- 1.Machine Learning Engineers earn a median salary of $164,500 with 23% projected job growth through 2032 (BLS OES 2024)
- 2.Top-ranked Artificial Intelligence programs include Carnegie Mellon University, University of Washington-Seattle Campus, University of Southern California based on graduation rates, program strength, and career outcomes
- 3.Best value: University of Washington-Seattle Campus offers artificial intelligence education at $11,524/year with 97% graduation rate
- 4.35 accredited Artificial Intelligence programs analyzed using IPEDS 2023 completion data
Best Artificial Intelligence Programs - Top 10 Master's
Carnegie Mellon University
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.
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
Research Labs & Institutes
Natural language processing, machine translation, speech recognition, and language-based AI systems
Statistical learning, deep learning, reinforcement learning, and machine learning theory
First U.S. university robotics institute conducting basic and applied robotics research
Human-AI interaction, user experience design for AI systems, and human-centered AI
Epidemiological tracking and disease forecasting, selected by CDC as Center for Innovation in Outbreak Analytics and Disease Modeling in 2023
Industry Partners
Admissions
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
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.
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
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
Industry Partners
Admissions
University of Southern California
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.
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
Research Labs & Institutes
AI for social good across environment, health, and homelessness
Knowledge graphs and information extraction
Human-robot interaction and socially assistive robotics
Object detection, recognition, and video analysis
Advanced machine learning algorithms and applications
Multi-robot systems and autonomous navigation
Industry Partners
Admissions
University of Pennsylvania
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.
Northwestern University
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.
Northeastern University
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.
University of San Diego
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.
Brandeis University
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.
University of North Texas
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.
San Jose State University
52 artificial intelligence graduates annually
Best Artificial Intelligence Programs - Compare Top 5 Master's
| School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PA | Private | $62,260 | 98% | 100/100 |
| #2 University of Washington-Seattle Campus | Seattle, WA | Public | $11,524 | 97% | 85.5/100 |
| #3 University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | Private | $66,640 | 92% | 80/100 |
| #4 University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, PA | Private | $58,620 | 1% | 79.1/100 |
| #5 Northwestern University | Evanston, IL | Private | $64,887 | 90% | 71/100 |
Top 50 AI Master's Programs 2026
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PA | Private | $62,260 | 98% | — | 100 |
| 2 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus | Seattle, WA | Public | $11,524 | 97% | — | 85.5 |
| 3 | University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | Private | $66,640 | 92% | — | 80 |
| 4 | University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, PA | Private | $58,620 | 100% | — | 79.1 |
| 5 | Northwestern University | Evanston, IL | Private | $64,887 | 90% | — | 71 |
| 6 | Northeastern University | Boston, MA | Private | $62,000 | — | — | 69.5 |
| 7 | University of San Diego | San Diego, CA | Private | $55,690 | 97% | — | 68.4 |
| 8 | Brandeis University | Waltham, MA | Private | $64,348 | 99% | — | 67.8 |
| 9 | University of North Texas | Denton, TX | Public | $8,319 | 70% | — | 65 |
| 10 | San Jose State University | San Jose, CA | Public | $5,742 | 100% | — | 64.8 |
| 11 | University of California-Santa Cruz | Santa Cruz, CA | Public | $11,834 | 93% | — | 64.5 |
| 12 | Illinois Institute of Technology | Chicago, IL | Private | $49,607 | 89% | — | 63.4 |
| 13 | University of Georgia | Athens, GA | Public | $9,790 | 95% | — | 62.8 |
| 14 | Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore, MD | Private | $62,840 | — | — | 62.7 |
| 15 | University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | Public | $4,478 | 93% | — | 62.2 |
| 16 | Boston University | Boston, MA | Private | $63,798 | — | — | 58.9 |
| 17 | University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | Public | $11,546 | 68% | — | 57.7 |
| 18 | University of Colorado Boulder | Boulder, CO | Public | $13,910 | 87% | — | 57.2 |
| 19 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus | Pittsburgh, PA | Public | $20,154 | 88% | — | 57.1 |
| 20 | Florida Atlantic University | Boca Raton, FL | Public | $2,522 | 77% | — | 56.1 |
| 21 | Yeshiva University | New York, NY | Private | $46,000 | 91% | — | 56.1 |
| 22 | Saint Louis University | Saint Louis, MO | Private | $52,260 | 92% | — | 55.4 |
| 23 | University of Cincinnati-Main Campus | Cincinnati, OH | Public | $11,228 | 78% | — | 54.7 |
| 24 | Duke University | Durham, NC | Private | $63,450 | — | — | 54.6 |
| 25 | Oregon State University | Corvallis, OR | Public | $11,145 | 84% | — | 53.9 |
Showing 1–25 of 35
AI Master's Programs Overview: What You Need to Know
The artificial intelligence master's degree landscape has transformed dramatically over the past five years. From just 34 dedicated AI programs in 2019, the field now includes 184 accredited master's programs specifically focused on artificial intelligence, machine learning, and related disciplines (IPEDS 2023). These programs represent a $2.3 billion annual investment in AI education, producing over 12,000 graduates annually to meet unprecedented industry demand.
