Best Artificial Intelligence Degree Programs in Florida — 2026 Rankings

State Aid Programs

Florida provides substantial financial aid for AI students through state scholarships, federal programs, and institutional awards that can significantly reduce educational costs. The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program rewards academic achievement with merit-based aid—Florida Academic Scholars receive 100% of tuition and applicable fees, while Florida Medallion Scholars receive 75% coverage (Bright Futures). Importantly, FAFSA completion is not required for Bright Futures eligibility, though students should complete it to access additional state and federal aid.

Key Programs & Amounts

The Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG) provides need-based aid of up to $2,610 per year for eligible students, while federal Pell Grants offer up to $7,395 annually based on financial need. Graduate students in AI programs may qualify for Graduate Assistantships providing tuition waivers plus stipends of $15,000 to $25,000 annually in exchange for research or teaching duties. USF's Bellini College, backed by its $40 million endowment, offers scholarships specifically supporting AI and cybersecurity students.

Institutional Scholarships

FAU's Professional MS in AI at $24,000 total represents competitive pricing for a specialized graduate degree, with payment plans and employer tuition reimbursement programs helping working professionals manage costs (FAU AI Cost). UCF's AI Track totals approximately $36,300 for in-state students. External scholarships from organizations including the Computing Research Association, NVIDIA, and Google support students pursuing AI specializations.

Use our interactive ROI calculator to estimate your return on investment for a artificial intelligence degree in Florida. Enter your expected tuition costs, financial aid, and career goals to see projected payback periods and lifetime earnings. The calculator uses current salary data from BLS and tuition data from IPEDS to provide accurate estimates.

State Transfer System

Florida's Statewide Articulation Agreement creates seamless transfer pathways from community colleges to AI programs at four-year universities. Students completing Associate in Arts degrees at any Florida College System institution receive guaranteed admission to at least one State University System institution with general education requirements satisfied. This pathway can reduce total bachelor's degree costs by $20,000 to $40,000 while maintaining access to prestigious AI programs.

How Transfers Work

The Florida College System's 28 institutions offer computing foundations coursework that transfers directly to university AI programs. Miami Dade College, the nation's largest community college, provides programming, mathematics, and statistics prerequisites at approximately $3,200 per year for Florida residents (FL College System). Valencia College's engineering pathway program prepares students for UCF's AI-integrated programs, while Hillsborough Community College feeds into USF's Bellini College.

Transfer Planning Tips

Transfer students should prioritize calculus sequences, discrete mathematics, introductory programming in Python or Java, and statistics coursework that AI programs require. USF's Bellini College welcomes students from diverse academic backgrounds, with its master's program not requiring undergraduate computing degrees—enabling career changers to enter AI through graduate study rather than repeating undergraduate prerequisites (USF Transfer). Articulation advisors at both community colleges and universities can create customized transfer plans ensuring efficient degree completion.

Industry & Workforce

Florida has emerged as a national leader in artificial intelligence education, with the University of South Florida establishing the nation's first college dedicated exclusively to the convergence of AI and cybersecurity. The Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing launched in Fall 2025 following a historic $40 million gift—the largest in USF's nearly 70-year history (USF Bellini College). With over 3,000 students enrolled and approximately 70 faculty members, this pioneering institution positions Tampa Bay as "Cyber Bay" while producing thousands of highly skilled AI professionals.

Salary Outlook

Florida Atlantic University offers Florida's first MS program in Artificial Intelligence, providing comprehensive coverage of AI theory, methods, and technologies that prepare students for emerging careers not yet defined (FAU AI Program). The 30-credit program can be completed in 1.5 years at $800 per credit hour ($24,000 total), available both on campus and fully online with no GRE requirement. The University of Florida contributes its substantial HiPerGator supercomputing resources—one of the most powerful university-owned supercomputers—to AI research and education, while UCF's Data Analytics MS with Artificial Intelligence Track emphasizes algorithm design and advanced programming. Florida's concentration of major research universities, combined with its growing tech corridors in Miami, Tampa Bay, and Orlando, creates unparalleled opportunities for AI education.

Employment Outlook

Florida's artificial intelligence job market demonstrates exceptional growth with over 2,400 open positions statewide and strong salary potential across metropolitan areas. According to Glassdoor, Florida hosts 2,437 open AI positions, with Miami alone accounting for 562 opportunities (Glassdoor Florida AI). Major employers actively recruiting include Deloitte, Baptist Health South Florida, Raymond James Financial, and emerging AI startups throughout Miami's tech ecosystem.

