- 1.Hakia ranks the best artificial intelligence degree programs in 2026 — artificial intelligence professionals earn a median salary of $136,620/year, with 25% job growth projected through 2032—much faster than average.
- 2.Our top-ranked artificial intelligence programs are Carnegie Mellon University, University of Washington-Seattle Campus, and University of Southern California—selected based on graduation rates, program size, and career outcomes.
- 3.Best value: University of Central Florida offers artificial intelligence degrees at just $4,478/year with a 93% graduation rate.
- 4.46 accredited artificial intelligence programs available nationwide, with options at every degree level from associate's to doctoral.
- 5.Entry-level positions typically require a bachelor's degree; master's degrees unlock senior roles with 20-40% higher salaries and leadership opportunities.
Source: BLS OEWS 2024, industry analysis
Best Artificial Intelligence Programs - Top 10
These are the best artificial intelligence (AI) programs in the United States based on our comprehensive methodology that considers graduation rates, program size, institutional reputation, and career outcomes. Rankings are updated annually using data from IPEDS and BLS.
Best Artificial Intelligence Programs - Top 10
Carnegie Mellon University
Doctoral: Very High Research (R1)
CMU created the world's first bachelor's degree in artificial intelligence in 2018 and has led AI education and innovation since the field's inception, with the university being the birthplace of cognitive psychology and home to the first U.S. university robotics institute founded in 1979.
Carnegie Mellon University Artificial Intelligence Program Overview
Hakia ranks Carnegie Mellon University as the #1 in artificial intelligence degree program.
Carnegie Mellon University's Artificial Intelligence program graduates 178 students annually with a 98% graduation rate. Research opportunities include the Computer Science Department and Human-Computer Interaction Institute. Pittsburgh emerging as AI innovation hub through NVIDIA AI Tech Community partnership Graduates find positions at Government agencies, Consulting firms, Technology companies.
Hakia Insight: Carnegie Mellon University leverages partnerships with NVIDIA and University of Pittsburgh to offer students real-world project experience valued by employers.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
computer science
human-computer interaction
natural language processing
machine learning
robotics
software and societal systems
Location Advantages
- •Pittsburgh emerging as AI innovation hub through NVIDIA AI Tech Community partnership
- •Close collaboration between CMU, University of Pittsburgh, and industry partners
- •Access to local startups and established tech companies in Pittsburgh corridor
- •Strong connections to government agencies and policy makers in Washington D.C.
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Government agencies, Consulting firms, Technology companies, Startups, Research institutions
Certifications & Designations
Admissions
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Doctoral: Very High Research (R1)
UW's AI program uniquely focuses on applying artificial intelligence to engineering problems with physical constraints, featuring a stackable certificate structure that allows working engineers to customize their education while maintaining their careers.
University of Washington-Seattle Campus Artificial Intelligence Program Overview
Hakia ranks University of Washington-Seattle Campus as the #2 in artificial intelligence degree program.
University of Washington-Seattle Campus's Artificial Intelligence program graduates 48 students annually with a 97% graduation rate. Research opportunities include the AI Center for Dynamics & Control and SMARTS Lab (Scale-independent Multimodal Automated Real Time Systems). Seattle tech hub with proximity to Amazon, Microsoft, and Boeing
Hakia Insight: Students at University of Washington-Seattle Campus benefit from active collaborations with Boeing and Amazon, connecting classroom learning to the workforce.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Data-driven discovery and control of complex dynamical systems
Automated decision-making for cyber-physical systems
Foundational AI and Natural Language Processing for general-purpose AI algorithms
Virtual and augmented reality technologies and applications
Location Advantages
- •Seattle tech hub with proximity to Amazon, Microsoft, and Boeing
- •Strong aerospace and manufacturing industry presence
- •Access to Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Certifications & Designations
Admissions
University of Southern California
Doctoral: Very High Research (R1)
USC created one of the first dedicated Master's in AI programs in the nation and pioneered the innovative joint AI for Business undergraduate degree, positioning students at the intersection of technical expertise and business acumen in Los Angeles' thriving tech ecosystem.
University of Southern California Artificial Intelligence Program Overview
Hakia ranks University of Southern California as the #3 in artificial intelligence degree program.
University of Southern California's Artificial Intelligence program graduates 45 students annually with a 92% graduation rate. Research opportunities include the Affective Computing Group and Automatic Coordination of Teams (ACT) Lab. Los Angeles tech ecosystem access Graduates find positions at Amazon Web Services, Google, Microsoft.
Hakia Insight: Students at University of Southern California benefit from active collaborations with Amazon and Google, connecting classroom learning to the workforce.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Emotional AI and human-computer interaction
Multi-agent coordination and teamwork
Autonomous systems and artificial intelligence
Knowledge representation and graph-based reasoning
Cognitive modeling and architecture design
Visual learning and robotic cognition
Algorithmic techniques and AI methods
Social media analysis and computational social science
Interpretable AI and natural language processing
Knowledge discovery and information extraction
Human-robot interaction and collaborative robotics
Socially assistive robotics and human-robot interaction
Machine learning algorithms and data mining
Conversational AI and dialogue systems
AI applications for social good
AI applications in education and training
Location Advantages
- •Los Angeles tech ecosystem access
- •Proximity to entertainment industry AI applications
- •Strong startup and venture capital presence
- •Access to aerospace and defense contractors
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Amazon Web Services, Google, Microsoft, Uber, TikTok
Certifications & Designations
Admissions
University of Pennsylvania
Doctoral: Very High Research (R1)
Penn's AI program is distinguished by its unique emphasis on ethical AI training alongside technical excellence, housed within an Ivy League institution that pioneered breakthrough research like the first programmable chip for training neural networks using light and AI systems that discovered new antibiotics in ancient microbes.
University of Pennsylvania Artificial Intelligence Program Overview
Hakia ranks University of Pennsylvania as the #4 in artificial intelligence degree program.
University of Pennsylvania's Artificial Intelligence program graduates 98 students annually with a 100% graduation rate. Research opportunities include the ASSET Center and Warren Center for Network & Data Sciences. Philadelphia tech corridor with proximity to major East Coast tech hubs Graduates find positions at Technology companies, Financial services, Healthcare organizations.
Hakia Insight: University of Pennsylvania's industry network — including Amazon Web Services and Google — provides students with internship and hiring pathways.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
AI-Enabled Systems: Safe, Explainable and Trustworthy
Network and data science research applications
Innovation in Data Engineering and Science
Penn Research In Embedded Computing and Integrated Systems Engineering
General Robotics, Automation, Sensing and Perception
Location Advantages
- •Philadelphia tech corridor with proximity to major East Coast tech hubs
- •Amy Gutmann Hall housing state-of-the-art AI research facilities
- •Access to Penn's broader ecosystem including Wharton School for AI business applications
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Technology companies, Financial services, Healthcare organizations, Government agencies
Admissions
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Doctoral: Very High Research (R1)
MIT houses CSAIL, the world's largest university computer science laboratory, born from the merger of the original AI Lab where foundational AI research began in the 1960s under Marvin Minsky and John McCarthy, creators of the field of artificial intelligence itself.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Artificial Intelligence Program Overview
Hakia ranks Massachusetts Institute of Technology as the #5 in artificial intelligence degree program.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers comprehensive Artificial Intelligence programs at multiple degree levels, combining rigorous academics with practical experience. Research opportunities include the Laboratory for Infrastructure Science and Sustainability and Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL). Cambridge/Boston tech corridor with proximity to leading biotech and tech companies Graduates find positions at Google, Apple, Meta.
