9 Best Online Masters in AI Programs

An online AI master’s degree can significantly boost your earning potential. The data tells a compelling story—Stanford’s computer science graduates earn up to $330k within 4-5 years after graduation.

AI talent is in high demand across industries. Employers listed 55,726 new AI job openings in April 2025. These positions made up 21% of all tech hiring and showed a remarkable 184% increase from the previous year. An online AI master’s degree will help you develop and verify the specialized skills that employers just need.

The career advantages are obvious, but you’ll need to think carefully about choosing the right program. Programs vary in cost from $10,000 to $95,000 before financial aid. Each program has its unique structure. The top three online master’s in AI programs in our 2025 rankings—Stanford, Georgia Tech, and UIUC—build on solid computer science fundamentals.

This expert-ranked piece analyzes the 9 best online AI master’s programs to help you find your ideal match based on career goals and budget. These programs will give you the credentials and expertise you need to succeed as a data scientist (median pay $112,590), software developer (median pay $133,080), or computer research scientist (median pay $140,910).

1. Stanford University – MSCS in AI

Stanford University leads AI education with its prestigious Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS) program. The university offers a complete computer science master’s degree that students can customize with specialized AI coursework.

Overview

Stanford’s MSCS with AI specialization blends flexibility with academic excellence. Students can choose multiple formats that fit their career needs. The Honors Co-op Program (HCP) offers an online version with full-time (1-2 years) or part-time (3-5 years) options. U.S. residency is required to enroll in the online program. Students must complete 45 units within five years after starting the program.

Silicon Valley’s proximity creates exceptional networking and career growth possibilities. Stanford’s Artificial Intelligence Lab (SAIL) has operated since 1963. Students get chances to solve real-life AI challenges through SAIL.

Curriculum Highlights

The AI specialization teaches core concepts of logic, probability, and language alongside specialized AI methods. Students explore:

• Knowledge representation and logical reasoning
• Robotics and machine learning
• Probabilistic modeling and inference
• Natural language processing
• Applications in biology and text processing

Core courses include CS221 (Artificial Intelligence Foundations), CS229 (Machine Learning with Andrew Ng), CS230 (Deep Learning), and CS224N (Natural Language Processing with Deep Learning). Stanford’s faculty members teach these classes while conducting advanced AI research. The roster includes Andrew Ng, Christopher Manning, Chelsea Finn, Percy Liang, and Jeanette Bohg.

Students enjoy freedom in course selection. They can switch specializations by submitting a new program sheet with advisor approval.

Tuition and Fees

Stanford’s MSCS in AI costs about $45,120 yearly ($40.62 lakhs) for 2024-2025, showing a $4,440 increase from last year. Students pay a $125 application fee.

Part-time students taking 3-7 units per quarter follow a graduated fee structure. Engineering students’ rates range from $4,230 for 3 units to $9,870 for 7 units each quarter.

Students should also plan for these yearly expenses:

• Housing: $23,535
• Food: $9,620
• Books and supplies: $720
• Health insurance: $7,620
• Personal expenses and transportation: $13,980

Best For

Stanford’s MSCS in AI program suits research-focused students passionate about advanced artificial intelligence. The program’s value speaks for itself—Stanford’s computer science graduates earn up to $331,000 yearly within 4-5 years after graduation.

This program fits students looking for:

• Research opportunities through Stanford’s Artificial Intelligence Lab
• Silicon Valley’s industry connections
• Work with top-tier AI researchers and faculty
• Project collaborations with tech giants like Google and Accenture
• A degree from one of the world’s premier AI institutions

Students can shape their learning path through electives in natural language processing, computer vision, data mining, and robotics to match their career goals.

2. Georgia Institute of Technology – OMSCS in AI

Georgia Tech changed computer science education forever by launching its Online Master of Science in Computer Science (OMSCS) program in 2014. It became the first fully online master’s degree from a top-ranked university. The program now gives you a great path to advanced AI education at a fraction of what other programs cost.

