Artificial intelligence is moving fast, and a master’s degree can help you build job-ready skills in areas like machine learning, data analysis, and natural language processing. Use this guide to find this year’s top online master’s degrees in artificial intelligence.
Author: Brenda Barron
Expertise: Educational TechnologyComputer ScienceGraduate EducationEditor: Jordan Cosselman
- Which Student Are You?
Which Artificial Intelligence Program Is the Best Fit for You?
Read more - School Spotlights
School Spotlight: Looking Into AI Master's Programs
Read more - Classes
What Classes Will I Take in an Online AI Master's Program?
Read more - Specializations
What are Some Specializations in AI?
Read more - Cost
How Much Does an Online AI Master's Degree Cost?
Read more - Salary/Pay
AI Career Salary Potential with a Master's Degree
Read more - Common Questions
Common Questions about AI Master's Degrees
Read more - Top Schools
Best Online Master’s in Artificial Intelligence Programs
Read more
Which Artificial Intelligence Program Is the Best Fit for You?
AI master’s programs range from math-heavy, research-oriented tracks meant for future PhD candidates to applied programs built for engineers who want to build and deploy models on the job. Prerequisites, especially in linear algebra and statistics, differ sharply between them. Land in the wrong one and you’ll struggle to keep up or feel under-challenged. Check the personas below.
Which Artificial Intelligence Student Sounds Most Like You?
The Career Starter
You’ve recently graduated with a degree in computer science or a related technical field and want focused, structured training in AI before you start your first role building AI systems.
AI coursework builds on a strong base in linear algebra, probability, and optimization, so a full-time program with dedicated math foundations coursework keeps you from being underprepared for the modeling work later in the curriculum. Being in person also puts you closer to labs, AI research groups, and the peer network that helps with your first job search.
The Career Changer
You’re coming into AI from software engineering, another technical field, or a completely different industry, and need a program that doesn’t assume you already have machine learning experience.
Programs that don’t require prior AI or ML coursework typically front-load bridge classes in programming and applied statistics so you’re not lost once the core AI curriculum begins. A fully online format also lets you complete that bridge coursework around your current job instead of pausing your income while you retrain.
The Promotion Seeker
You’re already a software engineer or analyst and want to formalize your AI skills so you can move into a dedicated applied AI or AI engineer role.
A part-time, hybrid format lets you keep working while you build applied AI coursework — model deployment, applied neural networks, AI system design — that your current role may only expose you to in fragments. That combination of real job experience and formal training is often exactly what employers look for when promoting someone into an AI-specific title.
The Working Balancer
You’re balancing a full-time job and other responsibilities and need an AI program that lets you study on your own schedule rather than around a fixed class time.
Asynchronous, fully online coursework means lectures and assignments are available whenever you have an hour to spare, which matters when your schedule isn’t predictable. A part-time pace keeps the workload sustainable so you’re not sacrificing your job or family time to keep up.
The Generative AI Builder
You’re most interested in the large language models and generative tools reshaping the industry right now, and want hands-on training in building, fine-tuning, and deploying them rather than just studying AI theory.
Coursework specifically covering large language models, fine-tuning, and generative AI system design gives you skills tied directly to where hiring demand has concentrated, rather than a purely theoretical AI curriculum. An applied capstone also gives you a deployed, demo-able project to show employers, which matters more in this fast-moving specialty than a transcript alone.
The AI Ethics Engineer
You care as much about how AI systems affect people and organizations as how they’re built, and want a program that pairs technical AI training with ethics, governance, and policy.
As more employers stand up formal AI governance and risk functions, coursework in AI ethics and policy gives you a credential for roles that sit between engineering and compliance, not just a technical AI team. An interdisciplinary curriculum also matters here, since these roles pull from law, policy, and social science as much as from computer science.
If you’re a strong problem-solver who wants to work on AI systems (or apply AI in a specific industry), an online master’s in artificial intelligence can be a flexible way to level up without pausing your life.
You probably also have practical questions, like:
- Which programs are actually worth it?
- How much will it cost?
- What will I study — and how long will it take?
This guide walks through a few standout online options and what to expect from an AI master’s program.
FIND PROGRAMS NEAR YOU:
School Spotlights: Popular Online AI Master’s Programs
There are plenty of computer science and AI master’s programs out there. For this spotlight list, we focused on programs that stand out for curriculum depth, faculty expertise, student support, and overall reputation.
