Compare 387 accredited AI and machine learning bachelor's degree programs using data from IPEDS 2024 and BLS 2024. Our rankings analyze graduation rates, tuition costs, research opportunities, and career outcomes.
$128,105 median salary · 96% graduation rate
$128,105 median salary · 94% graduation rate
$128,105 median salary · 89% graduation rate
$128,105 median salary · 83% graduation rate
$128,105 median salary · 75% graduation rate
$128,105 median salary · 80% graduation rate
$128,105 median salary · 61% graduation rate
$128,105 median salary · 74% graduation rate
$128,105 median salary · 44% graduation rate
$128,105 median salary · 71% graduation rate
Hakia ranks Massachusetts Institute of Technology's bachelor's artificial intelligence program #1. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Cambridge, MA | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $61,990/year | Graduation Rate: 96% | Median Salary: $128,105 | Score: 95.4
Hakia ranks Carnegie Mellon University's bachelor's artificial intelligence program #2. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Pittsburgh, PA | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $64,596/year | Graduation Rate: 94% | Median Salary: $128,105 | Score: 92.2
Hakia ranks Colby College's bachelor's artificial intelligence program #3. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Waterville, ME | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $66,660/year | Graduation Rate: 89% | Median Salary: $128,105 | Score: 87.8
Hakia ranks Purdue University-Main Campus's bachelor's artificial intelligence program #4. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: West Lafayette, IN | Type: Public | Tuition: $9,718/year | Graduation Rate: 83% | Median Salary: $128,105 | Score: 87.8
Hakia ranks Illinois Institute of Technology's bachelor's artificial intelligence program #5. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Chicago, IL | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $50,636/year | Graduation Rate: 75% | Median Salary: $128,105 | Score: 82.5
Hakia ranks Indiana University-Bloomington's bachelor's artificial intelligence program #6. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Bloomington, IN | Type: Public | Tuition: $10,622/year | Graduation Rate: 80% | Median Salary: $128,105 | Score: 78.4
Hakia ranks DigiPen Institute of Technology's bachelor's artificial intelligence program #7. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Redmond, WA | Type: Private for-profit | Tuition: $38,600/year | Graduation Rate: 61% | Median Salary: $128,105 | Score: 72.6
Hakia ranks Drake University's bachelor's artificial intelligence program #8. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Des Moines, IA | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $51,444/year | Graduation Rate: 74% | Median Salary: $128,105 | Score: 72.0
Hakia ranks Full Sail University's bachelor's artificial intelligence program #9. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Winter Park, FL | Type: Private for-profit | Tuition: $26,906/year | Graduation Rate: 44% | Median Salary: $128,105 | Score: 70.9
Hakia ranks Freed-Hardeman University's bachelor's artificial intelligence program #10. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Henderson, TN | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $25,620/year | Graduation Rate: 71% | Median Salary: $128,105 | Score: 70.8
| School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 University of California-Berkeley | Berkeley, CA | Public | $11,834 | 96% | 100.0/100 |
| #2 University of California-Irvine | Irvine, CA | Public | $11,834 | 96% | 95.3/100 |
| #3 University of Washington-Seattle Campus | Seattle, WA | Public | $11,524 | 97% | 93.2/100 |
| #4 University of California-Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | Public | $11,834 | 92% | 93.2/100 |
| #5 University of California-San Diego | La Jolla, CA | Public | $11,834 | 81% | 92.4/100 |
Data from IPEDS 2024. Tuition shown is in-state for public schools.
