10 Best Online Humanities Degrees in 2025

Humanities is a broad term that describes various liberal arts and social sciences fields, many of which are some of the best online degrees you can earn. Many top online bachelor's degrees in humanities are available around the country.

Additionally, students hoping to save money can look at affordable online humanities degrees. Keep reading to discover some of the best online humanities degrees for 2025.

Best Online Humanities Degree Programs

Humanities degrees cover a wide range of topics and help students develop strong critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving skills. Below, we've highlighted some of the best online humanities degrees.

1. California State University, Chico

California State University, Chico is a public institution in Chico, CA. It offers an online Bachelor of Arts (BA) in humanities.

This program includes core courses on art and literature from around the globe and throughout history. Students also choose from electives on subjects like culture, literature, art, history, and philosophy.

2. Faulkner University

At Faulkner University, students can earn a BA in humanities online. The program explores various topics in the social sciences and also requires coursework in biblical studies and a foreign language.

This private Christian school is based in Montgomery, AL. It also offers one of the top online master's in humanities, which includes a comprehensive set of courses that encompasses the subjects of philosophy, religion, history, literature, and more.

3. Louisiana State University

An online Bachelor of General Studies in humanities is available through Louisiana State University. The public research institution is located in Baton Rouge, LA. Students have the option to choose from the following areas of concentration:

• communication studies
• English
• foreign languages
• history
• philosophy
• religion

This bachelor's program allows students to customize their course of study to align with their career goals.

4. New England College

New England College offers an online BA in humanities. This program helps students develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills and examines multiple aspects of the human condition.

NEC, located in Henniker, NH, is a private liberal arts college. Students are required to complete their program with a capstone project.

5. Oregon State University

Oregon State University is a public research institution in Corvallis, OR. It offers an online bachelor's degree in applied humanities.

This program contextualizes the ways that various forms of communication embed cultural perspectives, rhetorical positions, and historical context. It offers a special scholarship program, in which, students in good academic standing can enroll in the last 12 credits of the program for free.

6. University of Arizona

Students at the University of Arizona can earn a BA in applied humanities online. This program offers multiple areas of emphasis:

• business administration
• consumer, market, and retail studies
• fashion studies
• game studies
• public health
• rural leadership and renewal

This public research institution is based in Tucson, AZ, though it offers many online programs to students throughout the country. Some areas of emphasis require an internship, which can be completed remotely.

7. University of Maryland Global Campus

An online bachelor's degree in humanities is available through the University of Maryland Global Campus. UMGC is the online campus of the public University System of Maryland.

This program integrates studies in literature, philosophy, history, and creative arts to explore human existence and cultural heritage. Students graduate with a deeper understanding of themselves and the world, as well as cultural awareness and critical thinking skills.

8. University of North Carolina Greensboro

The University of North Carolina Greensboro offers a BA in liberal and interdisciplinary studies with a concentration in humanities online. This program includes four areas of emphasis:

• fine arts
• historical perspectives
• literature
• philosophy, religion, and ethics

The public institution is based in Greensboro, NC. Students in this program gain a thorough understanding of the humanities, the interconnections among them, and their relevance to individuals and modern society.

9. University of Texas Permian Basin

The University of Texas Permian Basin is a public institution in Odessa, TX. It offers an online BA in humanities.

This program offers an intensive, multidisciplinary approach to understanding human cultures through study in art, communication, English, history, music, foreign languages, and other areas in the humanities.

10. Washington State University

Through Washington State University, students can earn a BA in humanities online. This program offers the following concentrations:

• anthropology
• arts
• communication
• comparative ethnic studies
• digital technology and cultures
• English
• foreign languages and cultures
• music
• philosophy
• women's, gender, and sexuality studies

This public research institution is based in Pullman, WA. It allows students to customize their degrees with a range of elective course options.

Our Selection Criteria

To choose the programs listed above, we focused on:

• Accreditation: We only chose schools that hold regional accreditation.
• Type: All schools are either public or private nonprofit.
• Online Programs: The schools listed above offer a variety of online programs and are well-known for their online offerings.

What To Expect from Online Humanities Degrees

Most online courses in humanities programs are asynchronous, meaning you can complete your coursework on your own schedule. This is far more flexible than on-campus courses that require you to meet in person at a specific time.

Humanities degrees cover a range of topics. Most programs allow you to choose a specialization or from several electives so you can focus on the topics most relevant to you and your career goals.

Humanities Courses and Curriculum

Every humanities curriculum is a little different. These degrees typically include courses on a range of subjects in the humanities, including:

• anthropology
• art history
• communications
• English and literature
• ethics
• fine arts
• foreign languages
• history
• philosophy
• religious studies
• social science

Scholarships for Online Humanities Majors

Several scholarships are available for humanities majors. Some require students to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); all programs above come from online colleges that accept FAFSA.

Ara S. Boyan Award

Award Amount: Varies

Application Deadline: April 1, 2025

The Armenian Students Association offers the Ara S. Boyan Award to students of Armenian descent who have completed at least one year of higher education. The scholarship is open to those studying humanities.

Bill McKnight Legacy Scholarship

Award Amount: Varies

Application Deadline: January 10, 2025

The Bill McKnight Legacy Scholarship is offered through the Pride Foundation. This scholarship is open to LGBTQ+ students who live in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington and are studying arts or humanities.

Starfish Scholarship

Award Amount: $1,000

Application Deadline: TBD for 2025

The law firm of Whetstone, Perkins, & Fulda offers the Starfish Scholarship. This scholarship is open to U.S. residents with at least a 3.0 GPA who submit an essay about social justice.

Humanities Career Paths and Job Outlook

Humanities is a broad field, and as a result, earning an online degree in humanities can open the door to various career opportunities, including:

• community health worker
• genealogist
• historian
• marketing specialist
• museum curator
• probation officer
• public relations specialist
• social services worker
• tour guide

Discover Online Bachelor's Degrees Today

Start your journey toward a rewarding career in the humanities by exploring the online degree programs featured on Learn.org. Contact schools directly to request more info on admissions requirements, enrollment, and financial aid.