Best Associate's Artificial Intelligence Degree Programs in Massachusetts
Bunker Hill Community College — Boston, MA
Hakia Insight: Bunker Hill's explicit pipeline agreements with UMass Boston and Northeastern mean your associate degree earns junior standing at research universities, collapsing what's typically a 2+2 transfer into genuine 2+1.5 acceleration.
At the associate's level, strong pipeline to UMass Boston and Northeastern makes this a smart choice if you're serious about finishing your degree. Bunker Hill's AI and data analytics courses emphasize Python, machine learning fundamentals, and real-world datasets—not just theory. You'll work with instructors who understand what four-year programs expect, so your transfer credits actually count. Graduates commonly land roles at healthcare tech companies and financial services firms in the Boston area, where employers actively recruit from this program. The hands-on labs give you portfolio pieces worth showing employers.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Artificial Intelligence — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Artificial Intelligence — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Boston-area healthcare tech firms, Financial services companies, Insurance carriers, Biopharmaceutical companies.
Top Transfer Destinations
- UMass Boston
- Northeastern University
- UMass Lowell
- Suffolk University
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Data Analytics Technician
- AI Support Specialist
- Machine Learning Operations Associate
- Junior Python Developer
Included Certifications
- CompTIA A+
- AWS Cloud Practitioner
- Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
Location Advantages:
Springfield Technical Community College — Springfield, MA
Hakia Insight: Springfield Technical's industrial automation focus—training you on manufacturing-floor AI and process control rather than data science—fills a labor gap most community colleges ignore, positioning graduates for utilities and automation-systems roles paying trade-level wages with tech-sector demand.
At the associate's level, industrial AI and automation systems—that's where Springfield Technical's program stands out. You're not just learning machine learning theory; you're applying it to manufacturing, process control, and real technical systems that Western Massachusetts employers desperately need. The program is explicitly workforce-focused, meaning you graduate job-ready for roles that pay well immediately. Transfer options to UMass and state universities exist, but many graduates skip that step because the entry-level roles are solid.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Artificial Intelligence — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Artificial Intelligence — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Regional manufacturing plants, Utilities companies, Industrial automation firms, Process control service providers.
Top Transfer Destinations
- UMass Amherst
- Westfield State University
- UMass Boston
- Western New England University
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Industrial Systems Technician
- Process Control Operator
- Manufacturing Data Analyst
- Automation Support Technician
Included Certifications
- CompTIA A+
- AWS Cloud Practitioner
- Industrial IoT certifications
Location Advantages:
Quincy College — Quincy, MA
Hakia Insight: Quincy's evening instruction by active industry professionals who then hire their own students collapses the job-search timeline; you're often placed before graduation through instructor networks rather than competing in generic hiring pools.
At the associate's level, you want a program where experienced professionals teach evening classes and actually hire their own students? That's Quincy's strength. The AI curriculum emphasizes applied machine learning and data science with real Boston-area business case studies. Quincy's location makes networking with employers easy, and graduates land jobs at insurance companies, healthcare IT shops, and fintech startups quickly. The small cohort size means you're not a number—instructors know your work and recommend you directly to employers.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Artificial Intelligence — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Artificial Intelligence — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Boston-area insurance carriers, Healthcare IT companies, Fintech startups, Business services firms.
Top Transfer Destinations
- UMass Boston
- Northeastern University
- Suffolk University
- Brandeis University
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Data Analyst I
- AI Implementation Support Specialist
- Technical Support Associate
- Junior Python Developer
Included Certifications
- CompTIA A+
- AWS Cloud Practitioner
- Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
Location Advantages:
Massachusetts Bay Community College — Wellesley Hills, MA
Hakia Insight: MassBay's deliberate dual-path design lets you credential for immediate employment in one sequence or transfer-optimize in another without repeating courses—a flexibility most two-year programs claim but don't structurally support.
At the associate's level, your AI education here prepares you for immediate employment or seamless transfer—the program is genuinely designed for both paths. You'll study machine learning, Python, and data fundamentals in a cohort-based format that builds community. Massachusetts Bay's proximity to Boston's tech market means internship and job opportunities abound, and alumni networks help after graduation. Whether you want to work or pursue a bachelor's, the curriculum sets you up to succeed at either.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Artificial Intelligence — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Artificial Intelligence — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Boston-area tech companies, Financial services firms, Healthcare technology providers, Consulting firms.
Top Transfer Destinations
- UMass Boston
- Northeastern University
- UMass Lowell
- Suffolk University
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Data Analytics Associate
- AI Systems Support Technician
- Junior Python Developer
- Machine Learning Operations Associate
Included Certifications
- CompTIA A+
- AWS Cloud Practitioner
- Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
Location Advantages:
Massasoit Community College — Brockton, MA
Hakia Insight: Massasoit's employer-shaped curriculum isn't aspirational partnership language; South Shore healthcare systems and regional tech firms actually inform which skills courses prioritize, meaning your first AI job often matches what you just finished studying.
At the associate's level, real partnerships with South Shore employers shape what you actually study—this isn't a generic program. Massasoit's AI curriculum emphasizes the specific skill gaps that companies like healthcare providers, tech services, and insurance firms have right now. You'll graduate with relevant portfolio work and employer connections already in place. The supportive learning environment and small class sizes mean faculty know your strengths and actively recommend you for jobs.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Artificial Intelligence — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Artificial Intelligence — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: South Shore healthcare systems, Regional tech services companies, Insurance carriers, Business support firms.
Top Transfer Destinations
- UMass Boston
- Northeastern University
- Bridgewater State University
- UMass Lowell
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Data Support Technician
- AI Implementation Associate
- Technical Support Specialist
- Junior Data Analyst
Included Certifications
- CompTIA A+
- AWS Cloud Practitioner
- Python Institute PCAP
Location Advantages:
Quinsigamond Community College — Worcester, MA
Hakia Insight: Quinsigamond's dual AS/AAS structure lets students choose between transfer-ready coursework and applied credentials, positioning graduates to either stack certifications into immediate roles at regional manufacturers or pivot to four-year programs without losing technical momentum.
At the associate's level, worcester's tech sector is growing, and Quinsigamond is positioning graduates right in the middle of that opportunity. The AI program balances theory and hands-on work with a focus on data science and machine learning fundamentals. You'll work on projects relevant to local employers—healthcare, manufacturing, and tech services—so your portfolio speaks to the jobs that actually exist nearby. Transfer to WPI, UMass, or Fitchburg State is straightforward if you want to continue.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Artificial Intelligence — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Artificial Intelligence — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Worcester tech companies, Healthcare IT providers, Regional manufacturers, Business intelligence firms.
Top Transfer Destinations
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- UMass Lowell
- Fitchburg State University
- Worcester State University
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Junior Data Analyst
- Machine Learning Support Technician
- Data Preparation Associate
- AI Systems Support Specialist
Included Certifications
- CompTIA A+
- AWS Cloud Practitioner
- Google IT Support Professional
Location Advantages:
North Shore Community College — Danvers, MA
Key Distinction: North Shore Community College provides affordable Artificial Intelligence education with flexible scheduling and transfer pathways to four-year universities.
Hakia Insight: North Shore's flexible scheduling and explicit transfer agreements function as a hidden accelerant—students can earn an associate degree on their timeline while pre-negotiating junior-year entry into partner four-year programs, compressing total time to bachelor's completion.
