The 4 Best AI Masters Degrees in Minnesota
AI expertise is in high demand. 64% of U.S. businesses expect AI to increase productivity, and 41% of CEOs worldwide are hiring new talents with AI skills actively. Minnesota offers a thriving AI ecosystem with Fortune 500 companies like 3M, UnitedHealth Group, and the Mayo Clinic. These companies post AI job openings regularly. The right AI Masters degree programs Minnesota offers can position you as a leader in this transformation. This piece explores four top AI programs that give you machine learning, deep learning, and natural language processing skills to meet industry needs.
1. University of St. Thomas Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence
Program Overview and Key Highlights
The University of St. Thomas launched Minnesota’s first Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence program. Applications opened in spring 2024. This STEM-approved graduate degree addresses a critical gap in the state’s educational landscape. Twin Cities software and tech leaders consulted on its development to meet actual industry needs.
Accessibility distinguishes the program. No prior technical background is required. This makes it suitable for professionals seeking career transitions. The inclusive approach has produced notable results. Approximately 33% of the Graduate Programs in Software students are international. Women make up 35%, and 43% identify as people of color. Age diversity spans from 22 to 64. The average age is 34. A full one-third are career changers making the leap to a new industry.
CoFlex delivery mode provides flexibility. Students can attend classes either in-person or online. Classes meet weeknights from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. This accommodates working professionals who just need to balance full-time employment with their studies. The non-cohort structure allows students to proceed at their own pace. Rolling enrollment offers three start terms: fall, spring, or summer.
Faculty credentials strengthen the program’s value proposition. All full-time tenured faculty hold Ph.D. degrees and offer extensive industry experience. Professional experience and educational credentials determine adjunct instructor selection. Working professionals teach 50% of courses. Dr. Manjeet Rege, Associate Professor and Director for the Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence, co-hosts the ‘All Things Data’ podcast. It averages over 60,000 listeners.
Core Curriculum and Specializations
The program requires 10 courses totaling 30 credits. Students must maintain a GPA of 2.7 or higher throughout their studies. The curriculum combines foundational technical skills with advanced AI concepts and ethical considerations.
The curriculum addresses core AI concepts. These include machine learning, neural networks, computer vision, and natural language processing. The hands-on learning experience emphasizes practical application. Students use industry-leading tools.
Approved electives provide additional specialization options. Students can select from SEIS 606 Vibe Coding, SEIS 615 Cloud Computing, SEIS 622 Web App Development, SEIS 630 Database Management Systems and Design, SEIS 663 Introduction to Cybersecurity, SEIS 732 Data Warehousing (only for students with database backgrounds), SEIS 745 Data Lake Engineering (only for students with database backgrounds), or SEIS 795 Independent Study.
The curriculum undergoes ongoing updates. This keeps it responsive to changes in the artificial intelligence, data science, software engineering, information technology, and information systems communities. Students interact with peers who are experienced professionals from various industries. Over 40% of class participants come from countries outside the United States. This diverse student body boosts the experience for all students and produces networking opportunities.
Admission Requirements and Prerequisites
A bachelor’s degree from a U.S. regionally accredited institution (or international equivalent) with a minimum GPA of 2.7 is required. The program does not require GRE or GMAT scores. Application deadlines occur on August 1 and January 6. No application fee is charged.
International students face additional requirements. TOEFL scores must reach 80 out of 120, with 20 on remaining sections. PTE scores need to hit 53 out of 90. IELTS requires 6.5 out of 9 with a minimum score of 6.5 on each of the four sections. Duolingo scores must achieve 105 out of 160. International students must attend in-person only. Domestic students can choose between online and in-person attendance.
The program’s design accommodates individuals without prerequisite technical backgrounds. This inclusivity expands career prospects for professionals from diverse fields. Students are expected to have a prior background in Python or take SEIS 603 Foundations of Python.
All applicants pay the same tuition and fees whatever their residency or citizenship status. The simple application process removes barriers that might discourage qualified candidates from applying.
Tuition, Duration, and Program Flexibility
The first-year tuition fee is $22,453. Total tuition reaches approximately $39,300. All students pay similar rates whatever their residency or citizenship status.
