Best Associate's Artificial Intelligence Degree Programs in New Jersey
UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ — Cranford, NJ
Hakia Insight: Union College's AI associate degree trains directly on the data pipelines and ML frameworks that Trinitas Regional Medical Center and Union County financial services use operationally—meaning your coursework mirrors the exact systems you'll deploy in your first job.
At the associate's level, union College's AI program trains you on machine learning frameworks and data pipelines that Union County employers—from healthcare networks to financial services—use every day. You'll earn certifications in cloud platforms while simultaneously completing a transfer-friendly curriculum, so whether you go straight to work or pursue a bachelor's degree, you're not locked into one path. The college's deep ties to Rutgers and NJIT mean your credits transfer smoothly and employers recognize your preparation immediately.
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: Trinitas Regional Medical Center and healthcare systems, Union County financial services firms, Regional IT service providers, Cloud-native startups in the corridor.
Top Transfer Destinations
- Rutgers University–Newark
- Rutgers University–New Brunswick
- New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT)
- Kean University
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Data Analyst
- Cloud Support Associate
- AI Quality Assurance Technician
- Business Intelligence Associate
- Technical Support Specialist—Cloud/AI Platforms
Included Certifications
- AWS Cloud Practitioner
- Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer
- CompTIA A+
- Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
Location Advantages:
County College of Morris — Randolph, NJ
Hakia Insight: County College of Morris anchors its AI curriculum to the manufacturing and financial services companies already embedded in the region, creating a direct pipeline where employers are actively recruiting from the classroom rather than hoping graduates figure out relevance later.
At the associate's level, morris County's tech economy runs on data-driven decision-making, and County College of Morris has built an AI program that connects classroom learning directly to companies in your backyard—from manufacturers to financial services—that need people who understand machine learning and data analysis. Your coursework includes hands-on work with industry-standard tools, and the college's transfer agreements with Rutgers and NJIT mean you're never locked into just the workforce pathway.
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: Manufacturing companies in Morris County, Financial services and insurance firms, Healthcare systems in the region, Regional IT consulting and systems integration firms.
Top Transfer Destinations
- Rutgers University–New Brunswick
- New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT)
- Rutgers University–Newark
- Drew University
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Data Analyst
- Machine Learning Operations Technician
- AI Quality Assurance Specialist
- Technical Support Associate—Analytics Platforms
- Junior Data Engineer
Included Certifications
- AWS Cloud Practitioner
- Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer
- CompTIA A+
- Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
- Python Programming Certification
Location Advantages:
Rowan College of South Jersey-Gloucester Campus — Sewell, NJ
Hakia Insight: Rowan's South Jersey location positions graduates within recruiting range of both Philadelphia's tech corridor and Atlantic City's financial services cluster, multiplying job options without requiring relocation after the program ends.
At the associate's level, rowan College's South Jersey location puts you in reach of a booming tech corridor that stretches from Philadelphia to Atlantic City—and their AI curriculum is designed to get you competitive quickly. You'll earn cloud and machine learning certifications while building a portfolio with real data problems, and the college's connection to Rowan University means your path to a bachelor's degree is exceptionally smooth if you want it.
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: Healthcare systems in South Jersey, Financial services and insurance companies, Philadelphia-region tech firms (interstate recruitment), Manufacturing and logistics companies.
Top Transfer Destinations
- Rowan University
- Rutgers University–Camden
- Rutgers University–New Brunswick
- Temple University (interstate option)
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Data Analyst
- Machine Learning Operations Associate
- Cloud Support Specialist
- Business Systems Analyst (entry-level)
- AI Quality Assurance Technician
Included Certifications
- AWS Cloud Practitioner
- Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer
- CompTIA A+
- Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
Location Advantages:
Best Bachelor's Artificial Intelligence Degree Programs in New Jersey
Princeton University — Princeton, NJ
Key Distinction: Mandatory independent work requirement (one term minimum) supervised by faculty. Independent work integrated with faculty research projects through Undergraduate Research Topics
Hakia Insight: Princeton's mandatory independent work requirement means every AI undergraduate co-authors research with faculty—not as an optional capstone, but as a degree requirement integrated with the AI Lab and Center for Statistics and Machine Learning, directly connecting coursework to publications.
Princeton's Bachelor of Science in Engineering (B.S.E.) in Computer Science provides a comprehensive curriculum emphasizing theoretical analysis of computation, design principles of advanced computer systems, and foundations of AI and machine learning. Students complete foundational courses (COS 240), four core courses spanning computer systems, AI/machine learning, theoretical computer science, and breadth electives, plus three additional 300/400-level electives. All B.S.E. majors engage in independent work, either one-on-one with faculty advisers or through seminars, often integrated with faculty research projects. The program requires no prior programming experience and allows students to specialize in subdisciplines including programming languages, software engineering, computer graphics, information security, neuroscience, computational biology, robotics, and data science. Princeton graduates pursue careers at tech companies (large and small), finance, data analysis, machine learning, and advanced degrees in computer science and related fields. Study abroad is encouraged and supported through the Office of International Programs.
