Best Master’s in AI Programs for 2027: Compare 261 Programs by Cost, Tuition, and Outcomes

Overview

• Master’s of Artificial Intelligence
• Estimated total tuition: $10,000
• Format: Online
• Best for: Affordability, customizable structure

Program Summary

The University of Texas at Austin offers a “true” Master’s in Artificial Intelligence, as opposed to a Computer Science or Engineering program with an AI focus. It has an intriguing structure, with 9 out of the 10 courses being offered as electives. Only AI ethics is considered “core”, making it a highly customizable program. However, it is recommended that you complete 4 required/foundational courses before your electives: Deep Learning, Machine Learning, Reinforcement Learning, and Planning, Search, and Reasoning Under Uncertainty.

The 30-credit online program costs just $10,000 plus fees, and can be completed in 1.5-2 years. You’ve got the freedom to dictate your own course load, from 1 course per semester all the way up to 5. Accredited by SACSCOC, UT Austin stands out for its exceptional value and high-quality teaching. The one potential drawback is the online-only format, but if this doesn’t bother you, this is a remarkable option.

What Makes UT Austin a Great AI School?

If you’re self-funding your AI master’s degree, then the University of Texas at Austin is the runaway winner (with Georgia Tech the only possible competition). The $10,000 tuition rate applies nationwide and sits more than $30,000 below the typical cost of such a program.

As well as being one of the outright cheapest options available, UT Austin also boasts legitimate academic credentials. It is a well-respected institution with R1 research status, ranking just outside the 2027 global top 50 according to Times Higher Education. The online format is also well-executed, with discussion forums, video conferencing, and online sessions designed to enable collaborative learning.

Overview

• Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Innovation
• Estimated total tuition: $64,800
• Format: Campus
• Best for: Hands-on practice, specialization options

Program Summary

Carnegie Mellon’s Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Innovation follows a very different structure to most AI programs, requiring students to complete 192 study “units” plus a 3-unit internship. Three units are equivalent to one credit, so even after conversion, this is still one of the most content-dense programs in the country.

The expanded curriculum is reflected in the cost, which is on the higher side. But you will be getting a genuinely rigorous AI education: you’ll take core courses in AI and Future Markets, Law of Computer Technology, AI Engineering, and AI Innovation, as well as a substantial capstone project.

The choice of electives will allow you to start specializing in your preferred direction without sacrificing any fundamentals. Options include Medical Image Analysis, Fundamentals of Bioinformatics, and Software Engineering for Startups.

What Makes Carnegie Mellon a Great AI School?

As well as offering a respected institutional name, Carnegie Mellon warrants a great deal of credit for its hands-on curriculum. A summer industry internship is required in order to graduate, so you’ll definitely get the chance to actually apply AI skills in the real world. This is a great addition to your resume.

Your portfolio will also get a real boost from the 36-unit capstone project. Assessment criteria state that your final product should be suitable either for integration into a company or for startup investment; if you succeed in creating work of that quality, you will have something of real value to show employers.

Overview

• MS in Computer Science (AI Specialization)
• Estimated total tuition: $72,990
• Format: Online, campus, hybrid
• Best for: Highly technical AI/CS education

Program Summary

You’ll earn an MS in Computer Science at Stanford, with the AI content coming via a “specialization”. The AI specialization is a significant part of the overall Master’s degree, albeit technically less than half of the total program. You’ll take 45 units in total, of which at least 21 must come from AI “depth” electives. And the foundational units are clearly relevant to AI study as well, even though they don’t form part of the specialization:

• Logic, Automata and Complexity
• Probability
• Algorithmic Analysis
• Principles of Computer Systems

AI is one of the few specializations available entirely online. Sample depth electives include AI Principles and Techniques, NLP with Deep Learning, and Machine Learning. There is no guarantee that you’ll be able to complete all core classes remotely, so the flexibility of the format comes with a slight asterisk.

What Makes Stanford a Great AI School?

Naturally, Stanford stands out for its institutional prestige. It’s the #5 national university in the country according to US News, and its name means something to employers around the world. It carries particular weight in Silicon Valley, which it sits in the heart of, making this a truly excellent school for pursuing a cutting-edge AI career.

