Artificial intelligence is a fast-growing field with job opportunities spanning a range of industries. The educational options for AI are also expanding, with more schools offering undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates in AI and related fields.
Whether you’re considering a bachelor’s, master’s, or certificate in AI, there’s likely a school that offers a program to fit your needs. To help you sort through the many available options, Intelligent.com evaluated dozens of schools with AI degree programs and created this list of the best schools for AI for 2023.
Additionally, this article provides guidance for selecting a school for AI, what to expect in an AI degree program, the career outlook for AI, and answers to frequently asked questions about cost, curriculum, and program duration.
What Students Should Know About AI Degree Programs
Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to computer software that enables machines to mimic human cognitive functions, including decision-making, language translation, and real-time data to adjust responses and performance. Because of AI’s interdisciplinary nature, students don’t specifically need to major in AI to pursue a career in the field, although that’s one option. Other common majors for aspiring AI professionals include computer science, mathematics, data science, and machine learning.
The right major for you will depend on your educational level and career goals. At the undergraduate level, students typically earn a general computer science or AI degree that focuses on foundational knowledge. Master’s and doctoral programs tend to concentrate on more specific AI sub-fields, like machine learning, data science, or robotics, preparing students for research or advanced roles in the industry.
Given AI’s rapid evolution, when selecting a school, it’s important to consider how the program’s curriculum keeps up with new developments and discoveries in the field. Many of the schools on this list are research institutions responsible for advances in AI technology. Still, students should find out what access they’ll have to labs, research projects, and the latest AI technology.
Should I Earn an AI Degree Online or In-Person?
Many schools offer AI degrees online as well as in traditional brick-and-mortar settings. The setting where you earn your AI degree is a matter of personal choice that depends on a few factors.
Traditional in-person programs will give students the most interactive experience and hands-on learning opportunities. Familiarity with a traditional classroom setting may also help students transition into their degree program.
However, online programs have some advantages. For students who are working, caring for kids or family members, or have other responsibilities, online programs offer flexibility in scheduling and location that can make it easier to complete coursework. Students can opt for synchronous programs with virtual classes at predetermined times or asynchronous programs, allowing students to complete lessons and assignments independently.
Attending school online can also help students access programs unavailable at local institutions. This access can particularly benefit students who want to study AI, as programs in this field have yet to be as widely available as others.
There are some things students should be aware of if they’re considering attending school online. Remote learning, particularly in asynchronous programs, relies on pre-recorded lectures and videos, reading assignments, online discussions, and homework assignments. Students should be comfortable working autonomously and holding themselves accountable. Even if all of the coursework for a program is available online, students should check if there are any in-person requirements, like internships or labs.
Best Accredited Schools for Artificial Intelligence
Discover More Options
How we rank schools
This list features some of the best schools for artificial intelligence in the U.S. All institutions are nonprofit and accredited, with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions. The list includes public and private institutions.
We evaluated each school on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, reputation, and student resources. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared our picks to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like the U.S. News & World Report, among others, to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
What Can I Do With an Artificial Intelligence Degree?
Career outlook
Job opportunities in several AI-related fields are expected to increase within the next decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For example, the employment of data scientists is projected to grow by 36%, or 40,500 new jobs, through 2031. Data scientists who analyze and extract insights from data and work with machine learning models earn a median annual salary of $100,910. The agency also predicts that computer and information research scientists, aka AI engineers, will see a 21% increase in job opportunities through 2031. The median annual salary for this position is $131,490.
Career paths
There are several career paths open to individuals who study AI. The field encompasses a wide range of positions and responsibilities, including the following:
- Software engineer — develop and maintain software for AI applications
- Data scientist — collect and analyze data to extract meaning from it
- Machine learning engineer — teaches AI models to process data
- Robotics engineer — create machines that use AI to perform tasks
- Business intelligence analyst — uses business data and AI programs to predict future business trends
AI professionals also have many choices regarding the specific industry they work in, as nearly every sector seeks to find ways to implement AI technology. Students may focus on AI for healthcare, transportation, business, finance, or robotics. Individuals who earn graduate degrees can also go into teaching at the post-secondary level.
Conversational AI/NLP Engineer
Earning Potential: $130,000 per year
Education: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, electrical engineering, computational linguistics, or related field
The Conversational AI/NLP Engineer will work on a multi-disciplinary team of content developers, artists, software engineers, and QA specialists to develop educational and training products that utilize conversational AI simulations with avatars. This individual will lead the development and integration of new NLP capabilities into Alelo’s eLearning platform and use them to create new conversational learning experiences.
