Best Online AI Bachelor’s Degrees (2026)
by EDsmart Staff · Updated July 2026 · Last reviewed July 2026
Online AI bachelor’s degrees vary significantly in focus, from highly technical engineering to business-oriented application. Common shapes include self-paced AI engineering, dual-track applied/developer programs, business AI majors, and math-heavy AI bachelor’s degrees such as IU Online’s B.S. in Artificial Intelligence. In our 2026 dedicated online rankings, University of Tennessee–Knoxville leads the Top 5 Best (A-), and Indiana University Indianapolis posts the lowest average net price ($11,668).
Key takeaways
- Best overall: University of Tennessee–Knoxville (A-).
- Lowest average net price: Indiana University Indianapolis ($11,668).
- On both Top 5 lists: IU Indianapolis, University of the Cumberlands, and Kennesaw State.
Where to start
| If you… | Start here |
|---|---|
| Want the best overall | Top 5 Best |
| Want the lowest cost | Top 5 Cheapest |
| Already have credits | Path matcher |
| Want AI vs CS | AI vs CS comparison |
| Need career info | Careers and pay |
In this article
How we ranked online AI bachelor’s degrees
We ranked schools that offer a fully online, dedicated AI bachelor’s (not CS or cybersecurity concentrations alone). From that pool we publish two lists: Top 5 Best by overall grade (then national rank), and Top 5 Cheapest by average net price. Grades are institution-wide, not AI-department ratings. Cheapest is not the same as Best. Average net price is what undergraduates typically pay after grants and scholarships; it is not sticker tuition for an AI major. Figures come from College Scorecard and EDsmart school profiles unless labeled as school-published tuition. For calculations, see our rankings methodology.
Top 5 Best online AI bachelor’s degrees
Our top five dedicated online AI bachelor’s programs.
University of Tennessee–Knoxville
Online B.S. in Applied Artificial Intelligence (BSAAI)UT Knoxville’s Vols Online BSAAI (College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies) runs 100% asynchronous across 120 credits, with no live sessions. Coursework covers AI foundations, ethics and legal issues, data handling and visualization, and applied AI, with stackable concentrations or minors and internship options. School-published tuition is about $490 per credit (out-of-state about $565 as of July 2026). Admission typically asks for a 2.0 GPA and at least one post–high school transfer credit.
Texas Tech University
Online B.S. in Human-Centered Artificial IntelligenceTexas Tech’s Online+ HCAI bachelor’s is 100% online and asynchronous (120 credits), with accelerated 8-week courses and multiple start dates. The curriculum blends technology, social sciences, and the arts: programming logic, practical stats, HCAI design, and model foundations, plus paths toward data science, ethical AI and social impact, or UX and AI design. School-published tuition averages about $415–$500 per credit depending on residency.
Indiana University Indianapolis
IU Online B.A. or B.S. in Artificial IntelligenceIU Indianapolis hosts IU Online’s dedicated Artificial Intelligence bachelor’s (100% online, 120 credits). Choose the B.S. for a deeper math and technical foundation or the B.A. for more flexibility. Both aim at data science, machine learning, software, business intelligence, and related roles. IU Online lists up to 64 community-college credits and 90 from a four-year school.
University of the Cumberlands
Online B.S. in Artificial IntelligenceUniversity of the Cumberlands offers a fully online B.S. in Artificial Intelligence built around machine learning, deep learning, NLP, generative AI, Python, cloud deployment, cybersecurity for AI, and ethics, with project-based work and a capstone. The school lists about 42 major hours at $220 per credit. The bachelor’s still totals 120 credits with general education. A B.A.S. AI option also exists for applied-science students.
Kennesaw State University
B.S. in Artificial Intelligence (online + Marietta; Fall 2026)Kennesaw State launches its B.S. in Artificial Intelligence in Fall 2026 on the Marietta campus and online (College of Computing and Software Engineering). According to Kennesaw State, adding the B.S. to its existing M.S. in AI (launched 2024) will make it Georgia’s first university to offer both bachelor’s- and graduate-level AI degrees. Middle Georgia State University separately launched a University System of Georgia Applied AI bachelor’s in Fall 2025, so KSU’s claim is about offering both degree levels, not the first AI bachelor’s alone. The curriculum pairs a computing core with a required minor where AI is applied, plus an industry-partner capstone and options for internships or undergraduate research. Check open terms and online seat availability before you apply.
