87 U.S. colleges awarded at least one degree or certificate in artificial intelligence in the 2023–24 academic year, up from 35 in 2020–21, according to U.S. Department of Education completions data. Those colleges conferred 1,616 AI credentials to first-major students, and 1,122 of them were master's degrees. Carnegie Mellon University awarded the most, with 227.
87Colleges awarding AI credentials, 2023–24
1,616AI awards to first majors, 2023–24
19Colleges awarding AI bachelor's
46Colleges awarding AI master's
How many colleges offer AI degrees?
In the 2023–24 academic year, 87 colleges and universities reported awarding at least one credential under the federal program code for artificial intelligence. That is about 2.5 times the 35 that did so in 2020–21. Award counts grew faster than the list of schools: AI credentials to first-major students rose from 517 to 1,616.
These counts only include programs a college classifies as artificial intelligence. Many schools teach AI as a concentration inside computer science, data science or engineering, and those graduates are reported under other codes. The number of places where you can study AI is much larger than the number that award a degree titled in AI.
Colleges awarding AI credentials by year
AI degree growth, 2020–21 to 2023–24
| Academic year | Colleges | AI awards | Bachelor's | Master's | Doctorates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020–21 | 35 | 517 | 30 | 397 | 29 |
| 2021–22 | 55 | 712 | 104 | 485 | 37 |
| 2022–23 | 68 | 1,264 | 104 | 935 | 33 |
| 2023–24 | 87 | 1,616 | 115 | 1,122 | 53 |
Colleges are counted when they reported at least one AI award (first or second major). Award totals count first majors only.
AI degrees by level
The master's degree dominates. In 2023–24, 1,122 of the 1,616 AI awards (69%) were master's degrees, from 46 colleges. Only 19 colleges awarded an AI bachelor's degree, and 5 awarded an AI doctorate.
| Credential | Colleges | Awards to first majors |
|---|---|---|
| Associate degree | 6 | 26 |
| Bachelor's degree | 19 | 115 |
| Master's degree | 46 | 1,122 |
| Doctorate | 5 | 53 |
| Undergraduate certificate | 14 | 97 |
| Postbaccalaureate certificate | 20 | 203 |
Colleges awarding the most AI degrees
Carnegie Mellon University awarded 227 AI credentials in 2023–24, the most of any college. The table below lists the 10 largest by awards to first-major students across all levels. Size is not quality; see our best AI degrees and best AI master's rankings to compare programs.
| # | College | Location | AI awards, 2023–24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PA | 227 |
| 2 | University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, PA | 87 |
| 3 | Illinois Institute of Technology | Chicago, IL | 74 |
| 4 | San Jose State University | San Jose, CA | 69 |
| 5 | University of North Texas | Denton, TX | 69 |
| 6 | Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore, MD | 62 |
| 7 | Florida Atlantic University | Boca Raton, FL | 60 |
| 8 | Northeastern University | Boston, MA | 58 |
| 9 | University of San Diego | San Diego, CA | 50 |
| 10 | University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | 40 |
Public vs. private colleges
Of the 87 colleges awarding AI credentials in 2023–24, 44 were public, 37 were private nonprofit, and 6 were private for-profit.
AI degrees by state
Colleges in 34 states and territories awarded AI credentials in 2023–24. California (6), New York (6), Florida (5), Pennsylvania (5), Arizona (4), Massachusetts (4), Michigan (4), Missouri (4), New Jersey (4), Ohio (4), Texas (4) had the most. Browse local options in our AI degrees by state directory.
AI compared with related fields
AI is still a small field next to its neighbors. Data science, which received its own program code at the same time, grew from 58 colleges to 243. Cybersecurity and computer science are each offered at hundreds of colleges.
| Field | Program code | Colleges, 2020–21 | Colleges, 2023–24 | Awards, 2023–24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artificial intelligence | 11.0102 | 35 | 87 | 1,616 |
| Data science | 30.7001 | 58 | 243 | 7,169 |
| Cybersecurity | 11.1003 | 651 | 841 | 37,938 |
| Computer science | 11.0701 | 911 | 1001 | 78,278 |
About this data
- Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) Completions survey, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24.
- An academic year runs July 1 to June 30; 2023–24 covers awards conferred July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024.
- Artificial intelligence is program code 11.0102 in the federal Classification of Instructional Programs, added in the 2020 edition.
- Only Title IV-participating institutions report to IPEDS. Bootcamps and most noncredit courses are not included.
Frequently asked questions
How many colleges offer AI degrees?
87 U.S. colleges awarded at least one credential coded as artificial intelligence in 2023–24, up from 35 in 2020–21. Many more teach AI inside computer science or data science programs.
How many colleges offer a bachelor's in artificial intelligence?
19 colleges awarded an AI bachelor's degree in 2023–24. Most AI students earn a master's; 46 colleges awarded AI master's degrees that year.
Which college awards the most AI degrees?
Carnegie Mellon University, with 227 AI credentials to first-major students in 2023–24.
Is AI a growing college major?
Yes. AI awards to first-major students rose from 517 in 2020–21 to 1,616 in 2023–24, and the number of colleges awarding them grew from 35 to 87.
Can I study AI at a college not on this count?
Yes. Many colleges offer AI concentrations within computer science, data science or engineering degrees, which are reported under those fields instead. Check the program requirements on each school's site.