Top 3 AI Programs in Georgia 2025
Georgia Institute of Technology
Top-ranked AI program with world-class research labs, $180M+ AI funding, and direct pipeline to Atlanta tech giants
Emory University
Strong AI focus in healthcare applications with partnerships at CDC and top medical research facilities
University of Georgia
Emerging AI program with focus on agricultural applications and data science integration at excellent value
- 1.Georgia has 12+ artificial intelligence and machine learning degree programs across public and private universities (IPEDS 2023)
- 2.Georgia Institute of Technology ranks #1 in Georgia with world-renowned AI research labs and $180M+ in AI funding
- 3.AI professionals in Georgia earn median $128,840 annually—12% above national average (BLS Georgia 2024)
- 4.Atlanta serves as the Southeast's AI hub with over 15,000 tech jobs at major companies like Microsoft, Google, and NCR
- 5.In-state tuition at Georgia Tech ($12,682) offers exceptional value for a top-10 national AI program
Artificial Intelligence Education in Georgia
Georgia has emerged as a major AI education hub in the Southeast, led by Georgia Tech's world-renowned programs and supported by Atlanta's growing tech ecosystem. With companies like Microsoft, Google, and Salesforce establishing significant AI operations in Atlanta, Georgia offers students direct pathways from classroom to career in artificial intelligence.
For comparison with programs nationwide, see our national AI bachelor's rankings and best AI master's programs. Career-focused students should review our AI/ML engineer salary guide for Georgia-specific compensation data and our guide to becoming an AI engineer for career pathways.
Students considering related fields can explore our data science programs in Georgia or computer science programs in Georgia for broader technical education options. For skill-building, our AI/ML certifications guide highlights industry-recognized credentials.
Based on 12 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OEWS Georgia May 2024, University Research Data
Faculty expertise, research output, curriculum quality
Graduate employment rates and starting salaries
AI labs, funding, and undergraduate research access
Partnerships with Atlanta tech companies
Georgia AI Program Rankings 2025
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgia Institute of Technology | Atlanta | Public | $12,682 | 87% | 98 | 96.8 |
| 2 | Emory University | Atlanta | Private | $57,948 | 91% | 85 | 88.4 |
| 3 | University of Georgia | Athens | Public | $12,080 | 86% | 78 | 83.2 |
| 4 | Georgia State University | Atlanta | Public | $10,858 | 57% | 72 | 78.9 |
| 5 | Kennesaw State University | Kennesaw | Public | $7,368 | 46% | 65 | 75.6 |
| 6 | Mercer University | Macon | Private | $39,450 | 69% | 68 | 74.2 |
| 7 | Augusta University | Augusta | Public | $10,268 | 51% | 62 | 71.8 |
| 8 | Georgia Southern University | Statesboro | Public | $7,344 | 54% | 58 | 70.4 |
| 9 | Clark Atlanta University | Atlanta | Private | $23,688 | 49% | 55 | 68.9 |
| 10 | Georgia College | Milledgeville | Public | $9,172 | 65% | 52 | 67.5 |
| 11 | Valdosta State University | Valdosta | Public | $7,040 | 43% | 48 | 65.1 |
| 12 | Columbus State University | Columbus | Public | $7,134 | 39% | 45 | 63.7 |
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA • University
Program Highlights
- • Home to the Machine Learning Center with $50M+ in active research grants
- • Partnership with Microsoft for AI research and student internships
- • Located in Atlanta's Technology Square with direct access to tech companies
Program Strengths
- World-class faculty including ACM Fellows and IEEE Fellows in AI research
- Access to cutting-edge research labs including the Machine Learning Center and Institute for Robotics
- Strong industry partnerships with direct recruiting from FAANG companies
- Excellent job placement with 95% of graduates employed within 6 months
- Median starting salary of $115,000 for AI graduates
Why Ranked #1
Georgia Tech's AI program consistently ranks in the top 10 nationally, with over $180 million in AI research funding and partnerships with industry leaders like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon. The program offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees with specializations in machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing.
Student Reviews
"The AI program at Georgia Tech is incredibly rigorous but rewarding. Having access to world-class research labs as an undergrad was amazing, and the career services helped me land a machine learning role at Google."
