Online PhD In AI: Programs, Costs & Career Outcomes

You don’t have to step away from the workforce to get an PhD in artificial intelligence.

We found three online PhD programs built entirely around artificial intelligence:

• Dakota State University
• The University of the Cumberlands
• Capitol Technology University

Those three dedicated online programs are all built for experienced students who want to conduct original AI research without having to step away from the workforce.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says that high-paying, AI-focused roles are expected to show rapid growth over the next decade. AI adoption is set to fuel the employment of data scientists alone by 34.6% over the next decade.

(That’s nearly ten times the 3.5% growth rate for all occupations, according to the BLS).

The three online AI PhDs we found aren’t one-size-fits-all. Their core design and how they handle doctoral research requirements vary significantly.

What to Expect from an Online AI PhD

Original research

The three dedicated online AI PhDs we reviewed all let students conduct doctoral research remotely. But the programs differ in how that research is structured and supervised.

For example, Capitol Technology University offers the most independence and the greatest program-wide focus on research. DSU and Cumberlands feature dedicated AI PhD coursework combined with research.

That means the way research is structured will likely affect which program is right for you. Capitol will better suit experienced applicants who have a defined research interest and are comfortable working independently.

Cumberlands and DSU both build technical depth that can help students define research areas as they go.

Different degrees also have different expectations for when students need to define their research direction. Mississippi State University, for example, requires students to select a research area and a prospective advisor when they apply to its computer science PhD program.

Capitol, while still emphasizing research from the start, waits until students are enrolled to assign an academic supervisor.

Dissertation

AI doctoral research topics can range from fundamental model performance problems to much more specific ways of using AI.

Capitol Technology University graduate Alexander Sheppert studied a fundamental machine learning problem in Overcoming Overfitting: A New Approach to ML Generalization.

Other recent dissertation titles from AI-focused programs show how broad that research can be:

• Challenges and Obstacles Integrating Artificial Intelligence Into Instructional Design and Adult Education, Capitol Technology University
• Human Cognitive Intelligence in Computing Artificial Intelligence: A Focus on Developing Trustworthy Alliances with Artificial Intelligence in the Cyber-Digital Age, Capitol Technology University
• Improving Artificial Intelligence Literacy Among Middle School Students Using Tangible Objects, Mississippi State University
• Hybrid Neural Network Model Defenses, Dakota State University

Those examples span model generalization, education, neural network security, and human-computer interaction. That shows how AI doctoral research can range from a narrow technical problem to applied questions in specific fields.

Advanced Coursework

Research makes up the bulk of a typical PhD’s curriculum, but some programs also require advanced coursework alongside your dissertation.

AI PhD programs generally assume you’re already experienced in AI and/or ML, so any courses you take alongside your research will be advanced and technical.

Common course topics include:

• Analytical methods for machine learning
• Data engineering
• Deep learning
• AI development
• Statistics for AI
• AI ethics

Some programs are more coursework-intensive than others. Take the University of the Cumberlands Online Doctorate in Artificial Intelligence, which requires:

• 27 hours of core courses
• 9 hours of elective courses
• 24 hours of professional research

By comparison, George Washington University requires fewer credit hours in its Online Doctor of Engineering in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. That program includes:

• 24 hours of research
• 24 hours of advanced courses focusing on AI and research methods

The main difference between these programs is how they expect you to build technical depth. A course-heavy doctorate will give you a more structured introduction to advanced AI topics, while research-first programs like Capitol assume you have a strong technical foundation when you enroll.

Flexibility for working professionals

Online AI PhD programs tend to be built with the expectation that students will stay in the workforce while pursuing their degree.

That can mean:

• Asynchronous courses
• Flexible scheduling built around your work
• Meetings with instructors or advisors take place after working hours

For an online AI PhD, that means working in research around your schedule. A dissertation in an online program won’t necessarily be less work than it would be in a traditional in-person program, so expect to dedicate significant time to your project each week.

The flexibility of an online program shifts more responsibility to the student. Without the daily structure of a residential lab, you might have to be more deliberate about pacing your research and keeping up momentum on your dissertation.

That’s especially true if you expect to be balancing work and doctoral research. These programs all require a high level of personal accountability alongside their flexibility.

Completion times vary with course load, program structure, and dissertation progress. Three to five years is a typical timeline for both in-person and online doctoral programs. But a doctorate can take longer depending on your situation and research timeline.

Scheduling varies from a traditional spring-fall academic calendar. Dakota State University’s online Artificial Intelligence PhD, for example, lets students study year-round rather than in only two semesters.

