AI Master's Programs Jump 167% to 310 Across 304 U.S. Colleges
In the last couple of years, I’ve noticed a sudden shift in where AI education is landing. A handful of colleges are revamping the pipeline faster than most job-market predictions would suggest. The buzz usually sticks to graduate labs, yet most of the new courses are popping up in undergraduate classrooms, often filled with students fresh from high school.
The fact is, over three hundred U.S. colleges have rolled out AI-focused tracks in just a few years, and the total catalog now exceeds five hundred programs. That means a bigger pool of talent, but it also throws up questions about how consistent the teaching is, whether faculty are truly prepared, and if employers will treat these varied credentials the same.
The numbers look like a clear response to industry demand, though the speed could stretch resources and blur standards. As schools scramble to call themselves AI-ready, the data below show just how quickly the academic scene is moving.
Within 304 colleges and universities in the USA, the report identifies 503 AI and AI-related degree programs. Master's degrees in AI have leapt from 116 in 2022 to 310 in 2025 -- a 167% increase in three years. Undergraduate offerings in AI have jumped to 193 degrees, more than doubling in one year (2024 to 2025).
The surprising fact is where this growth is being generated. The South is the top regional provider of AI programs in the nation, accounting for 38.4% of all degrees, followed by the Midwest (23.9%), Northeast (22.7%), and West (15.1%). AI higher education has become a nationwide priority, stretching well beyond traditional tech corridors like Silicon Valley and NYC/Boston.
In 2025, Texas was the #1 state for AI degrees, hosting 39 programs across 21 universities, driven by a mix of R1 research activity and strong state-level funding for applied AI.
A 167 percent surge in AI master’s programs sounds impressive, but what does it actually mean for the talent pipeline? The 2025 AI Degree Report lists 310 master’s degrees at 304 U.S. colleges - up from just 116 in 2022 - and 193 undergraduate AI degrees, which is more than double the year before.
That brings the total to 503 AI-related programs. Yet the report is silent on graduate employment or how many companies are actually hiring these graduates, so the connection remains fuzzy. I keep seeing AI programs pop up on almost every university homepage, which suggests schools are chasing what they think is demand.
Without enrollment figures or a sense of how deep the curricula go, it’s hard to tell whether we’re getting real expertise or just a marketing label. The maps in the report show where new programs appear, but they don’t line up those spots with regional labor-market needs. In short, the growth is obvious; whether it will reshape the AI workforce is still an open question.
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Common Questions Answered
What is the percentage increase in AI master's programs from 2022 to 2025?
AI master's programs grew by 167% between 2022 and 2025, rising from 116 to 310 programs. This rapid expansion reflects a three‑year surge across 304 U.S. colleges.
How many total AI‑related degree programs are now offered across U.S. colleges?
The 2025 AI Degree Report identifies 503 AI and AI‑related degree programs nationwide. These include 310 master's degrees and 193 undergraduate degrees, indicating broad curriculum growth.
Which U.S. region provides the highest share of AI programs, and what is its proportion?
The South is the leading regional provider of AI programs, accounting for 38.4% of all AI degrees. This makes the Southern states the biggest contributors to the national AI education pipeline.
What trend is observed in undergraduate AI offerings between 2024 and 2025?
Undergraduate AI offerings more than doubled from 2024 to 2025, increasing to 193 degrees. This sharp rise complements the larger growth seen in master's programs and expands the talent pipeline at the bachelor's level.