Best AI Degree Programs in North Carolina: 2026 Rankings
108 AI and machine learning programs at 25 schools in North Carolina.
Updated
The strongest AI programs in North Carolina on this list are led by Duke University, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Schools are ordered using our ranking for North Carolina, drawn from 108 programs at 25 schools.
Best AI programs in North Carolina
Rank
School
Location
1
Duke University
Durham, NC
2
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Greensboro, NC
3
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC
4
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Raleigh, NC
5
North Carolina A & T State University
Greensboro, NC
6
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC
7
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte, NC
8
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington, NC
9
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC
10
Appalachian State University
Boone, NC
11
Winston-Salem State University
Winston-Salem, NC
12
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC
13
Belmont Abbey College
Belmont, NC
14
Carolina University
Winston-Salem, NC
15
Pfeiffer University
Misenheimer, NC
16
University of North Carolina Asheville
Asheville, NC
17
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC
18
Elon University
Elon, NC
19
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Pembroke, NC
20
Gardner-Webb University
Boiling Springs, NC
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 89% of programs on this list have full scoring data. Read the full ranking methodology.
Top schools in North Carolina
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
Duke University
Durham, NC
Online Master of Engineering in Artificial Intelligence for Product Innovation (MEng AIPI)
Overview
Availability: Online or on campus
Estimated tuition total: Confirm on school site
Credits: 30
Best for: AI product development and software developers
NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-CD)
Program summary
Students looking at Durham will find Duke University on this list. Named as an AI or ML degree—use the course list to separate theory-heavy terms from tool-focused applied semesters. Delivery is fully online—confirm live vs recorded sessions and any intensives. Plan on roughly 24 months (Part-Time).
Master's in Information Technology and Management — Generative AI for Business Concentration
Overview
Availability: Online
Estimated tuition total: Confirm on school site
Credits: Confirm on school site
Best for: Working adults comparing this online AI/ML path on cost and fit
Program summary
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. Delivery is fully online—confirm live vs recorded sessions and any intensives.
Best for: Students comparing this specialty on cost and delivery
Program summary
Start with University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill if this ranking angle matches your goals. Most of the work is on campus—labs and cohort access are part of the draw. This is a broader degree, not a standalone AI program.
Best for: Students comparing this specialty on cost and delivery (North Carolina State University at Raleigh)
Program summary
North Carolina State University at Raleigh's program is the one profiled here. Most of the work is on campus—labs and cohort access are part of the draw. This is a broader degree, not a standalone AI program.
Best for: Practitioners who want applied AI over research-heavy CS
NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-CD, CAE-R)
Program summary
North Carolina A & T State University is based in Greensboro. 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. Delivery is fully online—confirm live vs recorded sessions and any intensives.
Best for: Students comparing this specialty on cost and delivery (Wake Forest University)
Program summary
Wake Forest University sits in Winston-Salem. Most of the work is on campus—labs and cohort access are part of the draw. This is a broader degree, not a standalone AI program.
BS in Computer Engineering — Machine Learning Concentration
Overview
Availability: Varies
Estimated tuition total: Confirm on school site
Credits: Confirm on school site
Best for: Engineers applying ML/AI inside computer engineering
NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-CD, CAE-R)
Program summary
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. ML/AI sits inside an engineering bachelor's—not a standalone AI degree.
Best for: Data professionals adding an AI/ML concentration
NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-CD)
Program summary
University of North Carolina Wilmington'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. AI/ML is a concentration on a data science or analytics master's—not a standalone AI degree.
Best for: Students comparing this specialty on cost and delivery (East Carolina University)
NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-CD)
Program summary
East Carolina University sits in Greenville. Most of the work is on campus—labs and cohort access are part of the draw. This is a broader degree, not a standalone AI program.
Best for: Students comparing this specialty on cost and delivery (Appalachian State University)
Program summary
Students looking at Boone will find Appalachian State University on this list. Most of the work is on campus—labs and cohort access are part of the draw. This is a broader degree, not a standalone AI program.
On this state ranking, Duke University, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill appear near the top. We list 25 schools offering AI programs in North Carolina. Confirm format and admissions on each school site.
How many AI programs are in North Carolina?
About 108 AI programs at 25 schools show up for North Carolina 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 89% 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.
