Key Takeaways
- ✓The best artificial intelligence college depends on your background, goals, budget, preferred location, and whether you want undergraduate, master’s, doctoral, certificate, or online study.
- ✓Top AI colleges often house artificial intelligence study inside computer science, electrical engineering, data science, robotics, or information schools rather than a standalone AI department.
- ✓Carnegie Mellon, MIT, Stanford, Cornell, Illinois, Georgia Tech, Texas, and Washington all offer notable AI-related study, but they differ meaningfully in cost, selectivity, modality, and research strengths.
- ✓Students should compare admissions requirements, prerequisites, curriculum, faculty expertise, labs, industry relationships, student outcomes, location, modality, and total cost before applying.
- ✓If you are still deciding between degree levels, compare AI bachelor’s pathways with [master’s in artificial intelligence](/education/masters-in-artificial-intelligence/), online master’s programs, certificates, and doctoral options.
The first step on many people’s AI career path is to enroll in a college degree program that can provide the technical training, projects, research exposure, and professional network needed to set them up for success. But now more than ever, there are many options out there, all purporting to offer the “best” AI education.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the state of AI colleges before diving into what it means to be “best” and how you can choose the best program for you. Along the way, we’ll preview several strong artificial intelligence programs from across the country.
If you are early in your research, you may also want to compare this guide with our explainers on artificial intelligence degree requirements, online master’s in artificial intelligence, and the artificial intelligence engineer career path.
“The best AI college is not simply the school with the most famous name; it is the school whose curriculum, faculty, cost, modality, and outcomes match the student’s next step.”— AIFwD Editorial Staff
What’s the AI higher education landscape look like today?
The AI market has grown rapidly. Grand View Research previously projected artificial intelligence to expand by more than 40% annually and become a massive global market by 2028. With the growth of the market, so grows the AI workforce. According to Indeed, demand for people with AI skills and expertise more than doubled from 2015 to 2018, and there has been little sign that employers’ interest in AI talent will disappear.
The growing AI market has also offered lucrative salaries to people who can help it grow. Glassdoor has tracked strong median pay for an artificial intelligence engineer and a machine learning engineer, with both roles often outpacing the 2020 median U.S. household income of $67,521.
Given the strong job market and high earning potential of a career in artificial intelligence, it makes sense that aspiring technologists are flocking to colleges and universities to get an artificial intelligence degree. It is also no surprise that universities and other educational providers are increasingly seeking to provide high-quality AI and machine learning instruction, both in existing computer science departments and through newer standalone artificial intelligence and machine learning programs.
Student growth in the field is noticeable from the undergraduate level on up. Stanford University’s AI Index found that the number of courses offering undergraduates instruction in developing practical AI and ML models more than doubled over the four academic years from 2016 to 2020.
Enrollment in introductory artificial intelligence and machine learning courses also grew considerably over the same period. Stanford noted that nearly 30,000 students graduated with an undergraduate computer science degree — the most common form of artificial intelligence degree pathway — in 2019 in North America alone, representing three-fold growth over 2010.
While not all of those students graduated with AI or ML specializations, together with course-offering data this paints a picture of robust participation in artificial intelligence and machine learning at the undergraduate level. At the graduate level, course growth was more modest, but the number of tenure-track faculty specializing in AI grew across surveyed schools.
The market is justifying demand for qualified professors, too. Computer science Ph.D. students increasingly specialize in artificial intelligence and machine learning. As the number of CS Ph.D. students tripled over the ten years leading up to 2020, students working in artificial intelligence, machine learning, or robotics grew by more than 10 percentage points and made up more than 20% of new CS Ph.D.s in the Stanford AI Index data. For a deeper doctoral comparison, see our guide to AI Ph.D. programs.
What does it mean to “be best?”
With so much potential impact — and earning — up for grabs, interested would-be undergraduates and graduate students are diligently seeking out the best artificial intelligence colleges. Online, you can find countless sites purporting to rank the best AI programs. Often, they support rankings by laying out criteria used to evaluate and order the programs they feature, separating the “best” from the “rest.”
Publishing ranking methodologies can lend some objectivity to program rankings, but ranking in the first place presumes that one kind of student is seeking AI education. Harvard University, Yale University, New York University, Columbia University, Northwestern University: the list of great schools goes on. Yet all too often it is assumed that famous schools will be great schools for every student, regardless of that student’s particular situation.
