25,751 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,286. More information about a degree in art history from Suny At Binghamton
University Of Pennsylvania placed #9 among the best art history schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 13 art history degrees in the most recent data year. Art History graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $34,619 early in their careers. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $23,359 in student loans. Get the full art history details for University Of Pennsylvania
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #10 among the best art history schools. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. About 64 art history degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $51,435. Students borrow a median of $26,853 to complete this degree. Get the full art history details for Columbia University In The City Of New York
Cuny Hunter College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best art history schools. This very large public university is located in the city of New York. About 57% of students finish within six years. About 52 art history degrees were awarded at Cuny Hunter College in the most recent year. Graduates of the art history program make about $28,185 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the art history program at Cuny Hunter College
University Of Delaware placed #12 among the best art history schools. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. About 82% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 art history students who graduated with this degree at University Of Delaware in the most recent data year. Students who receive their art history degree from University Of Delaware earn around $21,935 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,908. Read more about the art history program at University Of Delaware
Cuny Graduate School And University Center placed #13 among the best art history schools. Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public school located in the city of New York. About 19 art history degrees were awarded at Cuny Graduate School And University Center in the most recent year. Students who receive their art history degree from Cuny Graduate School And University Center earn around $72,222 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,921. Read more about the art history program at Cuny Graduate School And University Center
The New School placed #14 among the best art history schools. Set in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. The New School awarded about 38 art history degrees in the most recent data year. Art History graduates of The New School earn a median of $28,398 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Get the full art history details for The New School
George Washington University landed the #15 spot for art history this year. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 25 art history students who graduated with this degree at George Washington University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $73,749. Typical student debt for the program is $22,910. Read more about the art history program at George Washington University
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #16 spot for art history this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 art history students who graduated with this degree at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent data year. Art History graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $20,561 early in their careers. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates carry a median of $25,975 in student loans. Read more about the art history program at Rutgers University New Brunswick
Syracuse University landed the #17 spot for art history this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Syracuse. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 16 art history degrees were awarded at Syracuse University in the most recent year. Graduates of the art history program make about $30,540 in their early career. Syracuse University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in art history from Syracuse University
Stony Brook University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best art history schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Stony Brook. About 76% of students finish within six years. Stony Brook University awarded about 12 art history degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their art history degree from Stony Brook University earn around $60,047 in the first couple years of their career. Stony Brook University graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. Read more about the art history program at Stony Brook University
Temple University earned the #19 position for art history this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. Temple University graduates 75% of students within six years. About 28 art history degrees were awarded at Temple University in the most recent year. Art History graduates of Temple University earn a median of $24,558 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. See the full art history program report for Temple University
Pratt Institute Main placed #20 among the best art history schools. Pratt Institute Main is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. About 74% of students finish within six years. Pratt Institute Main awarded about 16 art history degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their art history degree from Pratt Institute Main earn around $25,616 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full art history program report for Pratt Institute Main
Cuny Queensborough Community College earned the #21 position for art history this year. Set in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public institution. Cuny Queensborough Community College awarded about 28 art history degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $16,739. Students borrow a median of $10,052 to complete this degree. Read more about the art history program at Cuny Queensborough Community College
Suny College At Buffalo came in at #22 for art history this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 33% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 27 art history students who graduated with this degree at Suny College At Buffalo in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $24,041. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000. Read more about the art history program at Suny College At Buffalo
State University Of New York At New Paltz came in at #23 for art history this year. Set in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. About 13 art history degrees were awarded at State University Of New York At New Paltz in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from State University Of New York At New Paltz generally make around $18,842. State University Of New York At New Paltz graduates carry a median of $23,562 in student loans. See the full art history program report for State University Of New York At New Paltz
School Of Visual Arts earned the #24 position for art history this year. This mid-sized private for-profit university is located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 18 art history students who graduated with this degree at School Of Visual Arts in the most recent data year. Graduates of the art history program make about $21,344 in their early career. School Of Visual Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the art history program at School Of Visual Arts
Bard College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best art history schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Annandale-On-Hudson. About 68% of students finish within six years. Bard College awarded about 32 art history degrees in the most recent data year. Art History graduates of Bard College earn a median of $28,220 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full art history details for Bard College
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong art history education:
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 · 98 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.