Best Online AI Bachelor's Degrees: 2026 Rankings & Guide
Best online bachelor's degrees in artificial intelligence, ranked.
Updated
Western Governors University, Indiana University Online, and Arizona State University offer the best online bachelor's degrees in artificial intelligence on our list. Western Governors University's BS in AI Engineering lists an estimated total tuition of $16,800, and Indiana University Online lists $38,071 in-state. Total published tuition across our top 10 runs from $16,800 to $49,800, with a median near $40,440.
10 Best Online AI Bachelor's Degrees
Rank
School
Location
1
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT
2
Indiana University Online
Indianapolis, IN
3
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ
4
Indiana University-Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN
5
University of Maryland, Global Campus
Adelphi, MD
6
Angelo State University
San Angelo, TX
7
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX
8
Dakota State University
Madison, SD
9
Indiana University
Bloomington, IN
10
Indiana Wesleyan University
Marion, IN
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 (40%), student outcomes (30%), curriculum (20%). Figures draw from published school tuition and U.S. Department of Education outcomes data when available. Schools cannot pay for a higher rank. About 91% of programs on this list have full scoring data. Read the full ranking methodology.
Why online AI bachelor's lists stay short
Undergraduate AI as a standalone major is still young (the first U.S. program launched in 2018). Many universities put AI inside computer science instead of launching a new bachelor's—especially online. Read each school card for the real program title, not just the marketing label.
Online vs campus AI bachelor's
Online paths help if you need schedule flexibility or live far from a campus lab. Tradeoffs usually include fewer spontaneous research collaborations and, at some publics, losing a cheaper in-state campus rate. Confirm in-state vs out-of-state pricing, any required intensives, and whether senior projects are fully remote.
What to check beyond rank order
Is it a true AI major or a CS / data-science concentration?
Required math and programming sequence (calculus, linear algebra, probability)
Final project, internship, or portfolio expectations
Published program total vs per-credit ads—and online vs in-state campus rates
Among 9 programs on this page with an estimated tuition total, the median is about $40,440 and the mean is about $39,595. These are published list-price estimates—not what students usually pay after aid (net price). Confirm current rates on each school site.
Online AI Bachelor's 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 Online AI Bachelor's Degree
Use these criteria when you shortlist—then confirm details on each school’s program page.
Major vs concentration
Dedicated AI bachelor's list a large AI/ML core. CS + AI tracks keep systems foundations and a smaller AI elective block—match the syllabus to the job you want.
Costs and pacing
Compare published totals where we have them, then confirm current rates, fees, and part-time calendars on each school site.
Accreditation and delivery
Prefer regionally accredited schools. Check live vs recorded sessions, proctoring, and any required on-campus labs.
Career-ready practice
Look for projects, internships, or applied studios you can show in interviews—not marketing slogans alone.
1
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT
BS in AI Engineering
Overview
Availability: Online
Estimated tuition total: $16,800
Credits: Confirm on school site
Best for: affordability, self-motivated students
NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-CD)
Program summary
It’s built as a dedicated undergraduate AI major—confirm direct-admit rules and whether students can transfer in after a general first year. Delivery is fully online—confirm live vs recorded sessions and any intensives.
Best for: indiana residents, choice between BA and BS
Program summary
Positioned as an AI/ML program on paper; verify labs, final projects, and math required courses match the intensity you want. Delivery is fully online—confirm live vs recorded sessions and any intensives.
Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence in Business (BS-AIB)
Overview
Availability: Online
Estimated tuition total: $48,708 (~$406/credit)
Credits: 120
Best for: aspiring business & business intelligence analysts and career support
Program summary
ASU is based in Tempe. It’s built as a dedicated undergraduate AI major—confirm direct-admit rules and whether students can transfer in after a general first year. Delivery is fully online—confirm live vs recorded sessions and any intensives. Plan on roughly 4 years.
Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence (BS in AI)
Overview
Availability: Online
Estimated tuition total: $38,071 (~$317/credit)
Credits: 120
Best for: AI bot designers & developers and human-centered AI
Program summary
Indiana University-Indianapolis anchors this ranking slot. It’s built as a dedicated undergraduate AI major—confirm direct-admit rules and whether students can transfer in after a general first year. Delivery is fully online—confirm live vs recorded sessions and any intensives. Plan on roughly 4 years.
Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence (BS in AI)
Overview
Availability: Online
Estimated tuition total: $40,440 (~$337/credit)
Credits: 120
Best for: ML-focused engineers who want applied AI coursework
NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-CD)
Program summary
University of Maryland, Global Campus is based in Adelphi. It’s built as a dedicated undergraduate AI major—confirm direct-admit rules and whether students can transfer in after a general first year. Delivery is fully online—confirm live vs recorded sessions and any intensives. Plan on roughly 4 years.
Best for: computer science fundamentals and AI & game development
NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-CD)
Program summary
Angelo State University sits in San Angelo. It’s built as a dedicated undergraduate AI major—confirm direct-admit rules and whether students can transfer in after a general first year. Delivery is fully online—confirm live vs recorded sessions and any intensives. Plan on roughly 4 years.
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HCAI)
Overview
Availability: Online
Estimated tuition total: $49,800 (~$415/credit)
Credits: 120
Best for: UX designers and junior data scientists
Program summary
It’s built as a dedicated undergraduate AI major—confirm direct-admit rules and whether students can transfer in after a general first year. Delivery is fully online—confirm live vs recorded sessions and any intensives. Plan on roughly 2-4 years.
It’s built as a dedicated undergraduate AI major—confirm direct-admit rules and whether students can transfer in after a general first year. Delivery is fully online—confirm live vs recorded sessions and any intensives. Plan on roughly 4 years.
Best for: Working adults comparing this online AI/ML path on cost and fit
NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-CD, CAE-R)
Program summary
Indiana University sits in Bloomington. It’s built as a dedicated undergraduate AI major—confirm direct-admit rules and whether students can transfer in after a general first year. Delivery is fully online—confirm live vs recorded sessions and any intensives.
Best for: Data professionals adding an AI/ML concentration
Program summary
Students looking at Marion will find Indiana Wesleyan University on this list. Delivery is fully online—confirm live vs recorded sessions and any intensives. AI/ML is a concentration on a data science or analytics bachelor's—not a standalone AI degree.
These schools also offer online AI bachelor's 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.
Yes at a growing set of schools, though many options are computer science degrees with AI tracks. Read the curriculum for machine learning, probability, and project courses—not just the marketing title.
What is the best online AI bachelor's degree?
This ranking currently leads with Western Governors University, Indiana University Online, and Arizona State University after scoring affordability, outcomes, and AI curriculum among online bachelor's rows. Compare the cards below for program title and fit.
How is this ranking built?
We order schools on this page using our ranking method, with more weight on affordability (40%), student outcomes (30%), curriculum (20%). Figures draw from published school tuition and U.S. Department of Education outcomes data when available. Schools cannot pay for a higher rank. About 91% of programs on this list have full scoring data. See the full ranking methodology for weights and data sources.
Should I skip straight to an online master's instead?
If you already have a quantitative bachelor's, an online master's is often the faster specialization. Use an online bachelor's when you still need the undergraduate credential.
Are business-titled AI bachelor's weaker?
Not always—but they often emphasize tools and product use over algorithms. Match the syllabus to the job you want.
How much do online AI bachelor's programs cost?
Among priced programs on this top list, the median estimated total is about $40,440. Confirm current rates on each school’s program page before you apply.