The reality is much more nuanced. Each prospective student comes with their own background, priorities, and realities. Accordingly, what is best for one individual is not necessarily best for another.
What’s our approach?
We know there are lots of different artificial intelligence colleges and many bright students seeking an artificial intelligence degree — or, more often, a computer science degree with an artificial intelligence concentration. With this in mind, in rounding up our best colleges for artificial intelligence, we sought to feature a broad swath of programs that are strong but different in important ways.
We considered reputation, size, focus areas such as machine learning, computer vision, data analytics, computer engineering, natural language processing, and robotics, geographic location, modality options, and price.
Below, you’ll find several big names you would expect to find on such a list, but you’ll also find public universities that can provide quality AI instruction at a fraction of the price. In all, we have chosen eight schools — four private universities and four public universities — spanning several U.S. regions and, with remote options, anywhere with an internet connection.
In assembling them, we are not looking to push you in one direction or another, but rather give you basic information about each to make your decision — because it is your decision — easier.
- 1.
Carnegie Mellon University
A private university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with deep AI, robotics, language technologies, computer vision, and machine learning strength.
- 2.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
A private university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with AI and decision-making study through electrical engineering and computer science.
- 3.
Stanford University
A private university in Stanford, California, known for its computer science department and long-running Stanford Artificial Intelligence Laboratory.
- 4.
Cornell University
A private university in Ithaca, New York, with AI-related strengths across data science, machine learning, natural language processing, robotics, and computer vision.
- 5.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
A public flagship with computer science research strengths in computer vision, machine listening, NLP, machine learning, robotics, and the Center for Artificial Intelligence Innovation.
- 6.
Georgia Institute of Technology
A public technical university in Atlanta with in-person and online options, including the well-known online MS in Computer Science.
- 7.
University of Texas at Austin
A public flagship with AI, machine learning, data science, robotics, and online graduate options in computer science and data science.
- 8.
University of Washington
A public university in Seattle whose Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering houses a respected AI group.
AIFwD’s best artificial intelligence colleges
The following schools are not listed as a one-size-fits-all ranking. Instead, they represent strong starting points for prospective students comparing AI colleges by program level, research fit, cost, and learning format.
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Considered by many to be one of the birthplaces of artificial intelligence, Carnegie Mellon University offers world-renowned instruction spanning machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, robotics, and much more at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
AI faculty and research depth include faculty in the computer science department, robotics institute, and hundreds of affiliated researchers across campus. AI-related programs have included the BS in Artificial Intelligence, MS in Artificial Intelligence and Innovation, MS in Machine Learning, MS in Computer Vision, MS in Robotics, MS in Robotics Systems Development, MS in Intelligent Information Systems, MS in Language Technologies, and Ph.D. pathways in computer science, language and information technologies, machine learning, and robotics.
Available modality: in person. Historical tuition and acceptance data from the original article listed undergraduate tuition at $59,864 for 2022–2023, graduate tuition in the $46,400–$52,320 range for 2022–2023, and an undergraduate acceptance rate of 14%.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, Massachusetts. A leader in technical education, MIT offers undergraduate and graduate AI training through its Electrical Engineering & Computer Science Department. Students benefit from state-of-the-art labs, a hands-on educational philosophy, and field-leading faculty.
AI research in the department focuses on AI for healthcare, machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing, robotics, deep learning, and assorted other areas. Programs have included a BS in Artificial Intelligence and Decision Making, a Ph.D. in Computer Science, a Professional Certificate Program in Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence, and Artificial Intelligence: Implications for Business Strategy.
Available modalities include in-person degree programs and online certificates or short courses. Historical figures from the original article listed undergraduate tuition at $57,590 for 2022–2023, fully funded graduate Ph.D. study, and an undergraduate acceptance rate of 3.96%.
Stanford University
Stanford, California. Founded in 1965, Stanford’s Computer Science Department is among the highest-regarded programs in the country. The Stanford Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, founded in 1962, has been considered one of the most innovative AI labs for more than 50 years.
Focus areas include computational biology, computer vision, machine learning, natural language processing, and robotics. AI-related options have included the BS in Computer Science with an AI track, MS in Computer Science with an AI specialization, Ph.D. in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence Graduate Certificate, and Artificial Intelligence Professional Program.