Hakia Insight: Massachusetts Institute of Technology's industry network — including Shell and United Engineers and Constructors — provides students with internship and hiring pathways.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Infrastructure sensing and vision-based monitoring through data analytics and AI in engineering mechanics
Computer science and artificial intelligence research
Immigration policy research using statistical methods and causal inference
Location Advantages
- •Cambridge/Boston tech corridor with proximity to leading biotech and tech companies
- •Access to MIT's extensive industry network and startup ecosystem
- •Integration with broader MIT innovation community including Media Lab and other research centers
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Google, Apple, Meta, Amazon, Microsoft
Northwestern University
Doctoral: Very High Research (R1)
Northwestern pioneered the integration of AI with business leadership through the MBAi program and maintains one of the most comprehensive AI education ecosystems in higher education, spanning from undergraduate minors to executive education, with specialized research centers collaborating directly with Underwriters Laboratories and Argonne National Laboratory.
Northwestern University Artificial Intelligence Program Overview
Hakia ranks Northwestern University as the #6 in artificial intelligence degree program.
Northwestern University's Artificial Intelligence program graduates 41 students annually with a 90% graduation rate. Research opportunities include the Center for Advancing Safety of Machine Intelligence (CASMI) and Center for Deep Learning (CDL). Chicago metropolitan area access Graduates find positions at Adobe Systems, Amazon, Apple Inc..
Hakia Insight: Students at Northwestern University benefit from active collaborations with Flexcompute and Sony PlayStation, connecting classroom learning to the workforce.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Safety in machine intelligence systems in collaboration with Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
Industry partnerships for AI proof of concept and deployment
Six-center institute bridging computational methods with medical expertise
Machine learning, cognitive modeling, language understanding, robotics, computational journalism
Intelligent language models that reason, plan, and interact with the physical world
AI systems creation through optimization and statistical learning methods
Location Advantages
- •Chicago metropolitan area access
- •Strong ties to Argonne National Laboratory
- •Multiple campus locations including international presence in Qatar
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Adobe Systems, Amazon, Apple Inc., The Boston Consulting Group, Google
Admissions
Northeastern University
Doctoral: Very High Research (R1)
Northeastern's AI program uniquely combines the nation's #1-ranked co-op system with the Institute for Experiential AI, positioning it as an institutional leader in human-centric and responsible AI development while offering the only interdisciplinary program that spans both computer science and engineering applications.
Northeastern University Artificial Intelligence Program Overview
Hakia ranks Northeastern University as the #7 in artificial intelligence degree program.
Northeastern University offers comprehensive Artificial Intelligence programs at multiple degree levels, combining rigorous academics with practical experience. Research opportunities include the Relational Agents Group and Lab for Learning and Planning in Robotics. Boston's thriving AI and biotech ecosystem
Hakia Insight: Northeastern University's industry network — including Amazon and Ford — provides students with internship and hiring pathways.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
AI-based tools for behavioral health care simulations and virtual agents
Robotics, AI, and machine learning with planning and reinforcement learning
Cognitive and social agent research
Neural AI research
Robotic assistance and manipulation
Health data analysis using AI and signal processing
Data management and database systems
AI in gaming and user interaction
Machine learning for spatial and temporal data
Natural language processing and computational linguistics
Location Advantages
- •Boston's thriving AI and biotech ecosystem
- •Multiple campus options: Boston, Portland, Seattle, Silicon Valley
- •Heart of academic and industry AI research corridor
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Certifications & Designations
Admissions
University of San Diego
Doctoral: High Research (R2)
USD's MS-AAI program is recognized as one of the nation's only 100% online master's in artificial intelligence programs, uniquely integrating ethics, social good, and moral responsibility across the entire curriculum while maintaining a balance between technical skills and practical business applications.
University of San Diego Artificial Intelligence Program Overview
Hakia ranks University of San Diego as the #8 in artificial intelligence degree program.
University of San Diego's Artificial Intelligence program graduates 35 students annually with a 97% graduation rate. San Diego's growing tech ecosystem Graduates find positions at Various industries based on student showcase.
Hakia Insight: San Diego's growing tech ecosystem
Degree Programs
Location Advantages
- •San Diego's growing tech ecosystem
- •Proximity to major California tech hubs
Career Outcomes
Various industries based on student showcase
Certifications & Designations
Admissions
Brandeis University
Doctoral: Very High Research (R1)
Brandeis combines small program sizes that ensure individualized faculty mentoring with proximity to Boston's tech corridor, while offering unique interdisciplinary opportunities like computational linguistics and emerging research in AI bias and cybersecurity policy through specialized institutes.
Brandeis University Artificial Intelligence Program Overview
Hakia ranks Brandeis University as the #9 in artificial intelligence degree program.
Brandeis University's Artificial Intelligence program graduates 19 students annually with a 99% graduation rate. Research opportunities include the Core Machine Learning Lab and Multilingual Language Processing Lab. Proximity to Boston and Cambridge tech ecosystem including Google, Microsoft, Oracle, and Amazon Graduates find positions at The Knot Worldwide, IMF, Takeda.
Hakia Insight: Brandeis University graduates earn $80,760, driven by the program's industry connections and hands-on artificial intelligence curriculum.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Machine learning and AI-assisted applications including consensus clustering, constrained clustering, and data-centric learning
Natural language processing and computational linguistics across multiple languages
Visual encodings for data science and interpretable AI interfaces
Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, artificial life, and evolutionary robotics
Data systems that self-adapt and protect privacy by design
Robotics theory and practice with Campus Rover navigation project
Computational methods for understanding biological networks
Location Advantages
- •Proximity to Boston and Cambridge tech ecosystem including Google, Microsoft, Oracle, and Amazon
- •Access to Route 128 technology corridor
- •Strong alumni network in leading technology corporations
- •Internship opportunities distinct to student interests in thriving tech scene
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
The Knot Worldwide, IMF, Takeda, Washington University in St. Louis
Certifications & Designations
Admissions
University of North Texas
Doctoral: Very High Research (R1)
UNT offers Texas's only standalone Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence degree, combining cutting-edge research at the 300-acre Discovery Park facility with the career advantages of being located in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex's massive tech corridor.
University of North Texas Artificial Intelligence Program Overview
Hakia ranks University of North Texas as the #10 in artificial intelligence degree program.
University of North Texas's Artificial Intelligence program graduates 76 students annually with a 70% graduation rate. Research opportunities include the Applied Artificial Intelligence Research and Discovery Park Research Facility. Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex - 4th largest metropolitan area in the US Graduates find positions at Amazon, Parkland Health and Hospital System, Cognizant.
