Artificial intelligence is everywhere. In fact, almost 77% of devices today use some form of AI technology. From energy conservation in our homes to self-driving vehicles, AI is making its mark in the world. As our world becomes increasingly driven by intelligent systems, the demand for skilled professionals in AI is soaring to unprecedented heights. In this era of innovation, choosing the right bachelor’s degree is crucial, and fortunately, there are many great programs available!
AI degrees open doors to a realm of opportunities. In this article, we’ll highlight some of the top bachelor’s degrees in Artificial Intelligence. Whether you’re fascinated by the intricacies of neural networks or captivated by the potential of robotics, discover the educational pathways that lay the foundation for a rewarding career in the realm of Artificial Intelligence.
This ranking was created in December 2023 and the data was accurate at time of publication.
What are the Best Bachelor’s in Artificial Intelligence?
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Per Credit Hour Tuition and Average Net Tuition Disclaimer: The tuition amounts given are estimates and subject to change.
University of California San Diego
The University of California San Diego features a Bachelor of Science with a specialization in Machine Learning and Neural Computation. This program is a great choice for students interested in computational and mathematical approaches to:
- theoretical neuroscience
- software engineering
- data science
- building cognitive systems
Students can enhance their degree by taking specialized elective courses in areas like neural networks and AI. Courses are taught by faculty with extensive experience in the field. Most have unique research interests which allow students to explore some of the most cutting-edge areas of AI. Students may join the Students in Cognitive and Neurosciences organization which provides opportunities to visit research labs and make job contacts.
The University of California San Diego is a four-year public university with over 52,500 students. Approximately 24% of applicants are admitted into the school, making it a very selective school. UCSD Purdue is fairly affordable with a net price of $16,111/year. Graduates leave school with about $15,500 in federal loans.
University of Washington-Seattle
The UW Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering offers a Machine Learning Pathway to students pursuing a BS in Electrical and Computer Engineering. The Machine Learning Pathway connects data science, machine learning, and computing. Students will learn how hardware and sensor design can enable data collection and then learn how to store and process that data. Students will then train and test machine learning models using their data to model predictions and produce new insights.
One of the highlights of this program is the embedded systems capstone project. Students work in teams to apply their knowledge and build a substantial project within an embedded systems framework.
The University of Washington-Seattle is a four-year public university with over 52,300 students. Approximately 48% of applicants are admitted into the school, making it a moderately selective school to get accepted into. UW is extremely affordable with a net price of $10,603/year. Graduates leave school with about $14,615 in federal loans.
Stanford University
The School of Humanities and Sciences at Stanford University offers a bachelor’s degree in symbolic systems. This innovative major focuses on the different aspects of the human-computer relationship. Students can choose from several concentrations including artificial intelligence and human-centered artificial intelligence. Students in the human-centered AI program will take courses that help them understand how AI interacts with humans. These courses include:
- The Politics of Algorithms
- Personality and Digital Media
- Regulating Artificial Intelligence
Students choosing the AI concentration can take courses that cover areas like deep learning and machine learning theory.
Other AI related concentration options include:
- Cognitive Science
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Decision Making and Rationality
Stanford is a four-year private, not-for-profit university in Stanford, California. They have 18,283 students with undergraduates making up just under half of the student population. Approximately 4% of applicants are admitted into the school, making it one of the most selective schools in the country. Stanford comes with a higher price tag than many of the schools in our ranking having a net price of $18,279/year. Graduates leave school with about $12,000 in federal loans.
Indiana University Bloomington
The Bachelor of Arts in Artificial Intelligence from Indiana University puts graduates on the forefront of the AI landscape. The program is offered through the School of Informatics and Computing through a collaboration with the IUPUI School of Science and Purdue University’s School of Engineering and Technology. Students will develop in-demand skills in areas like:
- machine learning
- bot development
- robotic process automation
- cognitive computing
Students can build their resume with certificates in areas like Rasa AI Assistant Development and Cocohub. An internship is available to give students valuable hands-on experience working with industry leaders.