Students complete their master’s degree in 2 to 2.5 years on average. The program structure requires 10 courses totaling 30 credits. Students can proceed at a pace convenient to their work-life balance. Course sequences assume students take classes only in fall and spring semesters. Summer term may have limited class offerings.
Most career changers at St. Thomas transition after 2 to 3 semesters. This timeline reflects the program’s practical focus and the strong demand for AI skills in the job market. The flexible structure allows students to accelerate or decelerate their progress based on personal circumstances.
Classes are offered in-person and online weeknights from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The CoFlex mode means students have the flexibility to attend classes either in-person or online. This hybrid approach serves working professionals with busy lives who just need to balance education with employment and family responsibilities.
The non-cohort model with rolling enrollment enables students to start in spring, summer, or fall. This flexibility removes the pressure of waiting for a specific intake period. Professionals can begin their studies when it best fits their career and personal timeline.
Financial aid may be available to help assist students with their educational needs. Many employers offer tuition reimbursement benefits as a way to attract and retain top employees. Students should think over requesting tuition reimbursement from their employer. The mastery of AI foundations, ethics, and leadership strategies will benefit their organization.
Career Outcomes and Job Placement
The Graduate Programs in Software at St. Thomas has produced more than 4,000 graduates since its 1985 inception. Many work for major economic drivers. These include 3M, Medtronic, Boston Scientific, Cargill, Mayo Clinic, and Target. This network provides current students with valuable connections and potential employment pathways.
AI ranks among the most in-demand fields. Roles such as AI consultant, robotics engineer, and AI researcher offer salary and growth potential. According to LinkedIn, Artificial Intelligence Specialist roles are the fastest growing roles in 2026, with an 86% growth for roles within the field of AI and information processing.
Graduates can explore diverse career opportunities. Potential positions include data scientists, software developers, machine learning engineers, AI research scientists, and AI ethics consultants. These roles offer high-demand positions and competitive salaries in any discipline.
The program prepares students for the tech landscape that evolves faster. It combines advanced technical knowledge with practical skills. Education in AI opens up expansive career opportunities. Sectors like technology, health care, and finance often correlate with higher earning potential due to the growing demand for AI expertise.
The Master’s Program in Data Science at St. Thomas demonstrates the institution’s success. Students prepare for AI-related careers. With 350 enrolled students in a given term, most are hired halfway through their degree program. This early placement rate suggests strong employer relationships and program relevance to industry needs.
The program connects students with a powerful alumni network and career services to help achieve their goals. The diverse student body includes peers who are experienced professionals from various industries. This boosts networking opportunities that extend beyond graduation.
2. University of Minnesota Twin Cities AI Masters Degree Programs
Program Overview and Key Highlights
The University of Minnesota Twin Cities offers a Computer Science MS degree that stands out for its research-intensive approach and faculty expertise in artificial intelligence domains. Graduate students work with faculty advisors who specialize in algorithms and theoretical computer science, numerical and parallel computing, distributed computing and systems, artificial intelligence, robotics, computer vision, databases and data mining, human-computer interaction, graphics and visualization, software engineering, computer architecture, networking, bioinformatics, and computer security.
This research orientation sets the program apart from professionally focused alternatives. Faculty members guide students through nearly all areas of computer science and encourage coursework that integrates research with applications in other fields. The department’s collaborative nature extends beyond computer science. Faculty participate in bioinformatics and computational biology, health informatics, cognitive science, scientific computation, and human factors and ergonomics graduate programs.
Graduate students benefit from specialized research groups and faculty mentorship. The program structure supports both thesis-based (Plan A) and project-based (Plan B) pathways. You can choose between deep research immersion or applied project work. Plan C and Master of Computer Science (MCS) students follow coursework-only tracks.
The program expects you to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.25 throughout your studies. The department reviews students who fall below this threshold after every spring semester and may require meetings with Graduate Program Coordinators to discuss academic progress.
Core Curriculum and Specializations
The AI/Robotics specialization area focuses on principles and methods of designing intelligent systems that analyze information and learn to achieve objectives. This includes both physical systems like robots and virtual agents that interact with the world through digital means.