Data scientist, product analytics
Earning Potential: $134,000-$194,000 per year
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, Statistics, a relevant technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
This position will work with large and complex data sets to solve a wide array of challenging problems using different analytical and statistical approaches and apply technical expertise to quantitative analysis, experimentation, data mining, and the presentation of data to develop strategies for Meta’s products.
Artificial Intelligence Research Scientist, Sr. Associate
Earning Potential: $133,000 – $195,000 annually
Education: Master’s degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Engineering, or related fields
The AI research scientist will work on multiple research projects in collaboration with internal and external researchers and applied engineering teams. They will be integral to all aspects of the research lifecycle, including formulating problems, generating hypotheses, developing new algorithms and models, conducting experiments, synthesizing results, gathering data, building prototypes, and communicating the significance of your research. Output will result in publications in AI/ML conferences and journals, high-impact business applications, open-source software, and patents.
Read more about How to Become an AI Engineer.
How to Choose the Online Artificial Intelligence Degree That’s Right for You
Step 1: Choose your area of study
Before you start researching schools and AI degree programs, take some time to reflect on what you want and need from your AI education.
There are several major options available, so consider whether you want a general AI or computer science degree or if you want to focus on a specific sub-field, such as machine learning, data science, or mathematics.
Consider what you want from the school as well. Will you be attending in person or online? Do you want a public or private institution? Do you prefer a small, medium, or large university?
The more clarity you can have on what you’re looking for before you start digging into schools and programs, the easier it will be to find an institution that meets your needs.
Step 2: Research schools and programs
Once you know your parameters, you can research schools offering AI programs.
A key thing to check during research is a school’s accreditation status. There are two types of accreditation for post-secondary institutions in the U.S.: regional and national. Regional accreditation is the more widely accepted of the two, as it has more rigorous standards for academic quality. Students who plan to transfer between schools or pursue an advanced degree should seek out programs at regionally accredited schools to ensure the transfer of credits and degrees. A school’s accreditation can also affect financial aid eligibility and future employment opportunities.
Some schools may have AI programs accredited by ABET, a nonprofit agency that accredits computing, engineering, and other tech-related programs. This accreditation is an additional confirmation that the program meets quality educational standards.
As you conduct your research, asking the following questions can help you identify if a school is right for you:
- Does this school offer the type of learning experience you seek (in-person, online, full-time, or part-time)?
- What types of AI degrees do they offer?
- What does the AI curriculum include, and how does it align with your interests and career goals?
- Who are the faculty, and what are their AI areas of expertise?
- What is the culture of the AI department and overall institution like?
- What academic, career, and health support services are available?
There are numerous ways to research schools and programs, including visiting their websites, contacting program representatives and admissions counselors, attending in-person or virtual open houses, and following on social media.
Step 3: Prepare for applications and tests
During your research phase, you should also review the eligibility requirements, application processes, and deadlines for any schools that interest you. This research will help ensure you select schools and programs you qualify for and keep your applications on schedule. Using a spreadsheet or calendar can help you keep track of this information if you’re considering multiple schools.
Each institution sets its own admissions requirements and procedures, but in general, an application to an AI degree program will consist of the following:
- Application form
- Official transcripts (high school transcripts for first-time freshmen, college transcripts for transfer and graduate students)
- Letter(s) of recommendation
- Personal statement
- Standardized test scores (SAT or ACT for first-time freshmen, GRE for graduate students)
For undergraduate students, many schools are increasingly moving toward test-optional or test-blind policies for standardized tests. Before taking the SAT or ACT, confirm whether any of the schools you’re applying to require them.
Meanwhile, for graduate students, there are usually additional requirements or criteria, including a specific undergraduate major or coursework, a minimum undergraduate GPA, or professional experience. Students may be asked to submit a resume or participate in an interview as part of the application process.
Step 4: Submit applications
Once you’ve considered all your options, select the school or schools you want to apply to. There’s no magic number of applications to submit. Some students will submit applications to multiple institutions to increase their chances of acceptance, while others select one or two programs based on a specific concentration or other parameters.
Be mindful of deadlines, especially if the program only enrolls new students once or twice a year or is competitive. Missing due dates can result in delays in starting your AI education.
Step 5: Determine how you’ll pay for your degree
Another part of your research should be learning about the costs associated with the schools you’re considering, including tuition, fees, and room and board if you live on campus. You should also find out what kind of financial aid the school offers, such as scholarships, grants, fellowships, military discounts, and work-study.
If you still need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the upcoming academic year, now is a good time. Schools use the information from the FAFSA to determine your eligibility for federal student loans and institutional aid. Undergraduate and graduate students can complete the FAFSA.