Applicants must submit:
- Official transcripts
- SAT/ACT scores (optional)
- Essay (200-400 words)
First year freshmen should submit their application by May 1st. The program is available to students online or on-campus.
Indiana University Bloomington is a four-year public university with over 47,000 students. Over 80% of applicants are admitted into the school, making it one of the most accessibly universities in our ranking. Indiana University Bloomington is also affordable with a net price of $16,234/year. Graduates leave school with about $19,509 in federal loans.
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
The University of Minnesota is a well-respected institution in the area of artificial intelligence. They were recently awarded a $20 million grant by the National Science Foundation and the US Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. This grant will fund the new AI Institute for Climate-Land Interactions, Mitigation, Adaptation, Tradeoffs and Economy (AI-CLIMATE). This new facility will advance AI intelligence in the agriculture and forestry industries.
The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science at UM allows students to focus their studies on the areas of artificial intelligence and robotics. Students must complete 120 credit hours to earn their degree. Technical elective courses for students interested in AI include:
- Computer Vision
- Machine Learning
- Math Models Human Behavior
Graduates are successful working in areas like:
- data understanding
- automation of human activities
- personalization
The University of Minnesota Twin Cities Indiana University Bloomington is a four-year public university with over 54,955 students. Over 75% of applicants are admitted into the school, making it very accessible to students. The University of Minnesota is also affordable with a net price of $16,018/year. Graduates leave school with about $19,500 in federal loans.
Purdue University
Purdue University has the most robust AI training program of any school in our ranking. They offer three bachelor’s degree programs for students planning a career in AI.
The Bachelor of Science in AI is offered by the College of Science. The program is a great choice for students who are proficient in calculus and enjoy taking math classes. Students will learn the theory and design behind different AI technologies.
Students interested in AI from a computer engineering perspective can benefit from the Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Concentration for BSCmpE students. Computer engineering students will learn the fundamental concepts behind AI and Machine Learning.
Purdue University’s Department of Philosophy launched a new Bachelor of Arts in Artificial Intelligence. The program includes five computer science courses and eight courses in philosophy. Students gain programming and data analysis skills while developing a deeper understanding of the ethical issues facing Big Data.
One of the most exciting opportunities for students is having access to the Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence (VRAI) Lab. The lab functions as platform for educators to offer course content integrates the newest AI models.
AI majors can expect to take courses in:
- Digital Literacy
- Problem Solving and Object-Oriented Programming
- AI Basics
Purdue University is a four-year public university with over 52,500 students. Approximately 53% of applicants are admitted into the school, making it a fairly selective school to get accepted into. Purdue is very affordable with a net price of $12,576/year. Graduates leave school with about $19,500 in federal loans.
University of Maryland
The University of Maryland’s Department of Computer Science offers a bachelor’s degree in computer science with a specialization in machine learning. Students will focus on computational systems and software. The program is math-intensive and rigorous.
Courses are taught by world-class experts in the field. Faculty conduct research in labs that include:
- The Center for Automation Research
- Computational Linguistics and Information Processing
- Human-Computer Interaction Lab
Admission into the computer science program is extremely competitive. Applicants should make their application as competitive as possible by demonstrating strong academic performance and participating in research and honors courses as much as possible.
The University of Maryland is a four-year public university with over 52,500 students. Approximately 45% of applicants are admitted into the school, making it a moderately selective school to get accepted into. UM is affordable with a net price of $16,210/year. Graduates leave school with about $19,000 in federal loans.
Georgia Institute of Technology
At Georgia Tech, computer science students learn how to do computing with real-world impact. Students can customize their degree with one of eight different Threads, including a Thread in Intelligence.
The Intelligence Thread is a great choice for students who want to build top-to-bottom computational models of intelligence. Students can prepare for an exciting career in a variety of areas including AI and machine learning.
Students can further customize their degree by combining the Intelligence Thread with a Thread in Devices to become a roboticist. They can also pursue a second Thread in Media and learn to build smart and adaptive equipment. By combining Threads, the possibilities in AI are virtually endless!