North Shore Community College offers Artificial Intelligence programs in Danvers, MA. As a public institution and community college, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
Cape Cod Community College — West Barnstable, MA
Hakia Insight: Cape Cod's articulation pathway to UMass Dartmouth and Worcester Poly means students aren't just earning credits; they're earning them within a pre-mapped pipeline where their associate coursework counts double toward upper-level requirements.
At the associate's level, if you're serious about AI but want to stay connected to Cape Cod, this program balances hands-on technical training with genuine pathways to UMass Dartmouth and Worcester Polytechnic Institute. You'll work through foundational coursework in Python, machine learning basics, and data analysis while building a portfolio of real projects—not just theory. Most graduates either transfer into four-year computer science programs with junior standing or move directly into technical support and junior data analyst roles with local tech companies and healthcare organizations expanding their AI capabilities. The program's real advantage is the small cohort size, meaning you get genuine mentorship from instructors who know the regional job market and can connect you to internships before you graduate.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Artificial Intelligence — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Artificial Intelligence — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Cape Cod Healthcare, Local tech startups, Regional financial services firms, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- University of Massachusetts Boston
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (select pathways)
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Junior Data Analyst
- AI Support Technician
- Machine Learning Assistant
- Technical Support Specialist (AI Systems)
- Data Entry Specialist
Included Certifications
- Google IT Support Professional Certificate
- AWS Cloud Practitioner
- CompTIA A+
Location Advantages:
Mount Wachusett Community College — Gardner, MA
Hakia Insight: Mount Wachusett's emphasis on online and evening sections reveals an often-overlooked fact: working professionals can complete Python, machine learning, and AI fundamentals on a schedule built around manufacturing and healthcare shift work—the program's real competitive advantage.
At the associate's level, if you're balancing work and school, Mount Wachusett's flexible scheduling and online AI options were built for you. The program teaches Python, machine learning, and AI fundamentals without assuming you have deep tech background—it's genuinely accessible. Graduates transfer to UMass Fitchburg and work in technical support, data analysis, and systems roles across Central Massachusetts. The college maintains relationships with local tech employers, so job leads come directly from faculty.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Artificial Intelligence — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Artificial Intelligence — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Central Massachusetts tech companies, Regional healthcare providers, Manufacturing IT departments, Business support firms.
Top Transfer Destinations
- Fitchburg State University
- UMass Lowell
- Worcester State University
- UMass Boston
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Help Desk Technician (tech support track)
- Data Entry Analyst
- AI Systems Assistant
- Junior Technical Support Specialist
Included Certifications
- CompTIA A+
- AWS Cloud Practitioner
- Python Institute PCAP
Location Advantages:
Endicott College — Beverly, MA
Key Distinction: Endicott College offers comprehensive Artificial Intelligence programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: Endicott's private institution status as a community college-level program suggests hybrid tuition positioning—students access a private institution's resources and alumni network at public college pricing, a rare arbitrage in the associate's market.
Endicott College offers Artificial Intelligence programs in Beverly, MA. As a private institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
Best Bachelor's Artificial Intelligence Degree Programs in Massachusetts
University of Massachusetts-Amherst — Amherst, MA
Key Distinction: Two specialization concentrations: Data Science and Health and Life Sciences. Integrative Experience requirement embedded in curriculum (typically INFO 490PI: Personal Health Informatics)
Hakia Insight: UMass Amherst's Informatics BS with embedded Health and Life Sciences specialization, anchored by Dr. Barto's reinforcement learning lab, means undergraduates can graduate with publishable-quality research in AI for medical robotics—a credential most state schools can't match.
The BS in Informatics at UMass Amherst's Manning College of Information & Computer Sciences provides a rigorous foundation in data science and computational thinking with practical, interdisciplinary applications. Students complete 9 core courses covering mathematical foundations, statistics, programming, and human-computer interaction, followed by 3 concentration courses and 6 electives, totaling at least 120 credits with a 60-credit science requirement. The program offers two specialization tracks: Data Science (focusing on data analysis, management, and statistical foundations) and Health and Life Sciences (emphasizing clinical healthcare, personal health, biology, and bioinformatics). The curriculum integrates a Junior Year Writing requirement and an Integrative Experience (IE) component, typically through INFO 490PI: Personal Health Informatics. Students gain hands-on experience through project-based courses like Software Engineering, Web Programming, and Mobile Health Sensing and Analytics, with opportunities to propose domain-specific electives in fields ranging from machine learning and NLP to public health and econometrics. The program emphasizes data-driven communication and ethical considerations in computing.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Informatics — 4 years, on-campus. BS
Research Labs and Institutes
- Autonomous Learning Laboratory
- Autonomous Mobile Robotics Laboratory
- Biologically Inspired Neural and Dynamical Systems Laboratory
- Center for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
- Center for Intelligent Information Retrieval
- Computational Social Science Institute
- Computer Vision Research Lab
- Dynamic and Autonomous Robotic Systems Laboratory
- Equity, Accountability, Trust, and Explainability (EQUATE)
- Human-Centered Robotics Lab
- Information Extraction and Synthesis Laboratory
- Knowledge Discovery Laboratory
- Laboratory for Perceptual Robotics
- Resource-Bounded Reasoning Research Group
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Amazon, CLA, Deloitte, EY, Grant Thornton, KPMG, Liberty Mutual, MassMutual, PwC, RSM.
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Andrew G. Barto — Reinforcement learning
- Dr. James Allan — Information retrieval, event-based information organization, controversy and misinformation detection
- Dr. Andrew McCallum — Information extraction, knowledge discovery from text, statistical natural language processing, machine learning
- Dr. Hava Siegelmann — Advanced lifelong learning AI, enhanced time-aware AI, innovations in biological computation
- Dr. Philip Thomas — Reinforcement learning, decision making, and AI safety
- Dr. Scott Niekum — Imitation learning, reinforcement learning, AI safety, robotic manipulation, human-robot interaction
- Dr. Shlomo Zilberstein — Artificial intelligence, automated planning, decision theory, autonomous agents and multi-agent systems
Location Advantages:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology — Cambridge, MA
Key Distinction: MIT's AI research is uniquely integrated across engineering disciplines, with particular strength in applying AI and machine learning to infrastructure monitoring, materials science, and structural engineering applications.
Hakia Insight: MIT's AI strength in infrastructure monitoring and materials science through LISS and CSAIL represents a deliberate focus away from consumer tech—undergraduates work on problems like AI-driven structural health monitoring for bridges, creating rare expertise in a critical but undersaturated field.
At the bachelor's level, MIT's AI programs offer the largest computing majors at the institution with rigorous, hands-on curriculum led by world-class faculty. The program demonstrates exceptional industry connections with graduates placed at 115+ leading companies worldwide, achieving 98% job placement rates within six months.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Artificial Intelligence — 4 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Laboratory for Infrastructure Science and Sustainability
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL)
- Stanford Immigration Policy Lab
Industry Partners
- Shell (collaborator)
- United Engineers and Constructors (employer)
- Marc Analysis and Research Corporation (employer)
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Balyasny Asset Management, Bank of America, Barclays, BlackRock, Boston Consulting Group, Citadel, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase & Co., McKinsey & Company, Morgan Stanley.
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Oral Buyukozturk — AI in engineering mechanics, infrastructure sensing and vision-based monitoring
- Dr. William T. Freeman — Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence
- Dr. Fredo Durand — Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence
Location Advantages:
Tufts University — Medford, MA
Key Distinction: Mandatory capstone project or thesis with hands-on AI algorithms and problems. Flexible capstone options: year-long senior project or dedicated AI thesis
Hakia Insight: Tufts mandates a capstone or thesis in AI algorithms—not as an option but as a graduation requirement—forcing every student to demonstrate research capability rather than coursework completion, a structural difference that reshapes how employers evaluate graduates.