Overview

OMSCS lets you earn a prestigious master’s degree while keeping your job, with a study schedule that fits your life. You’ll complete 10 courses total and can focus on Artificial Intelligence among other areas. The program uses asynchronous course delivery, so you can watch lectures and finish assignments whenever works best for you.

Georgia Tech stands among the best schools in computer science—ranked #7 by U.S. News & World Report’s Undergraduate Rankings and #5 in Artificial Intelligence at graduate level. A study, published in 2025 by University Magazine, placed Georgia Tech third nationwide for AI education.

You can take just one course per semester and have up to six years to finish your degree. This setup works great for professionals who want to boost their skills while keeping their current job.

Curriculum Highlights

The AI specialization (formerly called Interactive Intelligence) needs 15 credit hours of specialized coursework plus 15 hours of free electives. The curriculum has:

Core Requirements (9 hours):

• One algorithms course (either CS 6300 or CS 6515)
• Two additional core courses from the AI specialization areas

Electives (6 hours) from specialized tracks:

• Interaction: Courses like CS 6440 (Health Informatics), CS 6460 (Educational Technology), CS 6603 (AI, Ethics, and Society), and CS 6750 (Human-Computer Interaction)
• AI Methods: Options including CS 6476 (Computer Vision), CS 7632 (Game AI), CS 7643 (Deep Learning), and CS 7650 (Natural Language Processing)
• Cognition: Courses such as CS 6795 (Introduction to Cognitive Science)

Free Electives (15 hours): You can pick any courses from the OMSCS program to complete your degree.

The AI curriculum focuses on core research problems in intelligence, machine learning, deep learning, computer vision, and natural language processing.

Tuition and Fees

Georgia Tech’s OMSCS program stands out for its affordability—you can complete the entire program for about $7,000. This price beats similar online master’s programs by a long shot. Other programs cost $10,000+ (University of Texas at Austin), $20,000+ (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign), or even $40,000+ (Stanford).

You can get financial aid, and many employers offer tuition help that might cover all your costs. The program follows Georgia Tech’s standard payment deadlines and academic calendar.

Best For

Georgia Tech’s OMSCS AI specialization works great if you:

• Want to keep working while earning an advanced degree
• Need a prestigious credential without taking on huge debt
• Want to focus on specific AI areas like machine learning, distributed systems, or computer security
• Are aiming for roles that need advanced AI expertise, especially in machine learning and AI engineering positions where you need a master’s degree

Your degree will look exactly like the one on-campus students get—it won’t say “online” anywhere. This fact, plus Georgia Tech’s reputation and the program’s low cost, makes OMSCS an excellent choice to get your AI master’s degree online.

3. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign – MCS in AI

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Master of Computer Science (MCS) program stands among the top five in the nation. Their specialized AI coursework builds on decades of groundbreaking research. Students can choose from multiple learning formats that offer great flexibility.

Overview

The MCS degree needs 32 credit hours without a thesis requirement. Students can finish it in just one year or take up to five years. You’ll find three ways to study: on the main campus in Urbana-Champaign, at their Chicago location, or through their Coursera partnership for 100% online learning.

Working professionals love the online format. It lets them advance their AI expertise while keeping their jobs. Students can learn at their own speed from any location worldwide.

UIUC’s strong AI foundation comes from its accomplished faculty. Many professors have earned top honors like NSF CAREER awards, Sloan Research Fellowships, and IEEE Fellow status. Their research has led to successful startups in fields from augmented reality to agricultural robotics.

Curriculum Highlights

The MCS curriculum covers AI fundamentals thoroughly while letting students specialize. Online courses include:

• Core AI areas: artificial intelligence, databases, human-computer interaction
• Software engineering and scientific computing
• High-performance computing

Data science enthusiasts can pick the MCS-DS track. This option covers machine learning, data mining, data visualization, and cloud computing—all within regular degree requirements.

The current online course catalog has some gaps. Students won’t find NLP, deep learning, computer vision, or reinforcement learning yet. However, UIUC adds 2-3 new courses each year.

Tuition and Fees

UIUC’s MCS program costs less than many top AI programs. For 2025-2026, online MCS in Data Science costs $19,936 for state residents and $24,960 for others. The Chicago campus option totals $25,760.