On both Top 5 lists: Indiana University Indianapolis, University of the Cumberlands, and Kennesaw State. Strong grade and lower average net price relative to this dedicated online AI bachelor’s pool.
Top 5 Cheapest online AI bachelor’s degrees
Ordered by average net price, lowest to highest. This is not a quality ranking. Pair it with the Best list and program fit.
Indiana University Indianapolis
IU Online B.A. or B.S. in Artificial IntelligenceIU Indianapolis leads the Cheapest Top 5 at $11,668 average net price while also ranking #3 Best. IU Online’s AI bachelor’s is fully online (120 credits) with B.A. and B.S. options and transfer-friendly credit caps for community-college and four-year coursework. Run the school’s net price calculator for your aid picture.
Western Governors University
B.S. AI EngineeringWGU’s competency-based B.S. AI Engineering stacks software engineering, cloud, and model deployment (Python and C# on the program page), with a Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals cert included in tuition. School-published cost is $4,200 per six-month term, plus resource fees (as of July 2026). Admission is not open enrollment; review current math and programming prerequisites or alternative pathways (including WGU Academy). Faster completion can cut total tuition below what average net price alone implies.
Northeastern State University
Online B.S. in Artificial Intelligence and Data AnalyticsNortheastern State (College of Business and Technology) offers a B.S. in Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics online as well as on its Tahlequah and Broken Arrow campuses. The program mixes theory with hands-on AI and analytics work and ends in an experiential learning project tied to real industry scenarios. Pair the $12,710 average net price with catalog course sequencing and residency/aid rules before you decide.
University of the Cumberlands
Online B.S. in Artificial IntelligenceCumberlands posts a $14,107 average net price and a school-published $220 per credit rate on major coursework for its online B.S. in Artificial Intelligence. Curriculum emphasizes building and deploying systems (ML, deep learning, NLP/LLMs, Python, cloud, and AI ethics) through projects and a capstone. Major hours plus general education still add to a 120-credit bachelor’s total.
Kennesaw State University
B.S. in Artificial Intelligence (online + Marietta; Fall 2026)Kennesaw State closes the Cheapest Top 5 at $15,048 average net price. Its new B.S. in Artificial Intelligence (online and Marietta) builds on an existing CS AI concentration and M.S. in AI, with a required minor, writing-intensive computing coursework, and an applied AI capstone with industry partners. Tuition may change after the program opens; check the current rate when you apply.
Sticker vs net price: Flat-term pricing (for example WGU’s $4,200 per six-month term) can bring total tuition below average net price if you finish faster. Run each school’s net price calculator for your situation.
AI vs computer science vs data science
Many people search for an “AI degree” when a computer science or data science bachelor’s may fit better. Use this quick compare before you lock onto a dedicated AI major.
| Degree | Best for | Typical emphasis |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial intelligence | Machine learning, intelligent systems, applied AI product work | Earlier ML, data, ethics, and model/application coursework |
| Computer science | Broad software engineering and systems roles | Algorithms, software design, systems; AI often via electives or a concentration |
| Data science | Analytics and predictive modeling | Statistics, data pipelines, visualization, and applied ML |
Neither AI nor CS is universally “better.” A dedicated AI bachelor’s moves you into machine learning and intelligent systems earlier. A CS bachelor’s (with or without an AI concentration) keeps broader software foundations that many employers still hire against. Data science is the stronger default if your goal is analytics-heavy work rather than building software systems. Match required math and programming to the job you want. CS-only concentrations (for example SNHU’s generative AI cybersecurity track) are not ranked in either Top 5 here.
Choose a path that fits
The Top 5 lists answer who leads on grade and net price. These questions help you match delivery and career focus before you dig into the comparison table.
Three questions
After you scan the ranked lists, use pace, prior credits, and career focus to narrow fit.
1. Preferred learning pace?
- Self-paced / competency-based: WGU B.S. AI Engineering (#2 Cheapest; flat term pricing). Review math and programming admissions requirements before you apply.
- Structured terms (8-week or semester): UT Knoxville, Texas Tech, IU Online, UMGC, and ASU Online.
