The 7 Best AI Masters Degree Programs in Missouri

Nearly 90% of employers expect to adopt new AI technologies within the next five years. This makes AI masters degree programs Missouri a strategic career move. Employment in computer and information fields will grow by 23% from 2022 to 2032, and data scientist ranks as the third-highest growth occupation. St. Louis, Missouri has become an epicenter of artificial intelligence activity. This piece gets into seven top AI master’s program options in Missouri. We detail curriculum offerings, admission requirements, tuition costs and career outcomes to help you choose the right AI masters degree programs for your goals.

1. Saint Louis University – MS in Artificial Intelligence

Program Overview and Key Features

Saint Louis University’s MS in Artificial Intelligence equips students to apply AI methods ethically while addressing complex societal challenges. The program delivers depth in machine learning models and technologies. It distinguishes itself through university-wide faculty partnerships that enable specialized applications in multiple domains.

Students work with both theoretical foundations and practical implementations through a culminating capstone project or research thesis. The curriculum emphasizes critical examination of AI’s societal effect. It addresses implicit bias in AI systems and ethical technology deployment.

SLU’s Midtown St. Louis location provides direct access to a robust technology ecosystem. The campus sits within walking distance of the Cortex state-of-the-art Community, a 200-acre hub hosting SLU’s Research state-of-the-art Group. This group handles technology transfer and commercial partnerships. Students benefit from proximity to Fortune 500 operations and the T-REX Technology Entrepreneur Center, a coworking space that supports technology startups.

Major employers recruit SLU computer science graduates actively. These include Boeing, Centene, Citi, Deloitte, Enterprise, Express Scripts, KPMG, Maritz, MasterCard, Microsoft, Bayer, and World Wide Technologies. Graduates also pursue opportunities with smaller firms or launch their own ventures.

Curriculum and Specializations

The 30-credit program blends core AI knowledge with flexible specialization options. Students work together with advisors to select courses that apply AI techniques to specific domains. The program structure has foundational courses in software development principles (CSCI 5030), computing and society (CSCI 5050), artificial intelligence principles (CSCI 5760), and machine learning principles (CSCI 5750).

Through faculty partnerships, students choose application areas such as:

• Autonomous systems
• Bioinformatics
• Data science
• Health outcomes
• Image processing
• Natural language processing

Advanced technique courses deepen expertise in core AI methods and mathematical foundations. They cover topics like deep learning, data mining, applied regression, and Bayesian statistics. Students complete the AI Capstone Project (CSCI 5961), which ranges from 3-6 credits, alongside 3-6 credits in AI applications and 3-6 credits in advanced techniques. Six additional elective credits allow further customization based on career goals.

The required credit hours range from 30 to 39 for students with varying backgrounds. Prior STEM coursework or work experience in mathematics, statistics, programming, and data structures determines this.

Admission Requirements

Applicants need a bachelor’s degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) fields. Most successful candidates maintain an undergraduate GPA of 3.00 or better on a 4.00 scale. Strong computational skills evidenced through programming and data structures coursework are required. Mathematical proficiency demonstrated through calculus and statistics courses is also necessary.

Application materials include transcripts, one required letter of recommendation (two additional optional), a résumé, and a professional goals statement. GRE general scores are recommended but not mandatory. International students must demonstrate English proficiency with minimum scores: TOEFL 80 (internet-based), IELTS 6.5, or PTE 54.

Applications for January admission close by November 1 of the preceding year. August admission applications close June 1. Applicants seeking scholarships or graduate assistantships should submit by February 1 to receive priority.

Tuition and Financial Aid

The total program cost for the MS in Artificial Intelligence is $42,000. The university distributed more than $517 million in aid university-wide during fiscal year 2025. That year, 99% of first-time freshmen and 92% of all students received financial aid.

The computer science department provides merit-based support through tuition scholarships and graduate assistantships. These assistantships may include full or partial tuition coverage, health insurance, and living expense stipends. Students provide teaching or research contributions in exchange. Students can also pursue independent scholarships from organizations that support STEM graduate education.