Core topics within this specialization include knowledge representation, planning and acting for autonomous systems, discovery of patterns in data, learning and prediction, control of complex systems under uncertainty, and the theory of learning such as understanding fundamental bounds on generalization. Students who complete these courses might work in robotics, data understanding, automation of human activities, and tailored experiences.
Students who take 6 credits or more are considered full-time graduate students. Almost all graduate level courses in Computer Science (5000 level and above) are 3 credits each. Special topics courses (CSci 5980 or 8980) are taught one time only. They serve as good options if the topic interests you, though they do not count towards breadth requirements. The 8000 level courses will count towards the CSCI advanced course requirement.
You must take all CS courses A/F unless they are only offered S/N, such as Colloquium or Plan B project. No more than one-third of the courses that count towards your degree can be taken on the S/N basis. You must complete all requirements for the Master’s degree within 5 years of matriculating into the program.
The curriculum offers flexibility through elective selection. Students in the BS program need 23 credits of upper-division elective coursework. Choosing 3-4 courses from within the AI/Robotics interest area gives you enough content to demonstrate a specialization during job interviews or on cover letters. But specializations are not degree requirements, and focuses or tracks of any kind do not show up on transcripts or diplomas.
Admission Requirements and Prerequisites
Your application requires several components submitted through the university system. The personal statement or statement of purpose should discuss your computer science educational, research, or industrial background as it relates to your objectives. Include unique experiences relevant to research you have done and explain why you are applying to the University of Minnesota. List faculty members and research groups whose research interests line up with yours. Use this space to address extenuating circumstances, such as poor grades or test scores. A 4,000-character limit (around 700 words) is recommended, excluding spaces.
Domestic applicants must complete a Diversity of Views and Experiences Statement. This describes how your views, life experiences, and skills would contribute to the graduate program and your success. International applicants are not required to complete this statement but may do so. A 4,000-character limit excluding spaces is recommended.
You must indicate all colleges and graduate schools you have attended and upload unofficial transcripts to the admissions application. Admitted students must provide official transcripts following specific instructions. Do not fax or mail hard copies to the department.
International students must send official TOEFL or IELTS scores. The department requires a speaking score of 23 or higher on the TOEFL or 7 or higher on the IELTS to qualify for teaching assistantships. ETS must send official TOEFL scores to the University of Minnesota Graduate School using institution code 6874. You can send IELTS scores through electronic or physical mail. Duolingo scores are accepted but not eligible for teaching assistantships. Applicants who have English as a first language from exempt countries do not need to submit proof of English proficiency.
Provide names and email addresses for three recommenders through the university system. The CS&E department does not accept hard copies of recommendation letters. They must be submitted through the online system. Letters should arrive by the posted application deadline.
Your CV or resume should include educational background and degrees, teaching or research experience, a list of papers/publications with URLs, computer languages in which you are proficient, and other information that advances your application. Upload in PDF or text format, with PDF preferred.
Optional items include writing samples, descriptions of research such as publications or research papers, and extenuating circumstances statements. The department cannot review your application material prior to submission or make document corrections once submitted.
Tuition, Duration, and Program Flexibility
Minnesota offers 4 master’s degree programs in artificial intelligence, with tuition averaging $11,161 per year. All international students and students who hold graduate assistantships, fellowships, or traineeships are required to be full-time students. Full-time status requires 6 credits or more per semester.
Program formats include traditional full-time study that lasts 2 years, part-time options for working professionals extending 2-3 years, and accelerated tracks. Some programs offer thesis and non-thesis tracks. You can focus on research or professional development based on career goals.
Master’s students choose an advisor for their Plan B project or Plan A thesis after completing a few courses in their area of interest, attending seminars, and having individual discussions with faculty members, usually by the second semester. Plan C and MCS students do not need to complete this step. Only faculty with graduate education responsibilities are eligible to serve as advisors.
The advisor-advisee relationship is mutual, and an advisor must agree to advise any student. You will fill out a Declaration of Advisor form once you determine your advisor. You may change advisors at any time using the same form, though both the new and previous advisor must sign to acknowledge this change.