2. Bringing prior college credits or an associate degree?
- Transfer-heavy / military-friendly: UMGC (up to 90 transfer credits; AI Applications vs AI Developer tracks) and IU Online (up to 64 from a community college and 90 from a four-year).
- Fewer credits or starting fresh: Still compare Best and Cheapest lists. UT Knoxville publishes a 120-credit program; self-paced options bill by term rather than by credit.
3. Build AI systems, or apply AI in business?
- Highly technical (models, engineering, deployment): IU Online B.S. in AI, UTK Applied AI, UMGC Developer track, or WGU AI Engineering.
- Business / managerial AI: ASU Online B.S. Artificial Intelligence in Business (W.P. Carey + ML), or UMGC Applications track.
- Human-centered / UX + AI: Texas Tech HCAI.
Online AI bachelor’s pathway types
Online AI bachelor’s program comparison
Delivery and cost angles for schools on either Top 5, plus ASU and UMGC pathway options. Sorted for comparison, not a third outcomes ranking. For fuller program write-ups, see the school cards above.
| School / program | Grade | Delivery / cost | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Tennessee–KnoxvilleB.S. Applied Artificial Intelligence | A- | Async online; about $490/credit (OOS $565) | Best-list leader; applied AI |
| Texas Tech UniversityB.S. Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence | B+ | 100% online async; 8-week classes; about $415–$500/credit | Human-centered / UX + AI |
| Indiana University IndianapolisIU Online B.A. or B.S. in Artificial Intelligence | B+ | Lowest avg. net price in this set ($11,668) | On both Best and Cheapest |
| University of the CumberlandsB.S. in Artificial Intelligence | B+ | About $220/credit on major hours (120-credit total) | On both Best and Cheapest |
| Kennesaw State UniversityB.S. Artificial Intelligence | B+ | Online + Marietta; Fall 2026 launch | On both Best and Cheapest |
| Western Governors UniversityB.S. AI Engineering | B | Flat six-month term; competency-based; #2 cheapest by net price | Self-paced adults; check math/programming gates |
| Northeastern State UniversityB.S. Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics | B- | Avg. net price $12,710 | Cheapest-list value pick |
| Arizona State University (Digital Immersion)B.S. Artificial Intelligence in Business | C | W.P. Carey + ML/big data; net price n/a on profile | Business analytics / tech managers |
| University of Maryland Global CampusB.S. Artificial Intelligence (Applications or Developer) | C+ | Up to 90 transfer credits; $337 / $499 / $250 per credit (in-state / OOS / military) | Military / transfer-heavy adults |
| Southern New Hampshire UniversityCybersecurity + Generative AI concentration | C | No standalone AI bachelor’s | Notes only; not Top 5 eligible |
Grades vs fit: A strong net-price rank can pair with a mid-range overall grade. Weigh grade alongside catalog depth, transfer policy, admissions requirements, and your timeline.
Pathway details: engineering, dual-track, and business AI
WGU: AI Engineering
Competency-based six-month terms at a flat published rate, with applied software engineering, cloud, and model deployment. Not open enrollment; check math and programming admissions requirements. Strong Cheapest-list fit; overall grade is B.
UMGC: dual tracks
One B.S. in Artificial Intelligence with an AI Applications track (use AI in workflows) and an AI Developer track (build systems). The current catalog lists up to 90 transfer credits. Published rates include $337 per credit in-state, $499 out-of-state, and $250 military (as of July 2026). The grade is C+, so pair catalog fit with cost for your residency status.
ASU Online: AI in Business
W.P. Carey business core plus machine learning and big data. Best when you want managerial or analytics roles, not a pure CS or engineering major. Direct-admission bars (GPA, test scores, or transfer skill GPA) apply. Not on either Top 5 (grade C; net price missing from profile).
How to choose an online AI bachelor’s
Expect math and programming depth. Technical AI bachelor’s programs commonly include calculus, linear algebra, probability, statistics, and Python (sometimes a second language such as C#). Business-oriented AI majors still usually require statistics and programming for analytics. Check the catalog before you enroll if math was a weak spot.
Responsible AI is part of the job. Many dedicated AI majors now teach ethics, bias, governance, privacy, and responsible AI practices. That matters for hiring and for roles that touch regulated data or public-facing systems. Look for required ethics or human-centered courses, not only model-building electives.