This academic reputation does come at a cost. Stanford offers the most expensive program on our list. (Our estimate is based on the per-unit rate, but the final tuition could vary, because a fixed quarterly fee is charged when you take more than 7 units per quarter.)

But if you want teaching from some of the foremost AI scholars, at a school with a reliable pipeline to coveted tech roles, then Stanford could be worth the investment.

Overview

• Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences
• Estimated total tuition: $47,422 (resident), $61,652 (non-resident)
• Format: Campus
• Best for: Graduate outcomes

Program Summary

UC Berkeley offers both an MS and an MEng in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, but unless you’re an existing undergraduate there, you’ll need to opt for the latter. It is an intensive one-year program designed to feed directly into employment within the engineering profession.

The program is built to fit around your areas of interest. While there is no direct “AI” concentration, there are multiple overlapping specialties, including Robotics and Embedded Software. Electives within this concentration include multiple classic AI topics:

• Introduction to Machine Learning
• Deep Reinforcement Learning
• Computer Vision
• Natural Language Processing

On top of that, you’ll need to take 4 units in the Fung Institute for Engineering Leadership, which could help you to target AI management positions. Finally, there is a capstone project in which you’ll work as a team to put both technical and non-technical skills into practice.

Tuition is quite high already, but you also need to be aware of a number of extra fees, including a Student Services Fee ($672 per semester) and Berkeley Campus Fee ($904.75 per semester).

What Makes Berkeley a Great AI School?

You might assume that Berkeley’s high placement on our list is all because of its stellar academic reputation. But in truth, it’s just as much about the genuinely unique program it has put together.

The focus on industry skills and intensive one-year format makes the MEng different from most other options out there. The graduate outcomes data speaks for itself: Google was the most common employer for the Class of 2025 (9 students hired), and the median salary across all graduates was $150,000.

Overview

• Online Master of Science in Computer Science (AI Specialization)
• Estimated total tuition: $6,810 (resident), $7,080 (non-resident)
• Format: Online
• Best for: Affordability, international students

Program Summary

Georgia Tech offers an online Master of Science in Computer Science with a specialization in AI. The program comprises 30 credit hours, and it stands out for its extreme affordability.

In-state residents pay just $227 per credit hour. And impressively, the rate only increases marginally for out-of-state ($236 per credit hour) and even out-of-country ($248 per credit hour) students. Lots of Master’s programs don’t even allow non-US-resident applicants, so Georgia Tech stands out for its universal accessibility. International students made up 34% of the intake in Fall 2025.

The program itself is nicely balanced. Half of the credits come from the AI specialization, including interesting electives such as Game AI, Multi-Robot Systems, and Human-Computer Interaction. The remaining 15 credits are free electives, many of which also have plenty of relevance to AI.

What Makes Georgia Tech a Great AI School?

You have to start with the cost when looking at the strengths of the online AI Master’s program at Georgia Tech. It’s an almost unbelievably low tuition rate, and it deserves huge credit for making graduate education so accessible.

But only talking about tuition massively undersells the program. It’s put together a genuinely interesting and unique set of courses, taught by respected faculty: the school is ranked at #5 for graduate AI studies by US News, with the overall Computer Science program ranked #7 nationwide.

Georgia Tech does also have a well-respected on-campus MS in Computer Science, but the programs are run separately (you can apply to both at once). The on-campus program is highly selective, and tuition is higher, especially for non-resident applicants.

Overview

• Master of Science in Computer Science
• Estimated total tuition: $21,272 (resident), $40,444 (non-resident)
• Format: Campus
• Best for: Thesis option, path to academia

Program Summary

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offers a research-oriented degree made up of 28 credits of coursework and a 4-credit thesis. You’ll graduate with an MS in Computer Science that can also be part-counted toward a PhD if you want to go down that route.

Artificial Intelligence is one of 10 different “core areas.” You’ll need to pick 3 core areas for your breadth requirement, taking one course (3 credits) from each. You’ll then take a further 4 courses of advanced coursework, which you can use to specialize more closely in AI, followed by 4-7 hours of free electives and a thesis.

What Makes UIUC a Great AI School?

Even though the UIUC Master’s program has a less immediately obvious AI focus than some others, it actually has really strong AI credentials. One member of faculty recently received funding from the Toyota Research Institute for his “Expanding Large Behavior Models with Whole-Body Multimodal Sensing Across Embodiments” project, and there are 60+ total members of faculty researching AI.