In addition to student loans, there are various alternative ways to fund your degree. These include applying for scholarships and grants from professional organizations, nonprofits, and community or religious groups. If you plan on working while enrolled in your degree program, find out if your employer offers tuition assistance benefits, which can help subsidize the cost of your education.
Frequently Asked Questions About Schools for AI
How much does an AI degree cost?
DataUSA reports that for AI degree programs, the median annual tuition is $10,037 for in-state students at public universities and $55,651 for private universities. However, this doesn’t specify if this is for undergraduate or graduate degree programs, which can impact cost.
Other factors that can influence the cost of an AI degree include whether the student is attending a public or private university and, if the school is public, whether the student pays in-state or out-of-state tuition.
Tuition at public universities tends to be lower, particularly for state residents. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports that in the 2020-21 academic year, average tuition and fees for four-year undergraduate degrees was $9,375 for in-state students at public universities. Meanwhile, private school tuition for the same year averaged $32,825 at private schools. Non-resident, public university students paid an average of $27,091 for tuition and fees.
Because of these variables, students should always speak to a financial aid counselor to understand tuition and other program costs.
How long does it take to complete an AI degree?
Most AI bachelor’s degrees are 120 credits and can be completed in a minimum of four years of full-time study. Students who enroll part-time may take longer to complete their degree.
Master’s degrees in AI typically range from 30-60 credits and may take 1-3 years to complete. Again, this is also dependent upon enrollment status.
For students who are planning to earn both a bachelor’s and master’s in AI, some schools may offer “4+1” programs. In these programs, students begin taking graduate-level classes as undergrads, allowing them to earn both a bachelor’s and master’s in five years total.
To plan accordingly, students should confirm the expected program duration with their school before enrolling.
What should I major in for an AI career?
Aspiring AI professionals have multiple options regarding their area of study.
An obvious choice is an artificial intelligence major. This major is more common at the graduate level, although schools are also beginning to offer bachelor’s degrees in AI. An AI major will typically cover a variety of concepts underneath the AI umbrella, including cognitive systems, natural language processing, machine learning, analysis of algorithms, game theory, and more.
Computer science is another popular major for students interested in AI. This major will expose students to concepts and skills in AI and other computing areas, like software, hardware, programming, and more.
Because of AI’s heavy reliance on mathematics, a major in this subject can also prepare students for an AI career. Mathematics majors study many of the concepts used in AI, like linear algebra, algorithms, and computational methods.
Students interested in the data analysis side of AI may want to consider a major in data science. This area of study teaches students different methods for collecting, managing, and analyzing data, which AI uses to perform tasks.
Ultimately, the best AI degree is the one that gives you the skills and knowledge you need to pursue the jobs and experiences you want. You can learn more about what employers seek by reviewing AI job postings.
What types of classes will I take in an AI degree program?
The type of classes will vary based on the specific major and degree level you’re pursuing.
At the undergraduate level, classes are more foundational. The curriculum introduces students to essential AI theories as well as programming, mathematics, data analysis, and ethical concerns related to AI.
For graduate students, classes will dive deeper into advanced AI concepts and skills. The program may specialize in a sub-field like machine learning, robotics, or data science. Depending on the type of degree, students may have to complete a research thesis or a capstone project.
Is a degree in AI worth it?
From a career outlook standpoint, an AI degree is a solid investment, as it can prepare students for many high-paying, in-demand jobs, including roles like artificial intelligence engineer, computer and information research scientist, and data scientist.
While some employers value experience over education, many entry- to mid-level jobs require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. More complex roles and leadership positions may require a master’s or doctoral degree.
Earning a degree in AI demonstrates to employers that you have the necessary skills and knowledge a job demands. Students in AI programs also get access to hands-on learning opportunities like research projects, labs, and internships that may otherwise be unavailable.
Students enrolled in an AI degree program also have the opportunity to build their professional network by connecting with professors, classmates, and others in the AI community. These connections will be helpful when finding employment, mentorship, and professional development opportunities.
How hard is an AI degree?
AI is a complex field that requires understanding concepts related to computer science, mathematics, data analysis, engineering, and more. A student’s background and aptitude for these subjects will play a significant role in how challenging an AI degree program is for them.
In terms of curriculum, undergraduate degree programs will introduce the basics of AI and related subjects, while graduate programs will explore more advanced concepts and skills. Master’s and doctoral programs may have more research components, which can also present new student challenges.
Students who are successful in AI degree programs have strong math, computer science, programming, and analytical skills and a strong affinity for AI and its applications.