The average need-based scholarship awarded to first-year students reached $39,719. 67% of first-year students received need-based financial aid in fall 2023. Merit-based awards averaged $39,088 for first-year students, excluding athletic scholarships.

Career Outcomes and Job Placement

AI and computer science careers rank among top professions consistently. The U.S. News 100 Best Jobs list for 2025 placed IT Manager at #3. Other computing positions include information security analyst (#4), software developer (#7), and data scientist (#8) appearing in the top 100.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics identifies data scientist as the occupation with the third-highest projected growth through 2032. Other computing roles ranked in the top 20 include information security analyst (#5), software developer (#10), and computer and information research scientists (#13).

Students who complete the graduate program develop capabilities to select appropriate AI methods for problem-solving. They design experiments that evaluate machine learning models and apply AI techniques to complex application domains. They make informed ethical decisions regarding AI technology effects. They learn to assess technical literature and communicate methods and results to a variety of audiences in oral and written formats.

2. University of Central Missouri – Master in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence

Program Overview and Key Features

University of Central Missouri offers its Master of Science in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence with flexible delivery formats that accommodate working professionals. You can take courses online, in-person, during evenings, weekends, or through hybrid arrangements at locations in Warrensburg and Lee’s Summit. The 30-credit program requires 18-24 months to complete, with an estimated total cost of $16,510 for the 2025-2026 academic year.

The HLC-accredited AI master’s program combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills in machine learning, data visualization, and analytics. You explore the intersection of data science and artificial intelligence while gaining expertise in big data analytics and natural language processing. UCM’s strategic location near the Missouri Innovation Campus positions you within reach of technology companies, startups, and research institutions that provide internship access and networking events.

The program earned recognition as the Most Popular Master’s Degree College for Computer & Information Sciences in Missouri and received designation as a Most Affordable Online Master’s Degree in AI and Best Online Master’s in Artificial Intelligence Program. 95% of UCM Computer Science master’s graduates secure employment within six months, which speaks to academic distinction.

Curriculum and Specializations

The curriculum delivers depth in five core areas: machine learning, deep learning, data visualization, big data analytics, and natural language processing. You work with topics that prepare you for real-life data challenges in healthcare, business, and institutional settings.

The program’s advisory board, composed of IT leaders from the Kansas City area, reviews courses on a regular basis to line up content with what the industry just needs. You acquire skills that advance your career and build marketable expertise.

UCM provides unique learning opportunities beyond traditional coursework. You can participate in data science hackathons and competitions to showcase skills while testing problem-solving abilities against peers from other institutions. Research collaborations with faculty members who work on cutting-edge AI and data science projects deepen your understanding of advanced topics. The Missouri Innovation Campus connection offers access to internships and industry partnerships with surrounding technology companies.

Admission Requirements

You need a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.8 to qualify for admission. The program requires GRE completion with a minimum combined score of 291 in Verbal and Quantitative reasoning. You must submit official GRE scores from Educational Testing Services using institution code 6090 and program code 0402.

The GRE requirement can be waived under specific conditions. Applicants with exceptional undergraduate performance may receive consideration with lower scores. This flexibility accommodates candidates with strong academic records who may not perform well on standardized tests.

Tuition and Financial Aid

The program’s tuition structure breaks down to $366 per credit for local students and $733 per credit for out-of-state and international students. Total annual costs range from $6,000 for in-state students to $9,000 for out-of-state students.

UCM provides competitive tuition rates alongside multiple financing options to minimize student debt. You can work as a tutor or teaching assistant while gaining experience and developing leadership skills. The university also offers program-specific scholarships and graduate assistantships. Financial aid packages include loans, grants, and scholarships designed for students in the Computer Information Systems and Analytics discipline.

97% of first-year full-time students received aid at the undergraduate level, with average grant and scholarship awards of $7,145. 70% of undergraduates received grant aid. Graduate students access similar financial support mechanisms through department-specific funding and university-wide resources.

