UCSD and USC Open AI Bachelor Programs, Enrolling Over 150 Students

*TL;DR: UC San Diego’s inaugural AI major enrolls 125 students; USC will start its own program with 30 freshmen, together creating the state’s first undergraduate AI cohort of more than 150.

California’s higher‑education landscape is expanding beyond traditional computer science. In the fall, UC San Diego (UCSD) and the University of Southern California (USC) will each offer a dedicated bachelor’s degree in artificial intelligence (AI). The two programs together will host over 150 first‑year students, signaling a rapid response to industry demand for AI‑savvy engineers.

UCSD opened applications for its AI major in August and received enough interest to fill a cohort of about 125 students. The program was designed by a team of faculty and AI researchers who began planning in early 2024. Steven Swanson, chair of UCSD’s Computer Science Department, said the curriculum targets “future programmers and engineers who will build and improve AI systems.”

USC’s rollout follows a similar timeline, with an inaugural class of 30 students slated to begin in the fall. The university’s announcement positions the new major as a direct pipeline to the growing AI job market, which the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects will expand by several percent each year.

Both schools emphasize overlap with existing computer‑science coursework. Core lower‑division and upper‑division classes are shared, allowing AI majors to acquire the same coding foundation while focusing on AI‑specific theory and applications. UCSD currently restricts enrollment to students admitted as AI majors, though the policy may be revised to permit transfers later.

The launch reflects a broader state trend: the California State University system recently approved AI degrees for multiple campuses, and San Diego State University will debut its own program this fall. Stanford remains the only private university with a long‑standing AI bachelor’s degree, making the public‑sector expansion notable.

For students like 18‑year‑old freshman Christine Antonie, the new majors provide a clear pathway that previously required self‑directed study or graduate‑level work. Antonie, who entered UCSD’s program after completing an online AI bootcamp, represents the growing cohort of high‑school graduates who see AI as a primary career track.

Industry observers expect the influx of formally trained AI graduates to accelerate development of next‑generation systems, from autonomous vehicles to advanced data analytics. Universities will likely monitor enrollment trends and employer feedback to refine curricula.

What to watch next: enrollment numbers for the 2025 intake, policy changes allowing major switches, and how quickly employers begin recruiting directly from these undergraduate AI programs.