The 7 Best AI Masters Degree Programs In Florida 

Learning about AI masters degree programs at the various Florida universities could be your smartest career move. Computer and information technology roles in Florida are expected to grow 13% between 2023 and 2033. Employment of data scientists is projected to surge 36% from 2023 to 2033. Graduates from Florida’s AI programs see 15% higher-than-average starting salaries, and AI professionals earn around $132,000 annually. 67% of mature organizations are creating new roles for generative AI. Whether you’re thinking about Florida masters in artificial intelligence programs or specialized AI Masters tracks, this list covers the seven best options to launch your career in this high-demand field.

1. University of Florida – Master of Science in AI Systems

The Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering houses one of Florida’s most rigorous AI Masters degree programs through its Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence Systems (MSAIS). This STEM-designated degree launched in Fall 2024 and graduated its first cohort of 24 students in 2026. Each cohort accepts around 30 students and creates an intimate learning environment where you work with faculty in engineering departments of all types.

Program Overview and Curriculum

You’ll complete 30 credit hours distributed in six core courses (18 credits), three electives (9 credits), and a capstone project (3 credits). The curriculum merges computer science, mathematics, engineering and ethics and positions you to tackle ground AI challenges from multiple angles.

Your core coursework spans six critical areas. You start with EGN5216 Machine Learning for AI Systems and EGN 6216 Artificial Intelligent Systems in your first semester. The Sensing & Analysis requirement lets you select from options like CAP 5416 Computer Vision, EEL 5406 Computational Photography, or EEE 6512 Image Processing and Computer Vision. The Security core offers choices between EEL 5739 IoT Security and Privacy or CIS 6261 Trustworthy Machine Learning. You’ll tackle Deep Learning through EGN 6217 Applied Deep Learning and address ethical considerations via EGS 6216 AI Ethics for Tech Leaders.

Elective tracks split into Advanced Machine Learning and Analytical Modeling (AML-DDM) and Autonomy, Robotics, and Human-Centered Computing (AR-HCC). You must select at least one course from each category. AML-DDM options include EEL 5840 Fundamentals of Machine Learning, CAP 6617 Advanced Machine Learning, and EEL 6814 Neural Networks and Deep Learning. AR-HCC offerings feature ABE 6005 Applied Control for Automation and Robotics, CAP 5108 Research Methods for Human Centered Computing, and EML 6351 Adaptive Control.

The program gives you access to the HiPerGator supercomputer for hands-on software experiments. Your final semester concludes with either CAI 6826 Project in AI Systems or EGN 6952 Integrated Product and Process Design G2 as your capstone. High-achieving undergraduates can pursue combined BS/MS pathways in Computer Engineering and Electrical Engineering majors and double-count up to 12 credits toward both degrees.

Admission Requirements

The Graduate School requires a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 to be eligible, though meeting this threshold doesn’t guarantee acceptance. You need a B.S. degree in a computing-related engineering field, though strong analytical and computing backgrounds from physics or industrial engineering also qualify.

Application deadlines differ by residency status. International applicants must submit by January 31st, 2027, while domestic applicants have until April 1st, 2027. The admissions committee reviews packets on a rolling basis in five batches from December through April and makes early submission advantageous for faster decisions.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Non-Florida residents with outstanding academic records receive a partial tuition waiver of $3,300. The program allows you to transfer up to 9 credits from equivalent graduate coursework at other accredited institutions. External estimates show that tuition runs around $21,521 for the program.

The tuition waiver isn’t your only option. You can access financial support through the UF Student Government’s Graduate Student Council (GSC) Travel Grant program for conference attendance and professional development. The Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering also provides research opportunities under faculty direction, which can offset costs while strengthening your analytical and writing capabilities.

Career Outcomes and Salary Expectations

Graduates enter sectors that include IT services, healthcare, finance and banking, robotics and manufacturing, telecommunications, energy and utilities, education and research, automotive, and aerospace and defense. The program’s emphasis on training creates professionals who can apply AI in engineering contexts of all types rather than limiting themselves to pure computing roles.