Career Outcomes and Job Placement

Data scientists with advanced machine learning and analytics skills lead commercial, institutional, and non-profit organizations. Graduates from UCM’s AI Masters degree programs secure positions with Fortune 500 companies including Boeing, Garmin, IBM, J.P. Morgan, Mastercard, and T-Mobile.

Career paths span multiple roles: data analyst, machine learning engineer, AI specialist, big data engineer, and business intelligence analyst. The program prepares you for immediate employment while equipping you with skills for advancement in the evolving data science landscape over time.

Past graduates work at leading organizations such as Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, and Target. You can also use your expertise to qualify for promotions at your current employer or continue learning in a Ph.D. program. The 90% retention rate of Missouri Innovation Campus graduates with their internship companies demonstrates how well the program connects students with quality employers.

3. Washington University in St. Louis – AI Master’s Program

Program Overview and Key Features

WashU Olin’s Master of Science in AI for Business addresses market needs identified through direct employer input, creating an AI master’s program built from net-new custom courses rather than repackaged existing content. The two-semester accelerated program launches in Fall 2026 on the St. Louis campus. Global CEOs expect artificial intelligence to reshape value creation, with 70% anticipating this shift. The program distills Olin’s decade-long expertise in analytics with newly developed AI content.

The program targets both early-career professionals strengthening foundations and experienced workers pivoting careers due to technological shifts. You gain hands-on experience with AI applications ranging from chatbots and virtual assistants to AI-based fraud detection. Local employer input shaped the curriculum to fill existing market gaps.

Industry data reveals substantial opportunities. The need for AI proficiency increased 7x since 2023 based on US job postings. The salary premium for employees with AI skills jumped to 56%, up from 24% in 2024. Job postings citing GenAI skills for positions outside IT and computer science surged 800% since ChatGPT’s launch in 2022.

Washington University also offers a separate Master of Science in Biomedical Data Science and AI through its Institute for Informatics, Data Science & Biostatistics. This program merges informatics, AI, biostatistics and data science for healthcare applications. Full-time completion takes 2 years while part-time students need 3-5 years.

Curriculum and Specializations

The AI for Business program delivers 30 total credits through three distinct tracks. Each concentration has foundational courses covering Introduction to Python and Data Science, Generative Artificial Intelligence and Deep Learning for Prediction of Business Outcomes.

Finance Track: This track emphasizes AI-driven financial technology with courses in Advanced AI in Finance, Financial Technology—Methods and Practice and Seminar in AI-Driven Finance. You prepare for roles as AI-skilled financial analysts and risk analysts in algorithmic trading, risk assessment and market forecasting applications.

Marketing Track: This track concentrates on brand management and customer insights powered by analytics. Sample courses have Analytics-Driven Brand Management, AI-Driven Customer Analytics and A/B Testing in Business and Social Science. Large language models power applications from new product development at pharmaceutical companies to pricing recommendations at major retailers.

Technical Track: This track centers on ethics and responsible AI in business alongside data visualization. Courses cover Ethics and Responsible AI in Business, Business-Driven Explainable AI and Data Visualization for Business Insights. The track was designed for students with business backgrounds seeking AI upskilling. You prepare for emerging roles such as prompt engineers, AI compliance officers and human-AI interaction designers.

The core curriculum has Agentic AI: Autonomous Decision-Making, Machine Learning Tools for Prediction of Business Outcomes and AI-Driven Causal Inference with Observational Data.

Admission Requirements

You need an undergraduate degree for all three tracks, though only the technical track requires a business undergraduate degree. Olin provides free, fully asynchronous foundational courses over the summer covering business basics. Applications opened for Fall 2026 admission.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Total program tuition is $60,000, with $30,000 due per semester. Additional fees have a program fee of $900 per semester, student government fee of $100 per semester and health and wellness fee of $350 per semester.