These programs typically cover a range of core topics, including machine learning, neural networks, natural language processing, and computer vision.
The University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin recently launched a 100% online Master of Artificial Intelligence, designed to be completed remotely.
You’ll complete 30 credits total:
- 3 credits of foundational coursework
- 27 credits of electives (so you can tailor the degree to your interests)
The program is asynchronous, and typically offers fall and spring start options.
Penn State World Campus
Penn State World Campus has offered online learning since 1998, and its Master of Professional Studies in Artificial Intelligence is built for students who want a structured, applied AI education.
The program includes 33 credits, generally broken into:
- Core courses
- A research topics requirement
- Electives
- A final capstone
Expect a practical mix of AI topics such as deep learning, programming, statistics, and ethics, with an emphasis on applying your skills to real-world work.
John Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering
Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering offers an online master’s path in AI through a highly technical curriculum.
Admissions typically expect prerequisite knowledge in math and computer science, such as:
- Calculus
- Linear algebra
- Java
- Python
Once admitted, you’ll complete 10 courses / 30 credits. You generally have up to five years to finish, which can be helpful if you’re working full time.
Coursework may include applied machine learning, deep learning, robotics, large language models, data science, and data visualization, plus electives to customize your focus.
What You’ll Study in an Online AI Master’s Program
It’s normal to wonder what the day-to-day coursework will look like. Most online AI master’s programs include a blend of core foundations plus electives, so you can explore a specialty like NLP or computer vision.
Here are a few common topic areas.
Ethics in AI
Ethics courses help you think critically about how AI affects people and how to design systems responsibly.
You’ll usually explore topics like bias, privacy, safety, and human-computer interaction, plus broader questions about how AI shapes society.
Neural Networks
Neural networks are a core building block of modern AI. Courses often move from fundamentals to more advanced deep learning concepts.
You can expect hands-on work with models that learn from data to make predictions and decisions.
Natural Language Processing (NLP)
NLP focuses on how machines process and generate language.
Programs often cover areas such as text classification, sentiment analysis, machine translation, and information — and may include projects where you build or fine-tune models.
Common Specializations in Artificial Intelligence Master’s Programs
Some programs offer formal specializations; others let you build one informally through elective choices. Either way, a specialization can help you build deeper expertise and stand out for certain roles.
Deep Learning
Deep learning focuses on advanced neural network architectures and their applications in the real world. This knowledge enables you to pursue careers in fields involving computer vision, natural language processing, and data science.
The master’s degree in data science offered by Northwestern School of Professional Study is one example of this specialization. This program teaches every aspect of deep learning and how it can be applied to data science.
Machine Learning
Earning a master’s degree in machine learning equips you with the tools and techniques to develop your own ML models. You’ll explore supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning algorithms, as well as topics like ensemble methods and dimensionality reduction.
By specializing in machine learning, you’re ready to pursue careers in data science, analytics, development, and engineering. Colorado State University Global offers a fine example of one such degree, with their online master program in AI and machine learning.
Robotics
Designing, programming, and building intelligent robots is no easy task, but it’s one that can offer a rewarding career. That’s why a master’s degree in robotics is a wise choice.
John Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering provides an online master’s degree in robotics and autonomous systems, which teaches you all about how to ethically and skillfully create autonomous robots. This knowledge can be applied to a variety of industries from manufacturing to healthcare.
How Much Does an Online AI Master’s Degree Cost?
Costs vary widely by school and program structure. As a rough range, an online AI master’s may cost anywhere from about $10,000 to $50,000+.
Estimated examples from the programs above:
| School | Program | No. of Credits | Est. Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Texas at Austin | Master of Artificial Intelligence | 30 | $10,000 |
| Penn State World Campus | Master of Professional Studies in Artificial Intelligence | 33 | $34,848 |
| John Hopkins – Whiting School of Engineering | Master of Artificial Intelligence | 30 | $52,700 |
Tuition and Financial Aid for AI Master’s Students
Graduate education is a big investment, but many students reduce costs through a mix of:
- Scholarships
- Employer tuition assistance
- Work-study (where available)
- Federal financial aid (for eligible programs/students)
A good next step is to check both the university’s financial aid office and any school- or department-level scholarship pages connected to the program.