Hakia Insight: University of North Texas's industry network — including Texas Instruments and Toyota — provides students with internship and hiring pathways.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
11 specialized research areas including autonomous vehicles, bioinformatics, computer vision, cybersecurity, and natural language processing
State-of-the-art instructional facilities and laboratories with cutting-edge research equipment
Location Advantages
- •Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex - 4th largest metropolitan area in the US
- •Nation's fourth-largest concentration of Fortune 500 companies
- •Over 700 companies offering paid internships to UNT business students
- •Free shuttle service between Discovery Park and main campus
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Amazon, Parkland Health and Hospital System, Cognizant
Certifications & Designations
Admissions
Best Artificial Intelligence Programs - Top 10 — Complete Program Data
#1. Carnegie Mellon University Artificial Intelligence Program
Hakia ranks Carnegie Mellon University as the #1 in artificial intelligence degree program. Location: Pittsburgh, PA | Type: Private | Tuition: $62,260/year | Graduation Rate: 98% | Score: 100.0
What makes Carnegie Mellon University stand out: CMU created the world's first bachelor's degree in artificial intelligence in 2018 and has led AI education and innovation since the field's inception, with the university being the birthplace of cognitive psychology and home to the first U.S. university robotics institute founded in 1979.
Hakia Insight: Carnegie Mellon University leverages partnerships with NVIDIA and University of Pittsburgh to offer students real-world project experience valued by employers.
Program Overview: Carnegie Mellon University pioneered artificial intelligence education, creating the world's first Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence in 2018 and establishing the nation's first computer science college in 1988. The university offers comprehensive AI education through multiple pathways: the groundbreaking undergraduate BSAI program housed in the School of Computer Science, and the innovative Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Innovation (MSAII) through the Language Technologies Institute. The MSAII program uniquely combines rigorous AI and machine learning curriculum with real-world entrepreneurship experience, requiring students to develop actual AI products through a four-semester journey culminating in a capstone project suitable for startup investment or corporate integration. Instruction spans six departments within the School of Computer Science - the Computer Science Department, Human-Computer Interaction Institute, Language Technologies Institute, Machine Learning Department, Robotics Institute, and Software and Societal Systems Department. CMU's AI research tackles real-world challenges through initiatives like the Delphi Research Group (selected by the CDC as the Center for Innovation in Outbreak Analytics), the AI Institute for Societal Decision Making, and partnerships with NVIDIA for robotics and autonomy research. The university emphasizes AI for social good, with mandatory ethics coursework and applications spanning healthcare, transportation, education, and epidemic forecasting.
Degree Programs: Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence (4 years); Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Innovation (MSAII) (2 years (4 semesters)); Additional Major in Artificial Intelligence (Concurrent with primary major); Minor in Artificial Intelligence (Concurrent with primary major)
Research Labs: Computer Science Department - computer science; Human-Computer Interaction Institute - human-computer interaction; Language Technologies Institute - natural language processing; Machine Learning Department - machine learning; Robotics Institute - robotics; Software and Societal Systems Department - software and societal systems
Industry Partners: NVIDIA, University of Pittsburgh, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, National Science Foundation, CDC
Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: Not specified | Top Employers: Government agencies, Consulting firms, Technology companies, Startups, Research institutions | Common Roles: AI Engineer, Machine Learning Engineer, Research Scientist, Product Manager, Entrepreneur, Policy Analyst
Notable Faculty: Reid Simmons (Director of BSAI program); Aarti Singh (Machine learning, statistics, and signal processing)
Admissions: GPA: 3.0 minimum for MSAII | Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Accreditations: Not specified
#2. University of Washington-Seattle Campus Artificial Intelligence Program
Hakia ranks University of Washington-Seattle Campus as the #2 in artificial intelligence degree program. Location: Seattle, WA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,524/year | Graduation Rate: 97% | Score: 85.5
What makes University of Washington-Seattle Campus stand out: UW's AI program uniquely focuses on applying artificial intelligence to engineering problems with physical constraints, featuring a stackable certificate structure that allows working engineers to customize their education while maintaining their careers.
Hakia Insight: Students at University of Washington-Seattle Campus benefit from active collaborations with Boeing and Amazon, connecting classroom learning to the workforce.
Program Overview: The University of Washington-Seattle Campus offers a distinctive Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Engineering through its College of Engineering, launching Fall 2026 with applications opening January 2026. This innovative program is specifically designed for working engineers who want to apply AI and ML methods to physical engineering problems like manufacturing, chemical processes, and robotics. The program features a unique stackable structure where students complete two graduate certificates plus an applied capstone project to earn their master's degree. Students begin with the required Graduate Certificate in AI & ML for Engineering, then choose from domain-specific certificates in areas like Data-Driven Dynamic Systems & Control, Modern AI Methods from the prestigious Paul G. Allen School, or Human Centered Artificial Intelligence. The program can be completed entirely online part-time or through a full-time option, making it exceptionally flexible for working professionals. The curriculum is bolstered by renowned faculty like Professor Steve Brunton, who directs the AI Center for Dynamics & Control and serves as a Data Science Fellow at the eScience Institute, and Professor Ashis Banerjee, who leads the SMARTS Lab and serves on the UW Amazon Science Hub advisory board.
Degree Programs: MS in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Engineering (2-4 years)
Research Labs: AI Center for Dynamics & Control - Data-driven discovery and control of complex dynamical systems; SMARTS Lab (Scale-independent Multimodal Automated Real Time Systems) - Automated decision-making for cyber-physical systems; H2 Lab - Foundational AI and Natural Language Processing for general-purpose AI algorithms; UW Reality Lab - Virtual and augmented reality technologies and applications
Industry Partners: Boeing, Amazon, NVIDIA
Career Outcomes:
Notable Faculty: Steve Brunton (dimensionality reduction, sparse sensing, machine learning for data-driven discovery and control of complex dynamical systems); Ashis Banerjee (automated decision-making for cyber-physical systems, optimization, machine learning, autonomous robotics); Taylor Kessler Faulkner (AI, human-robot interaction, assistive robotics); Natasha Jaques; Hannaneh Hajishirzi
Admissions: GPA: 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA
Accreditations: ABET
#3. University of Southern California Artificial Intelligence Program
Hakia ranks University of Southern California as the #3 in artificial intelligence degree program. Location: Los Angeles, CA | Type: Private | Tuition: $66,640/year | Graduation Rate: 92% | Score: 80.0
What makes University of Southern California stand out: USC created one of the first dedicated Master's in AI programs in the nation and pioneered the innovative joint AI for Business undergraduate degree, positioning students at the intersection of technical expertise and business acumen in Los Angeles' thriving tech ecosystem.
Hakia Insight: Students at University of Southern California benefit from active collaborations with Amazon and Google, connecting classroom learning to the workforce.