Every admitted applicant receives automatic consideration for merit-based scholarships without separate application. The AI Workforce Transformation Scholarship provides $10,000 to qualified applicants whose careers were affected by AI, automation or technological change. Applicants who served in the U.S. Armed Forces qualify for Olin Veterans Association Fellowships, with full participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Career Outcomes and Job Placement

Entry-level AI roles requiring expertise nearly doubled in 2026, highlighting strong employer need for accredited education. AI degree graduate salaries start between $70,000 and $90,000 annually for entry-level positions. Mid-career professionals earn from $110,000 to $140,000, with specialized machine learning engineering or AI research positions exceeding $160,000.

A 2025 study revealed that graduates with greater generative AI knowledge and frequent tool use secured jobs aligned with their majors more often, reporting increased productivity and professional fulfillment. AI jobs increased 32% year-over-year in 2024, with healthcare leading the need for analytical solutions.

4. Southwest Baptist University – MS in Artificial Intelligence

Program Overview and Key Features

Southwest Baptist University’s MS in Artificial Intelligence stands out through a Christ-centered approach combined with hands-on STEM training for international students. SBU’s College of Professional Programs runs the program and offers a Day 1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT) that enables immediate work authorization for F-1 visa holders. This feature provides immediate career engagement opportunities among academic study.

A flexible blended learning format accommodates different schedules through weekend residencies three times a year. You learn about industry-led projects for portfolio development while receiving dedicated career service coaching throughout the program. The curriculum integrates a global point of view with Christian worldview foundations and prepares you to become a servant leader addressing AI challenges in an ethical manner.

SBU has partnerships with leading technology employers. Graduates find positions at companies including Walmart, Microsoft, IBM, Boeing, Google, Lockheed Martin, Intel and Motorola. The university’s computing programs have shown strong outcomes. Undergraduate CIS graduates achieved 100% job placement within six months of graduation in 5 out of the last 6 years.

Curriculum and Specializations

The 30-credit program provides state-of-the-art training in current AI technologies while emphasizing interpersonal skills and critical thinking development. You build technical competence through courses covering Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Programming Analytics, Data Visualization and Data Modeling. The curriculum balances theoretical knowledge with ground application through smooth credit transfer options.

The program allows customization based on your career objectives while you retain rigorous academic standards. Faculty members monitor industry developments and update course content as new terminology and subjects emerge. Two advisory boards composed of alumni and industry professionals guide curriculum development to meet evolving marketplace demands.

Admission Requirements

SBU implements a six-stage admission process for international graduate students. You begin by submitting an online International Graduate STEM Application through the admissions portal. New SEVIS international students must provide proof of $22,450 in available funds before scholarship awards. Those receiving the maximum scholarship of $4,050 just need to show $18,400 in available funds.

Required documents include unofficial transcripts from your last degree earned, a clear copy of your passport identification page and English proficiency test scores. Transfer SEVIS students with current F-1 visas should submit current visa documentation and previous I-20 forms for faster processing.

Tuition and Financial Aid

The total estimated cost for the 30-credit program is $15,405 with scholarship or $20,348 without scholarship. Tuition breaks down to $450 per credit with scholarship compared to $585 per credit without financial assistance. Additional fees include $30 per credit for technology and $30 per credit for textbooks. Textbook rentals come included in the total program cost and can be accessed online through Slingshot after enrollment.

International students accepted into the MS STEM program qualify for scholarship consideration. The university maintains military-friendly status and participates in tuition assistance opportunities for veterans, active-duty military members and their dependents. This program remains ineligible for Federal Student Aid through FAFSA.

Career Outcomes and Job Placement

AI-related job postings have increased at an average annual rate of 29% in recent years, with a 100% increase from 2024 to 2025 alone. Graduates from SBU’s undergraduate computing programs earn starting salaries ranging from $50,000 to $75,000. The Career Center provides support designed for international students entering the U.S. job market.

Graduates secure positions in a variety of technology sectors. Nearly all computer science students complete at least one paid internship before graduation. Organizations providing internship opportunities include National Labs, Accenture, BNSF, Cerner Corporation, Garmin and O’Reilly Automotive Corporate Headquarters.