The Artificial Intelligence Focus Area within Tufts University's Computer Science Bachelor's program provides comprehensive training in both statistical and symbolic AI approaches. Students complete a rigorous CS core (7 courses including Data Structures, Algorithms, and Theory of Computation) plus an AI-specific core covering Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Ethics in AI, Robotics, and HRI. The program requires at least three additional AI electives from specialized topics including Deep Neural Networks, Reinforcement Learning, Computer Vision, Natural Language Processing, and Probabilistic Robotics. A capstone requirement—fulfilled through either a year-long senior project (CS 97/98) or an AI thesis (CS 197)—ensures hands-on experience with real AI algorithms and problems. This focus area is available to both Arts and Sciences and School of Engineering students, emphasizing practical application alongside theoretical foundations essential for both academic and industry careers in AI.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence Focus Area — 4 years, on-campus. BS
Research Labs and Institutes
- Human-Robot Interaction Laboratory
- Machine Learning Research Group
- Assistive Agent Behavior and Learning Laboratory
- Multimodal Learning, Interaction, and Perception Laboratory
- Human-AI Interaction Center
- Center for Data Foundations in AI
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Matthias Scheutz — Artificial intelligence, human-robot interaction, natural language understanding, cognitive modeling
- Dr. Abani Patra — Computational sciences, data driven modeling
- Dr. Michael Hughes — Machine learning, Bayesian inference, clinical informatics, electronic health record analysis
- Dr. Liping Liu — Machine learning, data science, deep learning, generative models, time series, graph learning
- Dr. Elaine Short — Multi-agent systems, human-robot interaction, accessibility, assistive technology
- Dr. Jivko Sinapov — Augmented reality, developmental robotics, computational perception, robotic manipulation
Location Advantages:
Boston University — Boston, MA
Key Distinction: Boston University's AI program is distinguished by its research-first orientation and integration of theoretical depth with industry application, supported by substantial lab infrastructure and faculty with active publication records.
Hakia Insight: Boston University's clustering of AI labs (Image and Video Computing, Hariri Institute) with direct partnerships to Google, Meta, and Microsoft creates a pipeline where research-active undergraduates can present at industry venues before graduation, accelerating career trajectories beyond typical internship outcomes.
At the bachelor's level, boston University's artificial intelligence initiative is anchored in research depth and cross-disciplinary collaboration, with students and faculty working on problems spanning computer vision, autonomous systems, natural language understanding, and AI ethics. The program leverages BU's position as a major research institution with substantial funding and lab infrastructure, allowing undergraduates and graduates alike to engage in peer-reviewed research rather than only coursework-based learning. Faculty expertise spans foundational machine learning theory to cutting-edge applications in healthcare AI, robotics, and human-computer interaction—many actively publishing and securing federal research grants. The curriculum is deliberately structured to accommodate both research-track students pursuing PhDs and those targeting industry positions, with elective sequences allowing specialization in areas like deep learning, reinforcement learning, or AI fairness and governance. BU's location in Boston provides natural partnerships with healthcare systems (relevant for biomedical AI), financial institutions, and a dense cluster of AI startups and established tech companies seeking talent. Graduate outcomes show strong placement in both industry research roles (Meta AI, Google Brain, OpenAI) and academic/postdoctoral paths, with median salaries competitive with top-tier AI programs. For students prioritizing research contributions, theoretical depth, and pathways to either academic or advanced industry research positions, BU's scale and resources create meaningful advantages.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Artificial Intelligence — 4 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Image and Video Computing Lab
- Rafik B. Hariri Institute for Computing and Computational Science & Engineering
Industry Partners
- Google (corporate)
- Meta (corporate)
- Microsoft (corporate)
Notable Faculty
- Aythami Morales — Computer vision and biometric recognition
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages: Boston biotech and healthcare system partnerships for medical AIDense startup ecosystem and venture capital presenceProximity to MIT, Harvard, and other research institutions for collaboration
Amherst College — Amherst, MA
Hakia Insight: Amherst's small liberal arts structure with active researcher faculty means AI students work in genuine collaborations with professors, not as graders or assistants—research authorship and methodological depth typically reserved for PhD students become accessible at the bachelor's level.
At the bachelor's level, amherst Computer Science students work closely with talented faculty who are all active researchers to study artificial intelligence, big data, and cryptography. The program offers hands-on research opportunities through the SURF program and covers both theoretical aspects of AI and practical considerations.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Artificial Intelligence — 4 years, online
Location Advantages:
Harvard University — Cambridge, MA
Key Distinction: Harvard's AI program uniquely combines biomedical applications with fundamental AI research through the Kempner Institute, emphasizing responsible AI development and real-world clinical impact.
Hakia Insight: Harvard's Kempner Institute and CHARM lab position undergraduates at the intersection of graph neural networks (Zitnik's drug discovery work) and clinical AI (Kohane's informatics), creating a rare undergraduate pathway into pharmaceutical AI—an industry segment most schools don't touch until grad school.
At the bachelor's level, harvard's artificial intelligence research is primarily housed within the Department of Biomedical Informatics at Harvard Medical School, which focuses on combining clinical data from millions of patients with AI to assist doctors and patients in making better diagnoses, prognoses and therapeutic decisions. The department is supported by faculty including Isaac Kohane, Marinka Zitnik, Tianxi Cai, Pranav Rajpurkar, and others who lead research in AI applications across drug discovery, medical imaging, federated learning, and clinical decision support. Key achievements include developing the CheXNeXt algorithm for chest radiograph diagnosis, creating cardiologist-level arrhythmia detection systems, and establishing the Therapeutics Data Commons for machine learning in drug discovery. The Kempner Institute for the Study of Natural and Artificial Intelligence, launched at Harvard University, represents a major institutional commitment bringing together students, scientists, and engineers to reveal foundations of intelligence in natural and artificial contexts. Research spans from fundamental AI methods like graph neural networks and federated learning to clinical applications in pathology, radiology, and drug discovery. The program emphasizes responsible AI development, studying adversarial attacks, dataset shift, and fairness in AI systems. Harvard's AI research is enhanced by partnerships across multiple schools and centers, including the Center for Human-driven AI Research and Methods (CHARM), AI+Science initiative at SEAS, and collaborations with institutions in China through the Harvard-China Project.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Artificial Intelligence — 4 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Kempner Institute for the Study of Natural and Artificial Intelligence
- Center for Human-driven AI Research and Methods (CHARM)
- AI+Science Initiative
- Department of Biomedical Informatics AI Research
- Center for Integrated Quantum Materials (CIQM)
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Isaac Kohane — Clinical AI applications and biomedical informatics
- Dr. Marinka Zitnik — Graph neural networks and drug discovery
- Dr. Tianxi Cai — Federated learning and clinical data analysis
- Dr. Pranav Rajpurkar — Medical imaging and deep learning
- Dr. Kun-Hsing Yu — Pathology image analysis and computational pathology
- Dr. Chirag Patel — Gene-environment interactions and computational epidemiology
- Dr. Maha Farhat — Antibiotic resistance prediction
- Dr. Arjun Manrai — Clinical decision making and AI fairness
Location Advantages: Access to Harvard Medical School clinical data and partnershipsProximity to Boston's biotech and healthcare innovation ecosystemIntegration across Harvard's multiple schools and research centers
Brandeis University — Waltham, MA
Key Distinction: Brandeis uniquely combines theoretical AI research through the Volen Center's interdisciplinary approach to brain and intelligence studies with practical applications in the Michtom School's specialized labs covering machine learning, natural language processing, and visual analytics.