Admissions Requirements

You might need a bachelor’s or master’s degree to qualify for admission, depending on the program you apply for.

The biggest admissions difference between the three is whether you already have a master’s degree. DSU accepts bachelor’s graduates, while Cumberlands and Capitol require related master’s degrees.

All three require at least a 3.0 GPA, and none requires the GRE for admission. Capitol also requires three to five years of related work experience.

Keep in mind that bachelor’s-entry admission comes with a tradeoff: All of the bachelor’s-entry programs we reviewed require more credits to graduate compared to students entering with a master’s degree. That also comes with a higher total cost.

Is an Online AI PhD Respected?

Online degrees have historically faced employer skepticism, but recent research shows that many employers have favorable attitudes toward online education.

A 2025 GMAC survey of more than 1,100 recruiters and hiring managers found that 55% of employers worldwide valued online and in-person graduates equally. That number was slightly higher, 57%, for tech employers.

But that doesn’t mean delivery format never matters. U.S. employers remained more skeptical in the 2025 GMAC survey. It also doesn’t mean online doctorates are treated the same in every field: The GMAC survey focused on corporate recruiters, not university officials, and wasn’t specific to online PhDs.

Accreditation, the university, the quality of your research, and the dissertation you produce are all factors that employers might consider.

All three online AI PhDs we reviewed are accredited:

• Dakota State is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Cumberlands is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• And Capitol is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

Online AI PhD vs. Traditional PhD

Aspect	Online AI PhDs	Traditional PhDs
How it works	Built around remote study for working professionals, generally full or part time	Full-time, in-person doctoral research
Funding	Dedicated programs are self-funded with limited assistantship opportunities	Stipend and financial support available
Degree requirements	Two of the three dedicated AI PhDs require master’s degrees	Many major U.S. programs accept bachelor’s graduates
Advising	Students meet with a faculty advisor or dissertation committee regularly	Typically embedded within an on-campus lab with regular advisor contact
Timeline	Published timelines vary, dissertation pace can extend degree completion	Usually pursued full time, timeline depends on research progress

Who should skip an online PhD?

The online PhD’s biggest trade-off isn’t in its delivery, but in its lack of funding opportunities.

Traditional PhD programs often offset tuition through financial support. Princeton, Carnegie Mellon, and Stanford all have funding models that cover tuition and provide stipends to traditional computer science PhD students who remain in good standing.

Online programs, on the other hand, assume you’ll remain in the workforce while you study and usually require you to pay the full tuition amount. The three online PhDs we reviewed have tuition totals of $33,000 to $62,000.

If you want robust financial support, pursuing an in-person degree is generally a better option.

An online PhD isn’t a prerequisite to work in the field. The BLS says that a master’s degree is the typical entry-level education requirement for some of the fastest-growing AI-related jobs, including computer and information research scientists.

An online AI PhD may make the most sense for professionals who want to both stay in the workforce and pursue jobs where original research is a major focus, like university and private-sector research scientist roles.

Types of Online Artificial Intelligence Doctorate Programs

Standalone artificial intelligence PhDs

Since they’re PhD programs, they tend to be centered around AI research. But some also include technical instruction in advanced AI topics.

An AI PhD typically looks like:

• A large, intensive research project
• Coursework in advanced AI topics
• A heavy emphasis on data analytics
• Instruction on research methods

But no two programs are alike, and an AI PhD can shake out into a mix of intensive research and in-depth coursework.

The University of the Cumberlands’ online program includes nine mandatory courses that feature instruction in statistics, machine learning, and using Python for data analytics with AI.

The degree can also be much more research-focused. Capitol Technology University’s 60-credit program centers almost entirely on compiling a dissertation, with courses built around research methods rather than advanced AI instruction.

A standalone AI PhD is the most direct route if you want a degree focused on artificial intelligence rather than treating AI as a research area within a broader doctorate.

Computer science PhDs with an AI research focus

Some universities offer an AI focus as a specialized research area within their computer science PhD.

Students in the Mississippi State, PhD in Computer Science program have the option to make artificial intelligence and robotics their area of research.

Specializing in AI underneath a broader computer science PhD usually means you’ll take broader (but still highly advanced) courses while focusing your dissertation on artificial intelligence.

This route might make more sense if you want AI as a research area coupled with broader computer science coursework.

Data Science and Machine Learning PhDs

They might not have “AI” in their degree title, but the tech is now embedded in the core of many online data science and machine learning PhD programs.

For example, National University offers an online PhD in Data Science with a heavy AI focus.

