Best Humanities Bachelor's Degree Programs

1. California State University-Monterey Bay

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$7,143	75%	63%	81%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

2. Bluefield State College

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$7,488	94%	31%	96%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

3. College of Saint Mary

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$20,750	49%	57%	100%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

4. Dominican College of Blauvelt

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$29,844	78%	47%	100%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

5. Faulkner University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$22,310	78%	33%	99%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

6. Florida State University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$6,517	36%	83%	97%	Yes	Yes	AP / ACE Credits

7. Eastern Washington University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$7,526	96%	54%	96%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

8. Hawaii Pacific University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$27,500	75%	45%	98%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

9. Holy Family University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$31,040	73%	58%	100%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

10. Indiana University-East

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$7,527	63%	40%	92%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

11. Indiana University-Kokomo

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$7,527	74%	38%	88%	No	Yes	AP Credits

12. Washington State University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$11,841	76%	60%	89%	Yes	Yes	AP / ACE Credits

13. Indiana University-Southeast

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$7,527	82%	36%	83%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

14. Western Washington University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$8,343	90%	68%	86%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

15. Lander University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$11,700	43%	45%	100%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

16. Kansas State University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$10,800	95%	65%	88%	Yes	Yes	AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits

17. Lubbock Christian University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$23,330	91%	50%	99%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

18. Brigham Young University-Idaho

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$4,208	96%	60%	61%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

19. California State University-Chico

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$7,806	72%	67%	76%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

20. University of Kansas

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$11,166	93%	67%	85%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

21. Mills College

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$30,877	76%	57%	100%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

22. California State University-Sacramento

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$7,368	82%	55%	85%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

23. University of Oregon

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$12,720	82%	74%	77%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

24. Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$15,206	76%	71%	%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

To get a more in-depth look at our school ranking methodology, please visit our ranking methodology page.

Tuition information is based on published tuition and required fees, per data by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

Concentrations in humanities tend to be rather broad and vary by school, with several options for students to choose from. Students who wish to pursue a particular field may want to hone in on their humanities education with a specialized study track. Likewise, some humanities programs encourage students to minor in one or more of the humanities branches.

The following concentrations are commonly offered in bachelor's humanities degree programs:

• Literature
• Creative Writing
• Philosophy
• Film Studies
• Art History
• Religious Studies
• Cultural Studies
• Classical Studies

Because a humanities major is so versatile, bachelor's degree curriculums tend to greatly vary at each school. Typically, a bachelor-level humanities curriculum will offer humanities classes spanning different historical eras, literary genres, writing, art history, film, philosophy, and religious studies. Students can usually expect to devote the first two years of their bachelor's degree program to general education requirements (usually completed at the associate level) before taking core humanities topics and electives throughout the second half of their college career.

Students may come across variations of the following course titles in their bachelor's humanities degree program:

• World Mythology
• Romanticism
• Film Theory
• Interpretations in the Humanities
• Introduction to Philosophy
• Religious Studies

Romanticism

This course is designed for students to examine several cultural aspects of humanities in Europe and North America throughout the 19th century. An emphasis is usually placed on music, art, literature, and ideologies that began in the late 18th century and were carried through to Postmodern times. This course may be writing-intensive depending on the program.

Interpretations in the Humanities

This course aims to teach humanities students how to interpret various works of art, including performative, visual, historical, literary, philosophical, or musical. Students may analyze several creative works by era, theme, or form while developing their writing and verbal communication skills to better express their understanding and viewpoints.

World Mythology

Students enrolled in a world mythology course may read texts pertaining to several cultural myths related to Norse, Greek, Roman, Chinese, African, or Native American heritage. Typically, world mythology courses cover topics about how stories are retold throughout history, transformed, and interpreted. Students may further investigate numerous themes and images related to mythology in various works of art.

Typically, a bachelor's degree in humanities takes about four years to complete and includes 120 credits of general education courses, core requirements, and electives. Several factors may determine program durations, including whether a student attends school part-time or full-time, if the program provides summer course offerings, and if students must fulfill other program requirements (seminars, workshops, and internships).

Some undergraduate humanities programs allow students to enroll in an accelerated degree or dual degree, in which students may graduate with both a bachelor's and master's degree instead. These types of degrees are typically longer than the average four-year program but take less time than a separate master's degree.

Accreditation is granted to colleges and universities by certified accrediting organizations. Higher education institutions and specialized programs typically receive accreditation for meeting high standards of academic excellence that may include a well-developed and progressive curriculum, exemplary instruction, and access to educational and professional resources.

Humanities programs do not usually attain specialized program accreditation; however, specific branches of humanities may be accredited by program accreditors. For example, art and theater programs may receive accreditation through the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) or the National Association of Schools of Theater (NAST). Students in humanities curriculums may be offered courses from these particular accredited programs.