Build proof of work. Employers increasingly expect AI graduates to show project portfolios, GitHub repositories, internships, or undergraduate research, not just a degree title. Prefer programs with capstones, industry projects, or for-credit internship options, and plan portfolio work alongside coursework.
Avoid: unaccredited “AI diplomas,” programs that teach only chat interfaces without programming/math, and borrowing for a short certificate when an ED-recognized, institutionally accredited bachelor’s fits. Check StudentAid.gov and each school’s net price calculator. If you already hold a bachelor’s, compare online AI master’s instead.
Accreditation matters
Every program highlighted here is offered by an institutionally accredited university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. (Readers who still search for “regionally accredited” are usually looking for that same institutional check.) Accreditation affects credit transfer, graduate school eligibility, employer recognition, and federal aid. Use the Department’s DAPIP database to check institutional accreditation, then recheck the catalog for the exact program and any program-specific approvals your career path may need.
What jobs and pay look like after an AI bachelor’s
Graduates commonly start in software development, data science, machine learning support, business analytics, or AI product and solutions roles, then move into more specialized AI engineering as experience builds. Titles vary by employer. A bachelor’s can open many of these doors; research-heavy AI scientist roles more often prefer a master’s or Ph.D.
Common career paths include machine learning engineer, AI developer, data scientist, AI business analyst, AI product manager, solutions architect, and (in some applied teams) prompt or applied AI specialist roles. Internships and portfolios matter as much as the major name.
Pay context (not school-specific outcomes): According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook (May 2024 median wages), software developers earned a median of $133,080; data scientists earned $112,590; and computer and information research scientists earned $140,910 (that occupation often lists a master’s as typical entry-level education). Pay varies by occupation, experience, industry, and location. These figures are national medians, not guarantees for AI majors.
FAQ: online AI bachelor’s degrees
What is the best online AI bachelor’s degree?
There is no single best program. In this guide’s Top 5 Best, the University of Tennessee–Knoxville leads with an A- overall grade. Fit still depends on pace, prior credits, and whether you want engineering, applied, or business AI.
What is the cheapest online AI bachelor’s degree?
Among dedicated online AI bachelor’s schools with a published average net price, Indiana University Indianapolis leads EDsmart’s Top 5 Cheapest at $11,668, followed by WGU ($12,548) and Northeastern State University ($12,710).
Is an AI degree worth it?
It can be if you want earlier ML and intelligent-systems coursework and you pair the degree with projects, internships, and solid math and programming skills. It is less of a shortcut if you mainly need broad software engineering; compare a CS bachelor’s first (see AI vs CS vs data science). Worth depends on accreditation, fit, cost after aid, and whether employers in your target roles hire bachelor’s graduates for those jobs.
What jobs can you get with an AI degree?
Common paths include software development, data science, machine learning or AI engineering, business analytics, AI product or solutions roles, and related technical work. See careers and pay for BLS median wages in adjacent occupations. Titles and hiring bars vary by employer.
Are AI degrees respected?
AI bachelor’s degrees from universities accredited by a U.S. Department of Education–recognized institutional accreditor are legitimate credentials. Respect still hinges on accreditation, curriculum rigor (math and programming), and proof of work (portfolios, GitHub, internships) more than the marketing title alone. Unaccredited “AI diplomas” are a different and riskier category.
Is computer science better than artificial intelligence?
Neither is universally better. CS is often the safer broad software path; a dedicated AI major is stronger when you specifically want earlier ML and AI systems coursework. Many AI roles still hire CS graduates. Use the comparison table and the job’s required skills.
Can I become an AI engineer with a bachelor’s degree?
Yes, many applied ML/AI engineering and software roles hire bachelor’s graduates, especially with strong projects and internships. Research-scientist titles more often prefer a master’s or Ph.D. Build a portfolio while you study and compare target job postings.
How difficult is an AI major?
Expect a quantitative load: calculus, linear algebra, probability/statistics, and programming are common in technical tracks. Business-oriented AI majors may lighten the theory but still use stats and coding for analytics. Review sample degree maps before you apply.
What math is required for an AI bachelor’s?
Technical programs commonly require calculus, linear algebra, probability, and statistics, plus Python or similar. Exact sequences differ by school. Compare the catalog, not marketing pages alone.