The thesis is a relatively unusual option for an AI Master’s degree to have, and provides a great chance to work alongside these respected faculty members on genuine industry research. It also makes Urbana-Champaign a leading candidate if you know you’re hoping to pursue a career in academia.

UIUC also offers a separate Master of Computer Science (MCS), which is available online as well as on the Urbana-Champaign or Chicago campuses. It’s a good professional degree, but it goes into less technical depth, and is coursework-only, so it won’t prepare you for a PhD.

Overview

• Master of Science in AI
• Estimated total tuition: $15,750
• Format: Online
• Best for: Admissions, accessibility

Program Summary

CU Boulder’s AI Master’s program is a trailblazer in online graduate education. It’s the only dedicated Master’s in AI that is offered through Coursera, a highly innovative format that works well for distance learners. You can preview the courses on a not-for-credit basis before committing to enrollment, which is a particularly nice feature.

Not only that, but the first 3 courses also serve as the alternative to a traditional application process. If you pass them all with a B grade or better, you’ll automatically earn admission, even if you don’t have a Bachelor’s degree or work experience. These 1-credit courses also count toward your final degree.

Courses are taught by the same faculty who you’d find on campus, and you’ll have access to live sessions and office hours. But everything is available asynchronously, and you can choose to finish in anywhere from 12 months to 8 years.

What Makes CU Boulder a Great AI School?

The MS AI program is made up of 15 credits of core breadth courses and 15 credits of electives.

The required breadth courses are as follows: Machine Learning, Foundations of Probability and Statistics, AI Ethics, Introduction to AI, and Foundations of Reinforcement Learning. They are all broken down into 3 one-credit classes.

Electives follow the same structure: 3-credit specializations made up of 3 different single-credit courses. You must complete at least 4 elective specializations. You’ll be picking from an impressively wide array of options: examples include Foundations of Autonomous Systems, Software Architecture for Big Data, and Security and Ethical Hacking.

By the time you finish, you’ll have got a thorough education in AI principles. And you’ll have had the chance to start specializing in an area that interests you. Especially considering the low cost, there’s an awful lot to like.

Overview

• Master of Science in AI
• Estimated total tuition: $28,500
• Format: Online
• Best for: Choice of technical/applied major

Program Summary

Purdue is another school that directly awards a Master of Science in AI. It stands out for offering two different majors: AI/ML and AI Management and Policy.

The programs share common classes in AI foundations and ethics, but diverge in terms of technical and/or applied focus. The technical AI/ML route provides a thorough treatment of core topics such as machine learning, statistical methods, deep learning, and data science. Management and Policy focuses on leadership and strategy, and doesn’t require any coding background.

Considering its impressive institutional reputation, Purdue’s AI Master’s program is priced very reasonably. Tuition for the 30-credit program is $950 per credit hour regardless of residency.

What Makes Purdue a Great AI School?

Purdue is known for being a good STEM school, so its AI program is well-respected in professional circles. The Times World University Rankings places it 31st globally for engineering schools.

Because of the partially shared curriculum with the AI Management and Policy major, even the AI/ML route has slightly less technical content overall than some others on our list. But it still covers all of the fundamentals. And the overlap with the other major actually gives graduates of this program a more well-rounded perspective, and potentially more readiness to apply AI to business settings straight away.

Overview

• Master of Science in Applied Artificial Intelligence
• Estimated total tuition: $29,850 (online), $60,000 (campus)
• Format: Online, campus
• Best for: Hands-on practice

Program Summary

In the case of the University of San Diego, “applied” does not mean a less technical AI program. Instead, it signifies that the curriculum is very hands-on, ensuring that you graduate with AI skills which you can apply to the workplace. To this end, the program was developed in collaboration with industry and government figures.

Interestingly, all 30 credits come from compulsory core units, which include Agentic AI Systems, Applied Computer Vision for AI, Applied AI Ethics, and Neural Networks and Deep Learning. The program concludes with an individual or team capstone project, which involves taking an AI-enabled system through from planning to implementation. 2025 projects include a chest X-ray classifier powered by deep learning, and an AI-driven IT support ticket resolution system.