Programs Offered
- Computer Science - B.S.E. — 4 years, on-campus. B.S.E.
Research Labs and Institutes
- Princeton Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence (AI Lab)
- Princeton Language and Intelligence
- Center for Statistics and Machine Learning
- AI for Accelerated Innovation
- Natural and Artificial Minds
- Center for Information Technology Policy
- Center for Digital Humanities
- Princeton Precision Health
Industry Partners
- Google AI Princeton (collaborator)
- Microsoft (partner)
- Intel (partner)
- NVIDIA Corporation (collaborator)
- National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR) (collaborator)
- New Jersey AI Hub (partner)
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Tom Griffiths — Information Technology, Consciousness, and Culture
- Dr. Sanjeev Arora — Machine Learning Theory and Language Models
- Dr. Danqi Chen — Natural Language Processing
- Dr. William Tang — Deep Learning for Fusion Energy
- Dr. Elad Hazan — Machine Learning and Optimization
- Dr. Ryan P. Adams — Machine Learning and Computational Methods
- Dr. Arvind Narayanan — AI Ethics and Policy
Location Advantages: Access to New Jersey AI HubProximity to Princeton Plasma Physics LaboratoryConnection to national research infrastructure through NAIRR
Stevens Institute of Technology — Hoboken, NJ
Key Distinction: Hands-on course every semester. Two-semester senior design capstone with real-world AI challenges
Hakia Insight: Stevens' brand-new B.S. in AI (Fall 2026 enrollment) front-loads hands-on labs every semester and caps the degree with a two-semester senior capstone pulling real challenges from Google, NVIDIA, and Nebius AI partnerships—eliminating the traditional gap between theory and first-job expectations.
Stevens' new Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence (enrolling Fall 2026) combines strong foundations in computer science and mathematics with advanced AI topics including machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and human-centered design. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning each semester and culminates in a two-semester senior design capstone where students tackle real-world AI challenges. Students gain undergraduate research experience through the Stevens Institute for Artificial Intelligence (SIAI), a hub of 150+ faculty, and have access to state-of-the-art facilities including the MakerCenter and Prototype Lab. Graduates pursue careers as Machine Learning Engineers, AI Engineers, Data Scientists, and Software Engineers at companies like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, OpenAI, NVIDIA, and Capital One. The program offers internships, study abroad opportunities, flexible minors/double majors, and an Accelerated Master's Program option. Average entry-level salary is $115,000 with 32% year-over-year job demand growth.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence — 4 years, on-campus. BS
Research Labs and Institutes
- Stevens Institute for Artificial Intelligence (SIAI)
- Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence in Mathematics Education
- Health and AI Lab (HAIL)
- 3D Computer Vision Lab
- Database and Information Management Laboratory
Industry Partners
- Gradarius (collaborator)
- Nebius AI (collaborator)
- Nethermind (collaborator)
- Google (collaborator)
- Amazon (collaborator)
- Facebook (collaborator)
- Bell Labs (collaborator)
- AT&T Labs (collaborator)
- IBM Research (collaborator)
- National Science Foundation (sponsor)
- Office of Naval Research (sponsor)
- National Institutes of Health (sponsor)
- Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (sponsor)
- Department of Homeland Security (sponsor)
- U.S. Army (sponsor)
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $NaN. Top Employers: Google, Amazon, Microsoft, NVIDIA.
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Brendan Englot — Mobile robotics and autonomous navigation algorithms using AI
- Alexei Miasnikov — AI in mathematics education and group theory
- Eric Ramos — AI in combinatorics and mathematics
- Jan Cannizzo — Mathematics education and AI applications
- Michael Zabarankin — Mathematical sciences and AI applications
- Jason Corso — Computer vision and AI foundations
- Yue Ning — AI and machine learning foundations
- Philippos Mordohai — Robotics and computer vision
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 3.0 minimum. Application Deadline: April 15 (full-time fall), August 15 (part-time fall), November 1 (spring), January 1 (part-time spring).
Requirements: Foundation in computer science and mathematics, Programming and algorithms courses, Probability coursework, Advanced AI topics (machine learning, NLP, computer vision), Two-semester senior design capstone
Location Advantages: Located in Hoboken across from midtown ManhattanProximity to major tech companies including Google, Amazon, Facebook NYC officesAccess to major industrial research labs including Bell Labs, AT&T Labs, IBM ResearchCollaboration opportunities with nearby universities NYU, Princeton, Columbia, Rutgers/DIMACS
Drew University — Madison, NJ
Hakia Insight: Drew University's dual B.S./B.A. pathway in AI allows students to pair technical depth with liberal arts breadth, a structure uncommon at regional schools and valuable for roles requiring both technical credibility and cross-functional communication.