Do I need an expensive computer or GPU for an online AI degree?
Most programs can be completed with a modern laptop. Many programs provide access to cloud computing environments (including cloud GPUs) rather than requiring students to purchase dedicated graphics hardware. Check the student handbook or advising before you buy equipment.
Is WGU’s AI Engineering degree worth it?
It can be for self-paced, working adults who want an institutionally accredited, competency-based bachelor’s. WGU ranks #2 on our Cheapest list by average net price and posts a B overall grade. Weigh flat-term pricing and admissions prerequisites against your timeline rather than treating it as a single yes or no.
Can you get an AI bachelor’s fully online?
Yes. Schools with ED-recognized institutional accreditation offer fully online AI bachelor’s programs, including UT Knoxville, Texas Tech, IU Online, Cumberlands, WGU, UMGC, and ASU Online. Check the catalog for 100% online vs hybrid delivery.
Why does accreditation matter for an AI bachelor’s?
Institutional accreditation affects federal aid, credit transfer, and graduate school eligibility. Confirm the university in DAPIP and read any program-level notes if your career path requires them. See Accreditation matters.
BA vs BS in artificial intelligence: what’s the difference?
A B.S. usually emphasizes more math, computing, and technical electives. A B.A. often pairs AI with more arts-and-sciences flexibility. IU Online offers both a B.A. and a B.S. in Artificial Intelligence; compare core math and programming requirements in the catalog before you choose. For engineering-heavy titles (WGU AI Engineering, many Applied AI B.S. programs), expect a science-degree course load either way.
Self-paced vs term-based online AI bachelor’s: which should I choose?
Choose self-paced (WGU’s competency model) if you work well without fixed class meetings and want flat-term pricing. Choose structured terms if you prefer fixed deadlines, cohort pacing, and traditional semester or 8-week courses (UTK, Texas Tech, IU, UMGC, ASU). Prior credits and military transfer policies matter as much as pace; see the path matcher above.
Online AI bachelor’s vs online AI master’s: which should I choose?
Choose a bachelor’s if you still need a first degree. Choose a master’s if you already hold a bachelor’s and need structured ML depth. See our Best Online Master’s in AI guide for graduate options. Affordability lists for “online AI degrees” are often master’s-heavy.
How does this differ from Best AI Degrees?
Best AI Degrees ranks campus AI majors and prestige pathways. This page ranks fully online AI bachelor’s programs only: Best by grade and Cheapest by average net price. EDsmart grades are institution-wide, not AI-department ratings.
Related EDsmart research
- Best Online Master’s in AI
- Online AI Degrees hub
- Best AI Degrees (campus majors & Top 30)
- How we rank schools
- AI job risk report
Editorial note: AI curricula change rapidly. Schools may update courses, concentrations, tuition, admissions requirements, and delivery formats between catalog years. Check each catalog and DAPIP listing before you apply. CS or cybersecurity programs with AI concentrations only (for example SNHU) appear in comparison notes, not either Top 5. Kennesaw’s B.S. in AI launches Fall 2026 on campus and online; check open terms when you apply.
Sources
This guide draws on EDsmart school rankings and profiles, federal education data, and institutional program pages reviewed July 2026. See our rankings methodology page for how grades and net price are calculated.
- EDsmart rankings and school profiles (overall grades, national ranks, and average net prices)
- U.S. Department of Education, Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP)
- U.S. Department of Education / NCES, IPEDS / College Scorecard inputs reflected in EDsmart grades
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook (May 2024 median wages for software developers, data scientists, and computer and information research scientists)
- Institutional program pages reviewed July 2026: UT Knoxville BSAAI; Texas Tech HCAI; IU Online B.S. in AI; Kennesaw B.S. AI announcement; Middle Georgia State USG Applied AI bachelor’s approval; Cumberlands B.S. AI; Northeastern State AI & Data Analytics; ASU Online BS-AIB; WGU B.S. AI Engineering; UMGC B.S. Artificial Intelligence; SNHU Cybersecurity Generative AI concentration (notes only)
About this guide: Written by EDsmart Staff to help students compare fully online AI bachelor’s programs. We cite institutional and federal sources and do not guarantee admission, cost, or employment outcomes.