Best Online Artificial Intelligence Degree Programs 2026
Compare 164 accredited online artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning degree programs using IPEDS 2024 data. Rankings analyze graduation rates, tuition costs, student-faculty ratios, and career outcomes for flexible degree options.
Programs Ranked164
Median Tuition$18,450/yr
Avg Graduation Rate64%
Median Starting Salary$95,000
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Key Takeaways
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
4.46 accredited Artificial Intelligence programs analyzed using IPEDS 2024 completion data
Best Artificial Intelligence Programs - Top 10 Online
How Much Does a Artificial Intelligence Online Degree Cost?
The total cost of a online'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).
Public University (In-State): $12,356/year × 4 years = $49,424 total
Public University (Out-of-State): $31,846/year × 4 years = $127,384 total
Private University: $65,000/year × 4 years = $260,000 total
Online Programs: $20,000/year × 4 years = $80,000 total
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.
Calculate Your ROI
Enter your details to estimate your degree return on investment
Leave blank to use average cost for selected program type
20 years
10 years20 years30 years
20-Year ROI
+907%
Net gain divided by total investment. ROI above 200% is considered excellent for education investments.
Net Gain
$1,677,254
Your additional lifetime earnings with this degree vs. working without one, minus the total investment.
Break-Even
5 years
Years until your cumulative earnings exceed total investment. Shorter programs often break even faster due to lower opportunity cost.
COL-Adjusted Salary
$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.
Detailed Breakdown
How we calculate your degree ROI using real salary data
Total Investment$185,000
Tuition plus opportunity cost (earnings you miss while in school)
Program Cost (Tuition)$45,000
Direct cost of the degree program
Opportunity Cost$140,000
4 years × $35K/year foregone salary while studying full-time
20-Year Earnings (with degree)$2,712,662
Projected career earnings starting after graduation, with salary growth
20-Year Earnings (without degree)$850,408
What you'd earn working at $35K/year with 2% annual growth
Starting Salary (Austin, TX)$140,000
Median salary for this role in your selected location (BLS 2024)
Annualized Return4.9%
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
Online AI Degree Programs Overview
Online artificial intelligence degree programs have rapidly evolved to meet growing industry demand, with 164 accredited programs now offering flexible pathways to AI careers. These programs combine core computer science fundamentals with specialized coursework in machine learning, neural networks, natural language processing, and computer vision.
The best AI programs maintain rigorous academic standards while providing the flexibility working professionals need. Top-ranked online programs like Georgia Tech's OMSCS achieve 88% graduation rates while costing significantly less than on-campus alternatives. Students can pursue concentrations in machine learning, robotics, or data science while maintaining full-time employment.
Career outcomes for online AI graduates mirror those of traditional programs, with s and (BLS OEWS May 2024). The growing demand for AI engineers creates excellent opportunities for graduates of quality online programs to enter high-growth fields like autonomous systems, healthcare AI, and financial technology.
$95,000
Starting Salary
$145,000
Mid-Career
+0.25%
Job Growth
78,500
Annual Openings
Career Paths
Research Scientist
SOC 15-1221
+0.21%
Conduct applied research in artificial intelligence, developing new algorithms and methodologies for machine learning applications.
Median Salary:$131,490
AI Product Manager
SOC 11-3021
+0.19%
Lead product development for AI-powered applications, bridging technical capabilities with market requirements and user needs.
Median Salary:$142,530
Computer Vision Engineer
SOC 15-1299
+0.28%
Develop systems that interpret and analyze visual information from images and videos using deep learning and neural networks.
Median Salary:$135,000
Natural Language Processing Engineer
SOC 15-1299
+0.32%
Build systems that understand and generate human language, working on chatbots, translation systems, and text analysis applications.
Median Salary:$138,000
Robotics Engineer
SOC 17-2199
+0.15%
Design and develop robotic systems incorporating AI for autonomous navigation, decision-making, and human interaction.
Online AI degree programs are eligible for the same federal financial aid as traditional programs, including Pell Grants, federal student loans, and work-study programs. Students should complete the FAFSA to determine eligibility for need-based aid, with many programs offering additional scholarships for STEM students.
Employer tuition assistance programs cover online AI degrees at many technology companies. Companies like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and IBM offer tuition reimbursement up to $5,250 annually for eligible employees pursuing AI-related education. Employer tuition reimbursement can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs for working professionals.
Graduate assistantships and research opportunities, while less common in online programs, are available at some institutions. Georgia Tech and UIUC offer limited remote research assistant positions for exceptional online students, providing both financial support and valuable research experience in AI fields.
Frequently Asked Questions About Artificial Intelligence Degrees
How long does it take to get an Artificial Intelligence degree?
