Best AI Degree Programs in Tennessee: 2026 Rankings
79 AI and machine learning programs at 25 schools in Tennessee.
Updated
The strongest AI programs in Tennessee on this list are led by University of Tennessee, Knoxville; East Tennessee State University; and Vanderbilt University. Schools are ordered using our ranking for Tennessee, drawn from 79 programs at 25 schools.
Best AI programs in Tennessee
Rank
School
Location
1
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville, TN
2
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, TN
3
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
4
Tennessee Technological University
Cookeville, TN
5
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN
6
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN
7
University of Memphis
Memphis, TN
8
Lincoln Memorial University
Harrogate, TN
9
South College
Knoxville, TN
10
Christian Brothers University
Memphis, TN
11
Meharry Medical College
Nashville, TN
12
Tennessee State University
Nashville, TN
13
Austin Peay State University
Clarksville, TN
14
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN
15
Trevecca Nazarene University
Nashville, TN
16
Carson-Newman University
Jefferson City, TN
17
The University of Tennessee-Martin
Martin, TN
18
Rhodes College
Memphis, TN
19
Lane College
Jackson, TN
20
Le Moyne-Owen College
Memphis, TN
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 84% of programs on this list have full scoring data. Read the full ranking methodology.
Top schools in Tennessee
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 Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville, TN
Online MS in Computer Science (Data Mining and Intelligent Systems Concentration)
Overview
Availability: Online
Estimated tuition total: $25,830 (~$861/credit)
Credits: 30
Best for: accessibility
Accreditation: SACSCOC
NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-R)
Program summary
University of Tennessee, Knoxville anchors this ranking slot. Treat this as a flexible online MSCS lane: specialization picks the AI depth, while core CS requirements still shape the degree. Delivery is fully online—confirm live vs recorded sessions and any intensives. Plan on roughly 18-24 months.
Masters in Computer Science — Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Overview
Availability: Varies
Estimated tuition total: Confirm on school site
Credits: Confirm on school site
Best for: CS students specializing in AI/ML within an MSCS
Program summary
Students looking at Johnson City will find East Tennessee State University on this list. Computer science is the umbrella; the AI or machine-learning focus lives in electives and specializations rather than a separate AI degree name.
Home unit: Department of Computing. Details: program page.
Best for: Students comparing this specialty on cost and delivery
NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-R)
Program summary
Vanderbilt University sits in Nashville. 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 (Tennessee Technological University)
Program summary
Tennessee Technological University sits in Cookeville. It’s built as a dedicated undergraduate AI major—confirm direct-admit rules and whether students can transfer in after a general first year.
MS in Computer Science — Artificial Intelligence Concentration
Overview
Availability: Varies
Estimated tuition total: Confirm on school site
Credits: Confirm on school site
Best for: CS students specializing in AI/ML within an MSCS (AI specialization)
Program summary
Middle Tennessee State University is based in Murfreesboro. 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. AI is an MSCS specialization—not a standalone AI master's.
Best for: Practitioners who want applied AI over research-heavy CS
Program summary
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. Delivery is fully online—confirm live vs recorded sessions and any intensives.
Home unit: Raymond B. Jones College of Engineering. Course map: curriculum bulletin.
BS in Computer Science — Artificial Intelligence Concentration
Overview
Availability: Varies
Estimated tuition total: Confirm on school site
Credits: Confirm on school site
Best for: CS students specializing in AI/ML within a bachelor's
NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-CD, CAE-R)
Program summary
University of Memphis 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. AI is a CS concentration—not a standalone AI bachelor's.
Graduate Certificate in Applied Artificial Intelligence
Overview
Availability: Online
Estimated tuition total: Confirm on school site
Credits: Confirm on school site
Best for: Practitioners who want applied AI over research-heavy CS (Applied AI degree)
Program summary
Lincoln Memorial University is based in Harrogate. 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.
BS in Computer Science — Artificial Intelligence Concentration
Overview
Availability: Online
Estimated tuition total: Confirm on school site
Credits: Confirm on school site
Best for: CS students specializing in AI/ML within a bachelor's (AI specialization)
Program summary
South College is based in Knoxville. 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. Delivery is fully online—confirm live vs recorded sessions and any intensives. AI is a CS concentration—not a standalone AI bachelor's.
Best for: Learners seeking a dedicated AI master's
Program summary
Students looking at Memphis will find Christian Brothers 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. Dedicated AI master's—not an add-on to another degree.
On this state ranking, University of Tennessee, Knoxville; East Tennessee State University; and Vanderbilt University appear near the top. We list 25 schools offering AI programs in Tennessee. Confirm format and admissions on each school site.
How many AI programs are in Tennessee?
About 79 AI programs at 25 schools show up for Tennessee 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 84% 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.
