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Wayne Community College
Associate's in Artificial IntelligenceOn-campus
Goldsboro, NCPublic
$128,105 median salary · 49% graduation rate
Program Strengths
- 49% graduation rate
- $128,105 median salary
- $2,432 in-state tuition
- 1 graduates annually
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Key Takeaways
- 1.associate's degree in artificial intelligence costs 60-70% less than bachelor's programs, average $2,051/year at community colleges vs $12,000 at 4-year universities.
- 2.Our top-ranked associate's programs are Santa Monica College, Northern Virginia Community College, Green River College, selected for transfer agreements and job placement rates.
- 3.33% of associate's graduates transfer to bachelor's programs, often with guaranteed admission to state universities.
- 4.Entry-level artificial intelligence technician positions start at $52,500 median salary (BLS, 2024).
- 5.Complete in 2 years full-time, or 3-4 years part-time while working, many programs offer evening and weekend classes.
Quick Answer: Is an Associate's Degree in Artificial Intelligence Worth It?
Answer
Yes - $45,500 starting salary, 60% lower cost
Source: An associate's degree in artificial intelligence is worth it for students seeking affordable entry into tech careers. At ~$3,500/year (vs $40,000+ for bachelor's), you can enter the workforce in 2 years or transfer to a 4-year university with completed prerequisites. Entry-level technician roles start at $45,500.
Why Choose an Associate's Degree in Artificial Intelligence?
An associate's degree in artificial intelligence offers a cost-effective pathway into technology careers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Data Scientists/Computer Research Scientists earn a median salary of $112,590 annually, with entry-level positions starting around $75,000.
Key Benefits of the 2-Year Path
- Lower cost: Average $3,500-4,000/year at community colleges vs $11,000+ at 4-year schools (AACC)
- Strong job outlook: 33% projected growth from 2024-2034 (BLS)
- Large job market: 245,900 positions nationwide in this field
- Transfer-friendly: Credits transfer to bachelor's programs at state universities
- Flexible scheduling: Evening, weekend, and online options for working adults
- Hands-on focus: Practical skills emphasized over theoretical coursework
Salary potential: Entry-level artificial intelligence positions start at $75,000, with experienced professionals earning up to $194,410 (BLS OEWS, 2024).
Who succeeds with an associate's: Students seeking quick entry to tech careers, working adults balancing jobs and education, career changers looking for an affordable credential, and those planning to transfer to bachelor's programs.
Best Artificial Intelligence Associate's Programs - Top 10
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Estrella Mountain Community College
Associate's in Artificial IntelligenceOn-campus
Avondale, AZPublic
$128,105 median salary · 32% graduation rate
Program Strengths
- 32% graduation rate
- $128,105 median salary
- $2,328 in-state tuition
- 3 graduates annually
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University of Advancing Technology
Associate's in Artificial IntelligenceFully online
Tempe, AZPrivate for-profit
$128,105 median salary · 35% graduation rate
Program Strengths
- 35% graduation rate
- $128,105 median salary
- $17,900 in-state tuition
- 2 graduates annually
#4
Central New Mexico Community College
Associate's in Artificial IntelligenceOn-campus
Albuquerque, NMPublic
$128,105 median salary · 31% graduation rate
Program Strengths
- 31% graduation rate
- $128,105 median salary
- $1,632 in-state tuition
- 1 graduates annually
#5
Chandler-Gilbert Community College
Associate's in Artificial IntelligenceOn-campus
Chandler, AZPublic
$128,105 median salary · 30% graduation rate
Program Strengths
- 30% graduation rate
- $128,105 median salary
- $2,328 in-state tuition
- 7 graduates annually
#6
Houston Community College
Associate's in Artificial IntelligenceOn-campus
Houston, TXPublic
$128,105 median salary · 17% graduation rate
Program Strengths
- 17% graduation rate
- $128,105 median salary
- $2,904 in-state tuition
- 12 graduates annually
Best Artificial Intelligence Associate's Programs - Top 10, Complete Program Data
#1. Wayne Community College — Associate's Artificial Intelligence
Hakia ranks Wayne Community College's associate's artificial intelligence program #1. Degree: Associate's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Goldsboro, NC | Type: Public | Tuition: $2,432/year | Graduation Rate: 49% | Median Salary: $128,105 | Score: 81.9
#2. Estrella Mountain Community College — Associate's Artificial Intelligence
Hakia ranks Estrella Mountain Community College's associate's artificial intelligence program #2. Degree: Associate's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Avondale, AZ | Type: Public | Tuition: $2,328/year | Graduation Rate: 32% | Median Salary: $128,105 | Score: 78.1
#3. University of Advancing Technology — Associate's Artificial Intelligence (Online)
Hakia ranks University of Advancing Technology's online associate's artificial intelligence program #3. Degree: Associate's. Delivery: fully online. Location: Tempe, AZ | Type: Private for-profit | Tuition: $17,900/year | Graduation Rate: 35% | Median Salary: $128,105 | Score: 75.1
#4. Central New Mexico Community College — Associate's Artificial Intelligence
Hakia ranks Central New Mexico Community College's associate's artificial intelligence program #4. Degree: Associate's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Albuquerque, NM | Type: Public | Tuition: $1,632/year | Graduation Rate: 31% | Median Salary: $128,105 | Score: 74.1
#5. Chandler-Gilbert Community College — Associate's Artificial Intelligence