A bachelor's degree takes 4 years (120-128 credits). Master's programs take 1.5-2 years (30-45 credits). Some accelerated online master's complete in 12-18 months. AI-focused bootcamps run 3-6 months but don't provide the theoretical depth of degrees. PhD programs take 4-6 years for research-focused roles. (IPEDS, University catalogs)
Can you get an Artificial Intelligence degree online?
Top universities offer online AI degrees. Georgia Tech's OMSCS with AI specialization costs only $8,950 total. Eastern University offers MS in Applied AI for $9,900. UT Austin, Johns Hopkins, and Northwestern offer online AI master's programs. Online AI programs provide the same curriculum as on-campus equivalents. (MastersInAI.org, Georgia Tech)
Is an Artificial Intelligence degree worth it?
With median salaries of $145,080 (up to $233,106) and 26-34% job growth through 2034, AI degrees offer exceptional ROI. The global AI market will reach $4.8 trillion by 2033. 75% of employers prefer master's degrees for AI roles. However, strong math skills are essential. AI involves complex statistical problems. (BLS, Glassdoor, World Economic Forum)
What are the best schools for Artificial Intelligence?
Top programs: Carnegie Mellon (first AI undergrad degree, 2018), MIT CSAIL, Stanford SAIL, UC Berkeley BAIR, and Georgia Tech. CMU's School of Computer Science is considered the world's leading AI program. For online, Georgia Tech OMSCS-AI offers exceptional value. Johns Hopkins and Nanyang Technological University also rank highly. (US News 2026, QS Rankings 2025, CSRankings)
What are the requirements for an Artificial Intelligence degree?
Prerequisites include strong foundations in Calculus I-III, Linear Algebra, Probability/Statistics, and programming (Python, C++). Core coursework covers machine learning, deep learning, neural networks, NLP, computer vision, and robotics. Most master's programs require a bachelor's in CS, math, or engineering with 3.0+ GPA. (CMU, Stanford, MIT requirements)
Do you need an AI degree for entry-level AI jobs?
Most AI positions prefer advanced degrees, 75% of employers seek master's or PhD for AI roles. Entry-level data analyst roles may accept bachelor's degrees. For AI Engineer and Research Scientist positions, master's degrees are required. Consider minoring in AI while majoring in CS or math for versatility. (Industry surveys, BLS)
What's the job market like for AI graduates?
Exceptionally strong. BLS projects 26-34% growth (2024-2034). World Economic Forum predicts 5 million+ unfilled AI positions globally. AI Engineers average $171,715 with top earners above $200,000. However, 2025 shows increased competition for entry-level roles, only 30% of 2025 grads secured full-time positions immediately. (BLS, World Economic Forum, CNBC)
AI degree vs Computer Science: which is better?
CS provides broader versatility (can specialize in AI, security, data, etc.). Dedicated AI degrees offer deeper specialization in ML, neural networks, and robotics. CS degrees are more widely available. AI degrees command higher starting salaries ($145,080 vs $133,080). Choose AI for research-focused careers. CS for maximum flexibility. (Salary comparisons, university catalogs)
What skills do Artificial Intelligence graduates need?
Key skills include programming languages, problem-solving, analytical thinking, and communication. Specific technical skills vary by specialization but include proficiency in industry-standard tools and methodologies.
How much do Artificial Intelligence graduates earn?
The median salary for Artificial Intelligence professionals is $145,080 nationally. Entry-level positions start around $81,453, with experienced professionals earning over $233,106.
How We Rank Artificial Intelligence Degree Programs
Based on 742 programs from IPEDS 2024
We scored 13 online artificial intelligence programs on the Hakia Score, a 0 to 100 composite drawn from federal IPEDS 2024 and BLS figures, and Carnegie Mellon University's Doctorate in Artificial Intelligence sits at the top. In-state tuition across the list spans $7,616 to $64,730.
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.
Job growth projections and labor market trends for AI-related careers
Student Review Aggregation
Verified reviews from Reddit, Google Reviews, Niche.com, and institutional surveys (2,847 total reviews)
Top 5 Online AI Programs Analysis
The top 5 online AI degree programs demonstrate clear differences in approach, cost, and target demographics. Georgia Tech's OMSCS leads with exceptional value at $7,238 total program cost while maintaining 88% graduation rates. The program attracts working professionals seeking advanced AI skills without career interruption.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offers comprehensive Master of Computer Science with AI specialization, balancing academic rigor with practical application. At $15,792 tuition, it provides excellent value for a top-5 ranked CS program. Arizona State University's online program serves the largest student population with strong support systems and flexible scheduling options.
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.
