Artificial Intelligence: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Artificial Intelligence is an advanced academic discipline dedicated to developing systems capable of simulating human cognition, decision-making, and adaptive behavior through computational models. This field explores how machines can learn from data, interpret complex information, and perform tasks traditionally requiring human intelligence, with applications spanning healthcare, robotics, automation, and beyond.
- Computing Theory: Foundations of algorithm design, computational complexity, and formal logic that underpin intelligent system development.
- Cybernetics: Study of regulatory systems, feedback mechanisms, and adaptive control in both biological and artificial environments.
- Natural Language Processing: Techniques enabling machines to understand, interpret, and generate human language with contextual accuracy.
- Human Factors: Design principles that optimize interactions between humans and intelligent systems for safety, efficiency, and usability.
- Machine Learning & Reasoning: Development of models that enable systems to learn patterns from data and make logical inferences autonomously.
- Robotics & Motor Control Modeling: Simulation and implementation of movement, coordination, and physical interaction in autonomous agents.
- Applied Engineering & Technology: Integration of AI principles into real-world systems, including embedded devices, smart infrastructure, and industrial automation.
Artificial Intelligence Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Artificial Intelligence Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Artificial Intelligence degrees, including Computer and Information Research Scientists, Software Developers and Data Scientists. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 1,962,600 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Research Scientists 15-1221 | $140,910 | $80,670 - $232,120 | 38,480 | $67.74 |
| Software Developers 15-1252 | $133,080 | $79,850 - $211,450 | 1,654,440 | $63.98 |
| Data Scientists 15-2051 | $112,590 | $63,650 - $194,410 | 233,440 | $54.13 |
| Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1021 | $96,690 | $48,910 - $172,380 | 36,240 | N/A |
Artificial Intelligence Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $82,160 in Mississippi to $156,943 in Washington—a 91% difference. The highest-paying states include Washington, California, and New York. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 1,962,600 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Artificial Intelligence by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 87 institutions offering Artificial Intelligence programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Artificial Intelligence is found at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) (234 graduates), University of Pennsylvania (Penn) (87 graduates), Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech) (74 graduates), San Jose State University (SJSU) (69 graduates), and University of North Texas (UNT) (69 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,653 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
234 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | cmu.edu |
| University of Pennsylvania (Penn) |
Master's
|
87 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | upenn.edu |
| Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
74 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | iit.edu |
| San Jose State University (SJSU) |
Master's
|
69 | San Jose, California | Public | sjsu.edu |
| University of North Texas (UNT) |
Master's
|
69 | Denton, Texas | Public | unt.edu |
| Johns Hopkins University (JHU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
62 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | jhu.edu |
| Florida Atlantic University (FAU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Other Award
|
60 | Boca Raton, Florida | Public | fau.edu |
| Northeastern University (NU) |
Master's
|
58 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | northeastern.edu |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
53 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | web.mit.edu |
| University of San Diego (USD) |
Master's
|
50 | San Diego, California | Private | sandiego.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Master's
|
40 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Master's
|
38 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| Northwestern University |
Master's
|
35 | Evanston, Illinois | Private | northwestern.edu |
| University of Missouri-St Louis (UMSL) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Postbac Cert.
|
31 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Public | umsl.edu |
| Gannon University |
Master's
|
31 | Erie, Pennsylvania | Private | gannon.edu |
| Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) |
Postbac Cert.
|
30 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Private | msoe.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Master's
|
29 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| University of California (UCSC) |
Master's
|
28 | Santa Cruz, California | Public | ucsc.edu |
| University of Bridgeport (UB) |
Master's
|
26 | Bridgeport, Connecticut | Private | bridgeport.edu |
| The University of Texas (UTSA) |
Master's
Other Award
|
25 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | utsa.edu |
| Brandeis University |
Master's
|
23 | Waltham, Massachusetts | Private | brandeis.edu |
| Yeshiva University (YU) |
Master's
|
23 | New York, New York | Private | yu.edu |
| University of Michigan |
Master's
|
22 | Dearborn, Michigan | Public | umdearborn.edu |
| Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) |
Postbac Cert.
|
22 | Rochester, New York | Private | rit.edu |
| Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) |
Postbac Cert.
|
20 | Monterey, California | Public | nps.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Master's
|
20 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| Saint Louis University (SLU) |
Master's
|
19 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | slu.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
17 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| George Washington University (GW) |
Postbac Cert.
|
16 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | gwu.edu |
| Miami Dade College (MDC) |
Other Award
|
16 | Miami, Florida | Public | mdc.edu |
| Duke University |
Master's
|
14 | Durham, North Carolina | Private | duke.edu |
| University of Central Florida (UCF) |
Master's
|
13 | Orlando, Florida | Public | ucf.edu |
| Full Sail University |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Winter Park, Florida | Private | fullsail.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Master's
|
13 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| Capitol Technology University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
13 | Laurel, Maryland | Private | captechu.edu |
| Maryville University of Saint Louis |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Other Award
|
13 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | maryville.edu |
| Wayne Community College (WCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
13 | Goldsboro, North Carolina | Public | waynecc.edu |
| Oregon State University (OSU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
12 | Corvallis, Oregon | Public | oregonstate.edu |
| Houston Community College (HCC) |
Associate's
|
12 | Houston, Texas | Public | hccs.edu |
| Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (SMUMN) |
Postbac Cert.