These rates give excellent value compared to similar programs. The online format saves you the most money. Starting Fall 2025, online and off-campus students will pay an extra $3 per credit hour.

Best For

UIUC’s online AI master’s degree fits perfectly for:

• Professionals who need flexibility with a prestigious degree
• Computer science graduates looking for quality education at reasonable costs
• People interested in UIUC’s connections with tech giants (Texas Instruments), security organizations (Sandia National Laboratories), agricultural firms (John Deere, Caterpillar), and financial companies (Visa)
• Students who want to graduate quickly or spread classes over five years

This program balances academic excellence with practical flexibility. It leads AI education in the Midwest. However, students focused on specialized AI topics should note the current course limitations before enrolling.

4. University of Washington – MS in AI and ML for Engineering

The University of Washington’s Master of Science in AI and Machine Learning for Engineering helps engineers apply modern AI methods to physical systems. Students work with manufacturing, chemical processes, and robotics. The program blends theory with hands-on engineering applications.

Overview

UW designed this flexible master’s degree for working engineers who want to boost their careers with advanced AI and ML skills. Students can earn graduate certificates that build up to a master’s degree. This setup lets you learn at your own pace while putting new skills to work right away.

The program fits different learning styles with part-time and online options. Students can take certificates one at a time or all at once. This structure lets you keep your job while studying or finish faster if you want.

The program starts taking applications in January 2026, with classes beginning Fall 2026. Students must apply by June 1st. You’ll need a 3.0 GPA on a 4-point scale and background in calculus, differential equations, matrix algebra, and physics.

Curriculum Highlights

Students start with the Graduate Certificate in AI and ML for Engineering, which is online only. This certificate builds core skills that work across engineering fields. The program teaches state-of-the-art AI and ML techniques specific to your engineering area.

Beyond certificate courses, students complete a two-quarter capstone where they:

• Apply learned techniques to complex or novel use cases
• Develop advanced project management skills
• Solve engineering challenges with AI and ML tools

The faculty brings expertise in machine learning and traditional engineering like robotics, materials, dynamics and control, and industrial design. Students learn to pick the right AI techniques for engineering problems while understanding their limits and ethical impacts.

Tuition and Fees

The total cost for 2025-26 runs between $40,375 and $43,088, based on your second certificate choice. Each course costs about $4,428 ($1,107 per credit).

Students pay a $50 application fee, plus a one-time $75 graduate non-matriculated fee if needed. Each quarter has a $55 registration fee and a technology fee between $4 and $22.

The stackable format lets you spread costs over time, making it easier to budget or use employer funding. You might see career benefits after finishing your first certificate.

Best For

This program works best for:

• Engineers who want to apply AI/ML to physical systems with ground constraints
• Working professionals needing flexible, part-time study options
• People focused on manufacturing, chemical processes, or robotics
• Students wanting to tailor their learning to their engineering field
• International students who can study online (the program doesn’t support F1/J1 visas for campus study)

UW’s program stands out by focusing on industry applications. After finishing this online masters in AI with an engineering focus, you’ll know how to use innovative AI and ML tools to tackle complex engineering challenges in your field.

5. Columbia University – MSCS in Machine Learning

Columbia University’s Master of Science in Computer Science with a Machine Learning Track gives students advanced knowledge in this faster growing field. The program welcomes students interested in a variety of applications from bioinformatics to finance and intelligent systems.

Overview

Columbia’s Machine Learning Track provides state-of-the-art ML training that you can apply in many domains. Students can complete this online program with 30 graduate points while keeping a minimum 2.7 overall GPA. You can get one D grade at most. Your coursework must be at the 4000 level or above, and you need at least six points of technical courses at the 6000 level. You must finish all degree requirements within five years after starting your first credited course.

The program combines theory with real-world applications. Most students come from computer science backgrounds. Students from other fields can apply if they excel in their studies and complete the required computer science and mathematics prerequisites.

