Our best colleges for online artificial intelligence boot camps ranking is designed to inform prospective students of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and, where applicable, Machine Learning (ML) boot camp options in the U.S.
There are individual businesses that also offer AI boot camps, but this article focuses on online boot camps available at colleges in particular. It's worth noting that many of these programs are offered as a partnership between colleges and businesses including Simplilearn, edX, or others.
Colleges are increasingly adding online courses, undergraduate and graduate degrees, certificates, and boot camps in artificial intelligence and related subjects like machine learning and data science.
Online boot camps offer concentrated programs where students can learn relevant theories, concepts, and practical technical aspects of creating artificially intelligent programs. Some key benefits of attending online boot camps are the shortened time of the program and the lower cost compared to traditional bachelor's degree programs in artificial intelligence.
The graduation (or completion) rates are often higher in online boot camps compared to traditional degrees.
Boot camps are available to qualifying applicants (check with each program in which you're interested for admission requirements). Some programs may require a bachelor's degree for acceptance into the online boot camp.
Certain schools offer a certificate of completion or a professional certificate upon completing their online boot camp.
Given the concentrated coursework in Artificial Intelligence, online AI boot camps can be a viable pathway for working in the AI industry.
The Best Colleges for Online Artificial Intelligence Boot Camps
Rank | School | Location |
---|---|---|
1 | University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
2 | Columbia University in the City of New York | New York, New York |
3 | California Institute of Technology | Pasadena, California |
4 | University of Utah | Salt Lake City, Utah |
5 | Michigan State University | East Lansing, Michigan |
6 | Southern Methodist University | Dallas, Texas |
7 | Ohio State University | Columbus, Ohio |
8 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill, North Carolina |
9 | Rice University | Houston, Texas |
10 | Northwestern University | Evanston, Illinois |
11 | Arizona State University | Scottsdale, Arizona |
12 | University of Denver | Denver, Colorado |
13 | The University of Texas at San Antonio | San Antonio, Texas |
14 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte | Charlotte, North Carolina |
15 | The University of Texas at Dallas | Richardson, Texas |
University of Pennsylvania
College of Liberal and Professional Studies
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania (Penn or UPenn) is an Ivy League, private, research university. Penn offers an online artificial intelligence boot camp.
Length: 24 weeks.
The classes are live and interactive, where students learn data analytics, ai, programming languages, and other subjects from instructors.
Online students gain skills in relevant technologies including:
- artificial intelligence
- Python
- chatbots
- generative AI
- natural language processing
- unsupervised and supervised machine learning
Students learn through experiencing how AI is implemented in real-world examples. Applicants do not need any prior programming experience.
Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, New York
Columbia University in the City of New York (Columbia) offers an online boot camp in Artificial Intelligence.
Length: 24 weeks, part time.
You will learn everything from “What is AI?” to machine learning optimization to emerging topics and developments that point to where AI is headed. Classes are delivered through high-quality coursework and live, online classes led by instructors who are fully vetted by Columbia Engineering. That means you can ask questions in real-time, engage in discussion with fellow classmates, and feel supported as you learn something entirely new.
Columbia University
Courses include:
- Natural Language Processing and AI Applications
- Programming and Data Preparation for AI
- Machine Learning Fundamentals and AI Ethics
Course commitment is 20+ hours a week (3 hours per class, 3 evenings each week).
Graduates have a discount of $500 off tuition. Students can pay over the 24 weeks on a finance plan with no interest rate.
This program is facilitated in partnership with edX. Students have around the clock support.
California Institute of Technology
Center for Technology and Management Education
Pasadena, California
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) offers a boot camp in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning online.
This program is delivered through the partnership of Simplilearn and Caltech.
This bootcamp teaches the following skills and proficiencies:
- Deep Learning
- Data Science with Python
- Machine Learning
- Natural Language Processing
- Reinforcement Learning
- Statistics
Length: 7 months attending part time.
Online students who complete this boot camp earn a completion certificate from the Center for Technology and Management Education at Caltech and up to 22 continuing education credits.
Students work through seven projects:
- Project 1: Social Media
- Project 2: Electronic Commerce
- Project 3: Automobile Manufacturing
- Project 4: EdTech
- Project 5: Healthcare
- Project 6: Entertainment
- Project 7: Consumer Electronics
Some of the coursework content is delivered on-demand, and some is delivered live.
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah
The University of Utah Professional Education offers an online Artificial Intelligence boot camp.
The University of Utah Professional Education AI Boot Camp, offered in partnership with edX, is made available through a unique consortium delivery model to provide skills-based learning to participants across Utah and beyond. Participants will be taught by a university-approved instructor, while learning alongside students from other consortium-participating universities and institutions.
University of Utah
The University of Utah Professional Education grants students a Certificate of Completion when the boot camp is completed.
