Most Affordable Online Master's in Artificial Intelligence Programs

Overview | Online Master’s in Artificial Intelligence

• Total Program Cost: $11,005
• Cost Per Credit: $355
• Credits: 31
• Program Length: 20 Months

University of the Cumberlands is one of the most affordable AI programs in the country, delivering a 31-unit Master of Science in AI with a tuition of only $11,005. Because artificial intelligence is in such high demand, in both business and security fields, graduates of UC will almost assuredly see a significant return on their investment.

Program Highlights

University of the Cumberlands is one of only three Kentucky universities to earn the coveted distinction as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Students learn AI best practices geared toward business, preparing graduates for leadership positions in top corporations. Coursework includes the application of AI in financial services, healthcare, and risk management, culminating in a capstone course that allows students to apply their knowledge to complete a business-related project or academic paper of their choosing.

Overview | Online Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence

• Total Program Cost: $13,490
• Cost Per Credit: $393 + Online Fee
• Credits: 30
• Program Length: 1-2 Years

The cost of KSU’s Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence (MSAI) is an estimate—you’d pay this price if you were taking 6 credits per semester for 5 semesters. Finish the degree in a shorter period of time and you may end up paying less! See the E-Tuition chart for more details. We’ve included the mandatory online fee in our quote.

Program Highlights

Ready to get stuck into the field? The interdisciplinary MSAI curriculum is completely devoted to AI topics, including neural networks, deep learning, and human machine teaming. You’ll have the option to select a research-heavy thesis or team-based capstone for your final project. And any undergraduate major is welcome to apply.

Before applying, be sure to investigate the Machine Vision & Security Lab and Decentralized Science Lab within the College of Computing and Software Engineering (CCSE), as well as the work of faculty in the Department of Computer Science. KSU is particularly strong on the intersection of AI and cybersecurity. In 2023, it also launched a new AI Ethics Lab—focusing on the U.S. financial services industry—with funding from Equifax.

Overview | Online Master of Science in Data Science & Artificial Intelligence

• Total Program Cost: $14,310
• Cost Per Credit: $477
• Credits: 30
• Program Length: 1-2 Years

To calculate the cost of UCM’s Master of Science in Data Science & AI, we used the graduate tuition rate for CS (Computer Science) programs. This per credit price is a little higher than other UCM programs, but it’s still eminently affordable! You can earn a master’s degree for under $15,000.

Program Highlights

The curriculum kicks off with a focus on data science (e.g. programming foundations) before quickly pivoting into an AI concentration area. You’ll be schooled in fundamentals like ML and neural networks, but you’ll also have the option to choose 3 electives in areas like cybersecurity, software, and advanced computer science. You might even opt for an internship, thesis and/or master’s project.

UCM has a lot going for it. The Department of Computer Science and Cybersecurity has a CAE-CD designation, ABET accreditation, and a solid track record for graduates—95% of alumni are employed within 6 months. It’s a particularly strong choice for anyone interested in working within the Kansas City region—the Missouri Innovation Campus (MIC) has ties to a number of startups, research institutions, and tech companies. Check out its list of corporate partners.

Overview | Online Master of Science in Data Science & Artificial Intelligence

• Total Program Cost: $16,020
• Cost Per Credit: $445
• Credits: 36
• Program Length: 1 Year

CU is a small private Christian university in Kentucky that has kept the cost of its Master of Science in Data Science & Artificial Intelligence nice and low. If you put your head down, you can finish this affordable master’s degree in just one year.

Program Highlights

Get your résumé in order. CU is looking for candidates who have a relevant degree in IT, engineering, or computer science or work experience in one of those fields. You’ll be challenged to complete 12 courses in AI, analytics, and data science. Coursework gets progressively more interesting as time goes by, culminating in topics such as blockchain technology, digital forensics, and AI applications. There are no electives, but there is a final capstone in big data & AI.

CU may be a good choice if you’re looking for a faith-based degree with a quick turnaround time. It’s cheap, but it won’t have the same research opportunities or corporate partnerships as some of the larger public universities in our affordable AI rankings. There is a School of Business, Economics, and Technology. However, it leans more toward business than tech.