Georgia Tech is a four-year public university in Atlanta, Georgia. They have 45,296 students with 18,415 of those being undergrads. Approximately 17% of applicants are admitted into the school, making it a very selective school. GT is fairly affordable with a net price of $17,402/year. Graduates leave school with about $21,672 in federal loans.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, or MIT, offers a Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Decision Making through the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. MIT offers an impressive array of courses focused on some of the most cutting-edge areas of AI. These include:
- Robotic Manipulation
- Computational Cognitive Science
- Representation, Inference, and Reasoning in AI
Students stay engaged with principles and techniques in AI through independent projects and research. Collaborative industrial projects and long-term experiences at top companies are also available to students.
AI students interested in a Master of Engineering program can complete both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees with just one additional year of study.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private, not-for-profit institution located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. They serve over 11,800 students, with 4,657 of those being undergrads. Just 4% of applicants are admitted each year, meaning MIT admits the best of the best. Their net price of $20,232 is on the higher end of schools in our ranking, but only 7% of full-time, first-time undergraduates actually took out loans to fund their education. Graduates who did take out loans borrowed about $14,768.
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin offers computer science students a concentration in machine learning and artificial intelligence. This 12-credit hour concentration includes a cutting-edge curriculum with practical applications. Students can study exciting areas like:
- natural language processing
- machine learning
- deep learning
Students can also earn a Social Impact Stamp to complement their mastery of AI technologies. Earning this Stamp indicates that students understand how technology impacts the larger society. They can put this knowledge into practice through the Social Impact Capstone project.
The University of Texas at Austin is the number one public university in Texas. With over 170 fields of study and 900 student organizations, students have a lot of options to choose from. Approximately 31% of applicants are admitted into the school, making it a fairly selective school. The University of Texas at Austin has a net price of $17,434. Graduates leave school with about $20,500 in federal loans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a branch of computer science, usually in data and analytics. It refers to the concept of making intelligent machines that “think or behave” like a human. Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL) are specific approaches used in AI to help machines learn from data and improve their performance. You will learn how to teach a computer to:
• recognize patterns
• make predictions
• solve problems
In simple terms, it’s about enabling machines to learn from data and experiences, just like humans do.
When you pursue a degree in AI or ML, you’ll learn to work with algorithms. Algorithms are step-by-step instructions that guide computers on how to analyze information and make decisions. Machine Learning is a specific area of AI that focuses on giving computers the ability to learn and improve from experience without being explicitly programmed.
You’ll also explore various concepts like neural networks, which are inspired by the human brain. They enable computers to process information in a way that mimics human thought processes. You’ll also learn to work with data – lots of it. Data is the fuel for machine learning. Your degree program will teach you how to collect, clean, and use data to train algorithms. This helps computers become smarter and more efficient over time.
Your studies will also cover real-world applications of AI and ML. These might include:
• speech recognition
• image processing
• autonomous vehicles
The field is ever-evolving, and you’ll become part of a community pushing the boundaries of what machines can achieve.
Choosing a career in Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a great career move if you want job security. First off, AI is everywhere, from your smartphone’s virtual assistant to recommendation systems suggesting your next favorite movie. By diving into an AI career, you become the architect of these intelligent systems.
One major perk? Job demand is soaring! Companies are on the lookout for AI-savvy folks to help them build smarter products and solutions. AI jobs often come with a variety of titles like “Machine Learning Engineer” or “Data Scientist.” While the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) doesn’t specifically report on the job outlook for AI professionals, they do report on areas that encompass AI roles.
Overall, the BLS states that employment in computer and information technology is expected to grow much faster than average through 2032. The demand for data scientists alone is expected to grow by 35% through 2032. This percentage represents an increase of about 59,400 jobs.
Another great aspect is the continuous learning. In AI, you’re always leveling up your skills because technology evolves fast. You’ll work in a field where staying curious and adapting is not just encouraged; it’s expected.