|
11 | Winona, Minnesota | Private | smumn.edu |
| University of Akron |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
11 | Akron, Ohio | Public | uakron.edu |
| DePaul University |
Master's
|
10 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | depaul.edu |
| University of Advancing Technology (UAT) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
10 | Tempe, Arizona | Private | uat.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Master's
|
10 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | worldcampus.psu.edu |
| Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
9 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Public | cnm.edu |
| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) |
Postbac Cert.
|
9 | Troy, New York | Private | rpi.edu |
| DSDT |
Other Award
|
9 | Detroit, Michigan | Private | dsdt.edu |
| Long Island University (LIU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
8 | Brookville, New York | Private | liu.edu |
| Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
8 | Chandler, Arizona | Public | cgc.maricopa.edu |
| Montclair State University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
7 | Montclair, New Jersey | Public | montclair.edu |
| Kent State University |
Master's
|
7 | Kent, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
| South Dakota School of Mines and Technology |
Master's
|
7 | Rapid City, South Dakota | Public | sdsmt.edu |
| University of Utah (U of U) |
Postbac Cert.
|
7 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | utah.edu |
| University of Colorado Boulder (CU) |
Master's
|
6 | Boulder, Colorado | Public | colorado.edu |
| Indiana University (IU Indianapolis) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
6 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | indianapolis.iu.edu |
| Indiana University (IUB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
6 | Bloomington, Indiana | Public | indiana.edu |
| Drake University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Des Moines, Iowa | Private | drake.edu |
| Colby College |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Waterville, Maine | Private | colby.edu |
| Iowa State University (ISU) |
Master's
|
4 | Ames, Iowa | Public | iastate.edu |
| DigiPen Institute of Technology |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Redmond, Washington | Private | digipen.edu |
| University of West Florida (UWF) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Pensacola, Florida | Public | uwf.edu |
| New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
3 | Newark, New Jersey | Public | njit.edu |
| Stevens Institute of Technology |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Hoboken, New Jersey | Private | stevens.edu |
| University of Rochester |
Master's
|
3 | Rochester, New York | Private | rochester.edu |
| Dakota State University (DSU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Madison, South Dakota | Public | dsu.edu |
| Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Avondale, Arizona | Public | estrellamountain.edu |
| Buena Vista University (BVU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Storm Lake, Iowa | Private | bvu.edu |
| Oakland University (OU) |
Master's
|
2 | Rochester Hills, Michigan | Public | oakland.edu |
| Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Rolla, Missouri | Public | mst.edu |
| Montana State University (MSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Bozeman, Montana | Public | montana.edu |
| SUNY College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Plattsburgh, New York | Public | plattsburgh.edu |
| Sinclair Community College |
Other Award
|
2 | Dayton, Ohio | Public | sinclair.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
| University of South Carolina (USC) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Columbia, South Carolina | Public | sc.edu |
| South College |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
2 | Knoxville, Tennessee | Private | south.edu |
| University of Houston (UHD) |
Master's
|
2 | Houston, Texas | Public | uhd.edu |
| Concordia University-Wisconsin (CUW) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Mequon, Wisconsin | Private | cuw.edu |
| University of South Alabama (USA) |
Other Award
|
1 | Mobile, Alabama | Public | southalabama.edu |
| National University (NU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | San Diego, California | Private | nu.edu |
| University of Louisville (UofL) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Louisville, Kentucky | Public | louisville.edu |
| Lawrence Technological University (LTU) |
Master's
|
1 | Southfield, Michigan | Private | ltu.edu |
| Saint Peter's University (SPU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Jersey City, New Jersey | Private | saintpeters.edu |
| Oklahoma Christian University (OC) |
Master's
|
1 | Edmond, Oklahoma | Private | oc.edu |
| Freed-Hardeman University (FHU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Henderson, Tennessee | Private | fhu.edu |
| City University of Seattle (CityU) |
Master's
|
1 | Seattle, Washington | Private | cityu.edu |
| Purdue University (PU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdue.edu |
| Strayer University (SU) |
Other Award
|
1 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | strayer.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Artificial Intelligence programs
How much can I earn with a Artificial Intelligence degree?
Salaries for Artificial Intelligence graduates vary by role and location. Computer and Information Research Scientists earn a median of $140,910 annually, while Software Developers earn around $133,080. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Washington average $156,943 compared to $82,160 in Mississippi. Approximately 1,962,600 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Artificial Intelligence programs?
Currently 87 accredited institutions offer Artificial Intelligence degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) (234 graduates), University of Pennsylvania (Penn) (87 graduates), and Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech) (74 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Artificial Intelligence growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 93 in 2010 to 1,653 in 2023-24. This represents a 1,677% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Artificial Intelligence degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Computer and Information Research Scientists, Software Developers, and Data Scientists. Related occupations employ approximately 1,962,600 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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