NEIU becomes first Chicago public university to offer AI degree

Negocios Now team

CHICAGO — July 23, 2026 — Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) will launch a Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence this fall, becoming the first public university in Chicago to offer an undergraduate degree dedicated to artificial intelligence.

The program, housed within the University’s College of Business and Technology and Department of Computer Science, will welcome its first cohort in Fall 2026. Applications for domestic students are open through Aug. 1.

University officials said the program is designed to provide students from a wide range of academic backgrounds with an accessible entry point into AI, while preparing graduates for careers in one of the fastest-growing technology fields.

“We believe AI should serve people—not the other way around,” said Xiwei Wang, chair of NEIU’s Department of Computer Science. “Ethical reasoning, fairness and social responsibility are integrated throughout the curriculum, preparing students to develop responsible and impactful AI solutions.”

The curriculum combines foundational coursework in programming, mathematics and data structures with specialized courses in artificial intelligence, machine learning and natural language processing. Students will also study databases, operating systems, data analysis and software engineering, with an emphasis on ethical AI development and the societal impacts of emerging technologies.

Michael Bedell, dean of NEIU’s College of Business and Technology, said the new degree builds on the university’s “Artificial Intelligence for All” course introduced last year, which was designed to improve AI literacy among students across all majors.

“Our program will ask students to consider the moral and ethical challenges that new technology demands,” Bedell said. “We want students to become more than innovators; we want them to become leaders with both technical expertise and purpose.”

According to the university, graduates will be prepared for careers in AI engineering, software development, data analytics and other emerging technology fields. The program also aims to strengthen students’ communication, teamwork and critical-thinking skills alongside technical training.

The university said eligible students may qualify for financial assistance through scholarship programs, including the NEIU For You tuition scholarship, which helps cover tuition costs after applicable grants have been applied.

Founded in 1867, Northeastern Illinois University is a public institution serving students across the Chicago area and offers more than 40 undergraduate programs and more than 50 graduate and professional programs. The university is recognized as a Minority-Serving Institution and the Midwest’s longest-standing four-year public Hispanic-Serving Institution.

You can read the NEIU press release here.