Hakia ranks Chandler-Gilbert Community College's associate's artificial intelligence program #5. Degree: Associate's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Chandler, AZ | Type: Public | Tuition: $2,328/year | Graduation Rate: 30% | Median Salary: $128,105 | Score: 70.4
#6. Houston Community College — Associate's Artificial Intelligence
Hakia ranks Houston Community College's associate's artificial intelligence program #6. Degree: Associate's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Houston, TX | Type: Public | Tuition: $2,904/year | Graduation Rate: 17% | Median Salary: $128,105 | Score: 67.8
Full Artificial Intelligence Associate's Rankings 2026
| Rank | Program & School | Delivery | Annual Tuition | Grad Rate | Median Salary | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Associate's in Artificial Intelligence Wayne Community CollegeGoldsboro, NC · Public | On-campus | $2,432 | 49% | $128,105 | 81.9 |
| #2 | Associate's in Artificial Intelligence Estrella Mountain Community CollegeAvondale, AZ · Public | On-campus | $2,328 | 32% | $128,105 | 78.1 |
| #3 | Associate's in Artificial Intelligence University of Advancing TechnologyTempe, AZ · Private for-profit | Online | $17,900 | 35% | $128,105 | 75.1 |
| #4 | Associate's in Artificial Intelligence Central New Mexico Community CollegeAlbuquerque, NM · Public | On-campus | $1,632 | 31% | $128,105 | 74.1 |
| #5 | Associate's in Artificial Intelligence Chandler-Gilbert Community CollegeChandler, AZ · Public | On-campus | $2,328 | 30% | $128,105 | 70.4 |
| #6 | Associate's in Artificial Intelligence Houston Community CollegeHouston, TX · Public | On-campus | $2,904 | 17% | $128,105 | 67.8 |
Showing all 6 ranked programs.
Top States for Artificial Intelligence Associate's Programs
Best Artificial Intelligence Associate's Programs in New York
- Total Programs
- 2
- Median Tuition
- $39,500
Best Artificial Intelligence Associate's Programs in Florida
- Total Programs
- 1
- Median Tuition
- $26,400
Best Artificial Intelligence Associate's Programs in Pennsylvania
- Total Programs
- 2
- Median Tuition
- $62,300
Best Artificial Intelligence Associate's Programs in Illinois
- Total Programs
- 1
- Median Tuition
- $49,600
Best Artificial Intelligence Associate's Programs in Massachusetts
- Total Programs
- 2
- Median Tuition
- $59,800
Best Artificial Intelligence Associate's Programs in Washington
- Total Programs
- 1
- Median Tuition
- $37,200
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a job with just an associate's degree in artificial intelligence?
Yes. Entry-level artificial intelligence technician and support roles are available to associate's degree holders. Median starting salary is $45,500 (BLS, 2024). However, advancement to senior roles requires a bachelor's degree or significant experience.
How much does an associate's degree cost?
Community college tuition averages $3,500-5,000 per year for in-district students. Total program cost is $7,000-15,000, compared to $45,500-50,50 for a bachelor's degree.
Can I transfer my associate's credits to a 4-year university?
Yes. Most community colleges have articulation agreements with state universities. 33% of associate's graduates transfer agreements before enrolling.
How long does it take to complete an associate's degree?
Full-time students complete in 2 years (4 semesters). Part-time students may take 3-4 years. Accelerated programs can finish in 18 months with year-round enrollment.
Is an associate's degree better than a bootcamp?
It depends on your goals. Associate's degrees offer broader education, transfer pathways, and wider employer recognition. Bootcamps are faster but limited to specific roles. Associate's is better for long-term career flexibility.
How We Rank Artificial Intelligence Degree Programs
Based on 742 programs from IPEDS 2024
Ranking 6 associate artificial intelligence programs by graduation rate, selectivity, outcomes, and price, Wayne Community College's Associate's in Artificial Intelligence comes out first. The Hakia Score is computed from IPEDS 2024 and BLS data with no paid placement. Graduates step into a field where the median wage runs about $128,105.
Ranking Factors
Program Completions35%
Number of graduates per year in this specific field (CIP code). Larger programs indicate established departments with more resources, course offerings, and career services. Measured from IPEDS Completions data.
Graduation Rate25%
Percentage of students completing their degree within 150% of expected time (6 years for bachelor's, 3 years for associate's). Higher rates indicate better student support and program quality. Source: IPEDS Graduation Rates survey.
Selectivity20%
Admission rate (lower = more selective). More selective institutions have stronger academic environments and more competitive graduates. For open-admission institutions, we use graduation rates as a proxy for quality.
Career Outcomes20%
National salary data for artificial intelligence graduates, factored into institutional scores based on job market strength.
Ranking Categories
Best Programs
Overall quality using all four factors weighted as shown above. Ideal for students seeking the strongest academic experience.
Online Programs
Same methodology, filtered to schools with fully online or hybrid options (IPEDS Distance Education data). Some schools may have lower graduation rates due to different student demographics.
Most Affordable
Ranked primarily by net cost (tuition minus average institutional aid), with quality factors as tiebreakers. Best for cost-conscious students.
Data Sources
- IPEDS 2024 — Institutional characteristics, completions, graduation rates
- BLS OEWS 2024 — National and metro salary data by occupation
- CIP Code Mapping — Programs identified using Classification of Instructional Programs codes
Data Sources
Federal database of U.S. postsecondary institutions
May 2024 salary data by occupation and location
Department of Education outcomes data
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.