Art History Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Study of visual arts and their historical contexts across cultures and time periods.
Starting Salary
$38K
median
Mid-Career
$58K
salary
ROI Payback
7.5 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
5%
rate
Art History Overview
Study of visual arts and their historical contexts across cultures and time periods.
Category
Humanities
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
62%
Enrollment Trend
declining
Online Available
Yes
Underemployment
40%
Lifetime Premium
$170K
Female Graduates
72%
Art History Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$17,100
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$17,100
after scholarships
ROI Payback
6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$152,900
Lifetime earnings premium ($170,000) minus net degree cost ($17,100)
Art History Salary Progression
Common Art History Careers
Museum Curator
Gallery Director
Art Appraiser
Academic Researcher
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Art History
#1
Yale
#2
NYU
#3
Columbia
#4
Harvard
#5
University of Chicago
Related Majors
Art History Degree FAQ
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