Hakia Insight: Brandeis splits AI training between the Volen Center's theoretical complexity research and Michtom School's applied labs (Machine Learning, NLP, Visual Analytics), allowing students to simultaneously pursue symbolic AI depth and neural network breadth—a curricular combination few schools offer.
At the bachelor's level, brandeis University's artificial intelligence program is primarily housed within the Michtom School of Computer Science and the Volen National Center for Complex Systems. The Michtom School offers AI education through its Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Computer Science programs, as well as Master of Science and PhD programs with AI specializations. The school operates several specialized AI research labs, including the Core Machine Learning Lab led by Professor Hongfu Liu, focusing on cutting-edge machine learning research including consensus clustering, data-centric learning, and fairness in AI. The Multilingual Language Processing Lab, directed by Professor Nianwen Xue, conducts research at the intersection of linguistics and NLP, with notable projects including the Chinese Treebank and Abstract Meaning Representation parsers. The Brandeis Visual Analytics Laboratory, led by Professor Dylan Cashman, develops interpretable interfaces to neural architecture searches and AI metalearning. The historically significant DEMO lab, led by retiring Professor Jordan Pollack, has made groundbreaking contributions to AI and robotics, including the GOLEM project published in Nature in 2000. The Volen National Center for Complex Systems, established for studying brain and intelligence, brings together faculty specializing in artificial intelligence, cognitive science, and neuroscience, representing an interdisciplinary approach to AI research. Additionally, Brandeis offers an MSBA program with an Artificial Intelligence concentration through its business school, providing practical AI applications in business contexts. The university's location near Boston provides access to a major technology and innovation hub.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Artificial Intelligence — 4 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Core Machine Learning Lab
- Multilingual Language Processing Lab
- Brandeis Visual Analytics Laboratory
- Dynamical & Evolutionary Machine Organization Lab
- Smart and Scalable Data Systems Lab
- Brandeis Autonomous Robotics Teaching Laboratory
- Computational Systems Biology Group
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $NaN. Top Employers: The Knot Worldwide, IMF, Takeda, Washington University in St. Louis.
Notable Faculty
- Hongfu Liu — Machine learning and artificial intelligence-assisted applications
- Nianwen Xue — Natural language processing and computational linguistics
- Dylan Cashman — Visual analytics and interpretable AI interfaces
- Jordan Pollack — Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and artificial life
- Subhadeep Sarkar — Data systems and privacy-aware computing
- Pito Salas — Robotics and autonomous systems
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 3.3 average.
Requirements:
Location Advantages: Proximity to Boston technology and innovation hubAccess to multicultural finance and tech center
Worcester Polytechnic Institute — Worcester, MA
Key Distinction: Worcester Polytechnic Institute offers comprehensive Artificial Intelligence programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: Worcester Polytechnic Institute's project-based learning model (its institutional trademark) means AI coursework isn't abstract—students build and deploy models on real problems from industry partners, graduating with a portfolio of working systems rather than assignments.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute offers Artificial Intelligence programs in Worcester, MA. As a private institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
University of Massachusetts-Lowell — Lowell, MA
Key Distinction: University of Massachusetts-Lowell offers comprehensive Artificial Intelligence programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: University of Massachusetts-Lowell's positioning in a region dominated by advanced manufacturing and robotics means employers actively recruit from campus for roles in industrial AI and automation, creating local placement advantage that national rankings obscure.
University of Massachusetts-Lowell offers Artificial Intelligence programs in Lowell, MA. As a public institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
Boston College — Chestnut Hill, MA
Key Distinction: Boston College offers comprehensive Artificial Intelligence programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: Boston College's location on the Chestnut Hill corridor places undergraduates within reach of both biotech firms leveraging AI for drug discovery and fintech companies in downtown Boston, creating dual-track recruitment where peer institutions offer only one pathway.
Boston College offers Artificial Intelligence programs in Chestnut Hill, MA. As a private institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
Best Master's Artificial Intelligence Degree Programs in Massachusetts
University of Massachusetts-Amherst — Amherst, MA
Key Distinction: UMass Amherst is the birthplace of modern reinforcement learning and home to the 2024 ACM Turing Award laureates, hosting the field's first dedicated conference in 2024.
Hakia Insight: UMass Amherst's reinforcement learning pedigree—anchored by 2024 ACM Turing Award laureates and the field's first dedicated conference in 2024—means master's students work in labs where the subfield's foundational concepts were literally invented, giving them direct access to researchers who shaped the entire discipline.
At the master's level, UMass offers AI programs ranging from undergraduate concentrations to graduate certificates for business, with strong employment outcomes including $100,000+ starting salaries and 92% career goal achievement within six months. The programs combine technical AI training with practical business applications and are available both on-campus and online.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Artificial Intelligence — 1-2 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Autonomous Learning Laboratory
- Autonomous Mobile Robotics Laboratory
- Biologically Inspired Neural and Dynamical Systems Laboratory
- Center for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
- Center for Intelligent Information Retrieval
- Computational Social Science Institute
- Computer Vision Research Lab
- Dynamic and Autonomous Robotic Systems Laboratory
- Equity, Accountability, Trust, and Explainability (EQUATE)
- Human-Centered Robotics Lab
- Information Extraction and Synthesis Laboratory
- Knowledge Discovery Laboratory
- Laboratory for Perceptual Robotics
- Resource-Bounded Reasoning Research Group
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Amazon, CLA, Deloitte, EY, Grant Thornton, KPMG, Liberty Mutual, MassMutual, PwC, RSM.
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Andrew G. Barto — Reinforcement learning
- Dr. James Allan — Information retrieval, event-based information organization, controversy and misinformation detection
- Dr. Andrew McCallum — Information extraction, knowledge discovery from text, statistical natural language processing, machine learning
- Dr. Hava Siegelmann — Advanced lifelong learning AI, enhanced time-aware AI, innovations in biological computation
- Dr. Philip Thomas — Reinforcement learning, decision making, and AI safety
- Dr. Scott Niekum — Imitation learning, reinforcement learning, AI safety, robotic manipulation, human-robot interaction
- Dr. Shlomo Zilberstein — Artificial intelligence, automated planning, decision theory, autonomous agents and multi-agent systems
Location Advantages:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology — Cambridge, MA
Key Distinction: MIT's AI research is uniquely integrated across engineering disciplines, with particular strength in applying AI and machine learning to infrastructure monitoring, materials science, and structural engineering applications.
Hakia Insight: While peers chase fintech and software roles, MIT's infrastructure-focused AI labs (partnered with Shell and United Engineers) position graduates for the emerging $trillions market in AI-driven climate tech and smart infrastructure, a sector where deep technical training in materials science applications creates genuine scarcity.
At the master's level, MIT's AI programs offer the largest computing majors at the institution with rigorous, hands-on curriculum led by world-class faculty. The program demonstrates exceptional industry connections with graduates placed at 115+ leading companies worldwide, achieving 98% job placement rates within six months.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Artificial Intelligence — 1-2 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Laboratory for Infrastructure Science and Sustainability
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL)
- Stanford Immigration Policy Lab
Industry Partners
- Shell (collaborator)
- United Engineers and Constructors (employer)
- Marc Analysis and Research Corporation (employer)
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Balyasny Asset Management, Bank of America, Barclays, BlackRock, Boston Consulting Group, Citadel, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase & Co., McKinsey & Company, Morgan Stanley.