Program Overview: The University of Southern California stands as a national pioneer in artificial intelligence education, offering one of the first dedicated Master of Science in Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence) programs in the United States. This 32-unit program, housed within the prestigious Viterbi School of Engineering, provides rigorous training in deep learning theories and applications, covering machine learning, statistics, computer vision, natural language processing, and robotics. USC has gone beyond traditional offerings by creating innovative partnerships, including the groundbreaking joint BS in Artificial Intelligence for Business with the Marshall School of Business, demonstrating the university's commitment to interdisciplinary AI education. The program benefits from USC's robust research ecosystem, anchored by the Center for Artificial Intelligence in Society (CAIS), which focuses on AI for social good across environment, health and wellbeing, and homelessness initiatives. Students gain access to over 30 specialized research labs spanning artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer vision, robotics, and human-computer interaction. The curriculum balances theoretical foundations with practical applications, requiring core courses in algorithms, AI foundations, deep learning, machine learning, and web technologies, complemented by specialized electives in areas like multimodal learning, knowledge graphs, and AI ethics.
Degree Programs: BS (4 years); MS; B.S. Program; M.S. Program; Ph.D. Program; Data Science Program; Graduate Certificate
Research Labs: Affective Computing Group - Emotional AI and human-computer interaction; Automatic Coordination of Teams (ACT) Lab - Multi-agent coordination and teamwork; Center for Autonomy and AI - Autonomous systems and artificial intelligence; Center on Knowledge Graphs - Knowledge representation and graph-based reasoning; Cognitive Architecture - Cognitive modeling and architecture design; Cognitive Learning for Vision and Robotics Lab - Visual learning and robotic cognition; Collaboratory for Algorithmic Techniques and Artifical Intelligence (CATAI) - Algorithmic techniques and AI methods; Computational Social Science Laboratory - Social media analysis and computational social science; Data, Interpretability, Language and Learning (DILL) Lab - Interpretable AI and natural language processing; Intelligence and Knowledge Discovery (INK) Research Lab - Knowledge discovery and information extraction; Interactive and Collaborative Autonomous Robotic Systems (ICAROS) Lab - Human-robot interaction and collaborative robotics; Interaction Lab - Socially assistive robotics and human-robot interaction; Machine Learning and Data Mining Lab (Melady) - Machine learning algorithms and data mining; Natural Language Dialogue Group - Conversational AI and dialogue systems; USC Center for Artificial Intelligence in Society - AI applications for social good; AI Research Center of Excellence for Education (AIRCOEE) - AI applications in education and training
Industry Partners: Amazon, Google, Uber, Microsoft
Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Amazon Web Services, Google, Microsoft, Uber, TikTok, Lucid Motors, Northern Lights, SAIC | Common Roles: Software Development Engineer, Machine Learning Engineer, Data Scientist, AI Scientist, Deep Learning Research Engineer
Notable Faculty: Maja Matarić (Socially assistive robotics and human-robot interaction); Gaurav Sukhatme (Robotics and autonomous systems); Yolanda Gil (Artificial intelligence and knowledge systems); Jonathan Gratch (Virtual humans and computational psychology); Craig Knoblock (Information integration and knowledge graphs); David Kempe (Algorithms and machine learning theory); Laurent Itti (Computer vision and computational neuroscience); Bistra Dilkina (AI for social good and computational sustainability); Bill Swartout (AI systems and virtual humans)
Admissions:
Accreditations: OPT STEM extension eligible for international students
#4. University of Pennsylvania Artificial Intelligence Program
Hakia ranks University of Pennsylvania as the #4 in artificial intelligence degree program. Location: Philadelphia, PA | Type: Private | Tuition: $58,620/year | Graduation Rate: 100% | Score: 79.1
What makes University of Pennsylvania stand out: Penn's AI program is distinguished by its unique emphasis on ethical AI training alongside technical excellence, housed within an Ivy League institution that pioneered breakthrough research like the first programmable chip for training neural networks using light and AI systems that discovered new antibiotics in ancient microbes.
Hakia Insight: University of Pennsylvania's industry network — including Amazon Web Services and Google — provides students with internship and hiring pathways.
Program Overview: The University of Pennsylvania's Artificial Intelligence program operates through the prestigious Raj and Neera Singh Program in Artificial Intelligence, representing one of the most comprehensive AI education initiatives in the Ivy League. Penn offers both undergraduate (B.S.E.) and graduate (M.S.E.) pathways, with the graduate program available entirely online for working professionals. The program uniquely blends technical rigor in machine learning, natural language processing, and deep learning with robust ethical training, preparing students to navigate AI's societal implications. What sets Penn apart is its integration across multiple world-class research centers including the ASSET Center for trustworthy AI, the Warren Center for Network and Data Sciences, and the IDEAS Center, creating an ecosystem where students work alongside faculty who are shaping the future of AI across industries from healthcare to finance.
Degree Programs: Master of Science in Engineering in AI (MSE-AI) Online (Variable); Bachelor of Science in Engineering in AI (B.S.E.) (4 years)
Research Labs: ASSET Center - AI-Enabled Systems: Safe, Explainable and Trustworthy; Warren Center for Network & Data Sciences - Network and data science research applications; IDEAS Center - Innovation in Data Engineering and Science; PRECISE Center - Penn Research In Embedded Computing and Integrated Systems Engineering; GRASP Lab - General Robotics, Automation, Sensing and Perception
Industry Partners: Amazon Web Services, Google
Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Technology companies, Financial services, Healthcare organizations, Government agencies | Common Roles: AI Research Scientist, Machine Learning Engineer, AI Product Manager, Startup Founder
Notable Faculty: George J. Pappas (UPS Foundation Professor of Transportation in Electrical and Systems Engineering); Chris Callison-Burch (Professor in Computer and Information Science); Rajeev Alur (Zisman Family Professor in Computer and Information Science); Michael Kearns (National Center Professor of Management & Technology); René Vidal (Rachleff University Professor in Electrical and Systems Engineering); Paris Perdikaris (Associate Professor)
Admissions:
#5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology Artificial Intelligence Program
Hakia ranks Massachusetts Institute of Technology as the #5 in artificial intelligence degree program. Location: Cambridge, MA | Type: Private | Tuition: $59,750/year | Score: 72.7
What makes Massachusetts Institute of Technology stand out: MIT houses CSAIL, the world's largest university computer science laboratory, born from the merger of the original AI Lab where foundational AI research began in the 1960s under Marvin Minsky and John McCarthy, creators of the field of artificial intelligence itself.
Hakia Insight: Massachusetts Institute of Technology's industry network — including Shell and United Engineers and Constructors — provides students with internship and hiring pathways.
Program Overview: MIT doesn't offer a traditional standalone master's degree in Artificial Intelligence, but instead integrates AI education across multiple programs within its renowned Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL). Students can pursue AI through the Master of Engineering (MEng) in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, or the broader SM (Scientiae Magister) in Computer Science. The undergraduate program offers Course 6-4: Artificial Intelligence and Decision Making as a specialized track. CSAIL, formed in 2003 from the merger of the historic AI Lab (founded 1970) and Laboratory for Computer Science, represents the largest on-campus laboratory at MIT and houses cutting-edge research in machine learning, robotics, and computational intelligence. The program benefits from MIT's legendary AI heritage, including pioneering work by Marvin Minsky and the development of Lisp programming language.
