Best AI Degrees: 2026 Bachelor's Rankings & Career Guide
On-campus and hybrid bachelor's programs in artificial intelligence. Online bachelor's and master's programs have their own rankings.
Updated
University of Washington, University of California, San Diego, and University of Florida top our 2026 ranking of the best artificial intelligence degrees, which compares on-campus bachelor's programs. University of Washington offers its Computer Science & Engineering · BS (AI/ML Focus) in Seattle for an estimated total tuition of $53,624 in-state, University of California, San Diego lists $85,836, and University of Florida lists $25,520 in-state. Among the 9 schools in our top 10 that publish a total, tuition runs from $23,040 to $85,836, with a median near $47,064.
10 Best AI Degrees (On-Campus Bachelor's)
Rank
School
Location
1
University of Washington
Seattle, WA
2
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, CA
3
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
4
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN
5
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA
6
University of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO
7
Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw, GA
8
The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX
9
University of Maryland
College Park, MD
10
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
The table is for quick comparison. School write-ups below cover program name, format, and tuition—always confirm on the school site. More programs to compare appear after the write-ups when we have additional schools outside this top list.
How we ranked this list
We order schools on this page using our ranking method, with more weight on affordability (30%), student outcomes (25%), curriculum (25%). Figures draw from published school tuition and U.S. Department of Education outcomes data when available. Schools cannot pay for a higher rank. All programs on this list have full scoring data. Read the full ranking methodology.
Tuition Snapshot
Among 9 programs on this page with an estimated tuition total, the median is about $47,064 and the mean is about $46,616. These are published list-price estimates—not what students usually pay after aid (net price). Confirm current rates on each school site.
Artificial Intelligence Degree Programs: The Latest Data
This guide ranks 10 programs after scoring and keeping one listing per school. Use the tuition snapshot with curriculum fit and accreditation notes before you apply.
How To Choose an Artificial Intelligence Degree
Use these criteria when you shortlist—then confirm details on each school’s program page.
Curriculum focus
Read the required core—not just the major title. Match electives to the role you want.
Costs
Compare published totals where available, then confirm current rates and fees on each school site.
Accreditation and fit
Prefer regionally accredited schools. Check format, any campus visits, and required courses before you start before you apply.
Career outcomes
Look for labs, projects, internships, and cert prep that map to hiring—not marketing slogans alone.
Best for: CS students specializing in AI/ML within a bachelor's
Accreditation: NWCCU
NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-CD, CAE-R)
Program summary
AI/ML sits as a concentration or track inside a broader degree—scan required vs elective AI courses so you know how deep the path actually goes. Most of the work is on campus—labs and cohort access are part of the draw.
Best for: Students comparing this specialty on cost and delivery
Program summary
University of California, San Diego is based in La Jolla. It’s built as a dedicated undergraduate AI major—confirm direct-admit rules and whether students can transfer in after a general first year.
Best for: CS students specializing in AI/ML within a bachelor's (University of Florida)
Accreditation: SACSCOC
NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-R)
Program summary
University of Florida is based in Gainesville. AI/ML sits as a concentration or track inside a broader degree—scan required vs elective AI courses so you know how deep the path actually goes. Most of the work is on campus—labs and cohort access are part of the draw.
Best for: CS students specializing in AI/ML within a bachelor's (Purdue University)
Accreditation: HLC
NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-R)
Program summary
This is a specialization on a larger program, not a standalone AI diploma; the parent major still drives required courses and campus-visit rules. Most of the work is on campus—labs and cohort access are part of the draw.
Best for: Cost-conscious CS students seeking an AI specialization
Accreditation: SACSCOC
Program summary
Georgia Tech sits in Atlanta. Georgia Tech’s Threads model lets you pair an Intelligence focus with a second area—useful when you want AI depth without abandoning a second specialty. Most of the work is on campus—labs and cohort access are part of the draw.
BS in Computer Science — Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Overview
Availability: On campus
Estimated tuition total: Confirm on school site
Credits: 128
Best for: ML-focused engineers who want applied AI coursework
Program summary
University of Colorado Boulder's program is the one profiled here. You’re in a CS degree that leans AI/ML—confirm how many required courses are explicitly AI versus general graduate CS. Most of the work is on campus—labs and cohort access are part of the draw. Plan on roughly 4 years. AI is a CS concentration—not a standalone AI bachelor's.
Kennesaw State University's program is the one profiled here. Named as an AI or ML degree—use the course list to separate theory-heavy terms from tool-focused applied semesters.
Best for: CS students specializing in AI/ML within a bachelor's (The University of Texas at Austin)
Accreditation: SACSCOC
Program summary
UT Austin anchors this ranking slot. Expect the parent degree’s core plus an AI-focused set of electives—confirm how many credits must be AI-labeled before you treat it as an AI credential. Most of the work is on campus—labs and cohort access are part of the draw.
Best for: CS students specializing in AI/ML within a bachelor's (University of Maryland)
Accreditation: MSCHE
NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-R)
Program summary
Students looking at College Park will find University of Maryland on this list. This is a specialization on a larger program, not a standalone AI diploma; the parent major still drives required courses and campus-visit rules. Most of the work is on campus—labs and cohort access are part of the draw.
Best for: CS students specializing in AI/ML within a bachelor's (University of California, Berkeley)
Accreditation: WSCUC
Program summary
AI/ML sits as a concentration or track inside a broader degree—scan required vs elective AI courses so you know how deep the path actually goes. Most of the work is on campus—labs and cohort access are part of the draw.
These schools also offer AI degree programs. They are not numbered in the ranking above—either they sat outside the top list, or we do not yet have a defensible tuition estimate to score them fairly on cost. Confirm current tuition and admissions on each school site.
FAQ: best AI degrees and artificial intelligence programs
What is the best artificial intelligence degree?
This Best Overall ranking highlights University of Washington; University of California, San Diego; and University of Florida for AI degrees. Compare bachelor's vs. master's paths and whether you need a dedicated AI major or a CS concentration.
Should I choose a bachelor's in AI or a computer science degree?
Dedicated AI bachelor's programs are growing. A CS major with strong AI electives still works well for many roles—compare curriculum depth, labs, and research access.
What are the requirements for an artificial intelligence degree?
To get into an AI bachelor's, colleges look for strong high school math, and some programming experience helps. Once enrolled, expect calculus, linear algebra, probability and statistics, programming and data structures, then machine learning and AI courses, often ending in a capstone project. Requirements vary, so read each school's program requirements page.
What jobs can I get with an AI degree?
Common paths include machine learning engineer, data scientist, AI product analyst, and research assistant roles. Employers care about projects and math strength as much as the major title.
What degree do you need to become an AI engineer?
Most AI engineers hold a bachelor's in computer science, artificial intelligence, data science or a related engineering field, plus a portfolio of machine learning projects. A master's helps for research-heavy roles: BLS lists a master's degree as the typical entry education for computer and information research scientists. Our AI engineer career guide covers the path in more detail.
How much do AI degree programs cost?
Published tuition totals are available for 9 of the 10 programs with published totals here, running $23,040 to $85,836 with a median near $47,064.
How does AIDegrees rank these programs?
We order schools on this page using our ranking method, with more weight on affordability (30%), student outcomes (25%), curriculum (25%). Figures draw from published school tuition and U.S. Department of Education outcomes data when available. Schools cannot pay for a higher rank. All programs on this list have full scoring data. See the full ranking methodology for weights and data sources.