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Oral Buyukozturk — AI in engineering mechanics, infrastructure sensing and vision-based monitoring
- Dr. William T. Freeman — Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence
- Dr. Fredo Durand — Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence
Location Advantages:
Boston University — Boston, MA
Key Distinction: Flexible thesis vs. coursework-only track options. Optional MS thesis with literature review, methodology development, and public defense
Hakia Insight: Boston University's thesis-optional structure explicitly serves working professionals who need flexibility—but the real advantage is that students choosing the thesis track work directly with Google, Meta, and Microsoft partners, converting capstone projects into industry-vetted research with publication potential.
The MS in Artificial Intelligence is a 32-unit (8-course) program designed for working professionals with computer science backgrounds or equivalent experience. Students gain deep technical training in machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing through core courses and electives. The program offers flexibility with optional thesis and independent project tracks, allowing students to tailor their learning to career goals. Graduates are prepared for roles as AI Engineers in information technology companies or can pursue doctoral studies. The curriculum emphasizes practical skills in coding, algorithm design, and building scalable AI systems, with opportunities to work on industry-relevant challenges and develop portfolio-worthy projects.
Programs Offered
- MS in Artificial Intelligence — 1-2 years, on-campus. MS
Research Labs and Institutes
- Image and Video Computing Lab
- Rafik B. Hariri Institute for Computing and Computational Science & Engineering
Industry Partners
- Google (corporate)
- Meta (corporate)
- Microsoft (corporate)
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Intel.
Notable Faculty
- Aythami Morales — Computer vision and biometric recognition
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages: Boston biotech and healthcare system partnerships for medical AIDense startup ecosystem and venture capital presenceProximity to MIT, Harvard, and other research institutions for collaboration
Clark University — Worcester, MA
Key Distinction: Clark University offers comprehensive Artificial Intelligence programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: Insufficient data provided for distinctive insight.
Clark University offers Artificial Intelligence programs in Worcester, MA. As a private institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
Brandeis University — Waltham, MA
Key Distinction: Brandeis uniquely combines theoretical AI research through the Volen Center's interdisciplinary approach to brain and intelligence studies with practical applications in the Michtom School's specialized labs covering machine learning, natural language processing, and visual analytics.
Hakia Insight: Brandeis splits the difference between pure theory and applied work through the Volen Center's brain-intelligence research and Michtom's specialized labs in NLP and visual analytics—an architecture that lets students who typically choose between neuroscience and engineering actually study both.
At the master's level, brandeis University's artificial intelligence program is primarily housed within the Michtom School of Computer Science and the Volen National Center for Complex Systems. The Michtom School offers AI education through its Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Computer Science programs, as well as Master of Science and PhD programs with AI specializations. The school operates several specialized AI research labs, including the Core Machine Learning Lab led by Professor Hongfu Liu, focusing on cutting-edge machine learning research including consensus clustering, data-centric learning, and fairness in AI. The Multilingual Language Processing Lab, directed by Professor Nianwen Xue, conducts research at the intersection of linguistics and NLP, with notable projects including the Chinese Treebank and Abstract Meaning Representation parsers. The Brandeis Visual Analytics Laboratory, led by Professor Dylan Cashman, develops interpretable interfaces to neural architecture searches and AI metalearning. The historically significant DEMO lab, led by retiring Professor Jordan Pollack, has made groundbreaking contributions to AI and robotics, including the GOLEM project published in Nature in 2000. The Volen National Center for Complex Systems, established for studying brain and intelligence, brings together faculty specializing in artificial intelligence, cognitive science, and neuroscience, representing an interdisciplinary approach to AI research. Additionally, Brandeis offers an MSBA program with an Artificial Intelligence concentration through its business school, providing practical AI applications in business contexts. The university's location near Boston provides access to a major technology and innovation hub.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Artificial Intelligence — 1-2 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Core Machine Learning Lab
- Multilingual Language Processing Lab
- Brandeis Visual Analytics Laboratory
- Dynamical & Evolutionary Machine Organization Lab
- Smart and Scalable Data Systems Lab
- Brandeis Autonomous Robotics Teaching Laboratory
- Computational Systems Biology Group
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $NaN. Top Employers: The Knot Worldwide, IMF, Takeda, Washington University in St. Louis.
Notable Faculty
- Hongfu Liu — Machine learning and artificial intelligence-assisted applications
- Nianwen Xue — Natural language processing and computational linguistics
- Dylan Cashman — Visual analytics and interpretable AI interfaces
- Jordan Pollack — Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and artificial life
- Subhadeep Sarkar — Data systems and privacy-aware computing
- Pito Salas — Robotics and autonomous systems
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 3.3 average.
Requirements:
Location Advantages: Proximity to Boston technology and innovation hubAccess to multicultural finance and tech center
Tufts University — Medford, MA
Key Distinction: Part-time and full-time enrollment options available. Two specialized tracks: Computer Science and Electrical and Computer Engineering
Hakia Insight: Tufts' dual-track structure (CS vs. ECE) resolves the perennial master's dilemma by letting students defer specialization until enrollment, then customize their curriculum around either software systems or hardware-level optimization—flexibility most programs lock in at application.
Tufts University's MS in Artificial Intelligence is a 30-credit program designed for working professionals and career-changers with technical backgrounds. Offered in full-time (18 months) and part-time (24 months) formats on-campus, the program balances theoretical AI foundations with practical applications through projects, co-ops, and internships. Students choose between two tracks: Computer Science (computational focus) or Electrical and Computer Engineering (systems-oriented). The curriculum covers machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, computer vision, ethics, and social contexts of AI deployment. Merit-based tuition scholarships are automatically considered for all applicants, with estimated costs of $53,970 for the full degree. The Graduate Cooperative Education Program enables up to 6 months of paid work experience. Graduates earn an average salary of $106,386 and are positioned for immediate industry roles or doctoral study. Faculty are internationally recognized leaders in robotics, computer vision, and machine learning.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence — 1-2 years, on-campus. MS
Research Labs and Institutes
- Human-Robot Interaction Laboratory
- Machine Learning Research Group
- Assistive Agent Behavior and Learning Laboratory
- Multimodal Learning, Interaction, and Perception Laboratory
- Human-AI Interaction Center
- Center for Data Foundations in AI
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $NaN.
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Matthias Scheutz — Artificial intelligence, human-robot interaction, natural language understanding, cognitive modeling
- Dr. Abani Patra — Computational sciences, data driven modeling
- Dr. Michael Hughes — Machine learning, Bayesian inference, clinical informatics, electronic health record analysis
- Dr. Liping Liu — Machine learning, data science, deep learning, generative models, time series, graph learning
- Dr. Elaine Short — Multi-agent systems, human-robot interaction, accessibility, assistive technology
- Dr. Jivko Sinapov — Augmented reality, developmental robotics, computational perception, robotic manipulation
Location Advantages:
Worcester Polytechnic Institute — Worcester, MA
Key Distinction: Worcester Polytechnic Institute offers comprehensive Artificial Intelligence programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: Insufficient data provided for distinctive insight.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute offers Artificial Intelligence programs in Worcester, MA. As a private institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
University of Massachusetts-Lowell — Lowell, MA
Key Distinction: University of Massachusetts-Lowell offers comprehensive Artificial Intelligence programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: Insufficient data provided for distinctive insight.