Top-tier programs like Carnegie Mellon's Machine Learning program and Stanford's AI Graduate Certificate command premium tuition rates but deliver exceptional career outcomes. Graduates from the top 20 programs report -$165,000, with s at leading technology companies (BLS OEWS May 2024).
The curriculum focus varies significantly across programs. Research-intensive universities emphasize theoretical foundations, deep learning architectures, and original research contributions. Professional master's programs prioritize applied skills in natural language processing, computer vision, and enterprise AI deployment. Students should carefully evaluate program structure, faculty expertise, and career outcomes when making their selection.
Industry partnerships play a crucial role in program quality. Leading programs maintain active collaborations with Google DeepMind, OpenAI, Microsoft Research, and NVIDIA. These relationships provide students with access to cutting-edge research, internship opportunities, and direct paths to high-paying AI engineering roles. Our rankings heavily weight these industry connections alongside traditional academic metrics.
Career Paths
Machine Learning Engineer
SOC 15-1252Design, implement, and deploy ML systems in production environments. Focus on model optimization, data pipelines, and system scalability.
AI Research Scientist
SOC 15-1221Conduct original research in AI/ML, publish papers, and develop new algorithms. Typically requires strong mathematical background and research experience.
Data Scientist
SOC 15-2051Extract insights from large datasets using ML techniques. Bridge business needs with technical implementation of AI solutions.
Computer Vision Engineer
SOC 15-1252Develop image and video processing systems. Work on autonomous vehicles, medical imaging, and surveillance applications.
NLP Engineer
SOC 15-1252Build systems that understand and generate human language. Work on chatbots, translation systems, and content analysis platforms.
AI Product Manager
SOC 11-3021Lead AI product development from conception to deployment. Bridge technical teams with business stakeholders and market requirements.
AI Master's Programs by State
California
Massachusetts
Texas
New York
Pennsylvania
Illinois
Washington
Georgia
Financial Aid and Funding Options for AI Students
Multiple funding sources make AI master's programs more accessible than sticker prices suggest. Research assistantships provide $20,000-$35,000 annually plus tuition remission in exchange for 20 hours weekly research work. Teaching assistantships offer similar compensation for instructional duties. Many students combine multiple funding sources to minimize debt.
Industry partnerships create unique funding opportunities. Companies sponsor students through direct scholarships, paid internships, and tuition reimbursement programs. Major tech companies actively recruit from top AI programs, offering signing bonuses that can offset educational costs. Federal financial aid and specialized STEM scholarships provide additional support.
Choose Your AI Master's Program Type
- You want to pursue PhD or research scientist roles
- You have strong mathematical background and research interest
- Cost is not a primary constraint
- You prefer small cohort sizes and intensive mentorship
- You want excellent education at lower cost
- You're comfortable with larger class sizes
- You value diverse student backgrounds
- You prefer practical, industry-focused curriculum
- You're working full-time and need flexibility
- Cost minimization is a priority
- You're self-motivated and comfortable with remote learning
- You have existing tech industry connections
Frequently Asked Questions About AI Master's Programs
Based on 184 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Degree completions (sqrt normalized, capped at 500)
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023
State-specific salary data from BLS OES 2024
Admission rate (lower = more selective)
Institution type (R1/R2 research bonus)
CAE-CD designation, curator bonuses
Data completeness proxy
Reporting completeness
Data Sources and Methodology
Institutional characteristics, tuition data, and completion rates
Occupational employment and wage statistics for AI-related roles
Computer science faculty productivity and research output rankings
Post-graduation employment and earnings data
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.