Best AI Degree Programs in California: 2026 Rankings
360 AI and machine learning programs at 25 schools in California.
Updated
The strongest AI programs in California on this list are led by University of San Diego; University of California, Berkeley; and University of California, San Diego. Schools are ordered using our ranking for California, drawn from 360 programs at 25 schools.
Best AI programs in California
Rank
School
Location
1
University of San Diego
San Diego, CA
2
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
3
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, CA
4
University of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
5
University of California, Davis
Davis, CA
6
University of California, Irvine
Irvine, CA
7
Stanford University
Stanford, CA
8
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA
9
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA
10
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA
11
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
12
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
Pasadena, CA
13
University of California-Riverside
Riverside, CA
14
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA
15
California State University-East Bay
Hayward, CA
16
University of California-Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA
17
California State University-Fresno
Fresno, CA
18
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA
19
Pomona College
Claremont, CA
20
California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA
School names are plain text in the table. Profiles and write-ups are below when available.
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. About 94% of programs on this list have full scoring data. Read the full ranking methodology.
Top schools in California
Each school lists a quick overview (program, estimated cost, format) plus a short program summary with links to official school pages and related program paths. Tuition figures are published estimates—confirm current totals on the school’s program page before you apply.
1
University of San Diego
San Diego, CA
MS in Applied Artificial Intelligence
Overview
Availability: Online
Estimated tuition total: $29,850 (~$995/credit)
Credits: 30
Best for: Practitioners who want applied AI over research-heavy CS
Accreditation: WSCUC
NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-CD)
Program summary
University of San Diego anchors this ranking slot. 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. Plan on roughly 20 months.
Best for: CS students specializing in AI/ML within a bachelor's
Accreditation: WSCUC
Program summary
Start with UC Berkeley if this ranking angle matches your goals. 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 California, Santa Barbara)
Accreditation: WSCUC
Program summary
University of California, Santa Barbara 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 California, Davis)
Accreditation: WSCUC
NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-R)
Program summary
University of California, Davis anchors this ranking slot. 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 (AI specialization)
Accreditation: WSCUC
Program summary
Start with University of California, Irvine if this ranking angle matches your goals. 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. AI is a CS concentration—not a standalone AI bachelor's.
Online Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS) — Artificial Intelligence
Overview
Availability: Online
Estimated tuition total: Confirm on school site
Credits: 45
Best for: CS students specializing in AI/ML within an MSCS
Program summary
You’re choosing an AI/ML specialization inside an online MSCS; the diploma title stays computer science even when most electives lean machine learning. Delivery is fully online—confirm live vs recorded sessions and any intensives. Plan on roughly 3-5 years (Part-Time).
Best for: Learners seeking a dedicated AI master's
Program summary
Named as an AI or ML degree—use the course list to separate theory-heavy terms from tool-focused applied semesters. Dedicated AI master's—not an add-on to another degree.
Best for: Learners seeking a dedicated AI master's (Standalone AI degree)
Program summary
San Diego State University'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. Dedicated AI master's—not an add-on to another degree.
Best for: Students comparing this specialty on cost and delivery (University of Southern California)
Program summary
Students looking at Los Angeles will find University of Southern California on this list. It’s built as a dedicated undergraduate AI major—confirm direct-admit rules and whether students can transfer in after a general first year.
On this state ranking, University of San Diego; University of California, Berkeley; and University of California, San Diego appear near the top. We list 25 schools offering AI programs in California. Confirm format and admissions on each school site.
How many AI programs are in California?
About 360 AI programs at 25 schools show up for California on this list. Confirm current offerings on each school site.
Online or campus?
Both can appear on state lists. Check each program’s delivery format and any required campus visits.
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. About 94% of programs on this list have full scoring data. See the full ranking methodology for weights and data sources.
State list or overall ranking?
Use both—state lists help with in-state tuition and local networks; overall lists compare research strength and online options.