Previously an online-only program, San Diego’s MS in Applied AI launched on campus as well for the first time in Fall 2026.

What Makes San Diego a Great AI School?

San Diego’s program is almost like an MEng in the way it so deliberately targets workplace-ready skills. The focus pays off in terms of tangible graduate outcomes: the average reported graduate salary is $129,000.

It’s also nice to have the choice between online and on-campus study, even if the price disparity makes one route far more feasible for most applicants. Admission requirements are another positive, with a minimum GPA of 2.75 (many schools ask for 3.0). You may even be accepted with a lower GPA, but GRE/GMAT is strongly encouraged in that case, and you’ll be required to write an essay showcasing your skills and experience.

Overview

• Master of Artificial Intelligence
• Estimated total tuition: $32,670 (online), $36,210 (campus, resident), $60,960 (campus, non-resident)
• Format: Online, campus, hybrid
• Best for: Stackable credentials

Program Summary

Penn State offers its Master of Artificial Intelligence in a variety of formats. You can study at the Great Valley Campus, online through Penn State World Campus, or via a mix-and-match approach. The online “AI Engineering” track corresponds exactly with its on-campus equivalent, while the “Applied and Generative AI” track gives online students a low-code, business-focused option as well.

The more technical track contains 18 credits of core study and 9 credits of electives, followed by a 3-credit capstone project. Other programs on our list have a slightly wider choice of electives, but the courses offered by Penn State are particularly suitable if you’re keen on the data side of AI: Data Mining, Data Visualization, Data Collection and Cleaning, and Data-Driven Decision-Making are all on the curriculum.

If you enroll full-time, you can earn the full online degree in as little as 1 year (18 months on campus). But there is also full flexibility to take things at your own pace, with a 3-4 year plan that involves taking a single course per semester.

What Makes Penn State a Great AI School?

One of the big advantages of Penn State’s AI Master’s program is stackable credentials. You’ll earn up to 3 graduate certificates before you’ve finished your degree: Foundations of AI, Natural Language Processing, and Computer Vision. (On the less technical track, you can earn AI for Business Innovation and AI for Digital Transformation.) These will all look good on your resume and will help you to get ahead with applications before you’ve finished your studies.

The Applied and Generative AI track is also really well thought-out. Unlike some other applied programs, you will still cover some technical basics, earning the foundational AI certificate along the way. But the content is accessible for applicants with a business background as opposed to programming expertise.

Overview

• Artificial Intelligence Master’s
• Estimated total tuition: $56,200
• Format: Online
• Best for: Curriculum personalization

Program Summary

Johns Hopkins splits its online professional AI Master’s program into 4 core courses and 6 electives (moving to a 50/50 split from Summer 2027). All of the core content and most of the electives are available asynchronously, so you can work through the program at your own pace. But in quite a lot of cases, you can pick between synchronous and asynchronous classes, which is the best of both worlds.

What really stands out is the amount of choice you get over your electives. There are 45+ different courses on offer, and you’ll be picking from novel options like Evolutionary and Swarm Intelligence, Applied Game Theory, UAV Systems, and “ChatGPT from Scratch: Building and Training Large Language Models.”

You can also choose to take related combinations of electives in order to graduate with a particular specialization: Assured Autonomy, Decision and Leadership, Deep Learning, LLMs, or Robotics. Whichever route you take through the curriculum, the overall tuition is very much competitive with so-called “Ivy Plus” peers.

What Makes Johns Hopkins a Great AI School?

Johns Hopkins is a leading global university with an excellent STEM reputation. In particular, the Whiting School of Engineering has very strong graduate outcomes: over the last 4 years, the average reported salary among professional Master’s graduates is $121,184 (the median is $110,000). Only a small share of graduates reported a salary, but employers clearly respect the name.

The elective-heavy structure and vast choice of options also mean Johns Hopkins is brilliant for specializing in a particular field of AI. If you have an area you know you’d like to pursue, then this is a great place to do it. That holds especially true if you’re interested in medical AI, given JHU’s incredibly strong medical reputation. “Artificial Intelligence in Biology – Cancer Detection & Drug Development” is available both synchronously and asynchronously.