Although humanities programs, in particular, may not receive specialized accreditation, students can still obtain their degrees from schools that are accredited by groups like the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) or regional accrediting organizations, such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Students seeking financial aid from the federal government, scholarships, or grants typically need to attend an accredited school.

For more information regarding a school's accreditation, students may visit the U.S. Department of Education's database of accredited colleges and universities or visit their college or humanities program website for details.

First-time students interested in enrolling in a college or university for an undergraduate humanities degree should fill out an online application through their prospective schools' websites, or if accepted by the institution, apply using the Common Application. Typically, schools charge a nominal fee to submit application materials. Other required documentation may include official transcripts (high school or GED), SAT and other test scores, a personal statement, college essays, or letters of recommendation.

Transfer students typically follow similar application procedures, including filling out an online application on the school's website, submitting test scores and official transcripts from a student's previous college, and a personal statement describing why they wish to attend the school or program. Some humanities programs may require that students complete a series of prerequisite courses or meet a minimum grade point average before being considered for acceptance into a humanities program.

Students with questions regarding applications, deadlines, or enrollment may contact the college or program's admissions office and speak with an admissions representative for clarification.

Licensure and certification for humanities-related careers are typically voluntary; however, individuals may choose to obtain credentials to validate their expertise and skills in their field. The exception to this may be if a humanities graduate aspires to be a public-school teacher. In this case, a person will need to meet their state's eligibility requirements to acquire a teaching certification. Requirements typically include passing a background check, fulfilling a student-teaching program, and passing an exam.

Human resources specialists may also pursue an SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) or the SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) certification through the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). Candidates usually must meet specific educational and professional requirements and pass a comprehensive exam to demonstrate their field expertise in order to obtain their credentials.

Interpreters and translators may also pursue credentials to showcase their proficiency in speaking other languages. The American Translators Association (ATA), for example, offers certifications in 29 languages. Sign language interpreters may also choose to become certified through the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) which provides the Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI) credential to candidates who demonstrate knowledge and specialization in communicating with deaf individuals.

There are many career options in the humanities that graduates with bachelor's degrees may pursue. Individuals with these types of degrees typically seek employment in wide-ranging industries, such as communications and marketing, government, education, corporate, law, nonprofit organizations, freelancing, etc.

Students with undergraduate humanities degrees typically have the potential to gain several transferable skills that tend to be marketable in a range of competitive careers. Some of these competencies including writing, research, communication, critical and analytical thinking, and creativity.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in 2019, individuals who worked in arts and humanities careers had a median salary of:

• High School Teachers: $61,660
• Writers and Authors: $63,200
• Editors: $61,370
• Human Resources Specialists: $61,920
• Public Relations Specialists: $61,150
• Interpreters and Translators: $51,830

How to Become an Editor

Editors are responsible for reading print and digital content and correcting grammar, spelling, and punctuation according to editorial standards and publication styles. Some editors provide rewrites of the material for better structure and fact-check references for accuracy. Editors typically work for companies, organizations, newspapers, publication houses, or as freelancers. They may hold job titles such as assistant editors, copy editors, executive editors, managing editors, or publication assistants.

Many editors work in offices or remotely and utilize desktop or electronic publishing technologies. Editors who work for publication houses typically reside near popular metropolitan areas (e.g., New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, etc.), although the development of new technologies and communication features are allowing more editors to work from other locations as well. Editors typically possess strong writing, reading, and communication skills, in addition to acute attention to detail and creativity.

The BLS predicts that the job outlook for editors will decrease by 7 percent (2019-2029) due to fewer print publications; however, editors comfortable with online mediums and electronic tools have greater employment prospects.

How to Become an Interpreter

Graduates with a bachelor's degree in the humanities and a specialization in languages and linguistics may decide to become interpreters and translators. Interpreters are usually responsible for relaying information in different languages either through speaking or sign language. Translators, on the other hand, are responsible for interpreting written materials from one language to another language, including cultural concepts, slang, and other words that do not have exact translations.

Interpreters and translators may work in any field as community interpreters, healthcare interpreters or translators, legal interpreters, sign language interpreters, or literary translators, among others. Successful interpreters and translators typically possess strong reading, writing, and speaking skills, attention to detail, cultural sensitivity, dexterity, and listening abilities.

The BLS predicts that the job outlook for interpreters and translators will grow by 20 percent (2019-2029).

Professional organizations in humanities usually offer several opportunities for networking and access to professional resources, current research in the field, and scholarly publications. The American Academy of Arts & Sciences is one of the more well-known elite organizations in which individuals can become members only through a highly-selective election process. Candidates must undergo nominations and petitions, voting, and be approved by a panel of electors for membership consideration.