AI Career Salary Potential with a Master’s Degree
A master’s in AI positions you at the forefront of one of the most consequential fields in technology. Graduates work as AI researchers, machine learning engineers, data scientists, and applied AI leads — developing the models and systems that power everything from recommendation engines to autonomous vehicles. The degree is in high demand across tech, healthcare, finance, and government sectors.
AI and data science professionals are among the fastest-growing and highest-compensated roles in the current job market. Compensation scales sharply with technical depth and the complexity of problems you’re solving.
Browse the salary table below to explore data scientist earnings by state, and get a realistic picture of the financial landscape in AI-adjacent careers.
Data Scientists
| Area | Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $120,230 | $158,880 | $199,130 |
| Alabama | $103,120 | $127,660 | $161,590 |
| Alaska | $84,110 | $113,040 | $138,400 |
| Arizona | $107,240 | $134,070 | $161,730 |
| Arkansas | $109,390 | $136,060 | $169,110 |
| California | $141,590 | $186,820 | $224,920 |
| Colorado | $117,400 | $152,650 | $189,630 |
| Connecticut | $126,340 | $163,210 | $204,680 |
| District of Columbia | $126,490 | $174,650 | $209,730 |
| Florida | $115,820 | $140,210 | $174,140 |
| Georgia | $104,340 | $136,560 | $170,010 |
| Hawaii | $102,130 | $152,980 | $172,870 |
| Idaho | $89,380 | $136,940 | $169,010 |
| Illinois | $106,560 | $137,290 | $168,880 |
| Indiana | $91,470 | $127,510 | $141,250 |
| Iowa | $95,830 | $127,340 | $146,700 |
| Kansas | $98,130 | $131,390 | $154,990 |
| Kentucky | $91,760 | $121,850 | $156,480 |
| Louisiana | $78,760 | $110,130 | $128,210 |
| Maine | $90,880 | $115,170 | $138,530 |
| Maryland | $136,370 | $169,510 | $213,270 |
| Massachusetts | $131,750 | $166,180 | $206,220 |
| Michigan | $100,590 | $130,240 | $162,670 |
| Minnesota | $128,800 | $160,910 | $179,640 |
| Mississippi | $69,490 | $99,030 | $125,990 |
| Missouri | $97,090 | $127,680 | $151,380 |
| Montana | $100,490 | $127,840 | $167,150 |
| Nebraska | $98,230 | $109,860 | $133,140 |
| Nevada | $98,540 | $129,990 | $164,110 |
| New Hampshire | $100,620 | $128,540 | $155,020 |
| New Jersey | $135,280 | $167,330 | $203,950 |
| New Mexico | $95,850 | $107,540 | $133,660 |
| New York | $130,460 | $171,580 | $214,080 |
| North Carolina | $119,090 | $147,540 | $172,830 |
| North Dakota | $81,900 | $100,110 | $126,710 |
| Ohio | $102,630 | $130,920 | $160,650 |
| Oklahoma | $86,310 | $109,770 | $145,580 |
| Oregon | $125,990 | $163,710 | $206,550 |
| Pennsylvania | $106,850 | $129,160 | $162,290 |
| Rhode Island | $102,440 | $130,150 | $158,820 |
| South Carolina | $91,990 | $123,880 | $156,000 |
| South Dakota | $96,150 | $123,260 | $145,510 |
| Tennessee | $100,330 | $131,930 | $156,160 |
| Texas | $122,090 | $146,030 | $170,780 |
| Utah | $108,090 | $146,160 | $167,890 |
| Vermont | $127,070 | $143,170 | $160,430 |
| Virginia | $126,430 | $165,610 | $207,890 |
| Washington | $163,350 | $208,320 | $220,040 |
| West Virginia | $85,090 | $112,770 | $125,100 |
| Wisconsin | $106,680 | $133,860 | $168,810 |
Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/data-scientists.htm
Showing 1 – 10 of 50 entries | Data does not reflect school-specific information.
Data Science
Data scientists analyze and extract insights from complex data sets. Data cleaning, modeling, and interpretation are some of your daily duties, while common fields for data scientists include finance, healthcare, and tech.
While a bachelor’s degree is often sufficient, a master in AI opens you up to advanced data science analysis jobs and further specialization.
| Median Annual Pay | 90th Percentile | Projected Growth | Top Industry |
|---|---|---|---|
| $108,020 | $184,090 | 9% | Professional, Scientific, Technical Services |
Source: O*Net OnLine
Information Security
AI is strongly interwoven in cybersecurity, and recent advancements in this field allow for even higher career aspirations. Information security analysts safeguard computer systems from cyberthreats.
