University of Colorado Boulder

How this program compares

At an estimated $15.8K in total tuition, the MS in Artificial Intelligence sits roughly 63% below the $42.4K average for AI master's programs in our database — placing it in the 12th percentile on cost among the 531 we track at this level. It is one of the 57% of programs in our database offered fully or partly online.

Admission Snapshot

Typical admitted student: A bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, mathematics, or related field with a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required; programming experience and performance in preliminary pathway courses serve as admission criteria rather than traditional academic history.

About This Program

CU Boulder's MS in Artificial Intelligence, delivered online via Coursera, is among the most accessible degrees of its kind — performance-based admission (no application barrier) and a pay-as-you-go structure that keeps total cost remarkably low. The credential is the same MS the university awards.

The program covers machine learning, deep learning, and AI fundamentals in a fully flexible format, making it a standout value for working professionals and career-changers testing into a graduate AI degree.

Career Outcomes

Thrive as Machine Learning Engineer in Cross-Industry AI with machine learning expertise

• 1. Machine Learning Engineer
• 2. AI Research Scientist
• 3. Data Scientist
• 4. AI Software Developer

What You'll Learn

• Build, evaluate, and interpret supervised and unsupervised machine learning models.
• Apply deep learning architectures including neural networks and transformers to complex data.
• Analyze high-dimensional data using dimensionality reduction and clustering techniques.
• Make ethical, industry-relevant decisions in AI model development and deployment.

Curriculum Highlights

The core curriculum addresses breadth areas central to AI expertise, including machine learning and ethics. Sub-disciplines include computer vision, natural language processing, and theoretical foundations of autonomous systems.

Top Employers

Top employers include Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, and AI-focused startups or research labs.

Admissions

A bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, mathematics, or related field with a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required; programming experience and performance in preliminary pathway courses serve as admission criteria rather than traditional academic history.

Application Materials

• Statement of Purpose: Required
• Letters of Recommendation: 2–3
• Resume: Required
• Transcripts: Official transcripts required

Academic Requirements

• Degree Required: Bachelor's degree
• GRE/GMAT: Not Required
• TOEFL/IELTS: Required for international students (TOEFL 80+ / IELTS 6.5+)