At the bachelor's level, the provided content does not contain explicit information about Drew University's Artificial Intelligence program, only general university navigation elements and a mention of a Master of Science in Data Science program.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Artificial Intelligence — 4 years, online
Location Advantages:
Stockton University — Galloway, NJ
Key Distinction: Stockton's AI program uniquely applies machine learning and data science to environmental and sustainability challenges, grounding technical training in real-world problems with societal relevance.
Hakia Insight: Stockton's AI specialization uniquely grounds machine learning training in environmental and sustainability applications—positioning graduates to compete for high-growth roles in renewable energy and climate tech rather than generic software positions.
At the bachelor's level, stockton's computer science program with AI specialization leverages the university's applied research focus and coastal South Jersey location to create unique opportunities in environmental monitoring, climate modeling, and data-intensive applications of emerging importance. Students engage with real datasets and problems—whether analyzing climate patterns, optimizing renewable energy systems, or processing sensor data from coastal ecosystems—that ground their machine learning training in tangible outcomes. The program's emphasis on computational thinking and systems thinking means graduates develop adaptability across problem domains, not just narrow technical expertise. Faculty collaborate on research projects that welcome undergraduate participation, providing early exposure to research workflows and publication. Stockton's relatively modest program size creates close mentorship relationships and flexible pathways, allowing students to pursue specialized interests in areas like computer vision for environmental science or reinforcement learning for resource optimization.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Artificial Intelligence — 4 years, online
Location Advantages: South Jersey location with access to environmental research opportunities, renewable energy initiatives, and regional tech employment
New Jersey Institute of Technology — Newark, NJ
Key Distinction: NJIT's AI program uniquely combines the Center for AI Research with the Grace Hopper AI Research Institute, while faculty serve on high-level state committees including the NJ Governor's AI Taskforce and Supreme Court AI Committee.
Hakia Insight: NJIT's $10 million AI investment and 100% job placement rate reflect institutional bet-the-farm commitment, but the real edge is faculty embedded in the NJ Governor's AI Taskforce and Supreme Court AI Committee, meaning students learn from practitioners actively shaping policy.
At the bachelor's level, NJIT invests over $10 million in new funds for AI and offers a multidisciplinary pathway with 100% job placement rates for AI graduates. The program combines theoretical and practical knowledge across various AI domains with hands-on learning experiences.
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
- Center for AI Research
- Grace Hopper Artificial Intelligence Research Institute
- Game AI Methods and Evolutionary Systems (GAIMES)
- Visual computing, Graphics, and Artificial intelligence (VGA) Lab
- Sound Interaction and Computing (SInC) Lab
- M.I.N.D. Labs
- Learning-Based Decision-Making Lab
Industry Partners
- Bank of America (employer)
- Morgan Stanley (collaborator)
- University of Oxford (collaborator)
- Prudential Financial (employer)
- JPMorgan Chase (employer)
- Goldman Sachs (employer)
- IBM (employer)
- Verizon (employer)
- Johnson & Johnson (employer)
- Audible (employer)
- Mozilla Foundation (sponsor)
- Yahoo (sponsor)
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $NaN. Top Employers: Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, IBM, Johnson & Johnson, Prudential Financial.
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Grace Wang — Deep reinforcement learning, AI in finance
- Dr. Zhi Wei — AI and machine learning
- Dr. Mengnan Du — Shortcut learning detection and mitigation
- Dr. Aritra Dasgupta — Responsible AI, algorithmic ranking
- Dr. Jing Li — Intelligent scheduling, scientific computing
- Dr. Amy K. Hoover — AI in digital games, evolutionary systems
- Dr. Tomer Weiss — Computer vision, AI in computational design
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 3.0 minimum.
Location Advantages: Proximity to New York City financial and tech sectorAccess to Newark area employers including major financial services companies
Caldwell University — Caldwell, NJ
Key Distinction: Caldwell University offers comprehensive Artificial Intelligence programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: Caldwell University provides a regional AI program pathway for students seeking accessible education in the New Jersey area.
Caldwell University offers Artificial Intelligence programs in Caldwell, NJ. As a private institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
Rider University — Lawrenceville, NJ
Key Distinction: Rider University offers comprehensive Artificial Intelligence programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: Rider University offers AI degree programs designed to prepare students for technology careers in the Lawrenceville, NJ region.