Overview

• Master of Science in Engineering in AI
• Estimated total tuition: $38,590
• Format: Online
• Best for: Graduate outcomes, academic quality

Program Summary

The UPenn AI Master’s is made up of 7 core courses, 2 technical electives, and 1 free elective. Core courses include fundamentals like Natural Language Processing, Principles of Deep Learning, and Machine Learning for Data Science. All content is online and asynchronous, so you’ll work through the 10 courses at your own pace. Sample timelines span a range of 16-40 months.

Unusually, the capstone assessment sits among the electives, so you don’t technically need to complete a final AI project in order to graduate. But if you do choose the capstone, you’ll be designing and deploying an AI-driven application. You’ll get weekly office hours and check-ins to guide you through the process, and you’ll finish with a ready-made portfolio project to show potential employers.

What Makes UPenn a Great AI School?

UPenn provides a reasonably financially accessible route to an Ivy League AI Master’s degree. It goes without saying that this carries considerable prestige, which is reflected in graduate outcomes. The AI program is too new to have specific figures, but across all Master’s graduates from the Online School of Engineering and Applied Science, the median salary is $120,696. 93% of graduates are employed or in further education 6 months after graduation, and Amazon is the top employer.

Although the curriculum doesn’t give a huge deal of scope for niche specialization, you will be taught by genuine industry leaders. AI researchers at UPenn have worked on training neural networks at lightspeed, predicting extreme weather events, and speeding up the development of antibiotics.

Overview

• Master of Science – Artificial Intelligence
• Estimated total tuition: $13,216.70 (resident), $29,702 (non-resident)*
• Format: Online, campus
• Best for: Thesis option

Program Summary

Texas A&M is notable for offering thesis and non-thesis routes to earning your AI Master’s. If you opt for the thesis route (only available on campus), you’ll benefit from being at an R1 research university, gaining research experience through faculty-led projects.

Alongside 2 core courses in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, you’ll also pick 5 “prescribed electives” from a limited pool (or 3 if you’re doing a thesis). Topics include Robotics and Spatial Intelligence, Intelligent Agents, and Speech Processing, so you can begin to move in a direction of study that interests you. One or more of these topics may also end up impacting the direction of your thesis, should you choose to do one.

*We calculated tuition based on two 7-credit semesters and two 8-credit semesters, assuming a 2-year timetable. Your final overall outlay will be significantly higher than the stated figures, because Texas A&M charges very high program fees in addition to tuition. For example, if you study online for 4 semesters, you’ll pay $16,667 in fees.

What Makes Texas A&M a Great AI School?

Texas A&M does a good job of allowing you to shape your own degree. Only 6 credits are strictly required. And in addition to the prescribed electives, you’ll take 9 credits of free electives, which can come from any graded graduate-level course. However, you should pick courses that tie in with AI-related topics and/or areas of application.

The thesis option provides the opportunity for some focused study in whatever area of AI interests you the most. You’ll pick a research topic and select an advisory committee chair who has done work in a related field. This is a brilliant chance to work alongside respected industry figures. For example, Professor Shuiwang Ji has written one paper that has been cited over 8,500 times.

Overview

• Master’s in Artificial Intelligence
• Estimated total tuition: $15,750
• Format: Online
• Best for: Accessibility for non-technical applicants

Program Summary

Concordia’s online Master’s in Artificial Intelligence stands out for its accessibility. Despite being a relatively technical program, it’s open to applicants without a computer science background, with courses designed to build foundational AI competencies alongside more advanced topics. The whole program also takes just 18 months to complete, and you can pick from six possible start dates throughout the year.

The program is heavily industry-oriented. The curriculum is designed to meet the needs of modern employers, suiting career-changers who are determined to move into AI. At just $525 per credit, CSP Global is also one of the more affordable options available.

What Makes Concordia a Great AI School?

The Concordia curriculum is built around practical AI implementation rather than pure theory, with courses covering large language models, computer vision, deep learning, and reinforcement learning. You’ll also take some overtly business-oriented courses on project management, enterprise architecture, and leadership.

Most courses involve some element of experiential, scenario-based learning. The whole 30-credit curriculum is made up of core units, so there are no real opportunities to specialize. But the sequence of courses provides an excellent blend of technical and applied AI education for applicants with varying backgrounds.