Degree Programs: Master of Engineering (MEng) in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (1 year minimum); Master of Science (SM) in Computer Science (1-2 years); Artificial Intelligence and Decision Making (Course 6-4) (4 years)
Research Labs: Laboratory for Infrastructure Science and Sustainability - Infrastructure sensing and vision-based monitoring through data analytics and AI in engineering mechanics; Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) - Computer science and artificial intelligence research; Stanford Immigration Policy Lab - Immigration policy research using statistical methods and causal inference
Industry Partners: Shell, United Engineers and Constructors, Marc Analysis and Research Corporation
Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Google, Apple, Meta, Amazon, Microsoft, leading AI startups | Common Roles: AI Research Scientist, Machine Learning Engineer, Robotics Engineer, AI Product Manager
Notable Faculty: Dr. Oral Buyukozturk (AI in engineering mechanics, infrastructure sensing and vision-based monitoring); Dr. William T. Freeman (Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence); Dr. Fredo Durand (Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence)
Admissions:
#6. Northwestern University Artificial Intelligence Program
Hakia ranks Northwestern University as the #6 in artificial intelligence degree program. Location: Evanston, IL | Type: Private | Tuition: $64,887/year | Graduation Rate: 90% | Score: 71.0
What makes Northwestern University stand out: Northwestern pioneered the integration of AI with business leadership through the MBAi program and maintains one of the most comprehensive AI education ecosystems in higher education, spanning from undergraduate minors to executive education, with specialized research centers collaborating directly with Underwriters Laboratories and Argonne National Laboratory.
Hakia Insight: Students at Northwestern University benefit from active collaborations with Flexcompute and Sony PlayStation, connecting classroom learning to the workforce.
Program Overview: Northwestern University offers a comprehensive AI education ecosystem spanning undergraduate through executive levels across multiple schools. The flagship Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence, housed in the McCormick School of Engineering, is a professionally-focused 15-month program that caps enrollment at just 45 students annually to ensure personalized attention. The program emphasizes practical application with industry capstone projects and partnerships with engineering's MS AI students. Northwestern's AI offerings extend far beyond this core program, including the innovative MBAi joint degree between Kellogg Business School and McCormick Engineering, specialized AI tracks in data science and information systems through the School of Professional Studies, and extensive undergraduate options like AI minors and data science majors. The university's approach integrates technical depth with real-world application, supported by over 15 specialized research centers including the Center for Advancing Safety of Machine Intelligence (CASMI), the Center for Deep Learning, and the Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine.
Degree Programs: Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence (15 months); MBAi Program (20 months (5 quarters)); MS in Data Science with AI Specialization (varies); MS in Information Systems with AI Specialization (varies); PhD in Computer Science (4-6 years); Advanced Graduate Certificate in Artificial Intelligence (varies)
Research Labs: Center for Advancing Safety of Machine Intelligence (CASMI) - Safety in machine intelligence systems in collaboration with Underwriters Laboratories Inc.; Center for Deep Learning (CDL) - Industry partnerships for AI proof of concept and deployment; Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine (I.AIM) - Six-center institute bridging computational methods with medical expertise; Artificial Intelligence Group - Machine learning, cognitive modeling, language understanding, robotics, computational journalism; Machine Learning and Language (MLL) Lab - Intelligent language models that reason, plan, and interact with the physical world; Center for Optimization and Statistical Learning (OSL) - AI systems creation through optimization and statistical learning methods
Industry Partners: Flexcompute, Sony PlayStation, Deloitte, McDonald's, Annalect, Mayo Clinic, Amazon Web Services, Bain Capital Ventures, TikTok
Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Adobe Systems, Amazon, Apple Inc., The Boston Consulting Group, Google, Meta, McKinsey & Company | Common Roles: Senior Product Manager, Technical Product Manager, Senior Consultant, Director of Technical Operations
Notable Faculty: Kristian Hammond (Natural language processing, cognitive modeling, computational journalism); Bryan Pardo (Machine learning for audio, signal processing); Brenna Argall (Assistive and rehabilitation robotics)
Admissions:
#7. Northeastern University Artificial Intelligence Program
Hakia ranks Northeastern University as the #7 in artificial intelligence degree program. Location: Boston, MA | Type: Private | Tuition: $62,000/year | Score: 69.5
What makes Northeastern University stand out: Northeastern's AI program uniquely combines the nation's #1-ranked co-op system with the Institute for Experiential AI, positioning it as an institutional leader in human-centric and responsible AI development while offering the only interdisciplinary program that spans both computer science and engineering applications.
Hakia Insight: Northeastern University's industry network — including Amazon and Ford — provides students with internship and hiring pathways.
Program Overview: Northeastern University's MS in Artificial Intelligence stands as one of the most comprehensive interdisciplinary AI programs in the nation, jointly offered by the prestigious Khoury College of Computer Sciences and the College of Engineering. This dynamic 32-credit program spans 2-2.5 years and uniquely combines technical mastery with ethical AI development, offering five distinct concentrations: machine learning, robotics and agent-based systems, computer vision, energy systems, and continuous process engineering. Students dive deep into foundational AI algorithms while gaining hands-on experience through Northeastern's renowned co-op program, ranked #1 nationally by U.S. News & World Report, with partnerships spanning Amazon, Ford, Goldman Sachs, and the U.S. Soccer Federation. What truly distinguishes this program is its emphasis on 'human-centric and responsible AI' through the Institute for Experiential AI, where students work on real-world challenges like speech impairment solutions, climate vulnerability assessments, and bias detection in financial services. The curriculum goes beyond traditional AI education by integrating ethics coursework and requiring students to build AI systems that solve actual problems across industries, from healthcare and energy to manufacturing and autonomous systems.
Degree Programs: MS in Artificial Intelligence (2-2.5 years); MS in Artificial Intelligence - Align (2.5 years)
Research Labs: Relational Agents Group - AI-based tools for behavioral health care simulations and virtual agents; Lab for Learning and Planning in Robotics - Robotics, AI, and machine learning with planning and reinforcement learning; Cognitive Embodied Social Agents Research (CESAR) - Cognitive and social agent research; NEURAI Lab - Neural AI research; Helping Hands Lab - Robotic assistance and manipulation; Signal Processing and Artificial Intelligence for Time Variant Health Data (SATH) Lab - Health data analysis using AI and signal processing; Databases (DATA Lab) - Data management and database systems; Game User Interaction And Intelligence Lab (GUII) - AI in gaming and user interaction; Spatiotemporal Learning Group - Machine learning for spatial and temporal data; Northeastern Natural Language Processing Research Group - Natural language processing and computational linguistics
Industry Partners: Amazon, Ford, Goldman Sachs, Roche/Genentech, U.S. Soccer Federation, Maine Health
Career Outcomes: | Common Roles: Data scientist, AI programmer, Natural language processing developer, Computer vision developer, Machine intelligence engineer, QA automation engineer
Notable Faculty: Dr. Tina Eliassi-Rad (Data mining, machine learning, and network science); Dr. Usama Fayyad (Data science, machine learning, AI, and data mining); Dr. Christopher Amato (Robotics, AI, and machine learning in multi-agent systems); Dr. Yun Raymond Fu (AI, machine learning, data mining, and computer vision); Dr. Ehsan Elhamifar (Computer vision and AI learning from visual data); Dr. David Bau (Human-computer interaction and machine learning interpretability)
Admissions:
Accreditations: F1 visa eligible, ABET accredited engineering concentrations
#8. University of San Diego Artificial Intelligence Program
Hakia ranks University of San Diego as the #8 in artificial intelligence degree program. Location: San Diego, CA | Type: Private | Tuition: $55,690/year | Graduation Rate: 97% | Score: 68.4
What makes University of San Diego stand out: USD's MS-AAI program is recognized as one of the nation's only 100% online master's in artificial intelligence programs, uniquely integrating ethics, social good, and moral responsibility across the entire curriculum while maintaining a balance between technical skills and practical business applications.
