Key takeaways
- The estimated 4-year tuition cost for an AI degree is approximately $$45,924 (in-state) and $115,240 (out-of-state).
- The average yearly salary for AI jobs is $129,523 per year, based on three top career paths, including AI engineer, ML engineer, and NLP engineer.
- The average lifetime earnings period is about 30 years.
- Based on these figures, the AI degree ROI is:
- In-state: 8361%
- Out-of-state: 3272%
- The top schools for an AI degree are:
- University of Texas-Austin
- Ohio University
- Columbia University
- Arizona State University
- Rhode Island College
- Keiser University
- Boise State University
- Illinois Institute of Technology
- Capitol Technology University
- Dakota State University
- Oakland University
- Marymount University
Deciding which college major is the best choice for you is an overwhelming decision that many young high school graduates have to make. There are many ways to ensure that you make an informed choice. So, one of the best ways to choose the best college degree is to use an estimated ROI value. You can find the ROI for different college degrees, such as:
- Entrepreneurship degree – career overview and ROI
- Liberal arts degree – career overview and ROI
- Accounting degree – career overview and ROI
- Photography degree – career overview and ROI
- Business development degree – Curriculum, careers, ROI & more (2025 guide)
- Security & Risk Management Bachelor’s Degree — Courses, Careers, ROI, and More
- Psychology Degree Cost and Return on Investment — All You Need to Know
- Anthropology College Degree Cost and Return on Investment — All You Need to Know
In this article, we calculate the ROI for a college degree in artificial intelligence. It is a popular college path that many young people are choosing today. So, use this guide to make a good choice for your college journey!
What is college ROI, and why is it important?
ROI, or return on investment, is a financial metric used for various purposes. They use it for measuring the profitability and the feasibility of any financial decision, whether it is a business idea or a college degree in AI. Similarly, college ROI refers to the financial value you get from a college degree compared to the cost of earning it. In simple terms, it measures whether the money spent on tuition, fees, and education leads to higher lifetime earnings and better career opportunities.
To calculate college ROI, people usually compare the total cost of a degree with the income graduates earn over time. The idea is to see how long it takes for the salary gained from a degree to offset the cost of education and begin generating financial benefits.
While AI degree ROI is a strong tool to measure the feasibility of the degree, it is not the only thing you should consider. There are other additional factors to consider, such as choosing between private and public colleges, understanding the costs associated with in-state and out-of-state tuition, and also considering the kind of career paths you become eligible for.
So, in this article, we provide you with all the details you possibly need to make an informed choice — whether or not to get an AI degree.
How do we calculate the AI degree ROI?
Of course, the first thing you need to understand is how college ROI is calculated. It is a simple, mathematical, and objective calculation that uses a simple formula. The following is the general ROI formula we can use:
In the formula, we calculate ROI using two key measures — total lifetime earnings and the total cost of the degree. Then, we calculate the result to a hundred to get a rounded percentage. This percentage is your ROI.
Furthermore, while we calculate the ROI based on tuition cost and lifetime earning potential, there are some other costs people sometimes consider. These are defined as indirect and direct costs, including:
| Direct costs | Indirect costs |
|
|
Using some or all of these costs to get an ROI estimate helps us get a better understanding and factor in all the aspects. However, to simplify the calculations, in this guide, we only use one direct cost, and that is the tuition per academic year.
Estimated AI degree costs
So, in this section, you will find a complete list of top AI college degrees with estimated tuition costs. Based on the data provided in the table, we have also calculated the average academic costs associated with a 4-year AI college degree.
Let’s dig in!
College name |
Program |
Tuition |
| University of Texas-Austin | Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence Concentration | In-state: $10,858-$13,576 per year Out-of-state: $38,650-$46,498 per year
(Source) |
| Ohio University | Artificial Intelligence, B.S | In-state: $14,582 per year
Out-of-state: $25,796 per year (source) |
| Columbia University | Artificial Intelligence Minor | 2025-2026 academic year costs update |
| Arizona State University | Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence in Business | In-state: $13,534 Out-of-state: $37,072 (source) |
| Rhode Island College | Bachelor’s in AI | In-state: $5,053 per semester Out-of-state: $13,333 per semester (source) |
| Keiser University | Artificial Intelligence BS Degree | $39,189 per year (US News) |
| Boise State University | Bachelor of Science in AI Science | In-state: $9,364 per academic year
Out-of-state: $28,478 per academic year (Source) |
| Illinois Institute of Technology | Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence | $51,648 per academic year (source) |
| Capitol Technology University | Bachelor of Science (BS) in Artificial Intelligence | $13,635 for academic years 2026-2027 (source) |
| Dakota State University | Artificial Intelligence, BS | In-state: $9,084 per year Out-of-state: $12,276 per year (source) |
| Oakland University | Bachelor of Science Artificial Intelligence | $590.50 per credit hour (source) |
| Marymount University | Artificial Intelligence (B.S.) | $41,236 per year for full-time enrollment (source) |
Note: Data is as of March, 2026.
Find out more:What are the top schools for a bachelor’s in AI?
The table tells us that the average annual tuition cost for an AI degree varies based on your residency status. Therefore, we have calculated the average annual tuition costs based on the residency difference:
- Average in-state tuition: $11,481 per year
- Average out-of-state tuition: $28,810 per year
However, these values are based on assumptions, including the following:
- Tuition figures are assumed to represent one full academic year
- No inflation, aid, scholarships, or fee variations were applied
- Some colleges charge the same tuition fee for in-state and out-of-state students
- Living expenses, books, and indirect costs are excluded
In addition to this, we need to calculate the average 4-year tuition cost to deduce an estimated AI degree ROI. So:
Tuition Type |
Annual tuition cost |
4-Year Total |
| In-state | $11,481 | $45,924 |
| Out-of-state | $28,810 | $115,240 |
Moreover, the 4-year academic tuitions are based on assumptions such as:
- The degree takes exactly 4 years
- Tuition stays constant each year
Estimated AI major salary 2026
The AI degree ROI depends largely on the salary outlook.
