University of Colorado Boulder

How this program compares

At an estimated $6.3K in total tuition, the Graduate Certificate in Artificial Intelligence sits roughly 43% below the $11.0K average for AI certificate programs in our database — placing it in the 27th percentile on cost among the 180 we track at this level. It is one of the 54% of programs in our database offered fully or partly online.

Admission Snapshot

Typical admitted student: A bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, mathematics, or a related field with a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required, along with programming experience and coursework in linear algebra, calculus, and probability.

About This Program

This online graduate program provides a strong foundation in key AI topics and machine learning theory. It is designed for professionals seeking to build and implement comprehensive AI solutions. Most students complete it in about 0.75 years.

It is one of 17 AI-related programs we track in Colorado, of which about 65% offer an online option. On price, it comes in cheaper than about 100% of the Colorado programs in our data, where typical tuition runs near $36.0K.

Graduates frequently move into roles such as AI Engineer, with reported salaries around $120,000.

Explain core paradigms of machine learning and deep learning.

Budget planners should note $6.3K estimated total tuition (27th percentile among AI certificate programs, below the $11.0K average). That makes it one of the more affordable options for students weighing return on investment.

Career Outcomes

University of Colorado Boulder positions this certificate track for AI Engineer careers — typical offers cluster around $120,000. Its focus on Machine Learning and Generative AI and LLMs maps directly to how employers screen for specialized skills rather than generic degrees. Federal projections for this occupational area point to roughly 23% growth this decade — verify the current figure on the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook before you rely on it.

• 1. Machine Learning Engineer
• 2. AI Research Analyst
• 3. Data Scientist (AI focus)
• 4. AI Systems Developer

What You'll Learn

• Explain core paradigms of machine learning and deep learning.
• Build, evaluate, and interpret predictive AI models.
• Apply unsupervised techniques for data structure discovery.
• Design neural networks for images, sequences, and multimodal data.

Curriculum Highlights

The 12-credit certificate consists of four modular specializations. Course themes include ethics in computing, natural language processing, reinforcement learning, and the foundations of autonomous systems.

Top Employers

Top employers include tech leaders like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and AI-focused firms such as OpenAI and NVIDIA.

Admissions

Admission to University of Colorado Boulder's Graduate Certificate in Artificial Intelligence generally expects a bachelor's degree. The GRE is not required here — a growing norm among AI programs — so applicants can often lead with coursework, projects and recommendations instead. Deadlines, testing policies and funding change year to year, so confirm the current requirements on the official program page before applying.

Application Materials

• Statement of Purpose: Required
• Letters of Recommendation: 2–3
• Resume: Required
• Transcripts: Official transcripts required

Frequently Asked Questions