Other professional organizations may be geared towards specific humanities branches of study. The Society for Classical Studies (SCS) offers membership to individuals and collegiate departments, providing membership benefits that include subscriptions to scholarly journals, monthly newsletters, discounts on books, and reduced rates on SCS event registrations.

Additionally, the American Historical Association (AHA) seeks to promote discussion on historical topics, address historian rights and legal protections in the field, improve history curriculums at all levels of study, and provide career information for graduates seeking history-related employment. There are several AHA membership options to choose from, including student, associate, K-12 teachers, lifetime, contributing, or retired; and professionals will receive several discounts on scholarly publications, event access, and books.

Humanities degrees are obtainable at all levels of study (associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctorate). Students with humanities degrees are typically better prepared for versatile careers in several industries in which they can apply the many skills they acquire in their programs. Certificates in different humanities topics are also available and usually allow students to further their expertise in a niche subject area while fostering their academic interests. We explore these different degree options and certificate programs below.

Associate Degrees in Humanities

Associate degrees in humanities are designed for students to explore an array of multidisciplinary topics in several humanities branches with an emphasis on foundational writing and rhetoric, art, foreign language, philosophy, or history.

Typically, associate degrees take about two years to complete and include 60 credits of general education requirements, core humanities themes, and electives.

Most often, this two-year degree culminates in an Associate of Arts (AA) in Humanities. Students with associate degrees in humanities may choose to seek entry-level employment in several fields, while others will carry their degree into a bachelor's humanities degree program.

Master's Degrees in Humanities

A master's degree in humanities or similar subjects offers students an advanced curriculum that further explores human interactions with the world, as well as how human thought has evolved through innovation and global events.

Master's degrees are typically two-year programs and may consist of about 30-36 credits. Students can usually expect to complete their graduate programs by submitting either a capstone project or a thesis/dissertation and defense.

While many master-level humanities degrees culminate in a Master of Arts (MA) in Humanities, students may also enroll in more specific humanities-related programs for art history, medical humanities, or philosophy degrees, among others.

Doctoral Degrees in Humanities

A doctorate in humanities is the highest level of scholarship that students can obtain. With a rigorous curriculum in humanities topics and specialized branches, students gain the potential to become experts in their fields and may even pursue careers as researchers or post-secondary teachers.

A doctorate typically includes 45 to 60 credits and may take three to five years to complete depending on whether a student is full-time or part-time. Throughout their doctoral programs, students may be required to fulfill teaching apprenticeships, professional training, or foreign language components. They may also have the opportunity to individualize their curriculums under the guidance of a senior faculty member.

A majority of humanities doctoral degrees result in a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). Students may also decide to pursue a doctorate in specific humanities branches, as well; such as English, linguistics, or romance studies.

Certificates in Humanities

Students may choose to pursue certificates in humanities to improve or gain new skill sets, enhance their expertise in niche humanities-related topics, seek entry-level employment or career advancement, or prepare themselves for a career change.

Undergraduate or graduate certificates usually take about a year to complete and include 12 to 18 credits; depending on the program, students may be required to take additional credits. There are several certificate options for students to consider: for example, medical humanities, digital humanities, medieval and renaissance studies, and professional writing.

Some universities and colleges provide access to free online literature courses for students focusing their humanities education on literature and writing subjects, however, these types of courses may not offer college credit.

Attending college for a humanities degree can be rather expensive, but students may be eligible for federal financial assistance, scholarships, or grants to help pay for their education. To determine how much federal aid an individual qualifies for, students can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Eligibility requirements include proof of citizenship, proof of financial need, and attendance at an accredited higher education institution.

Undergraduate scholarships and grants are also widely available, and students can search for them online based on their geographical region, personal interests, majors, and other criteria. Some colleges also provide scholarships intended for their enrolled students. Other financial assistance may be made available through employer tuition reimbursement programs, work-study programs, or military/veteran benefits.

For additional information regarding tuition and financing, scholarships, or federal financial aid, students should contact their school's financial aid office to speak with a representative.

Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest

The Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest is a scholarship opportunity for undergraduate college students, ideal for those interested in philosophical studies. Applicants must submit an essay on one of three topics outlined on the scholarship website on themes presented in Ayn Rand's infamous ' 'Atlas Shrugged' '. Judges will select winners based on the students' abilities to clearly present their philosophical views in an organized and articulate manner.

One first-place winner will receive a $10,000 award, three second-place winners will receive $2,500 each, and five third-place winners will receive $500 each.

Uncommon Goods Scholarship

The Uncommon Goods Scholarship is available to undergraduate and graduate students studying at an accredited college or university. Students must be able to demonstrate how they incorporate creativity, design, or art within their majors, fill out an online application, and submit three examples of their projects.

Winners will be selected to receive a $1,000 award for tuition fees or other college expenses in either the fall or spring semester.