Hakia Insight: San Diego's growing tech ecosystem
Program Overview: The University of San Diego offers a fully online Master of Science in Applied Artificial Intelligence (MS-AAI), a 30-unit program that can be completed in just 20 months across five semesters. Under the direction of Dr. Ebrahim Tarshizi, this innovative program was developed in close collaboration with key industry and government stakeholders to provide in-depth practical and technical training. Students take two courses per semester in an accelerated format, focusing on one 7-week course at a time, with rolling admissions offering three start dates annually (spring, summer, and fall). The program distinguishes itself through a significant emphasis on real-world applications, ethics, moral responsibility, and social good in designing AI-enabled systems, culminating in a comprehensive capstone project that pairs students with instructors and potential industry partners.
Degree Programs: MS in Applied Artificial Intelligence (20 months)
Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: Not specified | Top Employers: Various industries based on student showcase | Common Roles: Artificial Intelligence Engineer ($164,769), AI Programmer ($126,472), Machine Learning Applied Researcher ($139,795), Applied Machine Learning Specialist ($121,299), Business Intelligence Developer ($98,283)
Notable Faculty: Dr. Ebrahim Tarshizi (Program Director with PhD and MBA); Anna Marbut (Professor of Practice with MS in Applied AI)
Admissions: GPA: 2.75 minimum for STEM degrees | Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Accreditations: WASC Senior College and University Commission accredited
#9. Brandeis University Artificial Intelligence Program
Hakia ranks Brandeis University as the #9 in artificial intelligence degree program. Location: Waltham, MA | Type: Private | Tuition: $64,348/year | Graduation Rate: 99% | Score: 67.8
What makes Brandeis University stand out: Brandeis combines small program sizes that ensure individualized faculty mentoring with proximity to Boston's tech corridor, while offering unique interdisciplinary opportunities like computational linguistics and emerging research in AI bias and cybersecurity policy through specialized institutes.
Hakia Insight: Brandeis University graduates earn $80,760, driven by the program's industry connections and hands-on artificial intelligence curriculum.
Program Overview: Brandeis University's Michtom School of Computer Science offers a comprehensive 9-course Master of Science in Computer Science designed for students who already hold an undergraduate degree in computer science. This 3-semester, 36-credit program provides in-depth exposure to cutting-edge areas including distributed computing, big data, machine learning, and computational linguistics. The school also offers specialized tracks like the Master of Science in Computational Linguistics, which bridges AI and language processing. What sets Brandeis apart is its intimate scale - the graduate programs are deliberately small, ensuring individualized attention while maintaining rigorous interdisciplinary training that's become a hallmark of the university. Students benefit from proximity to Boston's thriving tech scene, with companies like Google, Microsoft, Oracle, and Amazon offering research, internship, and career opportunities just minutes away.
Degree Programs: Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science (4 years); Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (4 years); Master of Science in Computer Science (2 years); Master of Science in Computer Science for Non-Majors (2 years); PhD in Computer Science (4-6 years); Master of Science in Business Analytics with AI Concentration (12-16 months); Master of Science in Business Analytics (Online) (17-20 months); 5-year Bachelor's/Master's Program (5 years)
Research Labs: Core Machine Learning Lab - Machine learning and AI-assisted applications including consensus clustering, constrained clustering, and data-centric learning; Multilingual Language Processing Lab - Natural language processing and computational linguistics across multiple languages; Brandeis Visual Analytics Laboratory - Visual encodings for data science and interpretable AI interfaces; Dynamical & Evolutionary Machine Organization Lab - Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, artificial life, and evolutionary robotics; Smart and Scalable Data Systems Lab - Data systems that self-adapt and protect privacy by design; Brandeis Autonomous Robotics Teaching Laboratory - Robotics theory and practice with Campus Rover navigation project; Computational Systems Biology Group - Computational methods for understanding biological networks
Industry Partners: Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Dell EMC, Uber, BBN Technologies
Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: 90% | Top Employers: The Knot Worldwide, IMF, Takeda, Washington University in St. Louis | Common Roles: Data Scientist, Research Analyst, Statistical Data Analyst, Senior Marketing Operations Analyst
Notable Faculty: Hongfu Liu (Machine learning and artificial intelligence-assisted applications); Nianwen Xue (Natural language processing and computational linguistics); Dylan Cashman (Visual analytics and interpretable AI interfaces); Jordan Pollack (Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and artificial life); Subhadeep Sarkar (Data systems and privacy-aware computing); Pito Salas (Robotics and autonomous systems)
Admissions:
Accreditations: STEM-designated programs available
#10. University of North Texas Artificial Intelligence Program
Hakia ranks University of North Texas as the #10 in artificial intelligence degree program. Location: Denton, TX | Type: Public | Tuition: $8,319/year | Graduation Rate: 70% | Score: 65.0
What makes University of North Texas stand out: UNT offers Texas's only standalone Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence degree, combining cutting-edge research at the 300-acre Discovery Park facility with the career advantages of being located in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex's massive tech corridor.
Hakia Insight: University of North Texas's industry network — including Texas Instruments and Toyota — provides students with internship and hiring pathways.
Program Overview: The University of North Texas offers a comprehensive Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence through its College of Engineering, representing the only standalone MS in AI degree in the state of Texas. This 33-credit hour program can be completed in 2-3 years and is available both on-campus at UNT's Discovery Park research facility and fully online, providing exceptional flexibility for working professionals. The program features three distinct concentration areas: Machine Learning, Biomedical Engineering, and Autonomous Systems, allowing students to tailor their studies to specific career interests. Students engage with cutting-edge research across 11 specialized areas including computer vision, natural language processing, cybersecurity, and materials design. What sets UNT's AI program apart is its interdisciplinary approach and strong research foundation, with over 30 faculty members and more than 100 PhD students driving AI research across multiple departments. The program is housed at Discovery Park, a 300-acre research facility featuring state-of-the-art laboratories and equipment, located just five miles from the main campus. Students have access to bridge courses like 'Software Development for Artificial Intelligence' and 'Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence' to build necessary programming foundations, while core courses dive deep into machine learning, deep learning, big data, and feature engineering. The program's location in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, home to the nation's fourth-largest concentration of Fortune 500 companies, provides unparalleled internship and career opportunities.