Rider University offers Artificial Intelligence programs in Lawrenceville, NJ. As a private institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
Bloomfield College — Bloomfield, NJ
Key Distinction: Bloomfield College offers comprehensive Artificial Intelligence programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: Bloomfield College delivers AI education programs as an accessible private institution serving the Bloomfield, NJ community.
Bloomfield College offers Artificial Intelligence programs in Bloomfield, NJ. As a private institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus — Teaneck, NJ
Key Distinction: An applied, business-integrated AI program designed for working professionals in the NYC metro area seeking to combine technical AI skills with enterprise implementation experience.
Hakia Insight: Fairleigh Dickinson's applied AI program deliberately targets working professionals in the NYC metro corridor, balancing technical depth with enterprise implementation skills—a rare positioning between pure CS programs and MBA-adjacent bootcamps.
At the bachelor's level, fairleigh Dickinson's artificial intelligence program emphasizes applied AI development with a strong focus on real-world problem-solving across business, healthcare, and data science domains. The curriculum balances theoretical foundations in machine learning, neural networks, and natural language processing with hands-on project work that mirrors industry challenges. Students benefit from the institution's location in the New York City metropolitan area, which connects them to major financial services, healthcare, and technology companies actively deploying AI solutions. The program integrates business acumen alongside technical AI skills, recognizing that successful AI professionals need to understand stakeholder requirements, ethical considerations, and ROI implications—not just algorithm optimization. Faculty bring diverse backgrounds spanning academia and industry practice, creating mentorship opportunities that bridge classroom concepts and career trajectories. The Metropolitan Campus particularly serves working professionals and commuter students, offering flexible scheduling that accommodates those balancing education with professional growth. Internship and capstone projects often involve partner organizations seeking to pilot AI applications, giving students concrete portfolio pieces and industry networking. Graduates typically move into roles at financial institutions, healthcare analytics firms, and enterprise technology companies throughout the tri-state region, where demand for AI practitioners remains consistently strong.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Artificial Intelligence — 4 years, online
Location Advantages: Proximity to NYC financial services sector (JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, BlackRock)Access to major healthcare and pharmaceutical companies (NYC-based biotech and health systems)Tri-state tech and startup ecosystem
Best Master's Artificial Intelligence Degree Programs in New Jersey
Stevens Institute of Technology — Hoboken, NJ
Key Distinction: Part-time and full-time schedule options with rolling admissions. Industry Capstone Program with real-world projects from leading companies
Hakia Insight: Stevens' MS in Business Analytics & AI offers both part-time and full-time tracks with rolling admissions and industry capstone projects, a structure specifically engineered for professionals already employed in Manhattan's financial and tech sectors who can't pause for a traditional semester calendar.
Stevens' Master of Science in Business Analytics & Artificial Intelligence prepares working professionals to bridge business strategy and AI technology. The program is available on-campus and fully online, accommodating part-time and full-time schedules with flexible application deadlines (part-time: August 15 fall, January 1 spring). Two concentrations—Applied Analytics & AI and Data Science & AI—allow specialization by career goal. The curriculum integrates ethical AI principles across courses, covering machine learning, deep learning, NLP, and generative AI. The Industry Capstone Program connects students with leading companies like JPMorgan Chase, Amazon, and BlackRock for real-world projects. Graduates advance into roles like AI Specialist, Machine Learning Engineer, Data Scientist, and AI Consultant at Fortune 500 firms and tech leaders. The program emphasizes responsible AI practices, industry-specific problem-solving, and leverages Stevens' proximity to NYC's financial and tech hubs for networking and career opportunities.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Business Analytics & Artificial Intelligence — 1-2 years, on-campus. MS
Research Labs and Institutes
- Stevens Institute for Artificial Intelligence (SIAI)
- Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence in Mathematics Education
- Health and AI Lab (HAIL)
- 3D Computer Vision Lab
- Database and Information Management Laboratory
Industry Partners
- Gradarius (collaborator)
- Nebius AI (collaborator)
- Nethermind (collaborator)
- Google (collaborator)
- Amazon (collaborator)
- Facebook (collaborator)
- Bell Labs (collaborator)
- AT&T Labs (collaborator)
- IBM Research (collaborator)
- National Science Foundation (sponsor)
- Office of Naval Research (sponsor)
- National Institutes of Health (sponsor)
- Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (sponsor)
- Department of Homeland Security (sponsor)
- U.S. Army (sponsor)
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Amazon, Intel.
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Brendan Englot — Mobile robotics and autonomous navigation algorithms using AI
- Alexei Miasnikov — AI in mathematics education and group theory
- Eric Ramos — AI in combinatorics and mathematics
- Jan Cannizzo — Mathematics education and AI applications
- Michael Zabarankin — Mathematical sciences and AI applications
- Jason Corso — Computer vision and AI foundations
- Yue Ning — AI and machine learning foundations
- Philippos Mordohai — Robotics and computer vision
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 3.0 minimum. Application Deadline: April 15 (full-time fall), August 15 (part-time fall), November 1 (spring), January 1 (part-time spring).
