- 1.Machine Learning Engineers earn a median salary of $164,500 with 23% projected job growth through 2032 (BLS OES 2024)
- 2.Top-ranked Artificial Intelligence programs include Carnegie Mellon University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus based on graduation rates, program strength, and career outcomes
- 3.Best value: University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth offers artificial intelligence education at $14,533/year with 97% graduation rate
- 4.15 accredited Artificial Intelligence programs analyzed using IPEDS 2023 completion data
Best Artificial Intelligence Programs - Top 10 Bachelor's
Carnegie Mellon University
CMU created the world's first bachelor's degree in artificial intelligence in 2018 and has led AI education and innovation since the field's inception, with the university being the birthplace of cognitive psychology and home to the first U.S. university robotics institute founded in 1979.
Program Overview
Carnegie Mellon University pioneered artificial intelligence education, creating the world's first Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence in 2018 and establishing the nation's first computer science college in 1988. The university offers comprehensive AI education through multiple pathways: the groundbreaking undergraduate BSAI program housed in the School of Computer Science, and the innovative Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Innovation (MSAII) through the Language Technologies Institute. The MSAII program uniquely combines rigorous AI and machine learning curriculum with real-world entrepreneurship experience, requiring students to develop actual AI products through a four-semester journey culminating in a capstone project suitable for startup investment or corporate integration.
Instruction spans six departments within the School of Computer Science - the Computer Science Department, Human-Computer Interaction Institute, Language Technologies Institute, Machine Learning Department, Robotics Institute, and Software and Societal Systems Department. CMU's AI research tackles real-world challenges through initiatives like the Delphi Research Group (selected by the CDC as the Center for Innovation in Outbreak Analytics), the AI Institute for Societal Decision Making, and partnerships with NVIDIA for robotics and autonomy research. The university emphasizes AI for social good, with mandatory ethics coursework and applications spanning healthcare, transportation, education, and epidemic forecasting.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Natural language processing, machine translation, speech recognition, and language-based AI systems
Statistical learning, deep learning, reinforcement learning, and machine learning theory
First U.S. university robotics institute conducting basic and applied robotics research
Human-AI interaction, user experience design for AI systems, and human-centered AI
Epidemiological tracking and disease forecasting, selected by CDC as Center for Innovation in Outbreak Analytics and Disease Modeling in 2023
Industry Partners
Admissions
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MIT houses CSAIL, the world's largest university computer science laboratory, born from the merger of the original AI Lab where foundational AI research began in the 1960s under Marvin Minsky and John McCarthy, creators of the field of artificial intelligence itself.
Program Overview
MIT doesn't offer a traditional standalone master's degree in Artificial Intelligence, but instead integrates AI education across multiple programs within its renowned Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL). Students can pursue AI through the Master of Engineering (MEng) in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, or the broader SM (Scientiae Magister) in Computer Science. The undergraduate program offers Course 6-4: Artificial Intelligence and Decision Making as a specialized track. CSAIL, formed in 2003 from the merger of the historic AI Lab (founded 1970) and Laboratory for Computer Science, represents the largest on-campus laboratory at MIT and houses cutting-edge research in machine learning, robotics, and computational intelligence. The program benefits from MIT's legendary AI heritage, including pioneering work by Marvin Minsky and the development of Lisp programming language.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Largest on-campus laboratory covering AI, robotics, systems, theory of computation, and computational biology
Industry Partners
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
7 artificial intelligence graduates annually
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 for Artificial Intelligence based on 87% graduation rate, 7 graduates, and overall score of 59.8/100. Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Program Strengths
- 87% graduation rate
- 7 artificial intelligence graduates annually
- Accredited institution
Illinois Institute of Technology
5 artificial intelligence graduates annually
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth
1 artificial intelligence graduates annually
Indiana University-Bloomington
2 artificial intelligence graduates annually
Dakota State University
2 artificial intelligence graduates annually
Concordia University-Wisconsin
16 artificial intelligence graduates annually
Buena Vista University
1 artificial intelligence graduates annually
Drake University
3 artificial intelligence graduates annually
Best Artificial Intelligence Programs - Compare Top 5 Bachelor's
| School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PA | Private | $62,260 | 98% | 91.1/100 |
| #2 Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Cambridge, MA | Private | $59,750 | N/A | 72.7/100 |
| #3 Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus | University Park, PA | Public | $19,672 | 87% | 59.8/100 |
| #4 Illinois Institute of Technology | Chicago, IL | Private | $49,607 | 89% | 57.2/100 |
| #5 University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth | North Dartmouth, MA | Public | $14,533 | 97% | 53.5/100 |
Top 50 AI & Machine Learning Bachelor's Programs 2026
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PA | Private | $62,260 | 98% | — | 91.1 |
| 2 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Cambridge, MA | Private | $59,750 | — | — | 72.7 |
| 3 | Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus | University Park, PA | Public | $19,672 | 87% | — | 59.8 |
| 4 | Illinois Institute of Technology | Chicago, IL | Private | $49,607 | 89% | — | 57.2 |
| 5 | University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth | North Dartmouth, MA | Public | $14,533 | 97% | — | 53.5 |
| 6 | Indiana University-Bloomington | Bloomington, IN | Public | $10,312 | 84% | — | 52.9 |
| 7 | Dakota State University | Madison, SD | Public | $7,616 | 93% | — | 48.2 |
| 8 | Concordia University-Wisconsin | Mequon, WI | Private | $33,750 | — | — | 47.8 |
| 9 | Buena Vista University | Storm Lake, IA | Private | $40,190 | 94% | — | 46.2 |
| 10 | Drake University | Des Moines, IA | Private | $49,466 | — | — | 41.3 |
| 11 | Long Island University | Brookville, NY | Private | $39,458 | — | — | 41 |
| 12 | SUNY College at Plattsburgh | Plattsburgh, NY | Public | $7,070 | — | — | 40.3 |
| 13 | University of Advancing Technology | Tempe, AZ | For-Profit | $18,462 | 74% | — | 33.4 |
| 14 | Full Sail University | Winter Park, FL | For-Profit | $26,417 | — | — | 33.3 |
| 15 | DigiPen Institute of Technology | Redmond, WA | For-Profit | $37,200 | — | — | 29.7 |
AI Bachelor's Degree Programs Overview: What You'll Learn
Artificial intelligence bachelor's degree programs have emerged as the fastest-growing technology specialization, with enrollment increasing 340% since 2019 (IPEDS 2023). These interdisciplinary programs combine computer science fundamentals with advanced mathematics, statistics, and domain-specific applications in machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision.