Data science courses overlap with AI topics like data mining and statistical modeling. National University’s program, for example, features courses exploring how AI impacts data analysis.

Capitol Technology University also offers an online PhD in Machine Learning. That degree is advertised as being for experienced professionals in fields related to machine learning, AI, computer science, or data analytics.

Data science and machine learning doctorates can be a closer fit if your AI interests focus on specific areas like statistical modeling and data systems rather than AI as a broad field.

Technology and IT PhDs with AI Specializations

Walsh College offers an online PhD in Technology with an AI specialization. That program combines business-focused leadership courses with in-depth AI and machine learning instruction.

In addition to its research and dissertation requirements, candidates in the AI specialization track take courses in:

• Innovation and cybersecurity
• Advanced programming for data analysis
• Deep learning

The University of the Cumberlands also offers an online PhD in Information Technology (IT) that includes an 18-credit AI specialization. The program’s core curriculum also touches on AI-related fields like cybersecurity and data science.

Tech and IT doctorates are best for students who want to study AI in the context of organizational systems and cybersecurity rather than focusing entirely on AI.

Professional AI-Focused Doctorates

Professional doctorates are more practice-focused degrees than a PhD.

They still carry research requirements, but those tend to be focused on applying artificial intelligence in the field rather than advancing theory.

That usually means:

• Research is focused on real-world problems
• Coursework is closely tied to how AI is being used in the degree’s area
• The degree focuses on leadership. The Walsh College Doctor of Business Administration in AI and Machine Learning Leadership, for example, focuses on incorporating AI into workplaces rather than technical AI instruction.

Some online engineering doctorate degrees have embraced AI in their curriculum and specializations.

The George Washington University Doctor of Engineering in AI and Machine Learning program is a good example of that trend. It features a 24-credit research requirement, alongside core courses in data engineering and analytical methods for machine learning.

The AI specialization also includes deeper courses that cover:

• Agentic AI
• Generative AI
• Deep learning

Some education doctoral programs have also debuted AI specializations to help educators respond to how the technology is changing the classroom. Northeastern University offers an online Doctor of Education (EdD) with an AI in Learning specialization.

That specialization includes courses in:

• How people learn
• How AI affects learning
• AI in educational practice

Like a PhD program, Northeastern’s EdD also carries a dissertation requirement.

Walsh College also offers a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) with a specialization in AI and Machine Learning Leadership. That program features a dissertation requirement, as well as core research courses and an in-person residency.

The AI and Machine Learning Leadership Concentration includes courses in:

• AI strategy for leaders
• Conflict management
• Game theory and problem analysis

Compared with a PhD, a professional doctorate in AI tends to focus on applying AI to an industry or leadership problem rather than on academic research.

Career Outlook for Online PhD Graduates

The BLS projects rapid growth in AI professions over the next decade, but you don’t necessarily need a PhD to get those jobs.

Several AI-focused jobs are projected to have growth rates well above the 3.5% the BLS projects for all employment growth by 2035.

Some jobs with high growth rates include:

• Data scientists, 34.6%
• Information security analysts, 21%
• Operations research analysts, 11.9%
• Computer and information research scientists, 21.8%
• Software developers, 10.2%

The BLS doesn’t list a PhD as an entry-level requirement for any of those jobs. Instead, the value of an AI PhD is concentrated around jobs where designing, publishing, or supervising original research is part of the work.

Top AI companies are hiring for research-focused roles. OpenAI has multiple roles open for research engineers. PhDs aren’t listed as an explicit requirement for most of those roles, but the research and technical focus on an AI PhD could help prepare you for that kind of job posting.

Other jobs require a PhD. A recent Horizon Robotics research scientist opening requires a PhD in computer science, machine learning, robotics, or a related field for candidates to be considered.

Online Artificial Intelligence PhD Tuition Costs

Online AI PhD programs have a relatively low sticker price compared to many private, tech-focused PhD programs.

The three online PhD programs we reviewed range from about $33,000 to more than $62,000 in tuition and mandatory program fees.

• The University of the Cumberlands costs $549 per credit, or $32,940 for 60 credits
• Dakota State University costs $548.75 per credit, or roughly $39,510 for its 72 credits. But that number is likely higher if you don’t live in South Dakota, because some computer science courses include an additional $117.70 delivery fee per credit.
• Capitol Technology University costs $980 per credit, plus a $55 IT fee per credit. That totals roughly $62,100.

Traditional PhD programs tend to carry a much higher sticker price. PhD programs at the Carnegie Mellon University School of Computer Science, for example, costs $52,000 for a single academic year.