Flexibility & Lower Cost
Networking & Experience
Flexibility & Lower Cost
Networking & Experience
| Rank | Program & School | Delivery | Annual Tuition | Grad Rate | Median Salary | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Bachelor's in Artificial Intelligence Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridge, MA · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $61,990 | 96% | $128,105 | 95.4 |
| #2 | Bachelor's in Artificial Intelligence Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburgh, PA · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $64,596 | 94% | $128,105 | 92.2 |
| #3 | Bachelor's in Artificial Intelligence Colby CollegeWaterville, ME · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $66,660 | 89% | $128,105 | 87.8 |
| #4 | Bachelor's in Artificial Intelligence Purdue University-Main CampusWest Lafayette, IN · Public | On-campus | $9,718 | 83% | $128,105 | 87.8 |
| #5 | Bachelor's in Artificial Intelligence Illinois Institute of TechnologyChicago, IL · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $50,636 | 75% | $128,105 | 82.5 |
| #6 | Bachelor's in Artificial Intelligence Indiana University-BloomingtonBloomington, IN · Public | On-campus | $10,622 | 80% | $128,105 | 78.4 |
| #7 | Bachelor's in Artificial Intelligence DigiPen Institute of TechnologyRedmond, WA · Private for-profit | On-campus | $38,600 | 61% | $128,105 | 72.6 |
| #8 | Bachelor's in Artificial Intelligence Drake UniversityDes Moines, IA · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $51,444 | 74% | $128,105 | 72.0 |
| #9 | Bachelor's in Artificial Intelligence Full Sail UniversityWinter Park, FL · Private for-profit | On-campus | $26,906 | 44% | $128,105 | 70.9 |
| #10 | Bachelor's in Artificial Intelligence Freed-Hardeman UniversityHenderson, TN · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $25,620 | 71% | $128,105 | 70.8 |
| #11 | Bachelor's in Artificial Intelligence Indiana University-IndianapolisIndianapolis, IN · Public | On-campus | $9,518 | 54% | $128,105 | 69.2 |
| #12 | Bachelor's in Artificial Intelligence State University of New York at PlattsburghPlattsburgh, NY · Public | On-campus | $7,070 | 59% | $128,105 | 68.4 |
| #13 | Bachelor's in Artificial Intelligence Buena Vista UniversityStorm Lake, IA · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $41,798 | 62% | $128,105 | 68.0 |
| #14 | Bachelor's in Artificial Intelligence Dakota State UniversityMadison, SD · Public | Online | $7,616 | 51% | $128,105 | 65.1 |
| #15 | Bachelor's in Artificial Intelligence Long Island UniversityBrookville, NY · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $40,248 | 57% | $128,105 | 64.5 |
| #16 | Bachelor's in Artificial Intelligence South CollegeKnoxville, TN · Private for-profit | Online | $16,450 | 42% | $128,105 | 61.0 |
| #17 | Bachelor's in Artificial Intelligence Saint Peter's UniversityJersey City, NJ · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $41,152 | 58% | $128,105 | 60.7 |
| #18 | Bachelor's in Artificial Intelligence University of Advancing TechnologyTempe, AZ · Private for-profit | Online | $17,900 | 35% | $128,105 | 56.4 |
Showing all 18 ranked programs.
The total cost of a bachelors's degree in Artificial Intelligence ranges from $49,424 at public universities to over $260,000 at elite private institutions. Financial aid, scholarships, and in-state tuition significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs (CollegeTuitionCompare 2025, Research.com).
With median starting salaries of $145,080, most graduates achieve positive ROI within 3-5 years. Financial aid recipients often pay 30-50% less than sticker price.
Enter your details to estimate your degree return on investment
Leave blank to use average cost for selected program type
+907%
Net gain divided by total investment. ROI above 200% is considered excellent for education investments.
$1,677,254
Your additional lifetime earnings with this degree vs. working without one, minus the total investment.
5 years
Years until your cumulative earnings exceed total investment. Shorter programs often break even faster due to lower opportunity cost.
$133,333
Your starting salary adjusted for local cost of living. This shows real purchasing power compared to a $100K national baseline.
Why does break-even change with program type? Your "total investment" includes both tuition AND opportunity cost (foregone earnings while in school). A 4-year full-time public university (in-state) means 4 years of not earning a salary ($140,000 in opportunity cost). Shorter full-time programs may have higher tuition but lower total investment because you return to the workforce sooner.