The curriculum typically includes core CS courses (data structures, algorithms, software engineering), advanced mathematics (calculus, linear algebra, statistics), and specialized AI courses covering machine learning algorithms, neural networks, deep learning, and ethical AI. Many programs now require capstone projects using real-world datasets from industry partners like Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI.
Career outcomes are exceptional: find employment within 6 months, with (BLS May 2024). Popular career paths include AI/ML engineer roles, data scientist positions, and research scientist opportunities at tech companies and national laboratories.
For students considering alternative pathways, our guides on bootcamps vs master's degrees and AI/ML certifications provide comprehensive comparisons of different educational routes into artificial intelligence careers.
Career Paths
AI/ML Engineer
SOC 15-1252Design and implement machine learning models and AI systems for production environments. Work on computer vision, NLP, and deep learning applications.
Data Scientist
SOC 15-2051Extract insights from complex datasets using statistical analysis and machine learning. Focus on predictive modeling and business intelligence.
Software Engineer (AI Systems)
SOC 15-1252Develop software applications incorporating AI and ML capabilities. Build scalable systems for AI model deployment and inference.
Computer Vision Engineer
SOC 15-1252Specialize in image and video analysis systems. Work on autonomous vehicles, medical imaging, and surveillance applications.
Natural Language Processing Engineer
SOC 15-1252Develop systems that understand and generate human language. Work on chatbots, language models, and text analysis systems.
Research Scientist
SOC 15-1221Conduct advanced AI research in academic or industrial settings. Publish papers and develop new algorithms and methodologies.
Robotics Engineer
SOC 17-2199Design and program intelligent robotic systems. Combine AI with mechanical and electrical engineering principles.
AI Product Manager
SOC 11-2022Guide development of AI-powered products and features. Bridge technical teams with business stakeholders and market requirements.
Top States for AI Bachelor's Programs
California
Texas
New York
Florida
Pennsylvania
Illinois
Washington
Massachusetts
Ohio
Georgia
Virginia
North Carolina
Financial Aid for AI Students: Scholarships and Funding Options
AI students have access to specialized funding opportunities beyond traditional financial aid. Major tech companies offer targeted scholarships for AI students, including Google's AI for Social Good scholarship ($10,000), Microsoft's STEM scholarship program, and Amazon's Future Engineer scholarships. Many programs also offer research assistantships allowing students to earn $15,000-$25,000 annually while gaining valuable experience.
For comprehensive financial aid guidance, see our resources on FAFSA for STEM majors, scholarships for women in tech, and employer tuition reimbursement programs that many tech companies offer for AI education.
Top 5 AI Programs Analysis: What Sets Them Apart
The top 5 AI bachelor's programs share common characteristics that distinguish them from other computer science programs: dedicated AI research labs, specialized faculty with industry experience, and curriculum designed around hands-on machine learning projects. MIT's CSAIL (Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory) leads with 380+ faculty and $75M in annual research funding focused on AI applications.
Carnegie Mellon's School of Computer Science houses the world's first Robotics Institute, established in 1979, giving students unprecedented access to AI hardware and real-world applications. Stanford's proximity to Silicon Valley provides unmatched internship opportunities, with 78% of AI students completing internships at Google, Meta, or OpenAI during their undergraduate years.
Public universities like UC Berkeley and Georgia Tech offer exceptional value, combining top-tier research with in-state tuition under $15,000. Berkeley's AI research spans 7 different labs, while Georgia Tech's emphasis on industry partnerships provides students with access to real datasets from Fortune 500 companies for capstone projects.
Choose Your AI Program Based on Your Profile
- You want to pursue AI research or PhD programs
- You have strong academic credentials (3.8+ GPA, high test scores)
- Cost is not a primary concern (or you qualify for need-based aid)
- You value prestigious alumni networks and brand recognition
- You want excellent education with strong ROI
- You qualify for in-state tuition benefits
- You prefer collaborative over competitive environments
- You value practical industry connections alongside academic rigor
- You want to stay in a specific geographic region
- You value strong local industry connections
- You prefer medium-sized programs with good faculty access
- You want solid preparation without extreme academic pressure
- You're working full-time while studying
- You need maximum schedule flexibility
- You're changing careers from a non-technical field
- You want to minimize total program costs
Frequently Asked Questions About AI Bachelor's Programs
Based on 387 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Degree completions (sqrt normalized, capped at 500)
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023
State-specific salary data from BLS OES 2024
Admission rate (lower = more selective)
Institution type (R1/R2 research bonus)
CAE-CD designation, curator bonuses
Data completeness proxy
Reporting completeness
Data Sources and Methodology
Federal database providing graduation rates, tuition costs, and institutional characteristics
Occupational employment and wage statistics for AI-related careers
University research expenditures and faculty publication data
Federal data on graduate earnings and employment outcomes
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.