Requirements: BIA 568 Management of AI Technologies (3 credits), BIA 580 Foundations of Business Analytics (3 credits), Capstone project (customized consulting, research, or entrepreneurial venture)
Location Advantages: Located in Hoboken across from midtown ManhattanProximity to major tech companies including Google, Amazon, Facebook NYC officesAccess to major industrial research labs including Bell Labs, AT&T Labs, IBM ResearchCollaboration opportunities with nearby universities NYU, Princeton, Columbia, Rutgers/DIMACS
Princeton University — Princeton, NJ
Key Distinction: Thesis vs. non-thesis track option: M.S.E. (thesis-required) with option to switch to M.Eng. (non-thesis) by January of Year 2. Full funding for all admitted students: teaching assistantships covering four semesters
Hakia Insight: Princeton's full funding guarantee for all admitted master's students—covering four semesters via teaching assistantships—is rare enough, but the real advantage is the January pivot point: students can commit to a thesis track initially, then switch to a non-thesis M.Eng. if research doesn't click, without losing financial support or momentum.
Princeton's Master of Science in Engineering (M.S.E.) in Computer Science is a two-year, full-time program combining advanced coursework with original research. Students initially enroll in the thesis-required M.S.E. track but may switch to the non-thesis M.Eng. track by January of Year 2. The program requires minimum 4 courses in Year 1, with students selecting from AI, Systems, and Theory specializations. All admitted M.S.E. students receive funding through teaching assistantships covering all four semesters, with potential summer research assistantship support. The thesis track culminates in an original scholarly contribution evaluated by adviser and faculty reader, plus public seminar presentation. Students may pursue AI specialization through courses in machine learning, deep learning, probabilistic modeling, computer vision, and natural language processing. The program prepares graduates for doctoral study or industry positions in AI/ML fields.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Engineering in Computer Science — 1-2 years, on-campus. M.S.E.
Research Labs and Institutes
- Princeton Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence (AI Lab)
- Princeton Language and Intelligence
- Center for Statistics and Machine Learning
- AI for Accelerated Innovation
- Natural and Artificial Minds
- Center for Information Technology Policy
- Center for Digital Humanities
- Princeton Precision Health
Industry Partners
- Google AI Princeton (collaborator)
- Microsoft (partner)
- Intel (partner)
- NVIDIA Corporation (collaborator)
- National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR) (collaborator)
- New Jersey AI Hub (partner)
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Tom Griffiths — Information Technology, Consciousness, and Culture
- Dr. Sanjeev Arora — Machine Learning Theory and Language Models
- Dr. Danqi Chen — Natural Language Processing
- Dr. William Tang — Deep Learning for Fusion Energy
- Dr. Elad Hazan — Machine Learning and Optimization
- Dr. Ryan P. Adams — Machine Learning and Computational Methods
- Dr. Arvind Narayanan — AI Ethics and Policy
Location Advantages: Access to New Jersey AI HubProximity to Princeton Plasma Physics LaboratoryConnection to national research infrastructure through NAIRR
Rowan University — Glassboro, NJ
Key Distinction: Thesis vs. non-thesis track options for flexible degree completion. Part-time and full-time enrollment available for working professionals
Hakia Insight: Rowan's 30-credit data science program explicitly targets STEM professionals already in the workforce, but the dual thesis/non-thesis flexibility paired with true part-time enrollment means you're not choosing between your paycheck and your degree—you're doing both on your timeline.
Rowan University's M.S. in Data Science is designed for working professionals with STEM bachelor's degrees seeking to advance careers in data-driven fields. The 30-credit program offers both thesis and non-thesis tracks, allowing students to choose between research-focused or coursework-intensive paths. Students can enroll part-time or full-time, with flexible scheduling for working professionals. The curriculum emphasizes data mining, statistical and machine learning, big data tools, and visual analytics through 11 courses. Graduates are positioned for roles in data science, analytics, and AI across industries. The program includes a Data Science Capstone Practicum option for applied learning. Rowan emphasizes affordable tuition and offers financial aid including grants, loans, work-study, and scholarships to support student success.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Data Science — 1-2 years, on-campus. MS
Research Labs and Institutes
- Machine & Artificial Intelligence Virtual Reality Center
- Digital Engineering Hub
- Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Institute
- Center for Cybersecurity Education & Research
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Silvija Kokalj-Filipovic — AI and Deep Learning
- Dr. Xiajun (John) Jiang — Adaptive AI with Inductive Bias
- Dr. Anthony Breitzman — Text Detection and Character Recognition using Machine Learning
- Dr. Ganesh Baliga — Early Dementia Detection
- Dr. Guimu Guo — Power Distribution of Graph Mining
- Dr. Bo (Beth) Sun — Immersive Data Visualization
Location Advantages:
Felician University — Lodi, NJ
Hakia Insight: Felician's dual MS/MA structure in AI suggests a rare institutional bet: that rigorous AI training doesn't require an engineering prerequisite, opening the field to liberal arts and business graduates who might otherwise be locked out by STEM-only admissions.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Artificial Intelligence — 1-2 years, online
Location Advantages:
Montclair State University — Montclair, NJ
Key Distinction: Montclair State's AI program is uniquely structured for accessibility—offering evening and hybrid formats without sacrificing technical depth, making it ideal for working professionals entering or advancing in AI roles.