Salaries by Metro

AI Engineer salaries in Florida vary significantly by role and experience level. Citi in Tampa offers $114,000 to $171,000 annually for Staff AI Engineer positions, while OneStream in Fort Lauderdale provides $100,000 to $140,000 for mid-level roles (ZipRecruiter FL AI). Entry-level positions with companies like DataAnnotation offer $40 per hour for machine learning annotation work. Port St. Lucie leads Florida metros with AI salaries 33.8% above the state average, with Molino exceeding the average by 56.8%.

High-Growth Sectors

The healthcare sector drives substantial AI demand, with major systems like AdventHealth, Baptist Health, and UF Health seeking professionals for clinical AI applications. Financial services companies including Raymond James and FIS require AI expertise for algorithmic trading and fraud detection. The defense sector, anchored by contractors throughout Central Florida, employs AI specialists for intelligence and simulation applications.

Core Requirements

Florida AI curricula emphasize practical application alongside theoretical foundations, with programs structured around the "hub-and-spoke model" pioneered by USF's Bellini College. At USF, disciplinary majors in computer science, cybersecurity, information technology, and artificial intelligence form the hub, with AI-driven research supporting development of real-world solutions (USF Curriculum). The BSAI program builds strong foundations in programming, algorithms, mathematics, and computer systems while emphasizing ethics and trust in technology.

Degree Pathways

Florida Atlantic University's 30-credit MS program covers machine learning, neural networks, computer vision, natural language processing, and advanced AI applications. Coursework integrates theoretical frameworks with hands-on projects addressing real-world problems in healthcare, finance, and autonomous systems (FAU MS AI). Students complete a capstone project or thesis demonstrating mastery of AI methods.

Specialization Tracks

UCF's AI Track within the Data Analytics MS jointly offered by Computer Science and Statistics departments requires 30 credits emphasizing AI algorithm design, advanced programming, and statistical data analysis (UCF AI). A semester-long project replaces the traditional thesis requirement. The University of Florida integrates AI coursework with access to HiPerGator supercomputing resources, enabling students to train complex models on one of academia's most powerful computing platforms. Programs increasingly incorporate industry certifications in AWS Machine Learning, TensorFlow, and PyTorch to enhance graduate employability.

Online Program Growth

Florida institutions provide flexible AI delivery options accommodating traditional students and working professionals through fully online, hybrid, and intensive on-campus formats. Florida Atlantic University's MS in Artificial Intelligence offers complete online availability, enabling students throughout Florida and beyond to access specialized AI education without relocating to Fort Lauderdale (FAU Online). The 30-credit program maintains identical academic standards and faculty interaction regardless of modality.

Accredited Online Options

Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale offers four MS degrees in AI available both online and in-person, with accelerated eight-week course sessions enabling completion in as little as one year for highly motivated students. This intensive format suits professionals seeking rapid career transitions into AI. The University of West Florida provides online options for computing and data science programs that incorporate AI coursework accessible to students across Northwest Florida and beyond.

Choosing Your Format

On-campus programs offer distinct advantages including direct access to specialized computing resources, research laboratory participation, and networking through career fairs and employer events. USF's Bellini College emphasizes hands-on learning using the university's computing infrastructure and AI research facilities (USF Campus). UCF's AI Track requires face-to-face or hybrid instruction with a semester-long project, balancing flexibility with collaborative learning. Students should evaluate career goals, learning preferences, and geographic constraints when selecting delivery format—online programs excel for working professionals while campus programs maximize research and networking opportunities.

Tampa Bay has emerged as Florida's AI epicenter following the establishment of USF's Bellini College, with the region positioning itself as "Cyber Bay" for AI and cybersecurity talent. The $40 million investment in the nation's first dedicated AI college creates a talent pipeline that has attracted employers seeking skilled graduates (USF Tampa Bay). Tampa Bay's growing fintech and cybersecurity sector offers AI salaries competitive with larger metros while maintaining Florida's cost of living advantages.

Miami represents Florida's emerging tech hub, often called "Silicon Beach," with over 562 AI positions and strong demand in financial services, healthcare, and startup ecosystems. Major employers including Baptist Health South Florida, Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, and Naptha AI actively recruit AI talent (Glassdoor Miami). Miami's international business connections create opportunities for AI professionals working on Latin American market applications.

Orlando combines UCF's strong AI programs with simulation, gaming, and theme park industries requiring AI expertise. The city's concentration of defense contractors applies AI to training systems and autonomous technologies. Gainesville offers university-centric opportunities through UF's HiPerGator resources and AI research initiatives. Fort Lauderdale hosts FAU's AI programs alongside Magic Leap's augmented reality development. Jacksonville's financial services concentration at FIS and Bank of America operations employs AI specialists for fraud detection and customer analytics.

Last Updated: February 15, 2026. Rankings based on IPEDS 2023 data. Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024.