Colleges across the U.S. are launching AI degree tracks as enrollment in traditional computer science stalls. In 2021 only five schools offered a standalone AI major; today Northeastern’s Center for Inclusive Computing lists 74 AI majors and 89 minors nationwide. Universities from North Dakota to New Jersey are betting that the surge will attract students worried about a volatile job market.

Program quality varies widely. Carnegie Mellon, the first U.S. school to grant an AI degree in 2018, now requires 33 approved courses, positioning its graduates as elite talent for tech firms. By contrast, many state schools repurpose existing CS classes, offering a handful of new electives on ethics or bioinformatics. Administrators claim the curricula cost little, leveraging current faculty and resources.

Enrollment data suggest demand is strong; North Dakota State projects 60 AI bachelor students within five years, while the University of North Dakota already hosts doctoral candidates like Uzezi Olorunmola, who view themselves as test subjects. Employers remain skeptical, but universities hope the degrees signal relevance and generate tuition revenue amid shrinking public trust. The market now watches whether AI credentials will translate into hiring advantage.