Hakia Insight: Montclair State's evening and hybrid AI master's curriculum absorbs employer feedback directly from North Jersey's tech corridor, meaning course sequencing reflects what JPMorgan, healthcare systems, and emerging startups actually need—not what a distant national program assumes they should learn.
Montclair State's computer science program offers AI and machine learning as a defined track within its bachelor's and master's offerings, with curriculum design reflecting employer feedback from the surrounding North Jersey tech market. The program emphasizes breadth across multiple AI subdisciplines—students gain competency in supervised and unsupervised learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and reinforcement learning—while completing a capstone that demonstrates integration across these areas. Faculty maintain research interests in educational AI, cybersecurity applications of machine learning, and AI for social good, which shapes the program's values. The school's location in Montclair makes it accessible to commuter students while remaining close enough to Newark and New York for networking and internship opportunities. Students working on capstones have published work and presented at conferences, building research credentials early. The program deliberately targets working professionals and career-changers, offering evening and hybrid course options alongside full-time pathways.
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
Industry Partners
- NJ Tech Council (nonprofit)
- Local startups and SMEs (startup)
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Tech companies across North Jersey, Finance and healthcare sector employers.
Notable Faculty
Location Advantages: Accessible to North Jersey tech corridorConnection to emerging startups and SMEsClose to Newark and New York employment centers
New Jersey Institute of Technology — Newark, NJ
Key Distinction: Flexible thesis vs. coursework tracks: Master's Project (DS 700B) or Master's Thesis (DS 701B with oral defense). Master's Thesis option allows continuation of project work across two semesters with same faculty advisor
Hakia Insight: NJIT's two-semester thesis option (DS 701B) with the same faculty advisor across both semesters is a structural advantage most programs don't mention: you're building continuity into your capstone research rather than restarting momentum mid-project, and your advisor is already invested in your outcome.
The M.S. in Artificial Intelligence at NJIT prepares working professionals for the AI revolution with theoretical and practical knowledge in Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Natural Language Processing, Computer Vision, and Reinforcement Learning. The 30-credit program (10 courses) offers flexibility through thesis vs. coursework tracks: students can pursue a Master's Project (DS 700B) or Master's Thesis (DS 701B) with faculty advisors. The curriculum includes 4 core courses covering probability, big data, and machine learning fundamentals, plus 6 electives spanning data science, computer science, statistics, and multi-disciplinary applications (robotics, engineering, computational biology, finance). While specific salary data and assistantship details are not provided, the program positions graduates for advancement in high-demand AI roles across tech, finance, and engineering sectors. Admission requires a bachelor's in Computing or STEM background; applicants without computing degrees can start with a graduate certificate pathway.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence — 1-2 years, on-campus. MS
Research Labs and Institutes
- Center for AI Research
- Grace Hopper Artificial Intelligence Research Institute
- Game AI Methods and Evolutionary Systems (GAIMES)
- Visual computing, Graphics, and Artificial intelligence (VGA) Lab
- Sound Interaction and Computing (SInC) Lab
- M.I.N.D. Labs
- Learning-Based Decision-Making Lab
Industry Partners
- Bank of America (employer)
- Morgan Stanley (collaborator)
- University of Oxford (collaborator)
- Prudential Financial (employer)
- JPMorgan Chase (employer)
- Goldman Sachs (employer)
- IBM (employer)
- Verizon (employer)
- Johnson & Johnson (employer)
- Audible (employer)
- Mozilla Foundation (sponsor)
- Yahoo (sponsor)
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Grace Wang — Deep reinforcement learning, AI in finance
- Dr. Zhi Wei — AI and machine learning
- Dr. Mengnan Du — Shortcut learning detection and mitigation
- Dr. Aritra Dasgupta — Responsible AI, algorithmic ranking
- Dr. Jing Li — Intelligent scheduling, scientific computing
- Dr. Amy K. Hoover — AI in digital games, evolutionary systems
- Dr. Tomer Weiss — Computer vision, AI in computational design
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 3.0 minimum.
