Your Guide to Artificial Intelligence (AI) Degrees

Key takeaways

Earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree in AI can help you gain the skills to start working in the growing field of artificial intelligence. 

• AI could have an economic impact of $19.9 trillion on the global GDP by 2030, underscoring the growing importance of a degree in this field [1].

• A degree in AI can lead to jobs like data engineer, data scientist, and AI engineer.

• You can earn a degree in AI itself, or major in a related subject like computer science or data science while minoring in AI.

Explore bachelor’s and master’s degrees in artificial intelligence that you can pursue when you want to hone your abilities in AI

Why you need an artificial intelligence degree

Artificial intelligence (AI) stands to contribute a total economic impact of $19.9 trillion and drive 3.5 percent of the worldwide gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030, according to research from the International Data Corporation (IDC) [1]. To help achieve that economic potential, jobs in AI are poised to grow significantly in the coming years. They also tend to pay higher salaries: the median total, which includes base salary and additional compensation, such as profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other benefits, for an AI engineer in the United States is $138,000, according to Glassdoor [2]. 

Earning a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in artificial intelligence can be a worthwhile way to learn more about the field, develop key skills to begin—or advance—your career, and graduate with a respected credential. While specific AI programs are still relatively limited compared to, say, computer science, there are a growing number of options to explore at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. 

Bachelor’s-level AI degrees

Earning a bachelor’s degree in artificial intelligence means either majoring in the subject itself or something relevant, like computer science, data science, or machine learning, and taking several AI courses. It’s worth noting that AI bachelor’s degree programs are not as widely available in the US as other majors, so you may find you have more options if you explore related majors. 

It takes four or five years to complete a bachelor’s degree in AI when you’re able to attend a program full-time, and your total cost of college will depend on several factors, including whether you attend a public or private institution. For example, annual tuition at a four-year public institution costs $11,950 on average (for an in-state student) and $45,000 for a four-year private institution in the US [3].

AI degree program: Artificial intelligence as a major

A small but growing number of universities in the US now offer a Bachelor of Science (BS) in artificial intelligence. However, you may sometimes find AI paired with machine learning as a combined major. AI majors tend to be housed in computer science departments. As such, your bachelor’s degree coursework will likely emphasize computer systems fundamentals, as well as mathematics, algorithms, and programming languages. 

Examples of AI coursework: 

• Introduction to algorithms

• Introduction to machine learning

• Computer organization and systems 

• Design and analysis of algorithms 

• Principles and techniques of algorithms 

• AI and decision-making

AI degree program: Artificial intelligence as a minor

Instead of offering a full AI major, some universities offer students the chance to minor in AI, which can be a valuable way to earn a bachelor’s degree in a broader subject, like computer science, while developing a specific focus on artificial intelligence. As with your major, you can list your minor on your resume once you graduate to show employers the knowledge you gained in that area.

Deciding whether to major or minor in AI or another relevant subject depends on your larger educational interests and career goals. Learn more about how to pick the best college major for you.

AI degree program: Other majors for studying artificial intelligence

Given that AI is still a newer offering in terms of college majors, you may find more bachelor’s degree options by studying one of the subjects below, which often involve taking AI courses: 

• Computer science: Many universities offer a computer science major, which may allow you to take courses in AI as part of your major or specialize in AI as a computer science track. 

• Data science: Often, data science majors will include coursework on both AI and machine learning, which can be useful to gain a better understanding of the subjects and develop your skills accordingly.

• Robotics: Whether you study robotics or robotics engineering, you’ll likely have to take courses in both AI and machine learning as part of your degree program. 

Jobs you can pursue with a bachelor’s-level artificial intelligence degree

With a bachelor’s degree, you may qualify for certain entry-level jobs in the fields of AI, computer science, data science, and machine learning. The salaries listed below are for 0–1 years of experience, according to Glassdoor. 

*All salary information represents the median total pay from Glassdoor as of November 2025. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

Explore more jobs you can get when you graduate with a bachelor’s degree in: 

• Data science

• Computer science

• Robotics 

Master’s degree in artificial intelligence 

Earning your master’s degree in artificial intelligence can be an excellent way to advance your knowledge or pivot to the field. Depending on what you want to study, master’s degrees take between one and three years to complete when you’re able to attend full-time. In the US, they typically cost between $44,640 and $71,140 [8].

Specializing with a Master of Science in artificial intelligence

At the graduate level, you may find more options to study AI compared to undergraduate options. There are many respected Master of Science (MS) graduate programs in artificial intelligence in the US. Similar to undergraduate degree programs, many of these degrees are housed in institutions’ computer science or engineering departments. 

Beyond in-person programs, there are a number of online master’s degrees in artificial intelligence, as well as professional master’s degrees, which tend to take less time (around one year) and focus more on practical skills development.

At the graduate level, the focus of your program will likely move beyond the fundamentals of AI and discuss advanced subjects such as ethics, deep learning, machine learning, and more. You may also find programs that offer an opportunity to learn about AI in relation to certain industries, such as health care and business. 

Examples of AI master’s coursework: 

• Natural language processing (NLP)

• Machine learning for signal processing

• Context modeling

• Intelligent information systems

• Introduction to pattern recognition 

• Reinforcement learning 

Jobs you can pursue with a master’s-level artificial intelligence degree 

With a master’s degree in AI, you may find that you qualify for more advanced roles, like the ones below. Explore more AI jobs worth considering.

*All salary information represents the median total pay from Glassdoor as of November 2025. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

Are degrees in AI worth it?

Earning a degree can lead to higher salaries, lower rates of unemployment, and greater competitiveness as an applicant. Even if a degree doesn’t feel necessary at this stage of your career, you may find that you need at least a bachelor’s degree as you set about advancing. 

Learn more about whether a bachelor’s degree is worth it or whether a master’s degree is worth it for your specific goals.

Alternatives to earning your degree in AI 

There may be times when a full degree is not the best option for your goals. In that case, the options below may be worth exploring to level up your AI knowledge: 

• MOOCs: Enrolling in massive open online courses (MOOCs) means you can learn in a more flexible and self-paced manner. MOOCs tend to be a great way to gain a foundational sense of the subject or dive into something more niche and advanced. For example, you can check out DeepLearning.AI’s Generative AI for Everyone or IBM’s Introduction to AI.

• Professional Certificates: With a Professional Certificate, you’ll take a series of MOOCs, usually over several months, to earn a verified credential you can feature on your resume and LinkedIn page. Professional certificates can be a great way to strengthen your skills in an area while learning more about it. Check out professional certificates in AI and related subjects, such as the IBM Applied AI Professional Certificate or the Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate.

Read more: How to Learn Artificial Intelligence: A Beginner’s Guide

Discover practical guides for your career journey

Curious about what comes next? Get career guidance and the latest trends by joining our LinkedIn newsletter, Career Chat. Or if you want to keep exploring careers, skills, and concepts related to AI, check out these free resources:

• Take the quiz: AI Career Quiz: Is It Right for You? Find Your Role 

• Watch on YouTube: Learn AI in 5 Minutes a Day (30 Day Challenge!)

• Bookmark for later: Artificial Intelligence Glossary: Learn AI Vocabulary 

Complete your bachelor’s degree or pursue your master’s degree with flexible programs from esteemed university partners on Coursera.