| Material | Typical requirement | What admissions looks for |
|---|
| Transcripts | All previous college | Must show the degree or the final term in progress |
| Statement of purpose | Several hundred words | A clear through line from background to goal |
| Letters of recommendation | Two to three | Specific examples of your work and character |
| Resume or CV | One to two pages | Projects, code and measurable results |
| GRE scores | Only where required | Check the waiver policy first |
| English proficiency | TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo | Required for international applicants |
| Application fee | $25 to $100 | No fee waivers at some schools |
Do you still need the GRE for an AI master's in 2026?
For most applicants the test is now optional, and that changes which schools you can realistically target.
More than 60 percent of US AI master's programs waived the GRE in 2026. Research on those waivers found that 68 percent still require a 3.0 GPA or higher in place of the test score, so the waiver shifts the pressure onto your transcript rather than removing it.
A ranking of AI master's programs without the GRE shows how many schools make the test optional.
A waiver usually means the program does not consider the score, and no separate waiver application is needed. Check the admissions page of each school rather than relying on a program ranking, because policies differ inside the same school.
Some strong programs still want the score. The 2026 review of AI master's programs with GRE waivers lists the University of Texas at Austin as still requiring it, while executive and online tracks usually do not.
If two schools on your list want the same score, one test sitting covers both applications. That is the practical reason to settle the list before you register for the exam.
If you are weighing a business route instead, our look at online MBA programs that do not require the GMAT applies the same logic: send the score only where it moves the decision.
When should you apply and when do classes start?
Fall entry is the standard start, and the main deadlines fall in the first half of December of the previous year.
Most programs publish three to five dates, including an early decision and a final deadline. Some schools, such as the University of Southern California, list January, June and October closing dates for different terms.
Work backwards from your deadline. Take the GRE four to six months ahead if you need it, request transcripts and recommendation letters at least six weeks out, and draft the statement of purpose a full month before you submit anything.
International applicants should aim for the earliest deadline. Visa processing adds months after admission, and some programs hold places for a set period for arriving students.
Ask each program whether it treats early decisions differently. Some award scholarships at the early round, which means waiting for the regular deadline can cost real money.
Some employers pay for part of a master's or give study leave. Ask your manager before you assume the whole cost lands on you.
| Stage | When to start | Why |
|---|
| Program research | 9 to 12 months before start | Prerequisites differ and can block you |
| GRE or language test | 4 to 6 months before deadline | Retakes need time in the plan |
| Recommendation requests | 6 to 8 weeks before deadline | Busy professors need notice |
| Statement of purpose | 4 to 6 weeks before deadline | It needs two or three revision passes |
| Submission | Before the December 15 cluster | Deadlines are firm, not rolling |
How much does an AI master's cost and what can pay for it?
Published tuition ranges from about $17,000 to nearly $70,000, and the funding options decide whether that is affordable.
Cost follows format. Executive tracks with fewer credits sit at the low end, and flagship research programs with full course loads sit at the top. Per-credit rates generally run from $549 to $995.
The 2026 guide to AI master's programs lists program types, credits and GRE policy side by side.
Funding comes from three places: merit scholarships, graduate assistantships tied to teaching or research, and employer sponsorship. Federal graduate borrowing also plays a role, since the 2026-27 rules allow up to $20,500 per year.
Cost of attendance is the number that matters. Tuition plus rent, insurance and lost earnings tells you whether the degree works financially, and it is the figure an employer will ask about too.
Two years of part-time study carries an opportunity cost that never appears on a tuition invoice. Add it to your spreadsheet before you compare the programs side by side.
Assistantships often come with a tuition waiver alongside a stipend, so ask about both. A program that lists only the stipend is not showing you the full picture.
| Program and format | Credits | Published tuition | GRE |
|---|
| DePaul Executive MS in AI, hybrid | 31 | $17,019 at $549 per credit | Not required |
| Online program at $995 per unit | 30 | $29,850 | Not required |
| DePaul MS in AI, campus | 48 | $31,500 at $625 per credit | Required |
| Ten-course online program | 10 courses | $38,370 | Not required |
| University of Texas at Austin MSAI | 30 | $69,870 | Required |
What are the next steps to start an AI master's in 2026?
Work through this checklist in order, and it takes one focused term rather than a year of guessing.
Start with eligibility. Pull your transcript, list the math and programming courses you have, and mark the gaps. If two courses are missing, that is a term of work before any application deadline matters.
Then build a short list of eight to twelve programs with three filters: admissions requirements, total cost and funding. A school you cannot fund is not a target, however strong its ranking. Our comparison of online IT degree providers shows how program structure and credit pricing differ across schools.
Next, close the evidence gap. A small Python project on a real dataset, a statistics course that proves you can handle inference, and one clear paragraph on your goal will do more than a list of courses.
Knowing how to get masters degree in ai as a process, rather than as a shopping list of schools, is what keeps a rushed application cycle from turning into a rushed application.
Finally, plan the money and the calendar. Write the funding answer down, including the tuition gap after aid and loans, then work backwards from the December deadlines. Our guide to finding scholarships for computer science students covers the applications that fit this cycle.
Ask the program whether the enrollment deposit is refundable and when the first payment falls due. Deposits are usually the only money at risk before classes begin.
Before you submit, read every essay prompt twice and answer only what is asked. A committee reads hundreds of files, and a precise answer beats a broad one every time.
Verify current requirements. Program requirements, tuition and deadlines change each cycle. Check the admissions page of every school before you apply.
Photo: Pexels, Pixabay Content License, via Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/photos/coding-programming-css-1853305/)
Fazlur Rahman