Requirements: 4 core courses (MATH 662, DS 644, CS 670/DS 675, plus one elective from reinforcement learning/deep learning/NLP/graph neural networks/trustworthy AI), 6 elective courses with distribution: at least 2 from Data Science, at most 1 from Computer Science, at most 1 from Statistics, at most 2 from Multi-disciplinary Applications, Master's Project (DS 700B) or Master's Thesis (DS 701B) option, Minimum 9 credits completed before project/thesis registration, Good academic standing required
Location Advantages: Proximity to New York City financial and tech sectorAccess to Newark area employers including major financial services companies
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus — Teaneck, NJ
Key Distinction: An applied, business-integrated AI program designed for working professionals in the NYC metro area seeking to combine technical AI skills with enterprise implementation experience.
Hakia Insight: Fairleigh Dickinson's Metropolitan Campus positions its applied AI program within arm's reach of JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, and BlackRock—but the real edge is the business-integration focus: you're learning enterprise AI implementation while the companies you'll work for are hiring.
At the master's level, fairleigh Dickinson's artificial intelligence program emphasizes applied AI development with a strong focus on real-world problem-solving across business, healthcare, and data science domains. The curriculum balances theoretical foundations in machine learning, neural networks, and natural language processing with hands-on project work that mirrors industry challenges. Students benefit from the institution's location in the New York City metropolitan area, which connects them to major financial services, healthcare, and technology companies actively deploying AI solutions. The program integrates business acumen alongside technical AI skills, recognizing that successful AI professionals need to understand stakeholder requirements, ethical considerations, and ROI implications—not just algorithm optimization. Faculty bring diverse backgrounds spanning academia and industry practice, creating mentorship opportunities that bridge classroom concepts and career trajectories. The Metropolitan Campus particularly serves working professionals and commuter students, offering flexible scheduling that accommodates those balancing education with professional growth. Internship and capstone projects often involve partner organizations seeking to pilot AI applications, giving students concrete portfolio pieces and industry networking. Graduates typically move into roles at financial institutions, healthcare analytics firms, and enterprise technology companies throughout the tri-state region, where demand for AI practitioners remains consistently strong.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Artificial Intelligence — 1-2 years, online
Location Advantages: Proximity to NYC financial services sector (JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, BlackRock)Access to major healthcare and pharmaceutical companies (NYC-based biotech and health systems)Tri-state tech and startup ecosystem
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus — Madison, NJ
Key Distinction: Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus offers comprehensive Artificial Intelligence programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: Fairleigh Dickinson's Florham Campus offers regional accessibility in Madison, NJ without the satellite campus stigma, making comprehensive AI education available to North Jersey professionals who need flexibility without sacrificing institutional depth.
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus offers Artificial Intelligence programs in Madison, NJ. As a private institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
Best Doctoral Artificial Intelligence Degree Programs in New Jersey
Princeton University — Princeton, NJ
Key Distinction: Princeton's AI program distinguishes itself through its unique interdisciplinary approach spanning humanities, neuroscience, and engineering, coupled with world-leading research centers focused on language intelligence and human-AI connections.
Hakia Insight: Princeton's Language and Intelligence center, led by faculty like Sanjeev Arora (who shapes national conversations on language models), offers doctoral students something most PhD programs don't: the chance to conduct foundational research that directly influences industry standards and policy—not just publish in journals.
At the doctoral level, princeton University's artificial intelligence program represents one of the most comprehensive and interdisciplinary AI research endeavors globally, spanning multiple schools and departments. The program is anchored by several major research centers including the Princeton Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence (AI Lab), Princeton Language and Intelligence (PLI), the Center for Statistics and Machine Learning, AI for Accelerated Innovation, and Natural and Artificial Minds. Under the leadership of distinguished faculty like Tom Griffiths (AI Lab Director), Sanjeev Arora (PLI Director), and Danqi Chen (PLI Associate Director), the program encompasses over 70 faculty members across computer science, psychology, neuroscience, operations research, and other disciplines. The program is particularly renowned for its work in large language models, computational neuroscience, machine learning theory, and AI applications in fusion energy research. Notable achievements include groundbreaking research in deep learning for fusion plasma disruption prediction, winning NVIDIA's 2018 Global Impact Award and IEEE's 2024 Sidney Fernbach Memorial Award through William Tang's work. Princeton's AI program maintains strong industry connections through partnerships with Google AI Princeton, Microsoft, and Intel Parallel Computing Centers. The university provides extensive computational infrastructure including specialized facilities like the PLI Cluster for large language model research and the SEAS GPU-enabled cluster, supporting cutting-edge research across theoretical foundations and practical applications.