5. University of Missouri-Columbia – AI Masters Degree Programs

Program Overview and Key Features

The UM System Board of Curators approved a new Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence at the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2026, with the program expected to launch by Fall 2026. This approval positions MU to strengthen its role as Missouri’s flagship research institution and expand access to high-impact graduate education. The board also approved a PhD in Artificial Intelligence that focuses on advanced research.

MU currently offers a Master of Science in Computer Science with AI specialization available online or through hybrid formats. You can complete this 30-credit program in three years while working full-time. The Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science also provides a 15-credit Graduate Certificate in AI and Machine Learning to help professionals seeking foundational expertise.

Curriculum and Specializations

The newly approved MS in Artificial Intelligence requires 30 credit hours with options for thesis or non-thesis tracks. You must complete at least 15 credit hours of 8000-level coursework and 12 credit hours of foundational courses. The thesis option requires 3-6 credit hours of research. The non-thesis track involves 1-3 credit hours for an independent project.

The existing MS in Computer Science allows specialization in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data analysis, cloud computing, computational biology, human-computer interaction, or cyber-physical systems. Coursework covers advanced natural language processing, 3D computer vision, computational genomics, design and analysis of algorithms, software security, and unsupervised learning.

Admission Requirements

You need a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours of coursework. Applications require transcripts, a resume, a personal goal statement, three letters of recommendation, and official GRE scores. International applicants must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores that demonstrate English proficiency. Application deadlines fall on March 1 for fall admission and October 1 for spring admission.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Assistantships and fellowships are the main funding sources and provide professional experience with financial support. Fellowships provide tuition payment and stipends that let you focus on academic pursuits.

Career Outcomes and Job Placement

Graduates earn a median salary of $95,444.72 with projected employment growth of 8.89%. Career paths include data scientist, information security analyst, machine learning engineer, software developer, and system architect. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts above-average growth for computer and information technology occupations through 2032.

6. Maryville University – Artificial Intelligence Graduate Programs

Program Overview and Key Features

TechGuide recognized Maryville University’s online Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence as the #3 best online AI master’s program for 2026. You complete this 100% online AI masters degree program without campus visits and graduate in as few as two years. The program has two built-in professional certificates that provide career milestones before degree completion.

Maryville accepts applications with no GRE or application fee and offers three annual start dates for flexibility. The curriculum covers ethics, machine learning, programming and advanced problem-solving for working professionals. You get access to industry-aligned content developed in partnership with employers, with faculty who are experts connected to practitioners.

The program maintains transfer-friendly policies. You can transfer up to 6 graduate-level credits from other institutions or apply up to 12 qualifying credits previously completed at Maryville. Students who earn both AI certificates at Maryville can complete the master’s with just two additional classes totaling six credit hours.

Curriculum and Specializations

The 33-credit program has 24 credits of required AI core classes and a capstone project, plus 9 credits of industry-relevant electives. Core curriculum establishes graduate-level foundations in Python programming, machine learning, AI’s mathematics, deep learning and AI’s ethics.

You work with modern tools that have R, Python, C++, Amazon Web Services and Google Colaboratory throughout coursework. Specific course topics have Deep Learning and Deep Reinforcement Learning, covering advanced neural networks, recurrent networks and actor-critic algorithms. Text Mining courses teach you to use coding languages for analyzing unstructured text from social media and websites.

Additional specializations have Robotics, learning abstract models and human-robot interaction, and Image Processing, covering classification and feature extraction. The capstone project requires researching AI issues, gathering data and implementing proper solutions in realistic environments.

Admission Requirements

You need official transcripts from all previous colleges, a résumé and a personal statement. International applicants may need English proficiency scores meeting specific thresholds. The program maintains a 94% acceptance rate and admitted 3,669 out of 3,916 applicants.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition costs $875 per credit hour for Data Analytics and Data Science programs. The online program technology fee is $775 per semester for students taking 3 or more credits. Maryville accepts employer tuition assistance programs and works with students to award federal, state, private and institutional financial aid.

