Illinois Tech’s Bachelor in Artificial Intelligence Rated #1 in the U.S.

CHICAGO—February 6, 2026—The Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence at Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech) has been rated by Learn.org as the #1 AI program in the country in newly released rankings for 2026. This recognition highlights Illinois Tech’s leadership in preparing the next generation of AI innovators, researchers, and industry professionals.

Praised for its “depth and technical rigor” and as “among the most specialized standalone AI programs in the Midwest,” the undergraduate AI program at Illinois Tech—Chicago’s leading tech university—prepares students to enter a world where artificial intelligence is transforming how people work in every sector of the economy.  

Illinois Tech was among the first universities in the nation and the first university in the Midwest to offer a standalone undergraduate degree in artificial intelligence, reflecting the university’s long-standing commitment to emerging technologies and industry-relevant education. That early investment continues to shape a program designed to evolve alongside one of the fastest-changing fields in computing.

Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in AI at Illinois Tech learn the technical and foundational concepts of AI and build advanced technical skills in machine learning, modeling, and algorithm development. In addition, students complete a mandatory minor in a field outside of AI, such as psychology, finance, or biology—ensuring that graduates have both technical and domain-specific knowledge allowing them to succeed across a wide range of roles and industries.

Learn.org ranked accredited four-year nonprofit colleges and universities offering AI degree programs or programs in related fields with the option to focus on AI.

Illinois Institute of Technology

Based in the global metropolis of Chicago, Illinois Tech was born to liberate the power of collective difference to advance technology and innovation for all. It is the only tech-focused university in the city, and it stands at the crossroads of exploration and invention, advancing the future of Chicago and the world. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering, computing, architecture, business, design, science and human sciences, and law. Illinois Tech students are guaranteed access to hands-on experiences, personalized mentorship, and job readiness through the university's one-of-a-kind Elevate program. Its graduates lead the state and much of the nation in economic prosperity. Its faculty and alumni built the Chicago skyline. And every day in the city's living lab, Illinois Tech fuels breakthroughs that change lives. Visit iit.edu.

College of Computing

Illinois Tech created the College of Computing in 2020 as part of an effort to drive Chicago’s thriving tech ecosystem by educating a future diverse workforce that is rigorously trained in data and computation. Illinois Tech is home to the Midwest's only Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence degree, and the numerous cybersecurity and intelligence pathways at Illinois Tech explore not only the deep foundations of fast-growing fields of computer science, but also emphasize societal ethics in developing this technology. The United States Department of Homeland Security and the National Security Agency have designated Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech) as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education. The university’s Center for Cyber Security and Forensics Education (C2SAFE) is at the core of Illinois Tech’s designation. Additionally, the center is a member of the United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) Academic Alliance and North American Defense and Security Academic Alliance (NADSAA).

Media contacts

Petra Kelly
Communications Director
Illinois Institute of Technology
Cell: 773.771.1064
petra.kelly@illinoistech.edu

Kevin Dollear
Communications Manager
Illinois Institute of Technology
Cell: 773.860.5712
kdollear@illinoistech.edu