Overview

• AI and Machine Learning Computer Science Master’s Degree
• Estimated total tuition: $17,540 (4 terms)
• Format: Online
• Best for: Self-disciplined learners

Program Summary

The self-paced format at Western Governors is undoubtedly the standout feature. Even compared with other asynchronous options, the AI/ML program is extremely supportive of independent study. There is no fixed timetable for the content or indeed the exams, and you can advance from each course whenever you’re ready.

Crucially, tuition at WGU is charged per 6-month term. So if you are able to move through the content quickly, you can make major savings. A total of $17,540 is based on 4 terms, because 67% of graduates finish within 19 months, but it’s possible to finish significantly more quickly (and therefore pay less).

The other side of the equation is that slower progress ends up costing more. And if you don’t come from a computer science background, it could be hard to advance quickly, because there are no built-in staff contact hours. You do have access to a designated Program Mentor, but you should only consider WGU if you’re ready for a lot of self-disciplined study.

What Makes WGU a Great AI School?

You can’t really separate WGU from its innovative structure. The flexibility is what makes it great. And if you’ve already got a good amount of AI experience, you’ll reap the full rewards, paying less and graduating more quickly.

Other benefits include an embedded AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer – Associate certification, which boosts your resume at no extra cost. And the novel format does not come at the expense of credibility; WGU School of Technology graduates report an average salary increase of $13,785, so you should see a tangible career impact.

Overview

• Master of Science/Master of Engineering in Applied Artificial Intelligence
• Estimated total tuition: $68,985 (full-time)
• Format: Online, campus
• Best for: Applied concentrations

Program Summary

Stevens Institute of Technology offers a number of different ways to customize your AI Master’s degree. For one thing, you can choose to take it as either a Master of Engineering or a Master of Science. It’s also available both on campus and online.

However, the most striking feature at SIT is the list of available concentrations. The program is a great option if you know you’re planning to apply AI within a particular industry; you can pick from tracks like AI in Design and Construction, Biomedical Engineering, or Systems Biology.

If you pick the MS, you can choose to take a 6-credit thesis, or else 3 credits of project work plus an elective. The MEng is all-coursework, and concludes with 2 extra electives. Whichever route you take, you’ll pay $22,995 per semester if you’re studying full-time. It actually works out marginally cheaper on a per-credit basis ($2,152 per credit, $64,560 total), but that rate only applies if you’re taking fewer than 9 credits per term.

What Makes Stevens Institute of Technology a Great AI School?

Stevens is a renowned technology school, and employers respect it. 6 months after finishing, graduates of the program boast an average salary of $105,000, which goes some way to justifying the higher-than-average tuition.

You can even enhance your workplace readiness by integrating a period of co-operative education (similar to an internship) into your research project or thesis. This gives you the chance to work with a sponsoring organization in an area relevant to your studies.

Overview

• Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence
• Estimated total tuition: $28,875
• Format: Online
• Best for: Embedded certifications

Program Summary

Maryville’s dedicated MS in AI is 1 course longer than your average Master’s, requiring 33 credits. However, at $875 per credit, it still works out as one of the more affordable options. And the extra course allows for some added depth in a strong AI curriculum, although you will need at least 2 years to finish the program.

You’ll take 7 core courses, 3 electives, and a capstone project. Many of the courses in the core curriculum cover broad areas like AI, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning, but you’ll also take more specialized courses such as AI Ethics and Mathematics for Artificial Intelligence.

The admissions policy is about average for this level of study, requiring a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (with the possibility of case-by-case exceptions). But you don’t need any GMAT or GRE scores, and you’ll get an admissions decision in less than a week. Once accepted, you can choose from 3 start dates throughout the year.

What Makes Maryville a Great AI School?

A real benefit of the Maryville program is that you can earn additional AI certifications while still studying. You’ll get Post-Baccalaureate Certificates in Fundamentals of AI and Advanced AI on the way to completing the program requirements, which can help to supplement your resume. Employers also often expect familiarity with industry-standard tools, something which the curriculum provides.

The capstone project is a real plus for prospective employers as well. You’ll implement an applied AI solution to a real-world problem, which will provide you with an excellent portfolio piece. Additionally, you can begin to specialize in certain areas through your choice of electives, in topics like robotics, text mining, and image processing. And an internship can serve as one of your electives.