How we calculate your degree ROI using real salary data
Tuition plus opportunity cost (earnings you miss while in school)
Direct cost of the degree program
4 years × $35K/year foregone salary while studying full-time
Projected career earnings starting after graduation, with salary growth
What you'd earn working at $35K/year with 2% annual growth
Median salary for this role in your selected location (BLS 2024)
Your investment's compound annual growth rate (similar to stock market returns)
Data sources: BLS OEWS May 2024, IPEDS 2024. Calculations use median salaries, 3% discount rate, and assume salary growth declines from 6% to 2% over career. Individual results will vary. | Powered by Hakia.com
| Factor | Bachelor of Arts (BA) | Bachelor of Science (BS) |
|---|---|---|
| Math Requirements | Calculus I-II, Linear Algebra, Statistics (rarely offered for AI) | Calculus I-III, Linear Algebra, Probability Theory, Differential Equations, Optimization |
| Science Requirements | CS fundamentals (programming, algorithms) | Advanced CS (algorithms, data structures, ML theory), physics recommended |
| Core Credits | Broader curriculum with interdisciplinary focus (rarely offered) | Heavy technical core: 60-80 credits in CS/AI/ML |
| Liberal Arts | Ethics, policy, business applications of AI | Research methodology, advanced mathematics, systems design |
| Career Focus | AI Product Manager, AI Ethics Specialist, Tech Policy Analyst | ML Engineer, Research Scientist, Robotics Engineer, AI Architect |
Source: CMU, Stanford, MIT curriculum analysis
Artificial intelligence bachelor's degree programs are the fastest-growing technology specialization, with enrollment increasing 340% since 2019 (IPEDS 2024). These interdisciplinary programs combine computer science fundamentals with advanced mathematics, statistics, and domain-specific applications in machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision.
The curriculum includes core CS courses (data structures, algorithms, software engineering), advanced mathematics (calculus, linear algebra, statistics), and specialized AI courses covering machine learning algorithms, neural networks, deep learning, and ethical AI. Many programs now require capstone projects using real-world datasets from industry partners like Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI.
Career outcomes are exceptional: find employment within 6 months, with (BLS May 2024). Popular career paths include AI/ML engineer roles, data scientist positions, and research scientist opportunities at tech companies and national laboratories.
For students considering alternative pathways, our guides on bootcamps vs master's degrees and AI/ML certifications provide comprehensive comparisons of different educational routes into artificial intelligence careers.
Specialize in image and video analysis systems. Work on autonomous vehicles, medical imaging, and surveillance applications.
Develop systems that understand and generate human language. Work on chatbots, language models, and text analysis systems.
Conduct advanced AI research in academic or industrial settings. Publish papers and develop new algorithms and methodologies.
Design and program intelligent robotic systems. Combine AI with mechanical and electrical engineering principles.
Guide development of AI-powered products and features. Bridge technical teams with business stakeholders and market requirements.
The average Artificial Intelligence bachelor's degree costs $40,000-$160,000 over four years depending on institution type. However, strategic use of financial aid can reduce out-of-pocket costs by 50-100%. According to Federal Student Aid, 85% of full-time undergraduates receive some form of financial assistance.
Federal Aid Options (Complete FAFSA by State Deadline):
Artificial Intelligence-Specific Scholarships:
Based on 742 programs from IPEDS 2024
Of the 18 bachelor's artificial intelligence programs we rank, Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Bachelor's in Artificial Intelligence earns the highest Hakia Score. Each is graded on real graduation, admissions, salary, and tuition data. 3 of them can be earned fully online.
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.
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.
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.
National salary data for artificial intelligence graduates, factored into institutional scores based on job market strength.
Overall quality using all four factors weighted as shown above. Ideal for students seeking the strongest academic experience.
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.
Ranked primarily by net cost (tuition minus average institutional aid), with quality factors as tiebreakers. Best for cost-conscious students.
Federal database providing graduation rates, tuition costs, and institutional characteristics
Occupational employment and wage statistics for AI-related careers
University research expenditures and faculty publication data
Federal data on graduate earnings and employment outcomes
The top 5 AI bachelor's programs share common characteristics that distinguish them from other computer science programs: dedicated AI research labs, specialized faculty with industry experience, and curriculum designed around hands-on machine learning projects. MIT's CSAIL (Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory) leads with 380+ faculty and $75M in annual research funding focused on AI applications.
Carnegie Mellon's School of Computer Science houses the world's first Robotics Institute, established in 1979, giving students unprecedented access to AI hardware and real-world applications. Stanford's proximity to Silicon Valley provides unmatched internship opportunities, with 78% of AI students completing internships at Google, Meta, or OpenAI during their undergraduate years.
Public universities like UC Berkeley and Georgia Tech offer exceptional value, combining top-tier research with in-state tuition under $15,000. Berkeley's AI research spans 7 different labs, while Georgia Tech's emphasis on industry partnerships provides students with access to real datasets from Fortune 500 companies for capstone projects.
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.