TITLE: Examples of algebraic closures of finite index
QUESTION [29 upvotes]: So there are easy examples for algebraic closures that have index two and infinite index: $\mathbb{C}$ over $\mathbb{R}$ and the algebraic numbers over $\mathbb{Q}$. What about the other indices?
EDIT: Of course $\overline{\mathbb{Q}} \neq \mathbb{C}$. I don't know what I was thinking.

REPLY [51 votes]: Theorem (Artin-Schreier, 1927): Let K be an algebraically closed field and F a proper subfield of K with $[K:F] < \infty$.  Then F is real-closed and $K = F(\sqrt{-1})$.
See e.g. Jacobson, Basic Algebra II, Theorem 11.14.

REPLY [30 votes]: The Artin-Schreier theorem says that every algebraic closure of finite index has index 2, and it's the algebraic closure of a real-closed field.
Page 299 of Algebra by Serge Lang.  Google Books Link  to the page.