Graduate Program Coordinators answer most questions and advise students on degree requirements, department procedures, and general issues about being a graduate student. All new students are expected to meet a Graduate Program Coordinator upon arrival as well as several times throughout your graduate career.
Career Outcomes and Job Placement
More than 95 percent of CSE graduates have a job in their field or are pursuing a graduate degree within six months of graduation. This placement rate reflects strong employer demand and program quality. Science and engineering jobs rank among the most in-demand and highest-paying jobs for recent graduates.
Master’s graduates in Minnesota earn a median salary of $106,790, around 20-30% higher than bachelor’s degree holders. The concentration of technology companies in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Bloomington creates strong demand for graduate-level talent. Target, UnitedHealth, and Best Buy recruit from these programs.
Curriculum covers advanced topics that include machine learning, distributed systems, software architecture, and technical management. Many programs include practicum experiences, industry capstone projects, or consulting engagements that provide real-life application of advanced concepts.
The university is expanding AI literacy through new initiatives. The Department of Computer Science and Engineering will debut two flagship AI for All courses starting fall 2026. A detailed AI minor is also set to launch the same semester, pending final approval. An AI Makerspace opened in fall 2025. Students get access to guided and self-directed projects, powerful computing resources, and cloud services. Walter Library houses the space and provides physical access to edge computing devices, sensors, and GPU workstations.
3. Saint Mary’s University Online MBA in Artificial Intelligence
Program Overview and Key Points
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota provides a business-focused alternative to traditional AI master’s degree programs through its Online MBA in Artificial Intelligence. This program merges artificial intelligence expertise with business strategy and leadership development rather than concentrating solely on technical AI skills. The curriculum takes a hands-on approach to AI fundamentals, deep learning methodology and business modeling.
The program operates online with asynchronous classes. You get freedom to complete coursework on your own schedule. This format eliminates the need for real-time attendance and makes it suitable for working professionals managing full-time careers. You can complete the MBA in as little as 12 months, depending on your course load. Most students finish within 12 to 24 months.
Saint Mary’s structures the program around 8-week terms, with six annual start dates: January, March, May, July, August and October. This rolling enrollment system means you can begin whenever it lines up with your career transition or professional development timeline. The International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) accredits this program and recognizes the university’s commitment to business education that develops confident, competent and ethical leaders.
The program consists of 10 courses that total 30 credit hours. You must complete eight core courses (24 credits), one elective course (3 credits) and one general MBA course (3 credits). The AI specialization requires an additional 12 credits of project-based coursework.
Core Curriculum and Specializations
The Artificial Intelligence specialization prepares you to apply innovative AI-based solutions to business strategy and improve outcomes for organizations of all types. This 12-credit concentration provides a foundational introduction to big data, Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence technologies.
The specialization courses combine technical training with business applications. BIA 630 introduces you to advanced concepts in predictive modeling and techniques to find patterns in data, identify variables with the most predictive power and develop predictive models. The course uses Microsoft Excel to engineer and analyze business models.
BIA 680 focuses on the framework for using Python programming language for artificial intelligence and develops both supervised and unsupervised machine learning applications. This technical foundation gives you the ability to work with AI tools.
Students also take BIA 645 Communication and Content Strategies, which focuses on explaining complex datasets, models and analysis to various stakeholders including internal and external organizations and personnel of various disciplines. This course addresses a critical gap between technical AI work and business communication.
Admission Requirements and Prerequisites
You need an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale. No prerequisite coursework is required for the online MBA. A background in business is not a prerequisite to join this program either.
GRE scores are not required. GMAT scores are required only if you have fewer than two years of work experience. This policy recognizes that professional experience provides valuable context for MBA-level coursework.
You may transfer a maximum of six credits you’ve earned before admittance to Saint Mary’s. This transfer policy allows you to apply relevant previous graduate work toward your degree and potentially shorten completion time.
The application process remains straightforward without extensive documentation requirements. The absence of prerequisite business courses opens the program to career changers from technical backgrounds who want to develop business acumen alongside AI expertise.
Tuition, Duration and Program Flexibility
The average cost per credit is $605.00. With 33 total credit hours required, the estimated program tuition is $19,965.00. This pricing applies whatever your residency status.