University of Massachusetts-Lowell offers Artificial Intelligence programs in Lowell, MA. As a public institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
Northeastern University — Boston, MA
Key Distinction: Full-time and part-time enrollment options for working professionals. Optional paid co-op/internship program: 4–8 months full-time paid work with 700+ industry partners (Amazon, Ford, Roche, Goldman Sachs, etc.); students can work with current employer
Hakia Insight: Northeastern's co-op model isn't just internship window-dressing—the paid 4-8 month placements with 700+ partners mean students can prototype their post-graduation employer fit while building a salary-backed financial buffer, a structural advantage that directly reduces career risk during degree completion.
The MS in Artificial Intelligence at Northeastern University is a 2–2.5 year interdisciplinary program available full-time or part-time, preparing working professionals for leadership roles in AI. Students choose from eight industry-aligned concentrations spanning machine learning, robotics, computer vision, energy systems, bioengineering, health data, and sustainability. The program features optional paid co-ops/internships (4–8 months) with 700+ industry partners including Amazon, Ford, and Goldman Sachs, providing real-world experience while earning. Students develop expertise in AI design, ethics, and responsible implementation through hands-on projects and research partnerships. Northeastern's R1 research status provides access to the Institute for Experiential AI and cutting-edge facilities. Part-time and full-time formats accommodate working professionals; GRE waivers available for applicants with 10+ years relevant work experience. Career outcomes include AI specialist, developer, and researcher roles with strong advancement potential in high-demand sectors.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence — 1-2 years, on-campus. MS
Research Labs and Institutes
- Relational Agents Group
- Lab for Learning and Planning in Robotics
- Cognitive Embodied Social Agents Research (CESAR)
- NEURAI Lab
- Helping Hands Lab
- Signal Processing and Artificial Intelligence for Time Variant Health Data (SATH) Lab
- Databases (DATA Lab)
- Game User Interaction And Intelligence Lab (GUII)
- Spatiotemporal Learning Group
- Northeastern Natural Language Processing Research Group
Industry Partners
- Maine Health (collaborator)
- Santa Fe Institute (collaborator)
- Vermont Complex Systems Center (collaborator)
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Amazon.
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Tina Eliassi-Rad — Data mining, machine learning, and network science
- Dr. Usama Fayyad — Data science, machine learning, AI, and data mining
- Dr. Christopher Amato — Robotics, AI, and machine learning in multi-agent systems
- Dr. Yun Raymond Fu — AI, machine learning, data mining, and computer vision
- Dr. Ehsan Elhamifar — Computer vision and AI learning from visual data
- Dr. David Bau — Human-computer interaction and machine learning interpretability
Location Advantages: Access to Boston tech ecosystemMulti-campus research communitySilicon Valley presence through faculty appointments
Harvard University — Cambridge, MA
Key Distinction: Harvard's AI program uniquely combines biomedical applications with fundamental AI research through the Kempner Institute, emphasizing responsible AI development and real-world clinical impact.
Hakia Insight: Harvard's biomedical focus through the Kempner Institute creates a distinct bottleneck: clinical AI roles require both deep domain knowledge and regulatory fluency, and Harvard's direct access to HMS data partnerships and responsible AI frameworks positions graduates for roles competitors can't easily fill.
At the master's level, harvard's artificial intelligence research is primarily housed within the Department of Biomedical Informatics at Harvard Medical School, which focuses on combining clinical data from millions of patients with AI to assist doctors and patients in making better diagnoses, prognoses and therapeutic decisions. The department is supported by faculty including Isaac Kohane, Marinka Zitnik, Tianxi Cai, Pranav Rajpurkar, and others who lead research in AI applications across drug discovery, medical imaging, federated learning, and clinical decision support. Key achievements include developing the CheXNeXt algorithm for chest radiograph diagnosis, creating cardiologist-level arrhythmia detection systems, and establishing the Therapeutics Data Commons for machine learning in drug discovery. The Kempner Institute for the Study of Natural and Artificial Intelligence, launched at Harvard University, represents a major institutional commitment bringing together students, scientists, and engineers to reveal foundations of intelligence in natural and artificial contexts. Research spans from fundamental AI methods like graph neural networks and federated learning to clinical applications in pathology, radiology, and drug discovery. The program emphasizes responsible AI development, studying adversarial attacks, dataset shift, and fairness in AI systems. Harvard's AI research is enhanced by partnerships across multiple schools and centers, including the Center for Human-driven AI Research and Methods (CHARM), AI+Science initiative at SEAS, and collaborations with institutions in China through the Harvard-China Project.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Artificial Intelligence — 1-2 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Kempner Institute for the Study of Natural and Artificial Intelligence
- Center for Human-driven AI Research and Methods (CHARM)
- AI+Science Initiative
- Department of Biomedical Informatics AI Research
- Center for Integrated Quantum Materials (CIQM)
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Isaac Kohane — Clinical AI applications and biomedical informatics
- Dr. Marinka Zitnik — Graph neural networks and drug discovery
- Dr. Tianxi Cai — Federated learning and clinical data analysis
- Dr. Pranav Rajpurkar — Medical imaging and deep learning
- Dr. Kun-Hsing Yu — Pathology image analysis and computational pathology
- Dr. Chirag Patel — Gene-environment interactions and computational epidemiology
- Dr. Maha Farhat — Antibiotic resistance prediction
- Dr. Arjun Manrai — Clinical decision making and AI fairness
Location Advantages: Access to Harvard Medical School clinical data and partnershipsProximity to Boston's biotech and healthcare innovation ecosystemIntegration across Harvard's multiple schools and research centers
Best Doctoral Artificial Intelligence Degree Programs in Massachusetts
Massachusetts Institute of Technology — Cambridge, MA
Key Distinction: MIT's AI research is uniquely integrated across engineering disciplines, with particular strength in applying AI and machine learning to infrastructure monitoring, materials science, and structural engineering applications.
Hakia Insight: MIT's cross-disciplinary infrastructure focus—combining CSAIL with Shell and materials science partnerships—generates doctoral research that immediately addresses $100B+ in real infrastructure challenges, making dissertations functionally equivalent to industry R&D that companies would otherwise fund externally.
At the doctoral level, MIT's AI programs offer the largest computing majors at the institution with rigorous, hands-on curriculum led by world-class faculty. The program demonstrates exceptional industry connections with graduates placed at 115+ leading companies worldwide, achieving 98% job placement rates within six months.
Programs Offered
- Doctor of Philosophy in Artificial Intelligence — 4-6 years, on-campus
- Doctor of Science in Artificial Intelligence — 4-6 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Laboratory for Infrastructure Science and Sustainability
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL)
- Stanford Immigration Policy Lab
Industry Partners
- Shell (collaborator)
- United Engineers and Constructors (employer)
- Marc Analysis and Research Corporation (employer)
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Balyasny Asset Management, Bank of America, Barclays, BlackRock, Boston Consulting Group, Citadel, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase & Co., McKinsey & Company, Morgan Stanley.
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Oral Buyukozturk — AI in engineering mechanics, infrastructure sensing and vision-based monitoring
- Dr. William T. Freeman — Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence
- Dr. Fredo Durand — Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence
Location Advantages:
University of Massachusetts-Amherst — Amherst, MA
Key Distinction: UMass Amherst is the birthplace of modern reinforcement learning and home to the 2024 ACM Turing Award laureates, hosting the field's first dedicated conference in 2024.