Florida’s AI master’s graduates earn a median salary of $97,820 and represent a 20-30% increase over bachelor’s degree holders. Technology companies in Miami, Tampa, and Orlando recruit from these programs, with employers like Citrix, Magic Leap, and Chewy seeking graduate-level talent. The hands-on curriculum prepares you for immediate contribution to AI implementation projects rather than purely theoretical work from your first semester.

2. University of South Florida – Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence

USF’s Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence addresses a critical gap in Florida masters in artificial intelligence accessibility by welcoming both computing professionals and career changers from diverse fields. This 31-credit hour program delivers the same rigorous training whether you choose in-person or online formats, and the GRE is not required.

Program Overview and Curriculum

You complete the degree in two years through a carefully structured curriculum. Your path depends on your undergraduate preparation. You begin with three two-credit essentials courses plus a Mathematics for AI course if you lack a computer science background. These foundational courses prepare you for the programming, algorithms and ethical issues in AI that follow.

Students entering with computer science degrees skip the essentials and take focused electives instead. You reach the same advanced coursework by your third semester whatever your starting point. You select from broadening and deepening electives at that stage. Broadening electives expand your intellectual horizons across AI applications, while deepening electives boost expertise within a specialized domain.

You learn alongside researchers who generated $47 million in AI-related research expenditures in the last four years. Their labs cluster into four groups: AI and Cognitive Computing, Cybersecurity, Computing Hardware and Sensors, and Human-Centered Computing. Research areas specific to this program span machine learning, neural networks, deep learning, natural language processing, computer vision, robotics and autonomous systems, knowledge representation and reasoning, ethics and policy in AI, AI tools and frameworks, and AI applications in healthcare, finance, education, and marketing.

Admission Requirements

You need a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 and programming knowledge that has Python experience. The program accepts graduates with bachelor’s degrees in computer science who have statistical knowledge. Those with backgrounds in engineering, physics, math, or quantitative biology qualify, though these fields aren’t required.

Your application packet has unofficial transcripts from each institution you attended, including military credits and CLEP scores. You also submit an updated resume or CV, two reference letters from authority figures who can assess your academic abilities, a statement of purpose, and a portfolio of your coding work such as a GitHub link.

Application deadlines vary by program track. Priority deadlines fall on January 15 for fall admission and September 1 for spring admission for the MS in Computer Science and MS in Computer Engineering. Final university deadlines extend to June 1 for fall and October 15 for spring. The AI graduate certificate program requires submissions by June 1 for fall start and October 15 for spring start.

Tuition and Financial Aid

No GRE requirement eliminates a common barrier and associated test preparation costs. The program’s dual format allows you to choose between online and in-person instruction based on your circumstances, both taught by the same expert faculty.

Students pursuing the related MS in Data Intelligence at USF pay a flat rate of $650 per credit hour for both Florida residents and non-residents. That 30-credit program totals $19,500 in tuition, providing a reference point to understand costs across USF’s ai masters degree programs Florida portfolio.

Career Outcomes and Salary Expectations

Employment of data scientists is projected to grow 36 percent from 2023 to 2033 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The median salary reaches $140,910 for computer and information research scientists, a category that has machine learning engineers.

Industry signals underscore the surging need for AI expertise. Business Insider reports a 25.2% year-over-year increase in AI-related job postings in early 2025, with median salaries hitting $156,998. That same report notes one in four tech job postings in the U.S. in 2025 seek AI skills.

You’ll be prepared for roles as machine learning engineer or data scientist. Emerging positions include Prompt Engineers who create effective prompts for AI systems, Model Validators who ensure AI accuracy and fairness, Decision Engineers who help AI make smarter ground choices, AI Product Managers who turn AI into products that work, and AI Ethicists who verify AI safety and alignment with values. A recent Gartner report shows 67% of mature organizations are creating new roles for generative AI and 87% of them have a dedicated AI team.

3. Florida International University – MS in Applied AI & IoT

FIU’s professional graduate program in Electrical & Computer Engineering takes a distinct approach among Florida masters in artificial intelligence options by combining AI fundamentals with Internet of Things applications. This 30 credit hour curriculum positions you to handle the complete data lifecycle in cybersecurity, networking, IoT sensors and robotics domains. The program carries STEM designation and requires no GRE.