You can complete the program at your own pace in 12 to 24 months. The 8-week term structure means you progress through material quickly compared to traditional semester-based programs. You can finish in just one year by taking two courses per 8-week session.
The program offers exceptional flexibility through its six annual start dates. You can begin in January, March, May, July, August or October if you meet admission requirements. This frequent enrollment removes the need to wait for traditional fall or spring semesters.
All classes operate asynchronously online. You access course materials, complete assignments and participate in discussions on your schedule. This format accommodates various time zones and work schedules, making it available for professionals who travel often or work non-traditional hours.
Career Outcomes and Job Placement
Payscale reports that professionals with an MBA earn an average of $101,000.00 per year, compared to $81,000.00 per year for those with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. This represents a salary increase that can justify the investment in graduate education.
High-paying roles for MBA graduates include Personal Financial Advisor with a median annual salary of $93,000.00 per year, Management Analyst at $98,000.00 per year and Chief Executive Officer at $213,000.00 per year.
The AI specialization positions you for growing technology roles. Positions you can pursue include AI analyst, AI developer, AI product manager, Business intelligence architect and Data scientist. These roles combine business strategy with technical implementation and require both skill sets this program develops.
Business adoption of AI creates strong demand for professionals who understand both technology and organizational strategy. 64% of U.S. businesses expect AI to increase productivity, and 41% of CEOs worldwide stated that they are hiring new talents with AI skills. This dual demand for business and AI expertise makes this MBA specialization valuable for career advancement.
4. Minnesota State University Mankato Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence
Program Overview and Key Highlights
Minnesota State University Mankato launched the first and only graduate artificial intelligence program within the Minnesota State system. The Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence prepares you to plan, build, review, and deploy intelligent systems that think and learn autonomously. These systems integrate symbolic inference, knowledge representation, automated reasoning, and simulation of human intelligence. This program emphasizes responsible AI practices by learning about ethical, legal, social, and organizational implications through industry-based research projects. You get hands-on experience in sectors of all types including agriculture, construction, finance, healthcare, and manufacturing.
Core Curriculum and Specializations
The curriculum provides theoretical foundations combined with practical skills in machine learning, deep learning, computer vision, and natural language processing. Core courses include CIS 518 Foundations of Data Science, CIS 582 Human Computer Interaction, CIS 630 Advanced Artificial Intelligence Systems, CIS 631 Machine Learning, CIS 633 Computer Vision, CIS 634 Natural Language Processing, and CIS 635 Responsible AI. You select one of three capstone options: Thesis requiring a minimum of 32 credits, Alternative Plan Paper requiring 34 credits, or Internship requiring 36 credits.
Admission Requirements and Prerequisites
You need a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Information Systems, Management Information Systems, Computer Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, or a related field with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above. International students must achieve TOEFL iBT scores of 61 or higher or IELTS scores of 6.5 or higher. Conditional admission is available if you lack undergraduate coursework in mathematics, statistics, database systems, or programming. A combined BS/MS accelerated option allows you to double-count up to 12 graduate credits toward both degrees.
Tuition, Duration, and Program Flexibility
Annual tuition reaches $13,350. The program spans 2 years and requires 32 total credits. You must complete at least 50% of graduate credits at the 600-level and maintain a 3.0 GPA. The program offers rolling admission with fall and spring start dates.
Career Outcomes and Job Placement
Employment for computer and information research scientists is projected to grow 26 percent. Machine learning engineers in Minnesota earn an average annual salary of $146,089. The curriculum prepares you to tackle ground challenges in sectors of all types and positions you well for in-demand AI roles.
Next Steps
Each of these four programs offers distinct advantages depending on your career goals. St. Thomas stands out for career changers with no technical background required. University of Minnesota Twin Cities excels in research-intensive AI education. Saint Mary’s uniquely combines AI with business strategy through its MBA format. Minnesota State Mankato provides the only graduate AI program within the Minnesota State system with strong industry connections.
Your next step is identifying which program arranges best with your background and career aspirations. Think over factors such as prerequisite requirements, program flexibility and specialization options. Decide whether you prefer technical depth or business applications. Then reach out to admissions teams to discuss your specific situation and career goals.