Overview | Online Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence

• Total Program Cost: $17,418
• Cost Per Credit: $580.60
• Credits: 30
• Program Length: 4 Semesters or More

When you’re looking at the cost of DSU’s affordable Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence (MSAI), choose the tuition rate for graduate non-resident computer science courses. All of the credits in the MSAI are classed as CS courses.

Program Highlights

If you’re willing to commit to full-time study, the MSAI can be polished off in 4 semesters (2-3 courses per semester). The curriculum is evenly split between foundational AI coursework and electives. Once you get through standard topics in ML and neural networks, you can go to town on subjects like applied AI, cybersecurity, and deep learning. You’ll end your degree with an AI capstone project.

DSU is a great choice for security-minded students. The Beacom College of Computer and Cyber Sciences is one of only 10 institutions to hold all three NSA Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) designations and it has a tight relationship with the NSA. It even runs its own DakotaCon Security Conference. Explore what’s happening with the Madison Cyber Labs (there’s one that is completely devoted to AI).

Overview | Online Master of Science in Data Science and Engineering – Artificial Intelligence (AI) Focus

• Total Program Cost: $18,240
• Cost Per Credit: $608
• Credits: 30
• Program Length: ~1-2 Years

At University of Maine, students can earn an MS in Computer Science with a specialization in artificial intelligence, enjoying a rigorous curriculum and access to leading AI research facilities for a total program cost of $18,240.

Program Highlights

While many students begin the MS in Computer Science with a background in computing and IT, the university recognizes that professionals of all fields are interested in the rapidly growing possibilities surrounding AI. For this reason, they accept students from all degree backgrounds, allowing those without experience in IT to join the graduate track after an intensive one-year computer science primer.

Although the MS in Computer Science includes some theory and classroom instruction, the main focus is on experiential learning and real-world problem solving. Several facilities offer opportunities to conduct research across tech industries.

Overview | Online Master of Research in Artificial Intelligence (AI)

• Total Program Cost: $20,100
• Cost Per Credit: $630 + Tech Fee
• Credits: 30
• Program Length: ~1-2 Years

Explore the new frontiers of AI with this affordable Master of Research (MRes) in Artificial Intelligence. Capitol Tech has created a 100% online program that won’t cost you much more than $20k. Tuition discounts are available for active & retired military, as well as high school & community college faculty and staff.

Program Highlights

Eager to work on your own ideas? Capitol Tech has the solution! The MRes is built on a progression of courses that lead to a research proposal, master’s dissertation & oral defense. You’ll study all the fundamentals of AI—machine learning, deep learning, neural networks, and NLP—but you’ll also be schooled in advanced research methodologies. You may even wish to consider the Online PhD.

Capitol Tech is located in Washington DC. That means it may be of particular interest to professionals eyeing government & start-up opportunities. See the list of top employers. And even though the degree is online,  it is taught by faculty with intriguing backgrounds.

Overview | Online Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

• Total Program Cost: $20,250
• Cost Per Credit: $675
• Credits: 30
• Program Length: ~1-2 Years

Colorado State University Global provides a highly ranked Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning with a reasonable tuition cost of $20,250. Committed to supporting student learning while keeping prices affordable, the school is one of the few universities to charge $0 in student fees.

Program Highlights

The CSU Global MS in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning is affordable, flexible, and well-respected among college ranking programs. Their 30-unit graduate degree is delivered 100% online and asynchronously, allowing students to progress at their own speed without having to put their careers on hold.

Overview | Online Master of Science in Applied Computer Science – AI and Data Science

• Total Program Cost: $21,960
• Cost Per Credit: $732
• Credits: 30
• Program Length: ~1-2 Years

At Columbus State University, students can earn a Master’s in Applied Computer Science with a specialization in artificial intelligence and data science. The program is delivered through the Turner College of Business and the TSYS School of Computer Science, a nationally recognized NSA Center for Academic Excellence. The 30-unit degree can be completed in two years with a tuition cost of $21,960.