While a master’s degree may not be required, it can provide specialized knowledge in AI-driven security solutions, pushing you into more leadership in cybersecurity leadership and research.
| Median Annual Pay | 90th Percentile | Projected Growth | Top Industry |
|---|---|---|---|
| $120,360 | $182,370 | 9% | Professional, Scientific, Technical Services |
Source: O*Net OnLine
Computer and Information Research Science
An online master’s degree in artificial intelligence equips students with the skills needed to conduct high-level research and become potential pioneers of new AI technology.
Researching advanced concepts, developing new algorithms, and designing innovative systems are just some of your goals as you work in academia and at industry research labs.
| Median Annual Pay | 90th Percentile | Projected Growth | Top Industry |
|---|---|---|---|
| $145,080 | $233,110 | 9% | Professional, Scientific, Technical Services |
Source: O*Net OnLine
Software Development
Software developers and engineers create a variety of applications, and AI is increasingly a key part of these systems.
While a master’s degree is not a requirement, specialized training can differentiate candidates and open doors to opportunities in AI-driven software development. Emerging fields like machine learning and neural networks are backed by software developers who have specialized in AI.
| Median Annual Pay | 90th Percentile | Projected Growth | Top Industry |
|---|---|---|---|
| $132,270 | $208,620 | 9% | Professional, Scientific, Technical Services |
Source: O*Net OnLine
Information Security Engineer
Differentiated from information security analysts who focus on analyzing cybersecurity threats, information security engineers design security architecture.
Assessing vulnerabilities, developing security solutions, and handling breaches are some of your daily tasks. A master’s degree in AI allows a focus on AI-driven cybersecurity and handling of advanced security systems.
| Median Annual Pay | 90th Percentile | Projected Growth | Top Industry |
|---|---|---|---|
| $104,920 | $174,300 | 9% | Professional, Scientific, Technical Services |
Source: O*Net OnLine
FAQs About AI Master’s Degrees
What are the admissions requirements for an online master’s degree in artificial intelligence?
Most online AI master’s programs require a relevant bachelor’s degree and proof you can handle advanced technical coursework.
Common requirements include:
- GPA: Often 3.0+ (varies by school)
- Relevant degree background: Computer science or a related field is common
- Prerequisites: Many programs expect programming and math (often calculus and sometimes linear algebra)
Always check the program’s admissions page, because prerequisites vary a lot.
How long does it take to earn an online master’s degree in AI?
Most online AI master’s programs take about 1–3 years, depending on whether you attend full-time or part-time.
Some schools allow longer completion windows (for example, certain programs may allow up to five years) to support working professionals.
Is there a benefit to earning a master’s degree in AI online instead of in person?
Yes, the biggest benefit is flexibility. Online programs typically make it easier to:
- Keep working while you study
- Learn on a schedule that fits your life
- Access the same core curriculum without relocating
Many programs also include ways to collaborate and network through remote projects, discussion spaces, and virtual office hours.
Do I need to learn coding or computer programming to study artificial intelligence?
Yes, programming is essential for AI graduate study.
Most programs assume you can code (or you’ll learn quickly), and commonly use languages like Python, plus others such as Java or C++, depending on the curriculum.
Will I be accepted into an AI graduate program if I’m not a computer science (CS) undergrad?
Yes, many programs will consider applicants from fields like math, engineering, or physics, as long as you can show you’re prepared for the technical workload.
If you don’t have a CS background, it helps to demonstrate:
- Strong math fundamentals
- Programming ability (especially Python)
- Completion of prerequisite coursework (or equivalent experience)
Best Online Master’s in Artificial Intelligence Programs
DePaul University
Best for: advancement-focused students
Capitol Technology University
Best for: responsible AI and policy-minded technologists
Lindsey Wilson University
Best for: generative AI builders
Franklin University
Best for: responsible AI and policy-minded technologists
Dakota State University
Best for: career changers
University of Maryland Global Campus
Best for: working students
Arizona State University Digital Immersion
Best for: responsible AI and policy-minded technologists
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Best for: generative AI builders
Wilmington University
Best for: career changers
Arkansas State University
Best for: career changers
