Most Affordable AI Degrees: 2026 Rankings & Cost Guide
Lower published-total AI and ML programs for working adults comparing cost, format, and fit.
Updated
Georgia Institute of Technology's MS in Computer Science — AI is the most affordable AI degree on our list, at an estimated total tuition of $6,810 for 30 credits. Western Governors University ($8,770) and The University of Texas at Austin ($9,990) are the next lowest. Published totals for all 10 programs on our list fall between $6,810 and $20,000, with a median near $14,835.
Tuition Snapshot
Among 10 programs on this page with an estimated tuition total, the median is about $15,750 and the mean is about $13,719. These are published list-price estimates—not what students usually pay after aid (net price). Confirm current rates on each school site.
Affordable AI 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 Affordable AI Degree While Working
Use these criteria when you shortlist—then confirm details on each school’s program page.
Published total vs per-credit ads
Per-credit list prices can hide a long part-time path. Prefer a published program total—or multiply credits × rate—before you shortlist.
Format you can sustain
Async, sync, and hybrid all “online” differently. Match live sessions and any required campus visits to your job and time zone.
Credits and time to finish
A cheaper published price with more credits—or a multi-year part-time plan—can cost more in calendar time. Confirm pacing on the program page.
Real AI coursework for your pivot
Lowest price still needs ML/stats depth that matches your goal. Read core requirements, not the marketing title alone.
Rankings Methodology
This list is 100% estimated program tuition, lowest to highest. We use a published program total when we have one; otherwise required credits times the applicable per-credit rate. Programs without a defensible total are not ranked. In-state and out-of-state prices are not mixed by taking the lowest dollar in a string. All programs on this list have full scoring data. This page is for people comparing efficient AI credentials while working—not prestige shopping. Cheaper is not automatically better.
Include: published or derived program totals we harvested into the catalog
Exclude: rows with only a per-credit rate and no usable total—and unpriced programs that may still be strong
Watch-outs: in-state vs out-of-state blends, credit load, sync requirements, and employer tuition aid
Who this list is for
Primary readers are working adults and career changers shortlisting online or hybrid AI / applied ML master's (and close variants) on cost and schedule fit. Secondary readers include undergrads and parents scanning lower-tuition paths—use school cards for program name and format, then verify on the school site.
What “affordable” usually means in AI
The bottom of price tables is dominated by large public online master's tracks and competency-based models. Campus private AI bachelor's almost never win a pure price sort—and that is fine. Use this page to find efficient options you can finish without quitting your job, then judge rigor and outcomes.
The table is for a fast cost scan. Cards below surface the program name, format, credits/length, and tuition—the fields that usually decide a working-adult shortlist.
1
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA
MS in Computer Science — AI
Overview
Availability: Online
Estimated tuition total: $6,810 (~$227/credit)
Credits: 30
Best for: Cost-conscious CS students seeking an AI specialization
Program summary
Students looking at Atlanta will find Georgia Tech on this list. 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. Published cost plus online delivery makes it practical for working adults comparing totals. AI is an MSCS specialization—not a standalone AI master's.
MS in Computer Science — AI and Machine Learning Specialization
Overview
Availability: Online
Estimated tuition total: $8,770
Credits: 30
Best for: Self-paced CS students specializing in AI/ML while working
NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-CD)
Program summary
Western Governors University is based in Salt Lake City. 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. Published cost plus online delivery makes it practical for working adults comparing totals. AI is an MSCS specialization—not a standalone AI master's.
Best for: Learners seeking a dedicated AI master's
Accreditation: SACSCOC
Program summary
Published cost plus online delivery makes it practical for working adults comparing totals. Plan on roughly 1.5-2 years. This is a broader degree, not a standalone AI program.
MS in Data Science and Analytics — Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Concentration
Overview
Availability: Online
Estimated tuition total: $11,212 (in-state)
Credits: Confirm on school site
Best for: In-state data professionals adding an AI/ML concentration
NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-CO, CAE-CD, CAE-R)
Program summary
Old Dominion University is based in Norfolk. 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. Published cost plus online delivery makes it practical for working adults comparing totals. AI/ML is a concentration on a data science or analytics master's—not a standalone AI degree.
Best for: Managers who want AI literacy inside an MBA
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. Published cost plus online delivery makes it practical for working adults comparing totals. AI is an MBA concentration—not a standalone AI master's.
Best for: Learners seeking a dedicated AI master's (Standalone AI degree)
Program summary
Students looking at Saint Paul will find Concordia University, St. Paul on this list. Named as an AI or ML degree—use the course list to separate theory-heavy terms from tool-focused applied semesters. Published cost plus online delivery makes it practical for working adults comparing totals. Dedicated AI master's—not an add-on to another degree.
Best for: Working adults who want an AI master's via Coursera
Program summary
University of Colorado Boulder's program is the one profiled here. The title reads AI/ML-first; still open the curriculum map to see how much is core AI versus borrowed CS, stats, or engineering electives. Published cost plus online delivery makes it practical for working adults comparing totals. Delivered through Coursera—confirm pacing on the program page.
M.S. in Computer Engineering — Machine Learning and AI Specialization
Overview
Availability: Online
Estimated tuition total: $17,000
Credits: 31
Best for: Engineers applying ML/AI inside computer engineering
NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-R)
Program summary
Students looking at Albuquerque will find University of New Mexico on this list. 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. Published cost plus online delivery makes it practical for working adults comparing totals. ML/AI sits inside an engineering master's—not a standalone AI degree.
Best for: Learners seeking a dedicated AI master's (Houston Christian University)
Program summary
Positioned as an AI/ML program on paper; verify labs, final projects, and math required courses match the intensity you want. Published cost plus online delivery makes it practical for working adults comparing totals. Dedicated AI master's—not an add-on to another degree.
Best for: Career changers who want AI & ML with scheduled online sessions
Accreditation: HLC
Program summary
Colorado State University Global sits in Aurora. The title reads AI/ML-first; still open the curriculum map to see how much is core AI versus borrowed CS, stats, or engineering electives. Published cost plus online delivery makes it practical for working adults comparing totals. Combined AI & ML master's—not a single-subject add-on.
What is the cheapest AI degree on this list for working adults?
Among priced AI/ML rows after school dedupe, Georgia Institute of Technology currently leads on published total. Still compare credits, live vs recorded format, and whether you can finish while working.
Should I pick the lowest tuition online AI master's?
Not by published price alone. Confirm you can sustain the format, that core courses cover real AI/ML depth for your pivot, and that total cost (not per-credit ads) matches your budget and timeline.
Are affordable AI degrees lower quality?
Price and prestige are different axes. Check accreditation, projects, faculty, and graduate outcomes—not published list price alone.
Why is a famous school missing?
Either we lack a usable program total for their AI/ML row, we only have a per-credit rate, or a cheaper program at the same school already won the dedupe slot.