Curriculum Highlights

The curriculum builds strong foundations and explores specialized machine learning topics. Students need to complete two foundational courses by:

• Taking two courses from Group A, or
• Taking one course from Group A and one from Group B

Group A’s key courses include:

• Introduction to Computational Learning Theory
• Machine Learning
• Advanced Machine Learning
• Neural Networks & Deep Learning
• Foundations of Graphical Models

Group B includes Computer Vision, Natural Language Processing, Robotics, and Artificial Intelligence. After completing these foundation courses, you’ll choose secondary electives (at least one at 6000 level) and fill remaining credits with general elective courses.

Tuition and Fees

The program costs less than other elite institutions. You’ll pay $2,700 per point (credit hour), which adds up to about $81,000 for the 30-credit program. Other costs include:

• $395 non-refundable fee per course
• $105 one-time transcript fee
• $1,000 tuition deposit

The total cost to complete your MS degree comes to about $85,055. International students pay extra fees, including a $320 international student fee.

Best For

Columbia’s MSCS in Machine Learning track helps professionals develop specialized expertise in machine learning applications. The program works best if you:

• Want to work in specialized fields like bioinformatics, fraud detection, or financial technology
• Need connections to top employers—graduates get jobs at Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley
• Want a flexible online format from an elite institution
• Need detailed technical knowledge across the machine learning spectrum

This program gives you advanced knowledge to build careers in data science, AI engineering, or continue academic research in machine learning specializations.

6. University of Texas at Austin – MS in Artificial Intelligence

UT Austin has launched one of the first fully online Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence programs in the United States. This trailblazing program combines academic excellence with extraordinary affordability, making advanced AI education available to more people.

Overview

The MS in Artificial Intelligence at UT Austin offers a 100% online experience. Students can complete the program in one-and-a-half to three years. Since its launch in January 2024, the 30-credit hour program has grown faster to reach 640 enrolled students. The numbers could double or triple in upcoming semesters.

Working professionals who want technical expertise in AI fundamentals and applications will find this program valuable. Students need a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution to qualify. Common backgrounds include computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, statistics, data science, or mathematics. Students with non-technical degrees might qualify if they have completed enough relevant coursework.

Curriculum Highlights

The curriculum helps students become skilled at key areas that contribute to human-like learning and reasoning processes:

• Deep learning and neural networks
• Computer vision and robotics
• Natural language processing
• Information retrieval systems
• Human-AI interaction
• Planning, search, and reasoning under uncertainty

Required foundational courses and electives form the program’s structure. The Ethics in AI course and specialized applications in healthcare and clinical research are two crucial components. Graduates can apply their skills in many industries – from consumer behavior forecasting to fraud detection, energy, healthcare, and software development.

Tuition and Fees

The program’s affordability stands out—total tuition costs just $10,000. Each course costs about $1,000, or $333 per credit hour. UT Austin’s position as a top global university makes this an exceptional value, as similar programs cost 2-9 times more.

Students must pay a $500 deposit when enrolling, plus some additional costs for materials and fees. The program’s pricing creates opportunities for qualified students and reduces barriers for historically underserved populations.

Best For

The program serves these groups well:

• Budget-conscious professionals who want prestigious credentials
• Working adults who need flexible study options
• People interested in practical AI applications in industries of all types
• Students who want the same rigorous education as on-campus programs
• Professionals who want to complete an advanced degree while working

The core team of tenured faculty designs and teaches courses, maintaining the same strict academic standards as UT’s selective on-campus graduate programs.

7. Johns Hopkins University – MS in Artificial Intelligence

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory partnered to create an online Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence program. Students get advanced training from one of the nation’s groundbreaking institutions in AI education.

Overview

Johns Hopkins University’s fully online AI masters degree works great for working professionals through asynchronous course delivery. The program combines theory with real-world applications in AI of all types, including robotics, natural language processing, and image processing. The program launched in summer 2020 and quickly drew 70 students in its first cohort. This rapid growth shows how the program appeals to engineers and computer scientists who want advanced skills in this high-demand field.