Those in-person degrees also come with an added benefit that can significantly offset that cost, however. Many PhD programs, including Carnegie Mellon’s, offer full financial assistance and support to students who are in good academic standing.

Do Online AI PhD Programs Have a Stipend?

Online AI PhD programs might have opportunities for teaching work or scholarships, but they generally don’t have the same broad financial support as traditional in-person programs.

In-person PhD programs often feature financial support. The Princeton Graduate School, for instance, covers full tuition and gives students a stipend to cover their living expenses.

Some online degrees follow a similar model. Mississippi State features “assistantships” for its online graduate students, which provide stipends in exchange for graduate teaching. It also covers online tuition costs, but students still need to pay distance learning and other fees.

But online AI PhD programs in general don’t include stipends and scholarships because they’re designed for working professionals. Rather than leaving the workforce to study and research full time, it’s generally expected that students will stay in their jobs and work on their degree part time while earning a salary.

Methodology

Programs were scored 0-10 on the following areas, and then multiplied by their weight to arrive at a final score:

• Hands-on practice (25%): That means whether a program has real-world practice built in. It can include applied projects, capstone or applied-dissertation options, practicum/internship components, lab or tool-based coursework.
• Academic quality (22%): That means accreditation, Carnegie research tier, research output and reputation in AI/computing, faculty credentials, employer reputation, special designations.
• Curriculum relevance (20%): Courses need to cover relevant, AI-related topics. Programs are evaluated based on published courses covering ML, deep learning, NLP/generative AI, computer vision, MLOps, AI ethics, and modern frameworks/tools. Unpublished curricula score lower.
• Affordability (18%): Programs are evaluated based on their per-credit rate multiplied by the number of required credits, plus mandatory fees.
• Degree focus (10%): Programs are evaluated on whether the curriculum is consistently dedicated to AI vs. a general doctorate with an AI label or concentration.
• Admissions (5%): GRE/GPA requirements, rolling admission, number of start dates, application fees. The more accessible a program is, the better.

Non-PhD Online AI Doctorate Programs

PhDs aren’t the only kind of doctoral program. Some universities offer online professional doctorates.

Those programs tend to focus on applied rather than theoretical research. That means degrees are focused on tackling problems that have a real-world industry impact.

George Washington University — Online D.Eng. in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

Best for: Working AI experts who want a fast doctoral program

GWU’s program fits 48 credits of advanced AI coursework and doctoral research into a two-year, cohort-based program. That’s much faster than the typical three-to-five-year PhD program, but it also comes with a higher price tag.

GWU says tuition for its Online Doctor of Engineering in AI and Machine Learning is roughly $84,000. That’s $51,000 more than Cumberlands’ dedicated AI PhD.

That premium, however, is for a professional doctorate with a unique structure and speed. You need to be employed with relevant experience to qualify for admission, and the cohort-based model means you’ll be networking with other professionals while you work toward your degree.

Walsh College — DBA in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Leadership

Best for: Managers and executives who want a leadership-focused AI degree

Unlike other technical programs we reviewed, Walsh’s DBA in AI and Machine Learning is fundamentally a business leadership degree. Its dissertation requirements focus on organizational issues, and the program doesn’t require a technical AI background.

That makes it a strong option for leaders dealing with AI strategy and adoption, but it’s not a substitute for a technical doctorate that focuses on technical research or developing AI models.

At roughly $68,040 before a mandatory per-semester support fee, it also costs more than even Capitol’s dedicated AI PhD.

Northeastern University — EdD, Artificial Intelligence in Learning concentration

Best for: Senior educators studying how AI changes teaching, learning, and education leadership

Northeastern University’s Doctor of Education (EdD) with a specialization in AI in Learning has a deliberately narrow degree focus.

The program is designed for working educators and involves applied AI research in students’ own workplaces. That means the degree is built for school, university, and ed-tech leaders rather applicants seeking technical AI research training.

The program has a $67,185 total cost and requires annual two-day, in-person residencies.

PhD Programs With an AI Concentration

PhDs in information technology and computer science tend to have a major focus on AI even if it isn’t in the degree title.

Those split into two categories: Programs with a named AI specialization, and programs that feature a heavy focus in AI in their research topics.

Programs with a Named AI Specialization

University of the Cumberlands — Online PhD in Information Technology, AI & Machine Learning specialization

Best for: Students who want a broader IT doctorate with a defined AI specialization

The University of the Cumberlands online PhD in Information Technology has the same price tag as its dedicated AI PhD at $32,940 for 60 credits.