Overview

• M.S. in Artificial Intelligence
• Estimated total tuition: $38,520 (online), $43,260 (campus, resident), $62,040 (campus, non-resident)
• Format: Online, campus
• Best for: Curriculum personalization, data science focus

Program Summary

NJIT’s Master’s in AI program is another where you can earn embedded certificates along the way. Depending on your chosen course sequence, you can earn graduate certificates in AI, Big Data Essentials, Data Mining, and Data Visualization.

Given those certificates, it’s no surprise that Data Science is a big part of the curriculum. At least 2 of your 6 electives have to come from the Data Science group (although this includes many typical AI courses, like Deep Learning, NLP, and Reinforcement Learning). On top of these, you can take 1-2 electives in the fields of Computer Science, Statistics, and Multi-Disciplinary Applications. You’ve also got the option of a Master’s project, thesis, or capstone, one of the few programs that lets you choose between the 3.

Tuition varies depending on whether you’re studying online or on campus. But in either case, it’s a competitive price for an R1 research school that ranks in the top 100 nationally. Non-residents studying on campus pay the highest rates, but still less than they would at big-name alternatives like Carnegie Mellon and Stanford.

What Makes NJIT a Great AI School?

As the name suggests, the New Jersey Institute of Technology is a specialized STEM school. It has a proven track record, boasting the best ROI in the state among public universities, and the AI program is a natural continuation of its other offerings.

The option of a thesis is a real plus for anyone considering a career in AI research. You don’t need a Master’s in order to go onto an AI PhD, but this program could help you to prepare for one, or else serve as a less intense and time-consuming alternative.

Overview

• Master of Engineering in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
• Estimated total tuition: $37,500
• Format: Online
• Best for: Working professionals

Program Summary

An online AI master’s degree at George Washington University can be completed in as little as one year. Interestingly, you’ll benefit from a mix of synchronous and asynchronous learning, with 1 live evening class per week. But if that doesn’t work for you, then you’re able to participate fully asynchronously. It’s designed to be manageable even while working full-time.

Tuition is $1,250 per credit hour. And unlike many comparable programs, required eBooks and software are included in the cost, scoring GWU some extra affordability points. The curriculum itself is made up entirely of core units, so you don’t get any choice in what you study, but the 10 courses take you on a logical path of AI study.

What Makes George Washington a Great AI School?

GWU places a particularly high importance on AI ethics. Together, courses on Secure & Trustworthy AI and AI Law and Ethics make up 20% of your total study. You’ll cover the regulatory landscape in the US, as well as in the EU and internationally. Beyond that, the curriculum takes you through some technical AI essentials, and also includes a course on Autonomous Systems & Robotics.

There is also a campus-based AI Master’s program, and its location in the heart of Washington, D.C. certainly comes with advantages. But it follows a different curriculum and tuition structure, so it’s only the online program that makes the cut on our rankings.

Overview

• Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence in Medicine
• Estimated total tuition: $25,890
• Format: Online
• Best for: Medical applications of AI

Program Summary

Louisville’s Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence in Medicine stands out as one of the few AI master’s degrees dedicated specifically to healthcare. It’s a 30-credit program that combines engineering, public health, and bioinformatics. And it gives students experience in several areas such as medical imaging, biostatistics, big data, and clinical decision-making.

There are eight core courses and two electives. Study is geared toward applying AI to real biomedical data, not just general-purpose machine learning problems.

It’s one of the more affordable specialized AI programs on the list, as tuition is only $863 per credit hour. You’ll need at least a 3.0 GPA to be admitted, but you don’t need any additional GRE/GMAT scores. The program is also open to international students, who don’t pay any additional premium (although you will need to show English proficiency).

What Makes the University of Louisville a Great AI School?

Unlike other programs on this list, Louisville really stands out for its narrow focus. Rather than offering a simple concentration or specialization, the entire program revolves around medicine.

You can even begin to specialize further within the healthcare sphere. When picking your electives, you’ll choose from options like Artificial Intelligence Techniques in Digital Pathology and Computational Methods for Medical Image Analysis.

So if you’re aiming to move into healthcare, Louisville will help you meaningfully stand out from other candidates. Obviously, if you’re after a broad AI qualification that keeps more options open across industries, there are other, more general programs elsewhere on the list that do the job better.