Hakia Insight: Doctoral students at UMass Amherst inherit institutional ownership of reinforcement learning's theoretical foundations through Barto's lab and the ALab's robotics work, meaning their dissertation contributions directly extend research that shaped AI's current landscape rather than follow in its wake.
At the doctoral level, UMass offers AI programs ranging from undergraduate concentrations to graduate certificates for business, with strong employment outcomes including $100,000+ starting salaries and 92% career goal achievement within six months. The programs combine technical AI training with practical business applications and are available both on-campus and online.
Programs Offered
- Doctor of Philosophy in Artificial Intelligence — 4-6 years, on-campus
- Doctor of Science in Artificial Intelligence — 4-6 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Autonomous Learning Laboratory
- Autonomous Mobile Robotics Laboratory
- Biologically Inspired Neural and Dynamical Systems Laboratory
- Center for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
- Center for Intelligent Information Retrieval
- Computational Social Science Institute
- Computer Vision Research Lab
- Dynamic and Autonomous Robotic Systems Laboratory
- Equity, Accountability, Trust, and Explainability (EQUATE)
- Human-Centered Robotics Lab
- Information Extraction and Synthesis Laboratory
- Knowledge Discovery Laboratory
- Laboratory for Perceptual Robotics
- Resource-Bounded Reasoning Research Group
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Amazon, CLA, Deloitte, EY, Grant Thornton, KPMG, Liberty Mutual, MassMutual, PwC, RSM.
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Andrew G. Barto — Reinforcement learning
- Dr. James Allan — Information retrieval, event-based information organization, controversy and misinformation detection
- Dr. Andrew McCallum — Information extraction, knowledge discovery from text, statistical natural language processing, machine learning
- Dr. Hava Siegelmann — Advanced lifelong learning AI, enhanced time-aware AI, innovations in biological computation
- Dr. Philip Thomas — Reinforcement learning, decision making, and AI safety
- Dr. Scott Niekum — Imitation learning, reinforcement learning, AI safety, robotic manipulation, human-robot interaction
- Dr. Shlomo Zilberstein — Artificial intelligence, automated planning, decision theory, autonomous agents and multi-agent systems
Location Advantages:
Harvard University — Cambridge, MA
Key Distinction: Harvard's AI program uniquely combines biomedical applications with fundamental AI research through the Kempner Institute, emphasizing responsible AI development and real-world clinical impact.
Hakia Insight: Harvard's Kempner Institute and CHARM labs create rare dual-track doctoral paths where students can anchor research in either clinical applications (through HMS data access) or fundamental responsible AI theory, a bifurcation that lets candidates design dissertation scope around market demand rather than advisor specialty.
At the doctoral level, harvard's artificial intelligence research is primarily housed within the Department of Biomedical Informatics at Harvard Medical School, which focuses on combining clinical data from millions of patients with AI to assist doctors and patients in making better diagnoses, prognoses and therapeutic decisions. The department is supported by faculty including Isaac Kohane, Marinka Zitnik, Tianxi Cai, Pranav Rajpurkar, and others who lead research in AI applications across drug discovery, medical imaging, federated learning, and clinical decision support. Key achievements include developing the CheXNeXt algorithm for chest radiograph diagnosis, creating cardiologist-level arrhythmia detection systems, and establishing the Therapeutics Data Commons for machine learning in drug discovery. The Kempner Institute for the Study of Natural and Artificial Intelligence, launched at Harvard University, represents a major institutional commitment bringing together students, scientists, and engineers to reveal foundations of intelligence in natural and artificial contexts. Research spans from fundamental AI methods like graph neural networks and federated learning to clinical applications in pathology, radiology, and drug discovery. The program emphasizes responsible AI development, studying adversarial attacks, dataset shift, and fairness in AI systems. Harvard's AI research is enhanced by partnerships across multiple schools and centers, including the Center for Human-driven AI Research and Methods (CHARM), AI+Science initiative at SEAS, and collaborations with institutions in China through the Harvard-China Project.
Programs Offered
- Doctor of Philosophy in Artificial Intelligence — 4-6 years, on-campus
- Doctor of Science in Artificial Intelligence — 4-6 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Kempner Institute for the Study of Natural and Artificial Intelligence
- Center for Human-driven AI Research and Methods (CHARM)
- AI+Science Initiative
- Department of Biomedical Informatics AI Research
- Center for Integrated Quantum Materials (CIQM)
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Isaac Kohane — Clinical AI applications and biomedical informatics
- Dr. Marinka Zitnik — Graph neural networks and drug discovery
- Dr. Tianxi Cai — Federated learning and clinical data analysis
- Dr. Pranav Rajpurkar — Medical imaging and deep learning
- Dr. Kun-Hsing Yu — Pathology image analysis and computational pathology
- Dr. Chirag Patel — Gene-environment interactions and computational epidemiology
- Dr. Maha Farhat — Antibiotic resistance prediction
- Dr. Arjun Manrai — Clinical decision making and AI fairness
Location Advantages: Access to Harvard Medical School clinical data and partnershipsProximity to Boston's biotech and healthcare innovation ecosystemIntegration across Harvard's multiple schools and research centers
Boston University — Boston, MA
Key Distinction: Boston University's AI program is distinguished by its research-first orientation and integration of theoretical depth with industry application, supported by substantial lab infrastructure and faculty with active publication records.
Hakia Insight: Boston University's research-first orientation combined with active Google-Meta-Microsoft partnerships means doctoral candidates write dissertations on problems companies are actively solving, creating natural pathways to convert dissertation work into industry roles or founded ventures with immediate product-market validation.
Boston University's artificial intelligence initiative is anchored in research depth and cross-disciplinary collaboration, with students and faculty working on problems spanning computer vision, autonomous systems, natural language understanding, and AI ethics. The program leverages BU's position as a major research institution with substantial funding and lab infrastructure, allowing undergraduates and graduates alike to engage in peer-reviewed research rather than only coursework-based learning. Faculty expertise spans foundational machine learning theory to cutting-edge applications in healthcare AI, robotics, and human-computer interaction—many actively publishing and securing federal research grants. The curriculum is deliberately structured to accommodate both research-track students pursuing PhDs and those targeting industry positions, with elective sequences allowing specialization in areas like deep learning, reinforcement learning, or AI fairness and governance. BU's location in Boston provides natural partnerships with healthcare systems (relevant for biomedical AI), financial institutions, and a dense cluster of AI startups and established tech companies seeking talent. Graduate outcomes show strong placement in both industry research roles (Meta AI, Google Brain, OpenAI) and academic/postdoctoral paths, with median salaries competitive with top-tier AI programs. For students prioritizing research contributions, theoretical depth, and pathways to either academic or advanced industry research positions, BU's scale and resources create meaningful advantages.
Programs Offered
- Doctor of Philosophy in Artificial Intelligence — 4-6 years, on-campus
- Doctor of Science in Artificial Intelligence — 4-6 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Image and Video Computing Lab
- Rafik B. Hariri Institute for Computing and Computational Science & Engineering
Industry Partners
- Google (corporate)
- Meta (corporate)
- Microsoft (corporate)
Notable Faculty
- Aythami Morales — Computer vision and biometric recognition
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages: Boston biotech and healthcare system partnerships for medical AIDense startup ecosystem and venture capital presenceProximity to MIT, Harvard, and other research institutions for collaboration
Tufts University — Medford, MA
Key Distinction: Tufts AI program uniquely combines cutting-edge technical training with a strong emphasis on social good and ethical AI development, operating within a top-tier research university environment that blends engineering excellence with liberal arts perspectives.
