by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Artificial Intelligence covers Artificial Intelligence. A Program That Focuses On The Symbolic Inference, Representation, And Simulation By Computers And Software Of Human Learning And Reasoning Processes And Capabilities, And The Computer Modeling Of Human Motor Control And Motion. Includes Instruction In Computing Theory, Cybernetics, Human Factors, Natural Language Processing, And Applicable Aspects Of Engineering, Technology, And Specific End-Use Applications. Read on to learn the key facts every artificial intelligence student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering artificial intelligence programs.
Nationwide, artificial intelligence is a popular field of study, with 1,653 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Artificial Intelligence Schools ranking analyzes these 87 schools to determine the best overall colleges for artificial intelligence students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of artificial intelligence programs later in this article.
Programs in Artificial Intelligence develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations artificial intelligence graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a artificial intelligence program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a artificial intelligence major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several artificial intelligence degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 16 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 26 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 149 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,407 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 55 |
People currently working in careers related to artificial intelligence tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 38.0% |
| Master’s degree | 33.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 24.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.7% |
| Some college courses | 0.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.2% |
| First professional degree | 0.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.1% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in artificial intelligence careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in artificial intelligence can lead to a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to artificial intelligence.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to artificial intelligence.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,328,652 | -4.2% |
| Business Intelligence Analysts | 585,851 | 1.3% |
| Data Scientists | 507,848 | 8.1% |
| Clinical Data Managers | 300,656 | -0.9% |
| Software Developers | 145,079 | 13.5% |
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | 94,151 | 8.5% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of artificial intelligence graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $69,148 |
| 4 years | $77,570 |
| 5 years | $88,131 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for artificial intelligence graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers artificial intelligence grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Business Intelligence Analysts | $143,840 |
| Data Scientists | $106,295 |
| Clinical Data Managers | $99,475 |
| Software Developers | $76,447 |
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | $61,002 |
| Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $35,659 |
With 87 different artificial intelligence programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased artificial intelligence school rankings to help you.
Those considering artificial intelligence, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 67,926 |
| Information Technology | 42,322 |
| Informatics | 3,067 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, Other | 2,635 |
| Human-Centered Technology Design | 778 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
