Artificial Intelligence Specialist Education Requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an artificial intelligence specialist. Artificial intelligence specialists usually study computer engineering, computer science, or electrical engineering. 63% of artificial intelligence specialists hold a bachelor's degree, and 17% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 47 real artificial intelligence specialist resumes to see exactly what artificial intelligence specialist education sections show.

The most common colleges for artificial intelligence specialists are the University of California - Davis and the University of California - Davis.

There are also many online artificial intelligence specialist courses to help get the education required to be an artificial intelligence specialist.

What education do you need to become an artificial intelligence specialist?

What degree do you need to be an artificial intelligence specialist?

The most common degree for artificial intelligence specialists is bachelor's degree, with 63% of artificial intelligence specialists earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 17% and master's degree degree at 10%.
  • Bachelor's, 63%
  • Master's, 17%
  • High School Diploma, 10%
  • Associate, 7%
  • Other Degrees, 3%

What should I major in to become an artificial intelligence specialist?

You should major in computer engineering to become an artificial intelligence specialist. 19% of artificial intelligence specialists major in computer engineering. Other common majors for an artificial intelligence specialist include computer science and electrical engineering.

Most common colleges for artificial intelligence specialists

Artificial intelligence specialists often get their degrees at University of California - Davis, University of Washington, and New Mexico Highlands University. Here are the most common colleges for artificial intelligence specialists in the US based on their resumes.
Artificial Intelligence Specialist Common College
ascdesc
Percentages
ascdesc
University of California - Davis9.52%
University of Washington4.76%
New Mexico Highlands University4.76%
Midland College4.76%
Foothill College4.76%

Best majors for artificial intelligence specialists

Best colleges for artificial intelligence specialists

The best colleges for artificial intelligence specialists are Northwestern University, Harvard University, and University of Pennsylvania.

An artificial intelligence specialist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for artificial intelligence specialists. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become artificial intelligence specialists.

1. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-State Tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

Website

www.harvard.edu

Address

Massachusetts Hall, Cambridge, MA 02138

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $91,300 per year

Net Price: $15,561 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 4.73%
SAT Average - 1520
ACT Average - 34
Most Popular Majors
Computer Science
Computer Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-State Tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

Website

www.upenn.edu

Address

1 College Hall, Room 100, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6303

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $91,200 per year

Net Price: $25,033 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 8.41%
SAT Average - 1492
ACT Average - 34
Most Popular Majors
Computer Science
Marketing
Electrical Engineering
Computer Engineering

3. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

Website

www.sdsu.edu

Address

5500 Campanile Dr, San Diego, CA 92182-8000

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $41,600 per year

Net Price: $15,287 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 34.58%
SAT Average - 1213
ACT Average - 25
Most Popular Majors
Mechanical Engineering
Computer Science
Electrical Engineering
Computer Engineering

4. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-State Tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

Website

www.northwestern.edu

Address

633 Clark St, Evanston, IL 60208

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $71,900 per year

Net Price: $24,840 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 8.47%
SAT Average - 1508
ACT Average - 34
Most Popular Majors
Computer Science
Electrical Engineering
Computer Engineering
Marketing

5. Lehigh University

Bethlehem, PA • Private

In-State Tuition

$52,930

Enrollment

5,030

Website

www.lehigh.edu

Address

27 Memorial Drive West, Bethlehem, PA 18015

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $67,300 per year

Net Price: $30,832 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 22.33%
SAT Average - 1380
ACT Average - 31
Most Popular Majors
Mechanical Engineering
Computer Science
Electrical Engineering
Computer Engineering

20 best online courses for artificial intelligence specialists

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Top 10 most affordable universities for artificial intelligence specialists

The most affordable schools for artificial intelligence specialists are Baruch College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and california state university - long beach.

If the best universities for artificial intelligence specialists are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for artificial intelligence specialists.

1. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-State Tuition

$7,262

Cost of Attendance

14,046

Website

www.baruch.cuny.edu

Address

One Bernard Baruch Way, New York, NY 10010

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $47,500 per year

Net Price: $2,981 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 39.29%
SAT Average - 1305
Most Popular Majors
Marketing
Mathematics
Biology
International Business

2. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-State Tuition

$6,381

Cost of Attendance

21,034

Website

www.ufl.edu/

Address

300 SW 13th Street, Gainesville, FL 32611

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $47,700 per year

Net Price: $8,057 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 38.75%
SAT Average - 1362
ACT Average - 30
Most Popular Majors
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Marketing
Computer Engineering

3. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$6,798

Cost of Attendance

18,306

Website

www.csulb.edu

Address

1250 Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90840-0115

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $40,000 per year

Net Price: $8,982 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 31.21%
SAT Average - 1146
ACT Average - 23
Most Popular Majors
Computer Science
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Computer Engineering