Program Overview and Curriculum

You complete 10 courses covering both foundational and advanced AI concepts. The curriculum spans Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Generative AI, Large Language Models, Computer Vision, Big Data and Cloud Technologies. Your fall semester has CNT 6154 Advanced Machine Learning in ECE, CNT 6156 Advanced Python Programming in ECE, CAI 5867 Advanced Data Engineering in ECE and CNT 6152 Advanced Data Visualization in ECE. Spring coursework features CNT 6144 Advanced Cloud Services in ECE, CNT 6150 Advanced Deep Learning in ECE, EEE 5718 IoT Security & Privacy and CAI 6856 Advanced Generative AI in ECE. Summer courses round out your training with CNT 6148 Advanced Big Data Analytics in ECE and CAI 5858 Advanced Embedded A.

The technical training prepares you to implement regression, classification and clustering algorithms. You apply Convolutional Neural Network and Recurrent Neural Network algorithms for image processing and time series analysis. Big data coursework covers data storage using Hadoop Distributed File System, batch processing and in-memory analytics using Spark. You also learn to import data with Kafka message broker and work with NoSQL databases like Cassandra or MongoDB.

The program has Azure certifications that give you a competitive edge in cloud-based AI deployment. Hybrid course offerings provide scheduling flexibility for working professionals.

Admission Requirements

You need a four-year bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field such as business administration from an accredited university with a minimum B average in your upper-level coursework, the last 60 credit hours. Programming knowledge is required. Applicants whose GPA does not meet the minimum requirement may be put on conditional admission.

International applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate proficiency through one of several testing options. You qualify with an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited institution where the language of instruction is English, or certification from FIU’s English Language Institute showing completion of all content areas with at least level six proficiency.

Tuition and Financial Aid

The total program cost is $17,142.25 plus semester fees, bringing the approximate total to $20,000. The university calculates tuition each semester based on the number of courses you enroll in. You can pay for courses at the beginning of each semester through either one lump sum or a payment plan.

FIU offers Academic Works, an online scholarship application tool where you can browse and apply for more than 100 scholarships funded by FIU alumni and friends. You become eligible to apply after matriculating into the program. The financial aid office provides information on Federal Financial Aid and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or you can call (305) 348-7272.

Career Outcomes and Salary Expectations

Graduates work in smart home automation, autonomous automotive technologies, smart manufacturing, precision agriculture, AI-optimized energy grids, urban development, e-commerce, telecommunications and financial services. This specialized training leads to an average annual U.S. salary of $132,000 for AI masters graduates in this field. The job market projects an estimated 451,000+ new positions in these domains.

Your training in IoT integration alongside AI creates opportunities beyond traditional software roles. You can apply your skills to sensor networks in precision agriculture or optimize energy distribution in smart grid systems. The combination of embedded AI and cloud technologies positions you for emerging roles where physical systems meet intelligent automation.

4. Florida Gulf Coast University – MS in Data Analytics and AI

FGCU positions its MS in Data Analytics and AI as a business-focused alternative among AI Masters degree programs Florida institutions provide. This STEM-designated program gives you both technical and managerial capabilities to make data-informed business decisions across industries. You complete the degree in one year through a 30-credit curriculum that welcomes professionals from different academic backgrounds.

Program Overview and Curriculum

You take 10 courses covering analytics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and information systems. The program prepares you for positions requiring skills in developing information systems and making data-driven decisions while making use of AI to solve business problems. You acquire managerial competencies in IT and AI strategy plus project management. The program also covers programming, big data analytics, machine learning, predictive analytics, cybersecurity, and data management.

Your required coursework has ISM 6136 Predictive Analytics and ML, ISM 6217 Data Management, ISM 6251 Programming for Analytics & ML, ISM 6316 Project Management, ISM 6328 Cybersecurity Management, ISM 6404 BI and Visualization Tools, ISM 6422 AI/ML Tools for Business, ISM 6488 IT and AI Strategy, ISM 6562 Big Data Analytics & Mgt, and QMB 6303 Data Driven Decision-Making. Each course carries 3 credits toward your degree.

