Best Schools for Artificial Intelligence in California
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the artificial intelligence degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Artificial Intelligence
Leading the list is San Jose State University, our #1 school for artificial intelligence. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 69 artificial intelligence degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year.
Read more about the artificial intelligence program at San Jose State University
University Of Southern California is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in artificial intelligence, ranking #2. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 40 artificial intelligence students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Graduates of the artificial intelligence program make about $75,677 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete this degree.
Read more about the artificial intelligence program at University Of Southern California
Students looking for a strong artificial intelligence program will find one at University Of California Santa Cruz, which ranked #3. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Cruz. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Santa Cruz awarded about 28 artificial intelligence degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, artificial intelligence degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $40,920. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates carry a median of $18,559 in student loans.
Get the full artificial intelligence details for University Of California Santa Cruz
University Of San Diego came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best artificial intelligence schools. Set in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit institution. University Of San Diego graduates 84% of students within six years. About 50 artificial intelligence degrees were awarded at University Of San Diego in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, artificial intelligence degree recipients from University Of San Diego generally make around $68,281. University Of San Diego graduates carry a median of $23,795 in student loans.
See the full artificial intelligence program report for University Of San Diego
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 6 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