Related: What jobs in AI can I get with a bachelor’s degree? | Career Guide
More importantly, the average earnings of an AI college degree holder is what change the entire career outlook. There are numerous AI jobs that you can earn greatly from, such as:
| Top-paying AI jobs | Annual salary |
| Data engineer | $131,000 |
| Robotics engineer | $141,000 |
| Software engineer | $148,000 |
| Data scientist | $153,000 |
| AI research scientist | $192,000 |
| Computer vision engineer | $162,000 |
| Database Architects | $123,100 |
Note: Data is as of March 2026.
In this case, to calculate the ROI of an AI bachelor’s, we are taking the most common jobs or subfields for AI degree holders, namely:
- AI Engineers
- Machine learning engineer
- NLP Engineer
Based on the most recent data, here is the salary information we have for AI careers in each of the aforementioned AI jobs:
- AI Engineers: $116,949 annually
- ML Engineers: $149,864 annually
- NLP Engineers: $121,755 annually
Based on this, the average salary for all types of AI jobs turns out to be:
- $116,949 + $149,864 + $121,755 ÷ 3
- Average yearly salary: $129,523 per year (rounded to the nearest dollar)
Moreover, to calculate the AI degree ROI, we need an estimate for your lifetime earning potential. For that, we assume that you work at least 30 years of your life, which rounds up to:
- $129,523 per year x 30 year = 3,885,690
- Total average lifetime earnings: $3,885,690
However, keep in mind that all these estimates are based on the following assumptions:
- Salary remains constant for 30 years
- No inflation or salary growth included
- No student loan interest included
- No taxes deducted
Calculating the AI degree ROI
As of now, the information we have to calculate the AI degree ROI is:
| 4-Year AI Degree Cost | Lifetime Earnings with AI Jobs | |
| In-state tuition | $45,924 | $3,885,690 in 30 years |
| Out-of-state tuition | $115,240 | $3,885,690 in 30 years |
Based on this data, we can calculate the approximate AI degree ROI.
| Tuition Type | Tuition Cost for 4 years | 30-Year Earnings | Net Gain | ROI |
| In-state | $45,924 | $3,885,690 | $3,839,766 | 8361% |
| Out-of-state | $115,240 | $3,885,690 | $3,770,450 | 3272% |
Note: Data is as of March 2026.
Conclusion
In summary, an AI degree ROI is very pleasing and highly positive. It is one of the highest degree ROIs, considering that AI degrees are expensive and costly. Most colleges that offer AI degrees are top-ranked schools like Stanford. Yet, there are some more accessible college options, especially public schools. So, while an AI degree ROI is definitely top-tier, you need to choose your college wisely.
Frequently asked questions
Is AI a difficult degree?
An AI degree can be technically challenging, as it combines several technical fields such as computer science, mathematics, statistics, and machine learning. Moreover, students also learn many complex concepts and skills, such as programming with advanced languages like Python, studying algorithms, and working with large sets of data to train AI models. Moreover, most AI degrees at the undergraduate level involve coursework revolving around machine learning, neural networks, and data structures that can be demanding.
However, it is also important to note that most colleges require prior understanding or educational background in subjects like statistics and mathematics, as well as physics. So, people with such backgrounds find an AI degree very easily manageable. Universities also structure AI programs progressively, starting with foundational courses like statistics before moving into advanced topics like deep learning
Where do AI specialists work?
AI specialists can work in a wide range of industries because artificial intelligence is used across many sectors. Most professionals work in technology-focused environments, but the development of transferable skills often makes them suitable for various kinds of jobs. Some of the most common job or work settings for AI specialists include:
- Technology and software companies like Google and Meta
- Financial institutions and fintech companies
- Healthcare and biotechnology organizations
- E-commerce and retail companies
- Automotive and robotics companies
- Government agencies and research labs
In addition to this, their work setting includes typical corporate office settings, research labs, and startup settings.
Is an AI degree worth it?
An AI degree in today’s day and age is definitely worth it. In particular, an AI college major is an excellent choice for students who want to pursue careers in AI jobs such as machine learning engineer, AI engineer, data scientist, or robotics engineer. However, the value depends on factors like career goals, skills, and the program you choose.
Firstly, AI degree jobs are high in value, meaning you can make an average of $120,000 a year with a technical AI job. Moreover, Many AI jobs pay significantly higher than the average technology salary. For example, AI engineers often earn about $134,000–$167,000 per year. In addition to this, at the senior level of your career in AI, renowned tech companies like Amazon and Microsoft offer top-tier compensation with incredible benefits.
Furthermore, other than the earning potential, there is also a growing job market for AI degree holders, with increasing reliance on technology and the recent advancement in AI, the demand for AI skills is rapidly growing as companies adopt artificial intelligence technologies. AI and machine learning roles are expanding faster than many other tech careers, with job demand significantly exceeding the number of qualified professionals.
Additionally, there are diverse career options for AI degree holders, such as:
- Data scientist
- Robotics engineer
- Computer vision engineer
- Natural language processing (NLP) engineer
- AI research scientist
However, while the career prospects of AI degrees make it definitely worth your time and money, there are some important things to consider. For example, an AI degree is typically math-heavy, with complex courses and subjects such as statistics and coding. So, if you are willing to pick up these tough courses and have a keen interest, then an AI degree is worth it.