Available modalities include in-person degrees and online certificates or short courses. Historical data from the original article listed undergraduate tuition at $57,693, MS graduate tuition at $56,487, and an undergraduate acceptance rate of 3.95%.
Cornell University
Ithaca, New York. Nestled above Ithaca’s gorges, Cornell’s Computer Science Department houses one of the leading AI faculties in the world. While smaller than programs like Carnegie Mellon’s in some respects, Cornell still offers wide AI coverage.
Focus areas include data science, machine learning, natural language processing, robotics, and computer vision. AI-related degrees and credentials have included BA or BS in Computer Science, MS in Computer Science, Ph.D. in Computer Science, Machine Learning Certificate, and Marketing AI Certificate.
Available modalities include in-person degrees and online certificates or short courses. Historical figures from the original article listed undergraduate tuition at $62,456, MS graduate tuition at $62,456, and an undergraduate acceptance rate of 11%.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, Illinois. Featuring a diverse, growing AI program housed on the University of Illinois flagship campus, the Grainger College of Engineering’s Computer Science Department specializes in computer vision, machine listening, natural language processing, machine learning, and robotics.
UI also houses the Center for Artificial Intelligence Innovation, which spearheads advanced AI initiatives. AI-related degrees have included a BS in Computer Science with an intelligence and big data focus, MS in Computer Science, and Ph.D. in Computer Science.
Available modality: in person. Historical figures from the original article listed undergraduate tuition at $17,138–$22,324 for in-state students and $35,110–$42,796 for out-of-state students in 2022–2023, graduate tuition at $19,320 in-state and $36,798 out-of-state in 2022–2023, and an undergraduate acceptance rate of 63.3%.
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, Georgia. Georgia Tech’s artificial intelligence and machine learning program has wide-ranging focus areas, including models of human-level intelligence, intelligent tutoring, self-aware systems, predicting human behavior, and automating creativity.
Students have the opportunity to study at the undergraduate and graduate levels both in person and online — often at a fraction of the cost of many private schools. AI-related pathways have included BS in Computer Science with intelligence and devices threads, MS in Computer Science with interactive intelligence and machine learning specializations, Online MS in Computer Science, Ph.D. in Computer Science, Ph.D. in Robotics, and Ph.D. in Machine Learning.
Available modalities include in person and online for the online MS in Computer Science. Historical figures from the original article listed undergraduate tuition at $10,258 in-state and $31,370 out-of-state for 2023–2024, estimated MS in Computer Science total cost at $17,580, estimated online MS in Computer Science total cost at $5,400–$6,400, and an undergraduate acceptance rate of 18%.
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, Texas. The University of Texas at Austin’s artificial intelligence program focuses on AI on both a theoretical and practical level, with particular emphasis on automatic programming, data mining, computer vision, machine learning, natural language processing, robotics, and logic-based AI. It also offers training in data science through an online data science master’s program.
AI-related degrees have included BS in Computer Science with an ML and AI concentration, MS in Computer Science, Online MS in Computer Science, Online MS in Data Science, Ph.D. in Computer Science, and an AI & Machine Learning: Business Applications certificate.
Available modalities include in person and online for MS in Computer Science, data science programs, and certificates. Historical figures from the original article listed undergraduate tuition at $11,406 in-state and $40,504 out-of-state for 2022–2023, graduate tuition at $14,802 in-state and $28,028 out-of-state for 2022–2023, and an undergraduate acceptance rate of 32%.
University of Washington
Seattle, Washington. University of Washington’s AI group focuses on machine learning, natural language processing, probabilistic reasoning, and machine reading, among other areas. Its Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering has consistently been considered one of the top AI programs worldwide.
AI-related degrees have included BS in Computer Science with an optional data science focus, MS in Computer Science through a professional master’s program, and Ph.D. in Computer Science.
Available modality: in person. Historical figures from the original article listed undergraduate tuition at $12,242 in-state and $40,740 out-of-state for 2022–2023, graduate tuition at $20,535 in-state and $35,781 out-of-state for 2022–2023, and an undergraduate acceptance rate of 56%.
What are important considerations when choosing the best artificial intelligence college for you?
We have laid out several strong schools offering excellent instruction in AI — but how do you know which one is right for you? Start with fit rather than prestige alone.
