The University of Idaho is set to launch three new artificial intelligence degree programs in the 2026-27 academic year, positioning the Moscow-based institution alongside every other four-year university in Idaho in offering dedicated AI credentials.
The three programs — a bachelor’s degree, a master of science, and a master of engineering in artificial intelligence — will be available at U of I’s Moscow campus and its Coeur d’Alene location. Both master’s programs will also be offered fully online, expanding access for working professionals across the state and region.
Meeting Surging Workforce Demand
The announcement comes as AI-related employment continues to climb nationwide. The U.S. Department of Education estimates nearly 891,000 AI-connected jobs currently exist across the country, with a projected growth rate of 17.3 percent nationally. The Mountain West is expected to outpace that figure, with projected growth of 25.5 percent and median regional earnings around $144,000 annually.
Steve Wang, a computer science professor and department chair at U of I, said the graduate programs are designed with a specific audience in mind. “The master’s degree is more targeted to professionals in the field. There is real demand for retraining employees with skills in AI design,” Wang said.
The university framed the move as a natural evolution of a long academic commitment to the field. U of I introduced its first artificial intelligence course back in 1986 — nearly four decades ago — making it one of the earlier institutions in the region to engage formally with the technology.
Idaho’s Universities Moving in Lockstep
U of I’s new offerings mean all three of Idaho’s four-year public universities will have AI degree programs in place for the coming academic year. Boise State University was first out of the gate in 2025 with a bachelor’s degree in AI — the first such program in the state — and its School of Computing already supports a doctoral program with an AI emphasis. Idaho State University is also launching a bachelor’s program in AI for fall 2026-27.
The coordinated expansion reflects broader pressure on higher education institutions to align curricula with the labor market, particularly in technology fields where employer demand has outpaced the available workforce. For Idaho, which sits in a region projected to see some of the nation’s fastest AI job growth, the timing carries practical weight for students and employers alike.
U of I made the announcement via a news release Thursday, followed by a letter to the campus community on Friday.
What Comes Next
Enrollment in U of I’s new AI programs is expected to begin with the fall 2026-27 academic year. Prospective students interested in the bachelor’s program will have the option to attend in Moscow or Coeur d’Alene, while those pursuing the master’s degrees can choose between on-site and fully online formats. University officials have not yet announced specific enrollment caps or faculty hiring plans tied to the new programs. For additional statewide higher education coverage, visit Idaho News.