Degree Programs: MS in Artificial Intelligence (2-3 years); Combined BS/MS Computer Science and AI (5-6 years); Graduate Academic Certificate in AI (1 year)
Research Labs: Applied Artificial Intelligence Research - 11 specialized research areas including autonomous vehicles, bioinformatics, computer vision, cybersecurity, and natural language processing; Discovery Park Research Facility - State-of-the-art instructional facilities and laboratories with cutting-edge research equipment
Industry Partners: Texas Instruments, Toyota, PepsiCo, IBM
Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Amazon, Parkland Health and Hospital System, Cognizant | Common Roles: Data Scientist, Software Engineer, Machine Learning Engineer, AI Engineer
Admissions:
Accreditations: STEM-designated program qualifying for extended OPT for international students
Our rankings methodology weighs program strength (25%), graduation rate (20%), career outcomes (15%), institutional quality (12%), industry recognition (10%), selectivity (10%), and data transparency (8%). Learn more about our methodology →
Who Should Study Artificial Intelligence?
AI is ideal for students who enjoy mathematical problem-solving, are curious about how machines can learn and reason, and want to work on cutting-edge technology. Strong analytical thinking and comfort with statistics and calculus are essential.
- Math-strong students comfortable with statistics, calculus, linear algebra, and probability
- Problem solvers who enjoy working with data and building predictive models
- Future-focused students interested in emerging technologies and research
- Programming enthusiasts willing to learn Python, R, and specialized AI frameworks
- Career-oriented students seeking high-growth, high-paying tech roles
Most AI programs require strong mathematical foundations—expect coursework in calculus, statistics, linear algebra, and discrete mathematics. Prior programming experience is helpful but not required, though comfort with logical thinking is essential.
Artificial Intelligence Degree Levels Compared
AI education is available at multiple levels, each suited to different career goals and backgrounds
Artificial Intelligence Programs by Degree Level
2-year programs for career entry or transfer to bachelor's programs
Top-ranked undergraduate programs nationwide
Top graduate programs for specialization and advancement
PhD programs for research and academic careers
Flexible online programs for working professionals
Best Artificial Intelligence Programs - Bachelor's
A bachelor's degree in artificial intelligence is the standard credential for entry-level positions. These 4-year programs provide comprehensive training and hands-on experience.
Best Artificial Intelligence Programs - Top 3 Bachelor's
Carnegie Mellon University
33 graduates, 98% grad rate, Score: 91.1
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
4 graduates, N/A% grad rate, Score: 72.7
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
7 graduates, 87% grad rate, Score: 59.8
4. Illinois Institute of Technology (Chicago, IL) - Score: 57.2, Tuition: $49,607
5. University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth (North Dartmouth, MA) - Score: 53.5, Tuition: $14,533
6. Indiana University-Bloomington (Bloomington, IN) - Score: 52.9, Tuition: $10,312
7. Dakota State University (Madison, SD) - Score: 48.2, Tuition: $7,616
8. Concordia University-Wisconsin (Mequon, WI) - Score: 47.8, Tuition: $33,750
9. Buena Vista University (Storm Lake, IA) - Score: 46.2, Tuition: $40,190
10. Drake University (Des Moines, IA) - Score: 41.3, Tuition: $49,466
Best Artificial Intelligence Programs - Master's
A master's degree in artificial intelligence prepares students for senior and specialized roles. These 1-2 year programs offer advanced expertise and leadership training.
Best Artificial Intelligence Programs - Top 3 Master's
Carnegie Mellon University
178 graduates, 98% grad rate, Score: 100.0
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
48 graduates, 97% grad rate, Score: 85.5
University of Southern California
45 graduates, 92% grad rate, Score: 80.0
4. University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA) - Score: 79.1, Tuition: $58,620
5. Northwestern University (Evanston, IL) - Score: 71.0, Tuition: $64,887
6. Northeastern University (Boston, MA) - Score: 69.5, Tuition: $62,000
7. University of San Diego (San Diego, CA) - Score: 68.4, Tuition: $55,690
8. Brandeis University (Waltham, MA) - Score: 67.8, Tuition: $64,348
9. University of North Texas (Denton, TX) - Score: 65.0, Tuition: $8,319
10. San Jose State University (San Jose, CA) - Score: 64.8, Tuition: $5,742
Best Artificial Intelligence Programs - Online
Online artificial intelligence programs offer flexibility for working professionals. Top accredited programs provide the same curriculum quality as on-campus alternatives.
Best Artificial Intelligence Programs - Top 3 Online
Carnegie Mellon University
33 graduates, 98% grad rate, Score: 91.1
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
48 graduates, 97% grad rate, Score: 85.5
University of Southern California
45 graduates, 92% grad rate, Score: 80.0
4. University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA) - Score: 79.1, Tuition: $58,620
5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge, MA) - Score: 72.7, Tuition: $59,750
6. Northwestern University (Evanston, IL) - Score: 71.0, Tuition: $64,887
7. Northeastern University (Boston, MA) - Score: 69.5, Tuition: $62,000
8. University of San Diego (San Diego, CA) - Score: 68.4, Tuition: $55,690
9. Brandeis University (Waltham, MA) - Score: 67.8, Tuition: $64,348
10. University of North Texas (Denton, TX) - Score: 65.0, Tuition: $8,319
Best Artificial Intelligence Programs - Associate's
An associate's degree in artificial intelligence provides a 2-year pathway into the field. These programs are ideal for career starters or those planning to transfer to a 4-year program.
Best Artificial Intelligence Programs - Top 3 Associate's
Weber State University
139 graduates, 92% grad rate, Score: 64.5
Rochester Institute of Technology
3 graduates, 90% grad rate, Score: 59.4
Santa Monica College
46 graduates, 95% grad rate, Score: 55.7
4. Southern New Hampshire University (Manchester, NH) - Score: 54.4, Tuition: $15,450
5. Green River College (Auburn, WA) - Score: 53.5, Tuition: $4,074
6. Utah Valley University (Orem, UT) - Score: 53.0, Tuition: $5,614
7. CUNY New York City College of Technology (Brooklyn, NY) - Score: 52.5, Tuition: $6,930
8. MiraCosta College (Oceanside, CA) - Score: 52.4, Tuition: $1,104
9. Columbia Basin College (Pasco, WA) - Score: 51.3, Tuition: $5,514
10. De Anza College (Cupertino, CA) - Score: 51.0, Tuition: $1,395
Best Artificial Intelligence Programs - Graduate
Graduate programs in artificial intelligence (PhD and doctoral degrees) prepare students for research, academic, and senior leadership positions.
Best Artificial Intelligence Programs - Top 3 Graduate
University of California-Berkeley
46 graduates, 96% grad rate, Score: 95.5
Carnegie Mellon University
51 graduates, 98% grad rate, Score: 94.6
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
68 graduates, N/A% grad rate, Score: 88.4
4. University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA) - Score: 85.7, Tuition: $66,640
5. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Champaign, IL) - Score: 83.8, Tuition: $14,768
6. Stanford University (Stanford, CA) - Score: 82.8, Tuition: $61,731
7. Princeton University (Princeton, NJ) - Score: 82.6, Tuition: $59,710
8. Cornell University (Ithaca, NY) - Score: 81.8, Tuition: $65,204
9. University of California-San Diego (La Jolla, CA) - Score: 79.6, Tuition: $11,834
10. Purdue University-Main Campus (West Lafayette, IN) - Score: 78.6, Tuition: $9,718
Most Affordable Artificial Intelligence Programs
Looking for quality artificial intelligence education without the hefty price tag? These programs offer the best value—balancing tuition costs with strong academic outcomes and career prospects. Our Value Score factors in graduation rates, program strength, and institutional quality relative to cost.
