Columbia University in the City of New York Online Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence

Columbia Engineering's online MS in Artificial Intelligence is the highest-priced of the master's programs we reviewed in this batch, at $81,000 for 30 credits. For that you get an Ivy League name, a 96% graduation rate and a 4% admit rate. Worth it if the credential matters to your employer; otherwise Boston University's $25,000 programs cover similar ground for far less.

Columbia University is a private nonprofit Ivy League university in New York City, and Columbia Engineering runs this degree. The Online Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence is listed as 100% online.

The program page says it's designed for professionals with experience in computer science and software engineering, as well as people from other STEM fields. So it's aimed at working technical people, not at someone starting from scratch.

The degree takes five terms, which is under two years, and there are two start dates a year, in fall and spring. Ask admissions how a typical week works.

The full rubric is on the methodology page.

Columbia describes the program as 100% online.

The five-term schedule moves at a steady pace, and with only two start dates a year you can't simply begin when the mood strikes. If you miss the fall deadline, you wait for spring. Plan your application around those two windows, and give yourself time to line up recommendations and transcripts.

A question worth asking is how online students get to know faculty and classmates. At this price you're paying in part for access, so find out what office hours, advising and career support look like for people who never set foot on campus.

Who It Fits

• Experienced computer science and software engineering professionals, plus people from other STEM fields. Columbia describes the program as designed for them.
• Students who want a project with an industry partner. The capstone is an optional six-credit, two-semester project.
• Applicants for whom the school name matters. Columbia's graduation rate is 96%, and the degree comes from Columbia Engineering.
• People who can fund the degree without strain, through savings, an employer or a sponsor.

Who Should Skip It

• Anyone price-sensitive. Boston University lists $25,000 total tuition for 30 credits, so this program costs far more for the same credit count.
• People who want to start in any term. Columbia offers two start dates a year, fall and spring.
• Applicants without a technical or STEM background. The program is designed for professionals with experience in computer science, software engineering or another STEM field.

The degree is 30 credits, and there are two ways to build it. You can take four core courses and six electives, or four electives and a capstone project.

The capstone is optional. It's a six-credit, two-semester project with an industry partner, so it replaces some elective choices and gives you a project to point to in interviews. Ask for the current course catalog before you apply.

Columbia also lists an online computer science master's with a machine learning track. That's a separate degree, and we don't rank it here. If you care more about the degree title than the topic, the difference matters.

Standout Features

• Access to Columbia's AI research centers and initiatives, with faculty including directors from the Data Science Institute and the Vice Dean of Artificial Intelligence
• Cohort of technically advanced, experienced peers across five terms
• No application fee
• Optional two-semester capstone that pairs students with a faculty mentor and an industry partner

Tuition is $2,700 per credit, and the program page prints $81,000 for the 30-credit degree. That's the whole price tag we can verify, and it doesn't include any fees the university may add.

Almost every other master's on our list costs less. Boston University lists $25,000 in total tuition for 30 credits, so the gap for the same credit count is large. Run the comparison against what you expect to earn after the degree before you commit.

If your employer reimburses tuition, ask whether the cap covers a program at this level. Ask Columbia whether financial aid is open to online students.

30 credits at $2,700 a credit comes to $81,000 in tuition, before fees.

The degree is a Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence from Columbia Engineering. The main credential value is the school's name.

That name carries weight. Columbia's institutional graduation rate is 96%, which is high for any university, and federal data shows 606 awards in this field at the university. If a hiring manager or a promotion committee cares about the school on your diploma, this is the point of the price.

Where this degree can lead: Data Scientist Jobs, Jobs You Can Get With an AI Degree.

• Price is the main one. At $81,000 it costs far more than most programs on our list.
• There are only two start dates a year, so a missed deadline means waiting for the next term.
• A 4% admit rate means a strong application can still be turned down.

• What do fees add beyond the $81,000, and is financial aid available for online students?
• How are industry partners for the capstone matched to students?
• Will I receive the same degree and transcript as on-campus students?
• Which four core courses are required, and which electives are offered online each term?
• How many hours a week should I plan for, given that the degree runs five terms?
• What counts as a STEM field when the admissions team reviews my background?

Ivy League university in New York City. The online MS in AI is offered by Columbia Engineering.

• Best Online AI Degrees Rank 7 of 49, master's
• Best Online Master's Programs Rank 7 of 49, master's
• 100% Online Programs Rank 7 of 46, master's

• Capitol Technology University

  Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Artificial Intelligence

  Maryland $665 per credit Score 76.1

• Florida Atlantic University

  Professional Master's Degree Program in Artificial Intelligence

  Florida $800 per credit Score 75.6

• Boston University

  Online Master of Science in Enterprise AI

  Massachusetts Score 74.5

• Johns Hopkins University

  Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence

  Maryland Score 74.1