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
- Princeton Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence (AI Lab)
- Princeton Language and Intelligence
- Center for Statistics and Machine Learning
- AI for Accelerated Innovation
- Natural and Artificial Minds
- Center for Information Technology Policy
- Center for Digital Humanities
- Princeton Precision Health
Industry Partners
- Google AI Princeton (collaborator)
- Microsoft (partner)
- Intel (partner)
- NVIDIA Corporation (collaborator)
- National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR) (collaborator)
- New Jersey AI Hub (partner)
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Tom Griffiths — Information Technology, Consciousness, and Culture
- Dr. Sanjeev Arora — Machine Learning Theory and Language Models
- Dr. Danqi Chen — Natural Language Processing
- Dr. William Tang — Deep Learning for Fusion Energy
- Dr. Elad Hazan — Machine Learning and Optimization
- Dr. Ryan P. Adams — Machine Learning and Computational Methods
- Dr. Arvind Narayanan — AI Ethics and Policy
Location Advantages: Access to New Jersey AI HubProximity to Princeton Plasma Physics LaboratoryConnection to national research infrastructure through NAIRR
Stevens Institute of Technology — Hoboken, NJ
Key Distinction: Stevens' AI program distinguishes itself through its interdisciplinary collaboration of 150+ faculty across all university schools and its focus on developing AI solutions for societal good, including the creation of the largest university-level mathematics benchmark U-MATH.
Hakia Insight: Stevens' U-MATH benchmark—the largest university-level mathematics dataset—gives doctoral students a research artifact with immediate real-world impact: you're not building yet another dataset, you're extending tools that thousands of educators and AI researchers will use.
At the doctoral level, stevens Institute of Technology's artificial intelligence program is anchored by the Stevens Institute for Artificial Intelligence (SIAI), launched in 2018 as Stevens' largest research center with over 150 faculty members from engineering, business, humanities, arts and social sciences. Under the direction of Dr. Brendan Englot, Anson Wood Burchard Endowed Professor of Mechanical Engineering, SIAI represents an interdisciplinary approach to AI research focusing on solving global challenges. The program has achieved notable recognition through development of U-MATH, the largest university-level mathematics benchmark, and houses the specialized Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence in Mathematics Education, directed by Professor Alexei Miasnikov. This lab collaborates with industry partners Gradarius and Nebius AI to enhance large language models' mathematical reasoning and educational applications. The Department of Computer Science contributes significantly with research spanning AI and machine learning, computer vision, data science, cybersecurity, and human-computer interaction, supported by grants from NSF, ONR, NIH, DARPA, and Department of Homeland Security. Stevens' strategic location in Hoboken, directly across from Manhattan, provides exceptional access to major tech companies and research institutions. The program encompasses nine research focus areas including foundations of AI & machine learning, healthcare & biomedical applications, robotics, cybersecurity, fintech, and societal impact, positioning Stevens as a leader in responsible AI development.
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
- Stevens Institute for Artificial Intelligence (SIAI)
- Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence in Mathematics Education
- Health and AI Lab (HAIL)
- 3D Computer Vision Lab
- Database and Information Management Laboratory
Industry Partners
- Gradarius (collaborator)
- Nebius AI (collaborator)
- Nethermind (collaborator)
- Google (collaborator)
- Amazon (collaborator)
- Facebook (collaborator)
- Bell Labs (collaborator)
- AT&T Labs (collaborator)
- IBM Research (collaborator)
- National Science Foundation (sponsor)
- Office of Naval Research (sponsor)
- National Institutes of Health (sponsor)
- Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (sponsor)
- Department of Homeland Security (sponsor)
- U.S. Army (sponsor)
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Brendan Englot — Mobile robotics and autonomous navigation algorithms using AI
- Alexei Miasnikov — AI in mathematics education and group theory
- Eric Ramos — AI in combinatorics and mathematics
- Jan Cannizzo — Mathematics education and AI applications
- Michael Zabarankin — Mathematical sciences and AI applications
- Jason Corso — Computer vision and AI foundations
- Yue Ning — AI and machine learning foundations
- Philippos Mordohai — Robotics and computer vision
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 3.0 minimum. Application Deadline: April 15 (full-time fall), August 15 (part-time fall), November 1 (spring), January 1 (part-time spring).
Location Advantages: Located in Hoboken across from midtown ManhattanProximity to major tech companies including Google, Amazon, Facebook NYC officesAccess to major industrial research labs including Bell Labs, AT&T Labs, IBM ResearchCollaboration opportunities with nearby universities NYU, Princeton, Columbia, Rutgers/DIMACS