Top 5 Most Affordable Artificial Intelligence Programs
| Rank | Institution | Location | Tuition | Value Score | Grad Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | $4,478 | 124.4 | 93% |
| 2 | San Jose State University | San Jose, CA | $5,742 | 112.9 | 100% |
| 3 | Florida Atlantic University | Boca Raton, FL | $2,522 | 112.2 | 77% |
| 4 | University of North Texas | Denton, TX | $8,319 | 78.1 | 70% |
| 5 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus | Seattle, WA | $11,524 | 74.2 | 97% |
Artificial Intelligence Career Outcomes
AI graduates enter one of the fastest-growing and highest-paying tech sectors. The BLS projects 23% job growth for computer and information research scientists through 2032. For detailed compensation analysis, see our AI/ML engineer salary guide.
Career Paths
AI/ML Engineer
SOC 15-1221Design and implement machine learning models and AI systems for production applications.
Data Scientist
SOC 15-2051Apply statistical methods and machine learning to extract insights from large datasets.
Software Developer
SOC 15-1252Develop AI-powered applications and integrate machine learning capabilities into software products.
Computer and Information Research Scientist
SOC 15-1221Conduct advanced AI research and develop new computational theories and systems.
Robotics Engineer
SOC 17-2199Design and develop autonomous robotic systems using AI and machine learning.
AI Degree Curriculum Overview
AI programs typically combine computer science foundations with specialized AI coursework and significant mathematical preparation
- Programming Foundations: Python, R, Java, functional programming concepts
- Mathematics Core: Calculus I-III, linear algebra, statistics, probability, discrete mathematics
- AI/ML Core: Machine learning algorithms, neural networks, deep learning, natural language processing
- Computer Science: Data structures, algorithms, databases, software engineering
- Specialized Topics: Computer vision, robotics, reinforcement learning, ethical AI
- Practical Applications: Capstone projects, internships, research experiences
Most programs emphasize hands-on experience with real datasets and industry-standard tools like TensorFlow, PyTorch, and cloud platforms. For detailed curriculum breakdowns, see our AI curriculum guide.
AI Programs by State
AI vs Related Fields
AI programs take a broader view than machine learning, encompassing symbolic AI, knowledge representation, robotics, computer vision, natural language processing, and AI ethics. This breadth provides context for understanding where different AI approaches succeed and fail.
The philosophical and ethical dimensions of AI distinguish it from purely technical fields. AI programs often address questions like: What is intelligence? How do we ensure AI systems are fair? What are the societal implications of automation? These questions matter increasingly as AI systems affect more decisions.
AI careers span research (pushing capabilities forward), applied engineering (deploying AI in products), and increasingly AI policy and governance roles. The field's rapid evolution means continuous learning is essential—what you learn in school is a foundation, not a complete education.
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- You're specifically interested in machine learning and intelligent systems
- You enjoy mathematics and statistical modeling
- You want to work on cutting-edge technology and research
- You're comfortable with abstract thinking and complex algorithms
- You want broader foundations across all computing areas
- You prefer maximum career flexibility
- You're unsure about specializing in AI early
- You want to explore multiple tech domains before focusing
- You're more interested in data analysis than AI systems
- You prefer business applications over technical research
- You want to focus on insights and decision-making
- You're interested in statistics more than computer science theory
- You want to focus on building applications and systems
- You prefer practical development over research
- You're less interested in mathematical foundations
- You want immediate employability in development roles
Is an AI Degree Worth It?
For students interested in AI careers, yes. The combination of high salaries ($130,000+ median), strong job growth (23% through 2032), and increasing AI adoption across industries makes AI education a solid investment.
When it's worth it: You have strong mathematical foundations, enjoy working with data and algorithms, and are interested in emerging technology. AI roles often require advanced degrees, making the educational investment necessary for many positions.
When to consider alternatives: You're uncertain about AI specifically (start with computer science), you want faster entry to tech careers (consider bootcamps), or you're primarily interested in web/mobile development rather than AI systems.
The AI field is rapidly evolving, creating new opportunities but also requiring continuous learning. Strong foundational education provides the adaptability needed for long-term success.
Alternative Learning Paths
While a degree provides the strongest foundation for AI careers, alternative paths exist for specific goals
- Best AI & Machine Learning Bootcamps — Intensive programs for career switchers
- AI/ML Certifications Worth Getting — Professional credentials for advancement
- AWS Machine Learning Specialty — Cloud-based ML credentials
- Google Cloud ML Engineer — Platform-specific AI certifications
- Self-Taught AI Path — Independent learning strategies
Many professionals combine formal education with continuous learning through online courses, certifications, and hands-on projects. The field moves quickly, requiring ongoing skill development regardless of initial education path.
Coding Bootcamps: An Alternative Pathway
Coding bootcamps offer an accelerated pathway into artificial intelligence careers. For those considering alternatives to traditional degrees, here's what you need to know about this intensive learning format.
What is a Coding Bootcamp?
A coding bootcamp is an intensive, short-term training program (typically 12-24 weeks) that teaches practical programming skills through hands-on projects. Unlike traditional degrees, bootcamps focus exclusively on job-ready skills and often include career services to help graduates land their first tech role.
Who Bootcamps Are Best For
- Career changers looking to enter tech quickly
- Professionals wanting to upskill or transition roles
- Self-taught developers seeking structured training
- Those unable to commit to a 4-year degree timeline
What People Love
Based on discussions from r/codingbootcamp, r/cscareerquestions, and r/learnprogramming
- AI literacy is increasingly valuable across all tech roles
- Learn to work with LLMs, RAG, and modern AI tools
- AI bootcamps are newer, often more current than university courses
- Companies need people who can apply AI, not just research it
- Good stepping stone to AI product or AI engineering roles
Common Concerns
Honest feedback from bootcamp graduates and industry professionals
- True AI research roles still require advanced degrees
- Field moving so fast, curriculum may lag behind state-of-art
- 'AI Engineer' title is poorly defined—roles vary wildly
- Many AI roles are actually software engineering + API calls
- Hype cycle makes it hard to separate real value from marketing
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Programs for Artificial Intelligence careers:
- Software Engineering Career Track
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More Bootcamp Resources
Artificial Intelligence Degree FAQ
Related Resources
Taylor Rupe
Co-founder & Editor (B.S. Computer Science, Oregon State • B.A. Psychology, University of Washington)
Taylor combines technical expertise in computer science with a deep understanding of human behavior and learning. His dual background drives Hakia's mission: leveraging technology to build authoritative educational resources that help people make better decisions about their academic and career paths.