Program Highlights

Columbus State University and the TSYS School of Computer Science are well-respected not only for their rigorous curriculum but for continued partnerships with local and regional business leaders, offering students unprecedented access to state-of-the-art technology and research opportunities.

The MS in Applied Computer Science is led by program chair Dr. Shamim Khan, an authority in artificial intelligence with over 35 published research papers. In addition to his teaching and program chair duties, Dr. Khan was also the principal investigator in a $1.5M DoD contract awarded to Columbus State in 2011.

Overview | Online Professional Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence

• Total Program Cost: $24,000
• Cost Per Credit: $800
• Credits: 30
• Program Length: 1.5 Years

Florida Atlantic University offers a 30-credit Professional Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence. Tuition is the same for in-state and out-of-state students, and at only $800 per credit, the $24,000 total program price makes it one of the nation’s most affordable online artificial intelligence programs. The MS in AI program combines online coursework with Saturday classes, but students do not need to attend campus; they may tune in remotely via Zoom, making the program 100% online if desired.

Program Highlights

Students in FAU’s graduate degree program have access to several research facilities and partner institutions to further their education and career goals. While studying at FAU, graduate students can work at Tech Runway, an innovation and startup incubator, or collaborate with other students, faculty, and researchers at Research Park.

FAU is partnered with the Jupiter Campus, which provides leading education, training, and research opportunities as well as I-SENSE, an FAU research division that is focused on IoT technology and artificial intelligence. With access to so many exceptional research facilities, students have the opportunity not only to learn and develop new ideas but to immediately put them into practice.

Overview | Online Master’s in Business Intelligence and Data Analytics – Artificial Intelligence

• Total Program Cost: $25,080
• Cost Per Credit: $760
• Credits: 33
• Program Length: 1 Year

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota offers a Master’s in Business Intelligence and Data Analytics (Artificial Intelligence Certificate), a one-year program that gives students a competitive edge in an evolving job market, with focused coursework in artificial intelligence. The $25,080 tuition includes the opportunity to earn a professional certificate in AI.

Program Highlights

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota has a unique approach to student achievement and learning. By offering graduate-level certificates that are stackable into their master’s program, Saint Mary’s allows students to focus on the fields that interest them most while preparing them with a wide range of industry knowledge and experience.

By the end of the program, students are able to create an end-to-end artificial intelligence-based solution for a real-world problem—a valuable artifact that can be used to prove mastery and earn a new job or promotion after graduation.

Overview | Online Master of Science in Computer Science – Artificial Intelligence Track

• Total Program Cost: $26,630
• Cost Per Credit: $837.67 + Online Course Fee
• Credits: 30 (Thesis); 37 (Non-Thesis)
• Program Length: 2-3 Years

Texas A&M University-Commerce offers a Master of Science in Computer Science that allows students to focus their coursework and research in artificial intelligence, preparing graduates for careers in network engineering, software development, and more. The program can be completed in two to three years, with both a thesis and non-thesis option available.

Program Highlights

The 30-unit thesis track includes focused courses in artificial intelligence, giving students the foundational knowledge and practical skills needed for a dynamic career after graduation. Although the tuition cost is higher than other universities, Texas A&M–Commerce offers a wide range of scholarships to both incoming and continuing graduate students, including the Next Step Scholarship for new students, summer thesis fellowships, and graduate assistantships.

Overview | Online Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence

• Total Program Cost: $27,225
• Cost Per Credit: $825
• Credits: 33
• Program Length: 2 Years

With a Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence degree from Maryville University, graduates will be prepared to enter an industry that has produced some of the fastest-growing jobs in the nation. The tuition cost is $27,225, although that total can be adjusted due to Maryville’s transfer-friendly admissions policies.

Program Highlights

Maryville University is committed to growing their AI program and giving students every opportunity to expand their skill sets. Prospective students can apply without GRE scores, and no application fee is charged. Their program features three different start dates for asynchronous online learning, and students can transfer credits into the program, accelerating their graduation time while reducing tuition costs.

During the two-year program, students gain real-world skills through project-based learning, developing mastery in industry-leading tools including Python, C++, and Google Colaboratory.