Admissions requirements and prerequisites
Before you fall in love with a program and start assembling your application, it is crucial to ascertain whether your application will be welcome. When schools list requirements and prerequisites for study, they mean it. Their top priority is turning out strong artificial intelligence professionals, data scientists, information technology professionals, or researchers who will make an impact. Accordingly, they accept students who show an aptitude to thrive in the program.
Often, “aptitude to thrive” can be reduced to particular numbers — GPA, SAT, or GRE scores — combined with demonstrated interest or experience through coursework, work history, projects, research, or a personal statement. If you are unsure whether you meet requirements, there is no harm in contacting admissions staff or the department before investing time in an application.
Curriculum specifics
Not all AI programs are created equal. Artificial intelligence courses differ based on faculty strengths, the department’s vision, and even a school’s location and industry connections.
When researching programs, you do not need to know exactly where in artificial intelligence you want to end up. It is useful, however, to be self-aware if you already have an idea. If you want to build a baseline in AI and go from there, look for strong core survey courses. If you already know you want data science, software engineering, deep learning, computer vision, or NLP, make sure programs can get you there through electives, internship connections, and research opportunities.
Industry relationships
One of a program’s biggest advantages can come from the industry relationships it cultivates. These relationships can yield internship opportunities and job pipelines. When looking at programs, check whether they list industry relationships, email the department directly, or review alumni profiles to see whether students had internships during their studies.
Location and learning modality
Do you want to stay close to home, explore a new region, live in a major city, or settle into a college town? Location should play a key role in your decision-making process, especially if you live in a state with a strong public university and can take advantage of reduced tuition.
Or maybe you do not want to leave your couch. Online learning can be effective and often costs less than relocating. If you are not interested in relocating, if you want to keep working as you study, or if you are comparing graduate study with shorter credentials, prioritize colleges that offer online programs or flexible options.
Student outcomes
Before applying, you want to be sure a program can help you get where you want to go. There is little use spending time and money on education if you will not recoup the investment with a career path that fits your goals. Departments may list alumni placement on their websites, and LinkedIn can help you see where graduates end up.
Cost
Last, but certainly not least, factor a program’s cost into your calculations. Consider tuition, relocation, living expenses, and lost income if you stop working to study. Balance those costs against student outcomes and average salaries for the roles a school’s program may prepare you for.
Also look into scholarships, grants, assistantships, and funded graduate options. Places in funded programs are competitive, but some students can pursue computer science or AI study while receiving tuition remission and a stipend as a research or teaching assistant.
How else can we help?
With so many factors at play, it is easy to get overwhelmed when deciding on a program. Ultimately, the decision will be yours: you are the expert on your current situation and goals for the future.
To make your research easier, AIFwD has assembled information on AI careers, education, and the field as a whole. As you continue researching, take time to read through related articles, regardless of your background, because you are likely to find something that helps you move forward.
To get started, take a deeper look at the future of machine learning and compare degree options with our guides to master’s, online master’s, and doctoral AI programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What college has the best artificial intelligence program?+
There is no single best AI college for every student. Carnegie Mellon, MIT, Stanford, Cornell, Illinois, Georgia Tech, Texas, and Washington are all strong options, but the best fit depends on your target degree, faculty interests, research area, cost, modality, location, and admissions profile.
Do I need an artificial intelligence major to work in AI?+
Not necessarily. Many AI professionals study computer science, data science, statistics, electrical engineering, robotics, or information science and then specialize through courses, research, internships, projects, or graduate study.
Are online AI degree programs worth considering?+
Yes, especially for working adults or students who cannot relocate. Online AI and computer science programs can be strong options when they offer rigorous coursework, reputable faculty, practical projects, student support, and transparent outcomes. Start with guides such as online master’s in artificial intelligence if you are comparing remote graduate options.
What should I compare before applying to AI colleges?+
Compare prerequisites, admissions selectivity, curriculum, faculty, labs, research areas, internship access, employer relationships, alumni outcomes, total cost, scholarships, assistantships, modality, and location.
Conclusion & Next Steps
The best artificial intelligence colleges are not simply the schools with the most famous names. They are the colleges whose faculty, courses, labs, modality, cost, and outcomes align with what you want to do next.
Use this list as a starting point, then compare each program against your goals. If you know you want research, look closely at labs and potential advisors. If you want industry roles, look for internships, projects, alumni outcomes, and employer pipelines. If cost or flexibility matters most, compare public universities and online options alongside private research universities.
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