Career Outcomes and Job Placement

Maryville achieved a 98% career outcome rate based on an 80% knowledge rate for the Class of 2020. Graduates reported a median salary of $62,105. The positive outcome rate has graduates employed full-time or part-time, enrolled in continuing education, serving in the Armed Forces or participating in voluntary service.

7. Missouri University of Science and Technology – AI Master’s Program

Program Overview and Key Features

Missouri University of Science and Technology’s Master of Science in Applied Artificial Intelligence, known as the AI+X program, received unanimous approval from the University of Missouri Board of Curators in June 2025. This AI Masters degree programs Missouri option targets professionals holding undergraduate STEM degrees who seek to integrate AI expertise into their original disciplines.

The 31-credit, non-thesis program operates 100% online with semester-based scheduling and requires three years to complete 1-2 courses per semester. Missouri S&T has managed to keep national leadership in computer science since the early 1960s. This AI Master’s program addresses the 23% projected employment growth in computer and information fields from 2022 to 2032.

Educational internships are encouraged throughout the program and allow you to apply specialized learning in real-life settings. Princeton Review ranked Missouri S&T third among public universities for career placement and fifth for student internships.

Curriculum and Specializations

The AI+X structure lets you combine deep AI knowledge with domain expertise in a variety of STEM fields. Core requirements have CS 5111: Bridge to Advanced Computing, CS 5206: Probability and Computing, CS 5400: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence, and CS 6010: Seminar.

You complete 9 credit hours of AI lecture-course electives through the Computer Science department. Options to select from are CS 5401: Evolutionary Computing, CS 5402: Introduction to Data Mining, CS 5403: Introduction to Robotics, CS 5420: Introduction to Machine Learning, CS 5480: Deep Learning, and CS 6411: Large Language Models.

Discipline-specific electives require at least 12 credit hours within your selected STEM field, with at least 3 credit hours at the 6000 level. You personalize your degree by selecting up to four elective courses in areas such as aerospace engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, systems engineering, biology, mathematics, or physics.

Admission Requirements

You need a 3.0 GPA over the last two years of your undergraduate degree. GRE scores are not required, though you may submit them if they better demonstrate your potential for program success.

International applicants must meet English proficiency minimums: TOEFL 80, IELTS 6.5, PTE 58, or Duolingo 115. Required application materials have an online application, resume or CV, and undergraduate coursework documentation.

Recommended prior knowledge has strong math skills, competency in a modern programming language, and computer science fundamentals covering algorithms, data structures, and discrete mathematics.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Specific graduate tuition rates for the Applied AI program were not disclosed in available sources. Missouri S&T’s institutional tuition structure shows in-state undergraduate tuition at $15,930 and out-of-state at $35,118.

International students face additional fees that include a $150 international student service fee for Fall and Spring terms, $75 for Summer term, and mandatory health insurance enrollment.

Career Outcomes and Job Placement

Missouri S&T graduates demonstrate strong employment outcomes. The institution ranked third among public universities for career placement based on student ratings and PayScale.com graduate salary data. Missouri S&T graduates earn $57,000 in early career positions on average.

The university’s career opportunities and employer relations department provides resources throughout your education. Career fairs occur twice a year, with attendance encouraged for all students, including first-year participants seeking internships or full-time employment.

The Higher Learning Commission accredits Missouri S&T, one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States.

Next Steps

Missouri’s seven AI master’s degree programs provide pathways that match your career goals, budget and schedule. Consider affordability: UCM’s program costs $16,510 while WashU’s reaches $60,000. Both deliver strong employment outcomes with 95-100% job placement rates within six months of graduation.

Computer and information fields show 23% projected growth through 2032. Your timing is excellent. Identify your priorities first. Do you need online flexibility? Day 1 CPT eligibility? Business applications? Research opportunities? Match these requirements against each program’s strengths and narrow your choices to two or three institutions.

Check their admission requirements, application deadlines and financial aid. The right AI master’s program awaits your application.