Northeastern University Master of Professional Studies in Applied AI (Online)

Northeastern's online Master of Professional Studies in Applied AI costs $30,500 in estimated total tuition for 2026-2027, it costs far less than some other well-known names, and it runs 12 to 20 months with Fall and Spring starts. It expects an engineering or computer technology background, or statistics coursework, so check that first.

Northeastern University is a private nonprofit university in Boston, Massachusetts. The online AI master's comes from its professional studies side, and the degree is an M.P.S., a professional master's built around applying AI at work rather than researching it.

The program page lists the format as online, part time or full time, with a duration of 12 to 20 months and entry terms in Fall and Spring. That's a faster path than programs that give you five years, so it suits people who want to finish and move.

Northeastern has 58 master's awards under the AI code we track and a 91% graduation rate across the university. Credit totals aren't on the program page, so we haven't recorded one.

The program is online, with part-time and full-time options and Fall and Spring entry terms. A duration of 12 to 20 months means a full-time student can finish in about a year, while someone working through it part time takes closer to 20 months.

Ask whether classes meet live and whether you'd need to be on campus at any point, and ask how the pace changes if you move from full time to part time partway through.

Who It Fits

• You have a degree in engineering or computer technology and want an AI master's finished in about a year to 20 months.
• You want a specialization in conversational AI and chatbots, machine learning for cybersecurity, or AI for 3D imaging.
• You want a published total price near $30,500 rather than a per-course estimate you have to add up yourself.
• You'd like the choice of studying full time or part time, with two starts a year.

Who Should Skip It

• You don't have an engineering or computer technology degree or statistics coursework. The page sends those applicants to the Connect version instead.
• You want only a handful of courses. This is a full master's, not a certificate.
• You need more than two start dates a year. Entry is Fall and Spring only.

The program page names three concentrations: Conversational AI and Chatbots, Machine Learning for Cybersecurity, and AI for 3D Imaging. They're narrower than the broad focus areas many AI master's programs offer, which is a plus if one matches your job and a limit if none does.

The credit total and course list live in Northeastern's catalog, not on the program page, so we haven't recorded them. Ask which concentration courses are required, which are electives, and how often each runs.

Standout Features

• Connect pathway for applicants without a technical degree
• Full-time or part-time enrollment

Northeastern lists $30,500 as estimated total tuition for Academic Year 2026-2027. That figure excludes fees and other expenses, so your real bill will run higher.

There's a second route worth knowing about. The Applied AI Connect version, for applicants who lack the engineering or computer technology background, lists estimated tuition of $71,079 because it adds nine semester hours of skill-building courses before the standard curriculum. If you need the bridge, that's the number to budget around, not $30,500.

You'd earn a Master of Professional Studies in Applied AI from Northeastern University. We haven't recorded a programmatic accreditation for it.

An M.P.S. is built for working professionals. It's not designed as the first step toward a doctorate, so if research is your goal, a Master of Science is a better fit. Northeastern also runs on-ground AI master's programs, which our list doesn't count because they aren't online.

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

The full rubric is on the methodology page.

• The $30,500 figure leaves out fees and other expenses, so the true cost will be higher.
• Applicants without an engineering or computer technology background are routed to the Connect version at $71,079 in estimated tuition.
• The three concentrations are narrow, and the credit total isn't printed on the program page.

• What fees come on top of the $30,500 estimate, and how much are they per term?
• How many credits is the degree, and how many courses belong to each concentration?
• If I'm missing a technical degree, is statistics coursework enough to avoid the Connect version?
• Do online classes meet live, and is any campus visit required?
• Can I switch between full time and part time after I start?
• How do concentrations get chosen, and can I take courses from more than one?

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• Best Online Programs in Massachusetts Rank 6 of 7, master's

• Master of Professional Studies in Applied AI Connect (Online)

  M.P.S., Master's

  Fully Online Score 71.0

• Graduate Certificate in AI Applications

  Graduate Certificate, Graduate Certificate

  Fully Online $328 per credit Score 100.0

Also at Northeastern University, but not counted here because they are not fully online: Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence (master's, on campus); Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence Align (master's, on campus).

• San Jose State University

  MS in Artificial Intelligence (Special Session)

  California $1,022 per credit Score 71.4

• Capitol Technology University

  Master of Research (MRes) in Artificial Intelligence

  Maryland $665 per credit Score 72.1

• Texas A&M University-College Station

  Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence (Distance)

  Texas Score 69.9

• University of Illinois Chicago

  Online Master of Engineering with a Concentration in AI and Machine Learning

  Illinois $896 per credit Score 69.3