Best No-GRE AI Master's Programs 2026
15 Ranked — No Test Required

Georgia Tech OMSCS is the single most consequential no-GRE AI program in the United States. At under $10,000 total, you get a world-class AI/ML curriculum — CS 7641 (Machine Learning), CS 7643 (Deep Learning), CS 7642 (Reinforcement Learning) — from a top-5 CS program. The GRE was permanently eliminated in 2022. No other program delivers this combination of brand name, curriculum depth, and price.

UIUC's Online MCS is one of the only programs that pairs a top-5 global CS research brand with no GRE requirement and a sub-$25K price tag. The AI specialization courses — including CS 446 (ML) and CS 598 (Deep Learning) — are the same ones taught to UIUC's on-campus MS students. The Siebel School of Computing consistently ranks #4–#5 globally for CS research, and the UIUC brand opens the same doors as an on-campus degree.

UT Austin's Online MSAI is one of the newest entries in the affordable no-GRE AI degree market, following the model pioneered by Georgia Tech OMSCS. At $10,000 total for a UT Austin degree, the value proposition is exceptional. The program covers NLP, computer vision, ML systems, and AI reasoning — aligned with 2026 industry demand. UT Austin's ODEN Institute is one of the leading AI research centers in the South.

CMU was one of the first elite programs to make GRE optional and in practice, very few successful applicants submit scores. The MSAII (formerly MSML/MSAI combined track) covers the full stack from theoretical ML to deployed AI products. If you can get in — CMU's admit rate for MSAI is ~8–12% — the no-GRE policy removes one less barrier. CMU still expects exceptional academic records, research letters, and a strong SOP.

Penn's MCIT Online is exceptional for career switchers who don't have a CS degree and don't want to take the GRE. It's the only Ivy League program designed specifically for non-CS graduates — no CS prerequisites, no GRE, and an Ivy League credential at the end. The Wharton adjacency creates a powerful AI-for-business network. For the MSE in AI (on-campus), GRE is optional and rarely submitted by successful applicants.

Northeastern's flagship AI master's has permanently eliminated GRE since 2020. What distinguishes Northeastern is its co-op network — students complete 6-month paid industry placements at companies like Amazon, Microsoft, Wayfair, and Fidelity. This gives the degree exceptional real-world career value. Northeastern has 13 campuses across North America, making it uniquely flexible for working professionals.

JHU's MS in AI is distinguished by its connection to Johns Hopkins Medicine and the Bloomberg School of Public Health — the strongest healthcare AI research ecosystem at any university. GRE is permanently not required. Students interested in AI applications in medicine, genomics, radiology, and clinical decision support have unparalleled research opportunities here. The CS + medical school proximity is unique.

UMass Amherst's College of Information and Computer Sciences (CICS) houses one of the top NLP research groups in the world — the group behind work on coreference resolution, information extraction, and statistical NLP. If you're targeting NLP engineering or LLM research roles, UMass offers research access that rivals schools charging 2x the tuition. GRE permanently eliminated in 2021.

USC Viterbi's MS in AI is one of the top programs in Southern California, with strong connections to LA's growing tech sector, entertainment AI, and defense/aerospace. The GRE is listed as optional and in practice rarely submitted by admitted students — reviewers explicitly state it doesn't factor in decisions. USC's location in LA gives students access to the film/media AI revolution happening at Netflix, Disney, and Warner Bros.

Nebraska's online MSAI explicitly states 'GRE is not required' on their admissions page — one of the clearest no-GRE policies in the country. At $25,000 total online, it's among the most affordable MSAI degrees from an R1 research university. The program covers ML, NLP, computer vision, and knowledge representation — strong technical depth for the price. Best for working professionals who need an accessible pathway into AI.

CSU Global's MS in AI & ML is one of the fastest no-GRE paths to an AI degree — 18 months part-time at $20,250 total. The program is fully asynchronous with 8-week terms, making it ideal for working professionals who need maximum schedule flexibility. The curriculum covers Python for ML, neural networks, NLP, and AI ethics. CSU Global is regionally accredited (HLC) — important for employer tuition reimbursement programs.

At $8,600 in-state total, Texas A&M–Commerce offers the lowest-cost dedicated MSAI degree in the US outside of Georgia Tech OMSCS. This is a real Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence — not a computer science degree with an AI elective — with courses in ML, NLP, neural networks, and AI applications. The no-GRE policy combined with this price point makes it exceptional for Texas residents seeking career uplift at minimal cost.

Kennesaw State offers a dedicated MSAI with no GRE requirement at under $10,000 in-state. The program covers autonomous systems, AI for defense/healthcare, and applied ML — with a notable emphasis on real-world interdisciplinary applications rather than just theory. KSU's proximity to Atlanta's growing AI industry (Cox Enterprises, NCR, Fiserv, Delta AI teams) creates solid internship and placement pipelines.

Eastern University's online MSAI is one of the fastest affordable no-GRE options — completable in 10 months full-time at $9,900. The 'Applied' designation is deliberate: the curriculum focuses on implementing AI solutions in real organizations, covering Python/ML tools, AI strategy, ethics, and project management. Strong fit for professionals from non-CS backgrounds (business, healthcare, government) who need AI fluency quickly.

University of the Cumberlands offers the most accessible on-ramp to an AI master's in this list — a 2.75 minimum GPA, no GRE, 100% online, and one of the lowest price points for an MSAI from a regionally accredited institution. The program is designed for working professionals and allows asynchronous study. Best for career-changers who don't have a strong CS academic background but have relevant work experience.