— Class of 2024, BS Computer Science with AI Focus
Emory University
Atlanta, GA • University
Program Highlights
- • Joint programs with Emory School of Medicine for biomedical AI
- • Partnership with CDC for disease surveillance AI projects
- • Strong alumni network in healthcare AI and biotechnology
Program Strengths
- Strong focus on AI applications in healthcare and life sciences
- Partnership with CDC for epidemiological AI research
- Small class sizes with 8:1 student-faculty ratio
- Access to Emory's top-ranked medical school for interdisciplinary projects
- Excellent graduate school placement with 40% continuing to PhD programs
Why Ranked #2
Emory's AI program stands out for its focus on healthcare applications and interdisciplinary approach. Located near the CDC and major medical research facilities, students gain unique exposure to AI applications in medicine, epidemiology, and public health.
Student Reviews
"Emory's AI program gave me incredible opportunities to work on real healthcare problems. I worked on a CDC project using machine learning for disease outbreak prediction, which directly led to my current role at a healthcare AI startup."
— Class of 2024, BS Computer Science
University of Georgia
Athens, GA • University
Program Highlights
- • New AI initiative launched in 2023 with $10M investment
- • Partnerships with Georgia agribusiness for precision agriculture AI
- • Growing cybersecurity program with AI security focus
Program Strengths
- Excellent value proposition with low in-state tuition
- Growing AI research program with new faculty hires
- Strong connections to Georgia's agricultural and logistics industries
- Interdisciplinary opportunities with business and agricultural programs
- Beautiful campus environment with strong school spirit
Why Ranked #3
UGA's emerging AI program offers excellent value with strong faculty and growing research opportunities. The program emphasizes practical applications in agriculture, business, and data science, with particularly strong connections to Georgia's agricultural and logistics industries.
Student Reviews
"UGA's AI program is really growing fast. The professors are great and there are lots of opportunities to work on interesting projects. Plus the cost is unbeatable compared to private schools."
— Class of 2024, BS Computer Science
Georgia University Systems for AI Education
Georgia's AI education landscape is anchored by the University System of Georgia (USG), which includes 26 institutions offering various levels of AI and machine learning programs. The system provides coordinated pathways from community colleges through doctoral programs.
Research Universities like Georgia Tech and UGA lead in AI research and graduate programs, while Regional Universities such as Kennesaw State and Georgia State focus on undergraduate education and industry partnerships. State Universities and Colleges provide accessible entry points through computer science programs with AI concentrations.
Private institutions like Emory University offer specialized AI programs with unique interdisciplinary focus areas. Students can also explore bootcamp alternatives for faster entry into AI careers or pursue AWS certifications to complement their formal education.
Career Paths
AI/Machine Learning Engineer
SOC 15-1299Design and implement AI systems and machine learning models for applications ranging from healthcare to fintech
Data Scientist
SOC 15-2051Analyze complex datasets using AI and statistical methods to drive business decisions and insights
Software Engineer (AI Focus)
SOC 15-1252Develop software applications and systems that incorporate artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities
Research Scientist
SOC 19-1012Conduct cutting-edge AI research in academic institutions, government labs, or private industry R&D departments
AI Programs in Other States
California
Texas
New York
Massachusetts
Washington
| Factor | In-State Public | Out-of-State Public | Private Universities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Annual Tuition | $10,500 | $28,200 | $45,600 |
| Class Sizes | 25-40 students | 25-40 students | 15-25 students |
| Research Opportunities | Limited undergrad | Limited undergrad | More accessible |
| Industry Connections | Regional focus | Regional focus | National networks |
| Financial Aid | State grants available | Limited aid | Merit scholarships |
Which Should You Choose?
- Access to top-ranked AI programs at Georgia Tech
- Affordable in-state tuition at quality public universities
- Proximity to Atlanta's growing tech ecosystem
- Strong job market in the Southeast region
- Opportunities in healthcare AI and fintech applications
- More AI program options (California has 25+ programs)
- Stronger venture capital and startup ecosystem
- Higher concentration of AI research labs
- More specialized AI subfields like robotics or computer vision
- International tech company headquarters
Frequently Asked Questions About Georgia AI Programs
Related AI Education Resources
Data Sources and Methodology
Official U.S. Department of Education database for institutional characteristics, enrollment, and graduation rates
Georgia-specific employment and wage data for computer and mathematical occupations
State employment projections and workforce development data
Official data on programs, enrollment, and institutional characteristics
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.