You get hands-on experience with high-demand platforms like R, Python, Tableau, Power BI, Gen AI, SPSS, and SAS. The program offers flexibility through dual delivery formats. You can attend traditional face-to-face classes or join via synchronous online streaming. This structure allows you to complete some or all courses in either format based on your schedule.

Admission Requirements

You just need a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA for your last 60 credit hours. The program requires a GMAT score of 450 taken within the past five years or an equivalent GRE score. Students with GPAs between 2.50 and 2.99 may qualify through conditional admission if they achieve a minimum GMAT of 500 and meet the formula: Upper level GPA x 200 + GMAT = 1050.

Several pathways exist for GMAT waivers. You qualify with a doctoral or terminal degree, an undergraduate degree from an AACSB-accredited business program with 3.0 GPA in upper division coursework within the last 7 years, or a graduate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. You can also request a waiver with documented evidence of minimum four years of managerial and budgetary experience.

International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency according to university standards. You submit official transcripts from all attended institutions. The admissions packet also has three recommendation letters addressing your capabilities.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition costs vary based on residency status. The table below shows rates per credit hour: For the 30-credit program, total tuition ranges from about $11,201 for Florida residents to $39,020 for non-residents before fees.

You can apply for Graduate Studies Scholarships worth $1,250 per semester. About 40 scholarships are awarded each fall and spring, with 20 available during summer. Awards are determined by financial need calculated through your FAFSA application. You must enroll in at least 6 credit hours to receive this scholarship and reapply each semester.

Graduate assistantships provide hourly-waged or stipend employment opportunities through academic departments and administrative units. Tuition waivers cover the base rate for in-state students ($290.60 per credit hour) or the differential rate for out-of-state students ($883.13 per credit hour). These waivers exclude fees and undergraduate courses. You must renew them semester-by-semester.

Career Outcomes and Salary Expectations

FGCU graduates join companies like EPAM Systems, Disney Parks Experiences and Products, KPMG, Ellucian, and HubSpot in graduate-level positions. Roles span Business Integration Manager II, Director of Supply Chain, Director Technology Solutions, Product Development Analyst, and Operations Supervisor and Logistics Analyst.

Data analysts in the U.S. earn an average salary of about $75,000 per year in 2025. Entry-level analysts earn between $55,000 and $70,000, while those with a few years of experience earn around $70,000 to $90,000. Senior data analysts command $90,000 to $115,000 or more depending on skills, experience, and location.

5. University of Florida – Master of Science in Applied Data Science

UF’s second AI master’s degree program in Florida comes through the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering and serves engineers without computing backgrounds. This STEM-designated Master of Science in Applied Data Science graduated its first cohort of 31 students in 2026. The program targets professionals with non-computing engineering degrees who want to transition into data science roles.

Program Overview and Curriculum

You complete 30 credit hours split across 21 core credits, 6 elective credits, and a 3-credit capstone project. The program accepts transfer of up to 9 credits from equivalent graduate coursework at other accredited institutions. Your standard 4-semester progression has seven required courses that cover mathematical foundations, programming, AI ethics, data science introduction, and two-part machine learning sequences.

You choose from eight specialization tracks in your third semester: Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Biomedical, Chemical Engineering, Data Analytics in Industrial Systems Engineering, Engineering Education, Environmental, and Transportation. Each specialization offers 2-3 focused electives. To name just one example, the AI track provides ESI 6617 High-Dimensional Data Analytics and EEE 6512 Image Processing and Computer Vision. Your final semester concludes with either a non-thesis project or the Integrated Product and Process Design capstone.

Research opportunities under faculty direction personalize your academic experience and deepen your analytical and writing skills. You access the same HiPerGator supercomputer infrastructure used in UF’s AI Systems program.

Admission Requirements

The Graduate School requires a 3.0 undergraduate GPA, though meeting this minimum doesn’t guarantee acceptance. You need a bachelor’s degree in a non-computing engineering field, although the program considers applicants from any STEM-related discipline. GRE scores are neither required nor reviewed. Your application has a CV, three recommendation letters from professors or industry professionals, and a statement of purpose.

Application deadlines differ by residency. International applicants submit by January 31st, 2027, while domestic applicants have until April 1st, 2027. The admissions committee reviews packets in five batches from December through April on a rolling basis.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Non-Florida residents with outstanding academic records receive a partial tuition waiver totaling $3,300. Graduate Student Council Travel Grants support conference attendance and professional development. So, many on-campus employment opportunities exist through academic departments and retail positions.