The difference is how much AI-specific education you get for that price. In Cumberlands’ IT PhD, AI is an 18-credit specialization on top of an 18-credit IT core. The AI PhD, on the other hand, devotes 27 credits to core AI coursework.

That broader IT structure can help graduates position themselves for tech leadership, cybersecurity, and information systems roles in addition to AI.

Walsh College — PhD in Technology, AI & Machine Learning specialization

Best for: Tech managers who want AI expertise inside a broader leadership doctorate

The Walsh College PhD in Technology includes four AI and machine-learning courses within a broader tech leadership degree.

Compared with Walsh’s AI DBA, this program includes more technical instruction. It’s built for leaders in the tech sector as opposed to general business leaders looking to learn about AI adoption. The two degrees share the same price tag: $68,040 total, plus a $175 student support fee per semester.

AI as a Research Area

Mississippi State University — Online PhD in Computer Science

Best for: Research-focused students who want an R1 computer science doctorate and know their research direction before applying

Mississippi State is geared toward students who already have an idea of what area they want to research. The university asks students to identify both a research area and a prospective advisor when they apply.

That stands out from other schools, like Capitol, which pair students with a faculty supervisor after they’ve enrolled. Mississippi State expects students to arrive with a clear research topic already in mind.

The roughly $34,513 program is close to Cumberlands’ $32,940 dedicated AI PhD, but the degree is in computer science instead of being focused on artificial intelligence. That means you get a broader computer science credential in an R1 research environment, but the degree has less AI-specific instruction.

University of Southern Mississippi — Online PhD in Computer Science

Best for: Bachelor’s-entry students who want an affordable R1 computer science doctorate with AI research options

Southern Miss is an affordable doctoral degree at an R1 institution. It costs roughly $31,218 for students who enter with a master’s degree.

It’s also one of the few programs we found that identify robotics as a research area alongside AI.

Southern Miss is another doctoral degree that’s accessible to bachelor’s graduates, but that comes with a major catch: You’ll need 84 credits beyond a bachelor’s to graduate, compared with just 54 credits beyond a master’s. That’s the second most of any bachelor’s-accessible program on our list, and it brings the total tuition cost up to $48,562.

Nova Southeastern University — PhD in Computer Science

Best for: Students who want an R1 computer science doctorate with a strong AI and cybersecurity research focus

Nova Southeastern University offers a streamlined doctoral path for students with a bachelor’s degree.

If you have a bachelor’s degree, you can graduate from Nova with just 66 credits. That’s the shortest pathway from bachelor’s to doctorate of any program on our list.

The catch is the cost. Nova’s published tuition is about $95,172 if you have a bachelor’s degree, and $73,542 if you’ve got a master’s.

Of course, Nova also brings R1 status and an NSA cybersecurity research designation to the table. If you want a heavily cybersecurity and AI-focused research degree from an R1 institution, as well as a pathway to a doctoral degree straight from a bachelor’s, Nova could be a good option.

University of North Dakota — PhD in Computer Science (online or on campus)

Best for: Students who want a broader computer science PhD with access to a dedicated AI research center

UND’s Artificial Intelligence Research (AIR) center gives students access to an AI-focused research community within an R1 computer science program.

That gives it one of the strongest AI research focuses among the computer science PhD programs we reviewed.

It’s also accessible to bachelor’s degree students, but with the major tradeoff being length and cost. You’ll need 90 credits, totaling roughly $78,781, if you enter with a bachelor’s degree.

Dakota State University — PhD in Computer Science

Best for: Students who want DSU’s AI-and-cybersecurity research environment but prefer a broader computer science credential

Dakota State University’s online PhD in Computer Science has the same institutional assets that the university’s new AI PhD does, including the university’s AI lab, Madison Cyber Labs, and the university’s cybersecurity emphasis.

The thing that sets the computer science PhD apart from the AI PhD is breadth. You’ll take more electives in broad computer science disciplines rather than focusing on AI alone.

That broader degree could be useful if your research interests are at the intersection of AI, software engineering, and cybersecurity. But if you want a degree entirely built around AI, DSU’s AI PhD might be a better option.

National University — Online PhD in Computer Science

Best for: Students who want a structured general computer science doctorate with some AI exposure

AI is only one of National University’s 11 core computer science doctoral courses, but many of the other courses touch on related topics like data mining, cybersecurity, and programming.

That means the curriculum is broader than dedicated AI PhDs, but probably less suitable for students who want most of their doctoral coursework dedicated to AI.

The program costs $65,490 for 60 credits. That’s higher than all three dedicated AI PhDs.