4. University of Houston - Victoria

Victoria, TX • Private

In-State Tuition

$6,491

Cost of Attendance

19,075

Website

www.uhv.edu

Address

3007 N. Ben Wilson, Victoria, TX 77901

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $43,800 per year

Net Price: $9,709 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 53.93%
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Marketing
Computer Science
Mathematics

5. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-State Tuition

$5,620

Cost of Attendance

18,136

Website

www.byu.edu

Address

Main Campus, Provo, UT 84602

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $46,600 per year

Net Price: $13,181 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 64.47%
SAT Average - 1324
ACT Average - 29
Most Popular Majors
Computer Science
Marketing
Electrical Engineering
Computer Engineering

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for artificial intelligence specialists

The hardest universities for artificial intelligence specialists to get into are Northwestern University, Harvard University, and University of Pennsylvania.

Some great schools for artificial intelligence specialists are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for artificial intelligence specialists based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions Rate

8%

SAT Average

1,508

Website

www.northwestern.edu

Address

633 Clark St, Evanston, IL 60208

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $71,900 per year

Net Price: $24,840 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 8.47%
SAT Average - 1508
ACT Average - 34
Most Popular Majors
Computer Science
Electrical Engineering
Computer Engineering
Marketing

2. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions Rate

5%

SAT Average

1,520

Website

www.harvard.edu

Address

Massachusetts Hall, Cambridge, MA 02138

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $91,300 per year

Net Price: $15,561 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 4.73%
SAT Average - 1520
ACT Average - 34
Most Popular Majors
Computer Science
Computer Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions Rate

8%

SAT Average

1,492

Website

www.upenn.edu

Address

1 College Hall, Room 100, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6303

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $91,200 per year

Net Price: $25,033 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 8.41%
SAT Average - 1492
ACT Average - 34
Most Popular Majors
Computer Science
Marketing
Electrical Engineering
Computer Engineering

4. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions Rate

15%

SAT Average

1,506

Website

www.wustl.edu

Address

One Brookings Dr, Saint Louis, MO 63130

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $63,400 per year

Net Price: $27,427 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 15.03%
SAT Average - 1506
ACT Average - 34
Most Popular Majors
Computer Science
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Computer Engineering

5. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions Rate

11%

SAT Average

1,513

Website

www.jhu.edu

Address

3400 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21218-2688

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $68,000 per year

Net Price: $30,701 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 11.48%
SAT Average - 1513
ACT Average - 34
Most Popular Majors
Electrical Engineering
Marketing
Mechanical Engineering
Computer Engineering

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for artificial intelligence specialists

The easiest schools for artificial intelligence specialists to get into are Barry University, cardinal stritch university, and notre dame de namur university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an artificial intelligence specialist without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for artificial intelligence specialists.

1. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions Rate

91%

SAT Average

1,006

Website

www.barry.edu

Address

11300 NE 2nd Ave, Miami Shores, FL 33161-6695

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $43,700 per year

Net Price: $17,937 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 91.25%
SAT Average - 1006
ACT Average - 20
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Information Systems
Mathematics
Computer Science

2. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions Rate

71%

SAT Average

1,035

Website

https://www.stritch.edu

Address

6801 N Yates Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53217-3985

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $46,400 per year

Net Price: $18,040 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 70.94%
SAT Average - 1035
ACT Average - 20
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Computer Science
Marketing
Mathematics

3. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions Rate

82%

SAT Average

983

Website

www.ndnu.edu

Address

1500 Ralston Ave, Belmont, CA 94002-1908

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $49,000 per year

Net Price: $25,610 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 81.52%
SAT Average - 983
ACT Average - 19
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Communication
Information Systems
Computer Science

4. Ottawa University

Ottawa, KS • Private

Admissions Rate

78%

SAT Average

1,024

Website

www.ottawa.edu

Address

1001 South Cedar, Ottawa, KS 66067-3399

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $41,600 per year

Net Price: $25,322 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 78.15%
SAT Average - 1024
ACT Average - 19
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Education
Communication
Marketing

5. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions Rate

68%

SAT Average

964

Website

www.okwu.edu

Address

2201 Silver Lake Rd, Bartlesville, OK 74006-6299

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $50,500 per year

Net Price: $26,279 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 67.73%
SAT Average - 964
ACT Average - 19
Most Popular Majors
Education
Marketing
Biology

Average artificial intelligence specialist salary by education level

According to our data, artificial intelligence specialists with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $196,643 annually. Artificial intelligence specialists with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $170,704.
Artificial Intelligence Specialist education level
ascdesc
Artificial Intelligence Specialist salary
ascdesc
Master's Degree$196,643
High School Diploma or Less$127,296
Bachelor's Degree$170,704
Some College/ Associate Degree$143,493

Artificial Intelligence Specialist Education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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