Michigan State University
College of Engineering
East Lansing, Michigan
Michigan State University offers a boot camp in Artificial Intelligence, which can be taken in 24 weeks, attending part time.
Students can expect a commitment of 9 hours per week to dedicate to live classes. The classes are taken over three days a week, taking three classes per day. The coursework can take 20 or more hours to complete per week.
This boot camp is offered in partnership with edX.
Students learn what AI and machine learning are and where they're going in the future.
The College of Engineering grants graduates a Certificate of Completion.
Southern Methodist University
Dallas, Texas
Southern Methodist University (SMU) is a private, non-profit university, offering an online boot camp in Artificial Intelligence.
For part time students, this AI boot camps consists of a weekly commitment of approximately 9 hours, and is completed in 24 weeks.
Applicants do not need any prior experience in coding or programming.
This boot camp, offered in partnership with edX, is made available through a unique consortium delivery model to provide skills-based learning to participants across Dallas and beyond. Participants will be taught by a university-approved instructor, while learning alongside students from other consortium-participating universities and institutions.
SMU
Graduates receive a Certificate in AI from SMU's Continuing and Professional Education.
Ohio State University
College of Engineering
Columbus, Ohio
The Ohio State University offers an online boot camp in Artificial Intelligence through its College of Engineering.
Students take three classes per week, and the boot camp is 24 weeks long, attending part time.
Online students complete 3 projects in which develop skill sets in AI, all while creating a portfolio.
Students learn proficiencies in relevant technologies, including:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Natural Language Processing
- Python
- Transformers
- Use statistical models to predict trends
- Unsupervised and Supervised Machine Learning
Coursework should require a time dedication of around 20 or more hours per week.
No previous experience in data or programming is required, however, it is recommended that applicants hold a Bachelor’s degree and/or two years of work experience in business, finance, statistics, management, or a related field. Pre-work will include an optional “Math for Machine Learning” edX course.
The Ohio State University
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
The online bootcamp in Artificial Intelligence at University of North Carolina Chapel Hill (UNC Chapel Hill) teaches students in these domains:
- artificial intelligence
- neural network models
- generative AI
- external APIs
- Python
- chatbots
- machine learning (unsupervised and supervised)
- data modeling and forecasting
- natural language processing
- deep learning
The instructors are experts in AI, and assist students in making professional portfolios that graduates can showcase when seeking employment.
Length: 24 weeks
The lessons are interactive.
UNC Chapel Hill offers this bootcamp in partnership with edX, and graduates earn a Professional Certificate.
Rice University
Houston, Texas
The online boot camp in Artificial Intelligence from Rice University is taken over 24 weeks (6 months), attending part time.
Our immersive, hands-on curriculum, will help equip you with a wide variety of programming, data and machine learning skills. This market-driven curriculum is delivered through live, online classes and through high-quality coursework that’s immediately applicable to a professional environment across a range of industries. Our instructors are fully vetted by the university and offer one-on-one virtual guidance whenever you need it.
Rice University
Courses include:
- Machine Learning Fundamentals and AI Ethics
- Natural Language Processing and AI Applications
- Programming and Data Preparation for AI
Online students learn how to make scripts using Python, interface with APIs by implementing JSON parsing and Python Requests, and use programming libraries and languages.
This online boot camp teaches Generative AI, AI Programming, Deep Learning, Natural Language Processing, how to use data to make predictions, and other relevant AI skills.
Northwestern University
School of Professional Studies
Evanston, Illinois
Northwestern University offers an online Artificial Intelligence boot camp.
Length: 24 weeks, part time
Graduates earn a Certificate of Completion from Northwestern's School of Professional Studies.
Students learn these AI industry relevant skills:
- Ethics in AI
- Data Privacy Regulations
- Legal and Ethical Considerations
- Python coding
- Python Script & Dictionary Creation
- Data forecasting and modeling
- External APIs
- Machine Learning Optimizations
- Imbalanced Data
- Limitations of Traditional Models
- Deep learning
- Deep Learning on TensorFlow and Keras
Classes are interactive and virtual.
Arizona State University
New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences
Scottsdale, Arizona
Arizona State University offers an online boot camp in Artificial Intelligence, which is completed in 24 months. The cost is $11,000, and students can pay over the 24 months interest free. The cost would be $458 per month ($11,000 / 24 months = $458.33 per month). There is an initial deposit, and the remaining tuition is split over those 24 months.
Online students will build a portfolio showcasing their AI abilities, which can potentially be helpful in employment prospects.