Overview | Online Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence

• Total Program Cost: $28,000
• Cost Per Credit: $933.33
• Credits: 30
• Program Length: 1.5 Years

Even though Purdue is a public university, online tuition rates for the 30-credit Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence (MSAI) are the same for all students, regardless of where they live. Commit to 6 credits per semester and you’ll be able to graduate in a year and a half (including the summer).

Program Highlights

Purdue’s MSAI curriculum allows you to select a technical or non-technical route. Folks with a computer science background will want to pursue the AI & Machine Learning major. This features coursework in ML, NLP, data mining, and advanced AI fundamentals. Anyone lacking in coding can investigate the AI Management & Policy major, which focuses on business applications and data management concerns.

For more on Purdue and AI, visit the Department of Computer Science and its section on departmental research areas. Faculty have interests in everything from infrastructure security to healthcare engineering. The Department has close ties to some serious corporate partners and it even offers research internships to graduate students who wish to get involved in its labs. Ask if virtual students have access to these perks.

Overview | Online Master of Science in Computer Science (Professional Track) – Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Natural Language Processing

• Total Program Cost: $28,923
• Cost Per Credit: $933
• Credits: 31
• Program Length: 24 Months

University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee offers an innovative Master of Science in Computer Science (Professional Track) with a focus on artificial intelligence. The total tuition of $28,923 for this online degree includes access to premier research facilities and initiatives.

Program Highlights

University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee’s MSCS program is open to candidates who have successfully completed 2 courses in programming (or have the equivalent experience in self-study or employment). See the FAQs section for more details. You can almost build your own curriculum, as long as you cover fundamental computer science topics. Better yet, UWM offers a dedicated concentration in AI, Machine Learning, and Natural Language Processing.

The program is the brainchild of the College of Engineering & Applied Science, which is doing some fascinating work in the realms of advanced manufacturing and biomedical research. Pay a visit to the Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (DSAIL) to learn more about what’s happening in Milwaukee. It’s worth noting that the MSCS includes the opportunity to choose an industrial internship as an advanced independent study course.

Overview | Online Master of Science in Applied Artificial Intelligence

• Total Program Cost: $28,950
• Cost Per Credit: $965
• Credits: 30
• Program Length: 20 Months

University of San Diego is a private, Catholic university that offers an online Master of Science in Applied Artificial Intelligence. They are one of the few schools nationwide that offer a dedicated online master’s program specifically for artificial intelligence, preparing graduates to enter careers such as AI programmers and engineers. The total tuition cost is $28,950, and the program is designed to be completed in 20 months.

Program Highlights

University of San Diego offers a rigorous yet flexible graduate degree track that is taught in a series of 7-week courses. Practical learning across a broad range of AI topics is emphasized in its curriculum with input from an Industry Advisory Board, their expert faculty, and a range of business and technology leaders in the greater San Diego area.

A capstone project takes students out of the classroom and allows them to apply their knowledge with one of USD’s corporate partners—a graduation requirement that not only strengthens student learning but gives them vital experience as they embark on a new career.

Overview | Online Master of Science in Computer Science – Artificial Intelligence

• Total Program Cost: $29,370
• Cost Per Credit: $979
• Credits: 30
• Program Length: 1 Year

Nova Southeastern University offers an accelerated graduate-level program that leads to a Master of Science in Computer Science with specialization in artificial intelligence. The tuition cost is $29,370, although the school offers unique financial aid options to help support student learning and program growth.

Program Highlights

Nova Southeastern University’s MS in Computer Science can be completed in only one year, with the 30-unit program being offered in a series of 8-week courses. Nova Southeastern’s degree program has been top-ranked by national leaders including Forbes and US News & World Report, while they are also in the top-5 nationwide for the largest number of minority graduate degree recipients.

Within the artificial intelligence track, students gain hands-on experience through coursework in data mining, artificial intelligence, and interaction design. NSU’s tuition cost of $979 per credit hour is among the highest on our list, but they offer an Employer Tuition Program that can reduce student costs by 20%.