Curriculum Highlights

Students must complete ten graduate-level courses (30 credits) within five years. The degree requirements include:

• Two core courses (6 credits)
• Three required courses (9 credits)
• Five electives (15 credits)

“Creating AI-Enabled Systems” is a core course where students learn about developing and operating AI systems while addressing ethics and bias. Students can customize their education through focus areas, though these won’t show up on transcripts as official designations. Advanced knowledge comes from taking at least three 700-level courses.

Tuition and Fees

Graduate-level courses cost $5,455 each during the 2025-2026 academic year after the Dean’s fellowship applies automatically to all EP students. The total program cost reaches about $54,550 for ten graduate-level courses. A remarkable 78% of students get their tuition covered through employer contribution programs. Students pay additional fees of $510 for each transfer credit and a $100 graduation fee.

Best For

Working professionals who want to boost their AI skills while keeping their current jobs will benefit most from this program. Engineers who want to develop new AI features and understand system requirements, drivers, and components will find great value here. The program is ideal for anyone interested in Johns Hopkins’ expertise with healthcare AI applications, defense systems, and autonomous systems. Students nationwide can access the program without moving.

8. Penn State World Campus – MPS in Artificial Intelligence

Penn State World Campus provides a stackable credentials approach through its Master of Professional Studies in Artificial Intelligence program. Students can build their expertise step by step and earn valuable certifications as they progress.

Overview

The program delivers 100% online instruction through a 33-credit STEM-designated curriculum that students can complete at their own pace. Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA throughout their studies. The program stands out because students can earn up to three related graduate certificates while working toward their master’s degree.

Curriculum Highlights

The program consists of 21 credits of core courses, including:

• Deep Learning
• Natural Language Processing
• Foundations of AI
• Ethics of Artificial Intelligence

Students take 9 credits of electives and complete a 3-credit capstone experience that connects to ground applications. The capstone project requires a written paper that documents the project description, analysis, and results.

Students who choose the stackable credentials path can earn certificates in:

• Foundations of Artificial Intelligence (12 credits)
• Natural Language Processing (9 credits)
• Computer Vision (9 credits)

Tuition and Fees

Best For

This online master’s in AI program fits perfectly with working professionals who need work-life balance. Students become more marketable even before completing the full program through progressive upskilling. Graduates can pursue roles such as Artificial Intelligence Specialist, Machine Learning Engineer, or Data Scientist.

9. University of San Diego – MS in Applied Artificial Intelligence

The University of San Diego’s online Master of Science in Applied Artificial Intelligence program combines practical applications with ethical principles. Students learn autonomous decision-making in robotics, computer vision, and text analysis.

Overview

Industry leaders worked with USD to create their MS-AAI program’s hands-on training approach. The program ranks as the #27 most affordable online Master’s in AI for 2025. Students can complete their degree in 20 months through five semesters. All courses run asynchronously online.

Curriculum Explains

Ten courses totaling 30 academic units make up the curriculum. Students take two 7-week courses each semester. Course topics include probability, machine learning, neural networks, NLP, computer vision, IoT, and ethics. Students conclude with a capstone project and work together with industry partners on ground AI challenges.

Tuition and Fees

The program’s total cost is $29,850, at $995 per credit. This educational investment pays off—program graduates earn an average salary of $116,510.

Best For

Professionals with STEM backgrounds who want practical AI skills thrive in this program. The curriculum’s deep focus on ethics appeals to students who want to build socially responsible AI systems.

Get Started

Choosing the right online master’s program in AI is about more than just rankings or prestige. It’s about finding a program that fits your career goals, learning style, and life circumstances. Whether you’re drawn to a curriculum heavy on machine learning theory, excited about hands-on robotics projects, or looking for a program that balances AI with business strategy, there’s likely a program on this list that speaks to you.

The best thing about online learning is that you don’t have to put your career on hold or relocate to advance your education. These programs let you learn from leading researchers and practitioners while staying connected to the real-world problems you’re passionate about solving. And in a field evolving as rapidly as AI, that connection between theory and practice matters more than ever.

As you weigh your options, consider reaching out to current students or alumni, attending virtual information sessions, and thinking honestly about what kind of support and structure you’ll need to succeed. The best program for you is the one you’ll actually complete, and the one that will position you to make the impact you want to make in this transformative field.