Students learn these skills relevant to the AI industry:
- sourcing, gathering, and analyzing large data sets for AI and ML applications
- learning machine learning programming
- supervised and unsupervised learning
- optimization of AI and ML models
- Considering ethical and legal aspects of Artificial Intelligence
Classes take 9 hours per week (3 classes at 3 hours per class, which are live classes delivered in the evenings), and students can expect to dedicate 20 plus hours to coursework per week.
Alumni may be eligible to receive a discount of $500 off tuition. Applicants do not need any prior programming experience.
This boot camp is in partnership with edX, which offers around the clock support for online learners.
Students interact one on one with a career coach and have access to their network of over 250 employers.
University of Denver
University College
Denver, Colorado
University of Denver offers a part time, online boot camp in Artificial Intelligence.
The cost is $10,245, and payments can be split into the 24 months that it takes to complete the boot camp. An initial deposit is required, and the remaining amount can be paid over the 24 months at no interest. Alumni can potentially receive a $500 discount.
In our online AI boot camp, you’ll explore various technologies to meet this rising demand. From learning Python to unsupervised and supervised machine learning, generative AI, natural language processing, chatbots, and more, you’ll build a robust skill set that will help you get ready for a successful career. Plus, our seasoned instructors and industry experts will guide you through practical projects and real-world scenarios.
University of Denver
Students learn these and other proficiencies in AI:
- Data Modeling
- Data Forecasting
- Fundamental Python Syntax
- Deep Learning vs Neural Networks
- Algorithmic Bias
- Tokenization
- Generative AI
Students complete real world projects.
The University of Texas at San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas
The University Texas at San Antonio offers an online boot camp in Artificial Intelligence.
Length: 24 weeks, part time.
Students take online classes on three evenings a week, amounting to 9 hours of class time per week. Students can expect to spend 20 or more hours each week on class assignments.
This program has a lot to offer for students, which includes:
- An advisor to ensure success
- Expert support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Engage with peers, instructors, and teaching assistants
- Access to a career coach and their network of over 250 employers
- Create a portfolio showcasing your AI abilities
Whether you’re just starting out with AI or you’ve dabbled with AI applications, we can help you tap into its full potential. The boot camp serves as an introduction for those just entering tech and builds on that foundation with specialized AI skills for those looking to upskill and set themselves and their resumes apart. Upon completion, you will be able to lead AI conversations — and initiatives — to bring about key results for your organization.
University of Texas at San Antonio
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina
University of North Carolina at Charlotte offers an online artificial intelligence boot camp, in which new students can enroll each quarter.
Students learn Python, data analytics, machine learning principles, ethics concerning artificial intelligence, natural language processing, generative AI, with instruction in deep learning.
Students complete weekly assignments through virtual and interactive classes.
Having assignments weekly allows students to develop skills in Artificial Intelligence, deep learning, and data modeling. Online students learn to apply these skills in real-world scenarios.
The University of Texas at Dallas
Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science and Fullstack Academy
Richardson, Texas
University of Texas at Dallas offers an online boot camp in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.
Length: 26 weeks attending part time
This program is offered in collaboration with Fullstack Academy.
Fullstack Academy has an active learning method, which enables students to build skills and practically apply them at the same time—both independently and as part of a team.
UT Dallas
Courses include:
- Programming Basics
- Deep Learning
- Applied Data Science with Python
- Generative AI and Prompt Engineering
This program is for beginners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are AI bootcamps worth it?
AI bootcamps costs are approximately $12k to $24k dollars. What would make attending an AI bootcamp worth it would be gaining a career, or an advancement with a higher salary within an existing career, which could provide a profitable return on the investment. Given that this cost is a small percentage of a traditional degree, the return on investment is easier to attain. One year's salary as a machine learning engineer or an AI engineer would make the cost of the bootcamps worth it. The question depends on the career ambitions and whether they can be attained by completing the bootcamps.
Which AI bootcamp is best?
The answer to which AI bootcamp is best, depends on how the question could be interpreted. If the question means which bootcamps provide the highest salary potential after finishing, that depends on the location of where graduates may work, and in what capacity. There are too many variables to know the answer. One way to think about which AI bootcamp is best would be to think about which bootcamp or bootcamps would facilitate getting hired working in the capacity that the graduate wants to work. In other words, the best AI bootcamps are the ones that provide the gainful employment that aligns with the career ambitions of the student. In this regard, it would be best to see which bootcamp provides the closest instruction to the kind of career that the student wants to attain.
How much does an AI bootcamp cost?
AI bootcamps cost from between $12,000 to $24,000 for the whole program. There are different prices for different programs. Be sure to check with any given boot camp for the specific cost.
Which is the best AI course for beginners?
The best AI course for beginners would be a course like Introduction to Artificial Intelligence, or other courses which give an overview and explanation of what AI is. If the beginner doesn't know how to code and doesn't understand coding language, a class that doesn't require coding or knowledge of coding languages would be the best course.
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