A bachelor’s degree in Artificial Intelligence (AI) can lead to exciting job opportunities in the tech world. Some of the most popular roles include:
Machine Learning Engineer: A Machine Learning Engineer is a skilled professional who specializes in creating and implementing machine learning algorithms and models. This role sits at the intersection of computer science and data science. Professionals focus on developing systems that can learn and make decisions autonomously. The primary goal of a Machine Learning Engineer is to design algorithms that enable machines to:
• analyze and interpret data
• recognize patterns
• continuously improve their performance over time
Cybersecurity Analyst: The professionals leverage AI technologies to improve the efficiency of security operations. They use AI and machine learning to learn from historical data to recognize new cyber threats. AI is also used by analysts to automate routine and repetitive tasks in incident response.
Robotics Engineer: This is the dream job for those who want to create intelligent systems. These engineers design the movements of robots and automate processes. AI algorithms can help robots interpret and respond to their surroundings using cameras, lidar and radar. Some robotics engineers work on human-robot interaction with Natural Language Processing (NLP). They teach robots to understand and respond to human commands.
Data Scientist: These professionals enjoy diving into data, finding hidden patterns and turning them into insights. They create machine learning algorithms to build predictive models. Data scientists use AI tools to clean data and transform large data sets that otherwise may have been challenging to analyze.
Payscale.com reports that the average base salary for a bachelor’s in artificial intelligence is $93,000/year. Of course, with additional education and experience, that salary has the potential to be much higher. Some of the roles and salaries reported by Payscale include:
Machine Learning Engineer: $71,000 to $157,000/year
Data Scientist: $53,000 to $101,000/year
Information Security Engineer: $69,000 to $118,000/year
Other factors that can influence salary include your geographic location and the type of organization you work at.
A bachelor’s degree in Artificial Intelligence (AI) typically includes a combination of foundational courses, core AI courses, and elective courses that allow students to specialize in specific areas of interest. The exact curriculum can vary between universities, but here are common types of courses you can expect to take while earning a bachelor’s in AI:
Foundational Courses:
Mathematics: Courses in calculus, linear algebra, probability, and statistics form the mathematical foundation necessary for understanding algorithms and modeling.
Computer Science Fundamentals: Introduction to programming, algorithms, and data structures.
Core AI Courses:
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence: An overview of the principles, history, and applications of AI.
Machine Learning: Covering supervised and unsupervised learning, regression, classification, and clustering algorithms.
Data Mining: Exploring techniques for extracting patterns and knowledge from large datasets.
Natural Language Processing (NLP): Understanding and processing human language by computers.
Computer Vision: Studying how machines can gain high-level understanding from digital images or videos.
Robotics: Introduction to the principles and applications of robotics, including AI-driven control systems.
Advanced AI Courses:
Deep Learning: Delving into neural networks, deep neural architectures, and applications in image and speech recognition.
Reinforcement Learning: Exploring learning from interaction and decision-making processes.
AI Ethics and Social Implications: Considering the ethical and societal implications of AI technologies.
Electives and Specializations:
Data Science: Courses in data analytics, visualization, and big data technologies.
Human-Computer Interaction (HCI): Exploring the design and interaction between humans and computers.
AI in Business: Examining how AI is applied in business settings, including decision support and process automation.
Programming and Tools:
Programming Languages: Depending on the program, courses in languages like Python, Java, or others relevant to AI applications.
AI Development Tools: Hands-on experience with popular AI frameworks and tools like TensorFlow or PyTorch.
Capstone Project:
Many AI programs include a capstone project where students apply their knowledge to solve a real-world problem or develop an AI application.
There are many factors that influence the cost of a bachelor’s degree. The National Center for Education Statistics reports that the average price of tuition and fees for a year at a public university is $9,700/year. Tuition and fees at private nonprofit schools are considerably more, averaging $38,800/year.
There are ways to reduce the cost of an education. Working part-time while going to school can help reduce living expenses and the need for loans. You could consider an accelerated degree program which allows you to complete your degree in a shorter amount of time. Merit based scholarships and grants are another great way to pay for school. These types of awards typically don’t require repayment. It is important to research and explore your options to protect your long-term financial well-being.