Career Outcomes and Salary Expectations

Data science master’s graduates earn median salaries of $100,000 to $105,000 across top U.S. programs. Similarly, programs focused on applied data science report median starting salaries of $95,000 with 100% job placement. Graduates from top-ranked programs can command starting base salaries exceeding $150,000.

6. University of Central Florida – AI Specialization in Computer Science

UCF’s College of Engineering and Computer Science delivers AI Masters degree programs Florida professionals seek through its Master of Science in Computer Science with AI specialization. Your 30-credit hour degree provides broad background in programming systems, computer architecture and theory while you specialize in research areas including computer vision, artificial intelligence and machine learning, quantum computing or virtual reality.

Program Overview and Curriculum

You select between thesis and non-thesis tracks. Thesis students complete 12 credit hours of required courses, 12 elective credits and a minimum six thesis credits. Non-thesis students take the same 12 required credits plus 18 elective hours and finish with a culminating experience the graduate committee determines. Half your credits must reach the 6000-level at minimum.

Research happens across UCF’s Institute of Artificial Intelligence and unites more than two dozen faculty advancing foundational and applied AI in computer vision, robotics, machine learning, healthcare, finance and mathematics. UCF ranks 12th nationally in computer vision. Faculty research spans affective computing, bioinformatics, computer and network security, cryptography, data mining, image processing, natural language processing, neural networks and semantic web.

Admission Requirements

You need no additional requirements beyond standard UCF graduate admission. A computer science undergraduate degree is not mandatory, but you must demonstrate understanding of upper-division material through coursework with B or better grades in EEL 4768C Computer Architecture, COP 4020 Programming Languages I, COP 4600 Operating Systems and COT 4210 Discrete Computational Structures. You submit official transcripts, GRE scores, resume and recommendation letters. Applications open for fall and spring semesters.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Graduate students access fellowships, assistantships, tuition support and loans. Fellowships reward academic merit without work obligations. Teaching and research assistantships provide both funding and professional development.

Career Outcomes and Salary Expectations

Computer science master’s graduates in Florida earn median salaries of $97,820. Orlando’s technology employers including L3Harris and Northrop Grumman connect to UCF’s talent pipeline.

7. Florida Institute of Technology – Master of Science in Computer Science with AI Concentration

Florida Tech’s Master of Science in Computer Science with AI concentration combines theoretical rigor with hands-on laboratory work. Graduates are positioned to deploy AI practically in aerospace and cybersecurity sectors. This 30-credit program offers flexibility through full-time and part-time enrollment options while maintaining the same curriculum standards.

Program Overview and Curriculum

Your coursework through the AI specialization covers machine learning fundamentals, computer vision techniques, robotics systems and intelligent systems design. The curriculum blends core computer science knowledge with advanced AI theory and ground applications in robotics. You can pursue a thesis to explore topics that match your professional interests. You’ll work among faculty whose research spans algorithms, systems and artificial intelligence.

Admission Requirements

You need a bachelor’s degree in computer science with a background in calculus, discrete mathematics, statistics, data structures and algorithms. The program may recommend bridge courses if you’re missing specific prerequisites but demonstrate strong academic performance. Programming proficiency in Python, Java or C++ is a must. The application fee is $60 for both U.S. and international students.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Career Outcomes and Salary Expectations

AI-related positions in Florida experienced a 45% year-over-year surge in job postings. Graduates pursue roles as AI specialists, machine learning engineers and data scientists at companies that include Google, Microsoft and the National Security Agency.

Next Steps

Selecting the right AI master’s program depends on your background and career goals. You have multiple pathways whether you come from engineering, business, or another technical field. Each program offers distinct advantages, from UF’s intensive AI Systems track to FGCU’s business-focused analytics program. Florida’s projected 13% growth in computing roles and $132,000 average salaries for AI professionals mean your investment in graduate education positions you for career advancement. Start by evaluating which program arranges with your prerequisites and specialization interests, then submit your application before the priority deadlines to maximize acceptance chances.