Hakia Insight: Tufts' integration of social good and ethics into doctoral training—paired with human-robot interaction and assistive learning labs—positions graduates for the emerging AI governance and responsible AI officer market, a career track most technical PhD programs don't systematically prepare for.
At the doctoral level, the MS in Artificial Intelligence is jointly offered by Computer Science and Electrical and Computer Engineering departments, providing comprehensive coverage of AI concepts including machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and knowledge representation. The program emphasizes both technical foundations and ethics with a required ethics course for AI, robotics, and human-robot interaction.
Programs Offered
- Doctor of Philosophy in Artificial Intelligence — 4-6 years, on-campus
- Doctor of Science in Artificial Intelligence — 4-6 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Human-Robot Interaction Laboratory
- Machine Learning Research Group
- Assistive Agent Behavior and Learning Laboratory
- Multimodal Learning, Interaction, and Perception Laboratory
- Human-AI Interaction Center
- Center for Data Foundations in AI
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Matthias Scheutz — Artificial intelligence, human-robot interaction, natural language understanding, cognitive modeling
- Dr. Abani Patra — Computational sciences, data driven modeling
- Dr. Michael Hughes — Machine learning, Bayesian inference, clinical informatics, electronic health record analysis
- Dr. Liping Liu — Machine learning, data science, deep learning, generative models, time series, graph learning
- Dr. Elaine Short — Multi-agent systems, human-robot interaction, accessibility, assistive technology
- Dr. Jivko Sinapov — Augmented reality, developmental robotics, computational perception, robotic manipulation
Location Advantages:
Brandeis University — Waltham, MA
Key Distinction: Brandeis uniquely combines theoretical AI research through the Volen Center's interdisciplinary approach to brain and intelligence studies with practical applications in the Michtom School's specialized labs covering machine learning, natural language processing, and visual analytics.
Hakia Insight: Brandeis's dual structure—pairing the Volen Center's theoretical work on brain and intelligence with the Michtom School's applied labs in NLP and visual analytics—lets doctoral students move fluidly between foundational neuroscience questions and industry-ready machine learning, a rare integration that produces graduates comfortable in both academic and corporate research roles.
At the doctoral level, brandeis University's artificial intelligence program is primarily housed within the Michtom School of Computer Science and the Volen National Center for Complex Systems. The Michtom School offers AI education through its Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Computer Science programs, as well as Master of Science and PhD programs with AI specializations. The school operates several specialized AI research labs, including the Core Machine Learning Lab led by Professor Hongfu Liu, focusing on cutting-edge machine learning research including consensus clustering, data-centric learning, and fairness in AI. The Multilingual Language Processing Lab, directed by Professor Nianwen Xue, conducts research at the intersection of linguistics and NLP, with notable projects including the Chinese Treebank and Abstract Meaning Representation parsers. The Brandeis Visual Analytics Laboratory, led by Professor Dylan Cashman, develops interpretable interfaces to neural architecture searches and AI metalearning. The historically significant DEMO lab, led by retiring Professor Jordan Pollack, has made groundbreaking contributions to AI and robotics, including the GOLEM project published in Nature in 2000. The Volen National Center for Complex Systems, established for studying brain and intelligence, brings together faculty specializing in artificial intelligence, cognitive science, and neuroscience, representing an interdisciplinary approach to AI research. Additionally, Brandeis offers an MSBA program with an Artificial Intelligence concentration through its business school, providing practical AI applications in business contexts. The university's location near Boston provides access to a major technology and innovation hub.
Programs Offered
- Doctor of Philosophy in Artificial Intelligence — 4-6 years, on-campus
- Doctor of Science in Artificial Intelligence — 4-6 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Core Machine Learning Lab
- Multilingual Language Processing Lab
- Brandeis Visual Analytics Laboratory
- Dynamical & Evolutionary Machine Organization Lab
- Smart and Scalable Data Systems Lab
- Brandeis Autonomous Robotics Teaching Laboratory
- Computational Systems Biology Group
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $NaN. Top Employers: The Knot Worldwide, IMF, Takeda, Washington University in St. Louis.
Notable Faculty
- Hongfu Liu — Machine learning and artificial intelligence-assisted applications
- Nianwen Xue — Natural language processing and computational linguistics
- Dylan Cashman — Visual analytics and interpretable AI interfaces
- Jordan Pollack — Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and artificial life
- Subhadeep Sarkar — Data systems and privacy-aware computing
- Pito Salas — Robotics and autonomous systems
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 3.3 average.
Requirements:
Location Advantages: Proximity to Boston technology and innovation hubAccess to multicultural finance and tech center
University of Massachusetts-Lowell — Lowell, MA
Key Distinction: University of Massachusetts-Lowell offers comprehensive Artificial Intelligence programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: As a public institution, UMass Lowell positions itself as an accessible alternative to elite doctoral programs in the region, likely offering lower tuition without sacrificing proximity to Boston's innovation ecosystem.
University of Massachusetts-Lowell offers Artificial Intelligence programs in Lowell, MA. As a public institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute — Worcester, MA
Key Distinction: Worcester Polytechnic Institute offers comprehensive Artificial Intelligence programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: Worcester Polytechnic's project-based engineering culture extends to its doctoral AI work, meaning students likely gain hands-on experience deploying systems rather than purely theoretical research—a meaningful distinction for those targeting industry over academia.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute offers Artificial Intelligence programs in Worcester, MA. As a private institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
University of Massachusetts-Boston — Boston, MA
Key Distinction: Strong emphasis on applied machine learning with deep integration into Boston's biotech and fintech ecosystems, unusual for a public regional university.
Hakia Insight: UMass Boston's positioning within the biotech corridor and proximity to fintech centers like Boston Financial Data Services creates an unusual pipeline: most public universities' AI doctorates feed into tech, but this program's applied machine learning focus channels graduates directly into healthcare and financial services where domain expertise commands premium salaries.
At the doctoral level, UMass Boston's artificial intelligence program emphasizes applied machine learning within a strong computer science foundation, with particular strength in data science applications and real-world problem-solving. The program benefits from the university's location in a major research and technology hub, creating direct pathways to internships and research opportunities with Boston-area firms in healthcare IT, financial services, and biotech. Faculty research spans machine learning optimization, natural language processing, and computer vision, with opportunities for students to contribute to active projects. The curriculum balances theoretical rigor—covering algorithms, statistical learning theory, and mathematical foundations—with hands-on experience in Python, TensorFlow, and PyTorch. Graduate outcomes reflect strong placement in industry roles; alumni move into machine learning engineer, data scientist, and AI research positions at companies like Google, Amazon, and smaller innovation-focused firms throughout New England. The program scales well for working professionals, with flexible scheduling options that accommodate Boston's vibrant part-time student population seeking career transitions into AI.
Programs Offered
- Doctor of Philosophy in Artificial Intelligence — 4-6 years, on-campus
- Doctor of Science in Artificial Intelligence — 4-6 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Data Science and Analytics Lab
Industry Partners
- Google (corporate)
- Amazon (corporate)
- Boston-based biotech firms (corporate)
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Google, Amazon, Boston Financial Data Services.
Location Advantages: Proximity to Boston biotech corridorAccess to major fintech and healthcare IT employersMIT and Harvard AI research ecosystem nearby
