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The best online master's in history degree will give students a strong foundation in the academic study of the past across a range of different historical periods and themes. Most programs have students choose a specialization to focus on, such as U.S. history, ancient history, medieval history, world history, military history, public history for students who want to work in museums and archives, or education for students who want to become teachers. 

History programs teach students how to conduct historical research and how to look at past events through different theoretical frameworks, such as economic history, political history, or gender history. Some common classes for history majors include American history, world history, historiography or historical writing, digital history, and comparative research. Students might also have to conduct original research, create a thesis or final project, or finish their program with a comprehensive exam.

Most online master's degrees in history take between one and two years to finish when enrolled full-time. Students who enroll part-time will take longer to finish their degree, although how long it will take them depends on how many classes they're able to take at a time.

Students applying to a master's program will need a bachelor's degree, and may need to meet specific GPA requirements depending on the program. Students will also need to submit transcripts as part of their application. Other common requirements include a statement of purpose, letters of recommendation from previous teachers, colleagues, or employers, a resume, and GRE or GMAT scores.

One of the biggest considerations when choosing a degree program is how much it's going to cost and whether it will be worth the investment. It can be difficult to get a clear picture of how much your degree will cost until you apply for financial aid. Most students use some kind of financial aid to pay for college, whether it's through scholarships, grants, student loans, or work-study funding. 

By filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you'll find out what kind of financial aid you qualify for at each school you want to attend. This can help you weigh your options and get a better idea of how much your degree will cost.

There are a few different types of aid students use to pay for college. As a graduate student, you might qualify for grants, scholarships, or fellowships from the schools you apply to. These three types of funding are gift aid that don't need to be paid back. You might also qualify for an assistantship, where you work part-time for your school in exchange for tuition discounts or a stipend.

Many students also use loans to pay for school. Federal loans are usually a better option than private loans because they offer benefits such as fixed interest rates and better repayment plan options. Graduate students typically qualify for unsubsidized loans or grad PLUS loans from the federal government. Both types of loans accrue interest while students are enrolled, but unsubsidized loans typically offer lower interest rates and a lower origination fee.

Students can use our Guide to Student Loan Debt to make financially informed decisions about how to pay for college.

As a master's student, you may qualify for scholarships from your school which they will likely award you when you fill out the FAFSA. However, sometimes schools offer additional scholarships and fellowships you need to apply for separately. Once you've applied for all the scholarships available from your college, you can look for others available through nonprofit organizations, trade associations, businesses, and other groups. 

Many employers offer a tuition benefit to help their employees cover the cost of college. This is especially true for online degrees — some of the largest online schools, including Capella University and the University of Phoenix, partner with major companies across the U.S. to offer lower-cost degree programs for employees. Employers that will help pay for a master's degree include Target, Chipotle, Discover, and Geico. 

A master's in history can open the door to careers in education, academia, research, public administration, and other fields. Some of the more traditional career paths for history majors include jobs as historians, archivists, political scientists, and professors at community colleges. However, careers in management, law, business, and education are also common for , according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

BLS data also shows that the median salary for a history degree holder is $70,000 (that's up by ten grand from last year's projection). 

Some specific careers that are common for history majors include , which make a median salary of $57,100 (that's about ~$27 per hour) when all lumped together. If you dig further, you can see that curators make the most, closer to an annual median wage of $61,770. Archivists are not far behind at $61,570. And of all the industries, the one that pays the most is "educational services" at the state, local, and private levels. As of 2024 (the most recent available data at the time of writing), those in this job category working in educational services made around $62,000. 

Another potential career choice is a , which earns a median wage of $139,380. However, the job growth for this position is in decline at the moment, at around -3% through the end of the decade. 

Students who pursue a doctorate after their master's can also qualify for careers in academia and research, including teaching at the university level.

It's important to keep in mind that first-year salaries vary widely depending on where students go to college, where they live, and what type of job they pursue after graduation. Students can maximize their investment in higher education by attending affordable online colleges, keeping debt low and saving money in college.

When choosing an affordable online college, students should consider costs, of course, but they should do this alongside consideration for their area of interest, the school's reputation, and alumni earnings from the history master's program they are looking at. All of this is available across the OnlineU site. 

Begin by identifying schools that offer the desired program, such as a master's in European or U.S. history, and ensure they are accredited, which indicates adherence to academic quality standards. Additionally, use student reviews and connect with alumni to gauge the program's quality and graduates' satisfaction. Finally, evaluate tuition costs, financial aid options, and potential alumni salaries to make an informed decision. 

Yes, most online programs are cheaper than their on-campus counterparts. However, this depends on the school. On our list above, we show the cheapest schools for online history majors, with costs ranging from ~$3,400 to $7,100. (There are more cheap options for a history master's degree this year than there was last year.)

In fact, many online colleges are known for keeping costs low for students who want to save money on their degree. However, tuition policies vary by online school. Some schools charge higher tuition rates for online programs, while others offer reduced rates or the same tuition regardless of delivery format (or often residency status). 

Online students may also have access to fewer campus-based funding opportunities, such as assistantships or certain institutional scholarships. Even so, online students can also save money because they don't have to move to go to school and can live in a more affordable area. They also save on transportation to and from school.

The value of an online history degree depends on its cost, whether you plan to work while studying, and your post-graduation job prospects. Generally, individuals with master's degrees earn higher salaries and face lower unemployment rates than those with less education. 

According to data from , history graduates tend to earn less initially but achieve higher salaries later in their careers compared to other majors. This trend may be because history majors often pursue advanced degrees and enter high-paying fields such as law or academia, as noted by the BLS.

Evaluating potential earnings after graduation is crucial but only part of the equation. The time and financial investment required to obtain a master's degree also influence its worth. Students can maximize their degree's financial value by minimizing costs, such as choosing affordable colleges. Online programs further help by allowing students to work while studying, thus maintaining their income.

While a master's in history can lead to lucrative careers, there isn't a straightforward path to high-paying, in-demand jobs as there is with STEM degrees. Ultimately, the financial value of a history degree largely depends on how you leverage it in your career.