Universities are racing to launch AI degree programs. Carnegie Mellon started theirs in 2018. MIT followed in 2022. UPenn announced a new B.S.E. in Artificial Intelligence launching fall 2024.

But here's what those brochures won't tell you: the job market for graduates has fundamentally shifted. Entry-level positions are disappearing. Companies are cutting hiring. And that expensive degree might not deliver what you expect.

What an AI Degree Actually Gets You

AI jobs pay well. The median salary hit $157,000 in Q2 2024, according to Illinois Tech. Computer and information research scientists earned a median of $171,200 as of May 2024, per Best Schools.

A degree still matters. Despite talk of skills-based hiring, research shows employers haven't followed through on promises to hire candidates without degrees. Data from the Ladders career site confirms degrees remain required for the highest-paying jobs.

But expectations need adjustment. A bachelor's in AI gives you an advantage. It doesn't guarantee a job.

The Entry-Level Crisis

Entry-level hiring has collapsed. At the 15 biggest tech firms, entry-level hiring fell 25% from 2023 to 2024, according to IEEE. UK tech graduate roles dropped 46% in 2024, per IntuitionLabs. Programmer employment fell 27.5% between 2023 and 2025.

Only 30% of 2025 graduates secured full-time jobs in their field, according to CNBC. They submitted more applications than the previous class but received fewer offers.

Why? AI tools now handle many tasks companies previously assigned to junior employees. The work that helped new graduates learn and prove themselves is being automated first.

The Extreme Ends of AI Compensation

The $900,000 Job

Netflix posted an AI product manager role with a salary range of $300,000 to $900,000, per Entrepreneur. Technical director AI/ML positions listed at $450,000 to $650,000, according to CBS.

These numbers represent total compensation, not base salary. They require years of specialized experience no new graduate has. Most AI product managers earn $150,000 to $200,000 at senior levels, per Fortune.

High Pay Without a Degree

Some paths to $400,000+ exist without a diploma. According to Tallo, these include commercial real estate brokers, enterprise tech sales, successful content creators, and business owners.

For traditional roles, Visual Capitalist reports air traffic controllers earn $144,580, commercial pilots make $122,670, and nuclear reactor operators bring in $122,610. Elevator installers top recent rankings at $106,580 median, according to CNBC.

The pattern: these roles require specialized training, certifications, or entrepreneurial hustle. The degree isn't the barrier. The skills are.

Understanding the 30% Rule

McKinsey's "30% rule" states that by 2030, approximately 30% of work hours could be automated by generative AI, per McKinsey. STEM professionals see the biggest jump: automation potential rises from 14% to 30% of work hours, according to Fortune.

But automation of tasks isn't elimination of jobs. McKinsey estimates 12 million people will switch careers by 2030, per Fortune. Sectors least affected include agriculture, production work, and health technicians.

Jobs That AI Won't Take

Microsoft researchers analyzed conversations from 200,000 users of their AI assistant. Their finding, per Final Round: jobs requiring physical work, human connection, and hands-on skills are safest.

Physical work in unpredictable environments. Plumbers, electricians, and skilled trades work in spaces that change constantly. A robot can't navigate a cramped crawlspace or adapt to unique setups, according to Ivanhoe.

Human connection roles. Nursing, therapy, and early childhood education depend on trust and empathy. AI can suggest treatments. It can't hold a patient's hand during a difficult diagnosis.

Complex judgment and leadership. Project managers and executives weigh competing interests and make decisions with incomplete information. These require human accountability.

Nurse practitioners are projected to grow 52% from 2023 to 2033, per Medium. Skilled trades face ongoing demand due to aging infrastructure, according to The Hill.

Why 85% of AI Projects Fail

Most AI projects don't work. Between 70% and 85% fail to meet expected outcomes, according to NTT Data. RAND confirms over 80% of AI projects fail, twice the rate of non-AI tech projects.

In 2025, 42% of companies abandoned most AI initiatives, up from 17% in 2024, per WorkOS.

The reasons aren't technical. Poor data quality tops the list: 92.7% of executives identify data as the biggest barrier, according to Dynatrace. Leadership failures cause 84% of AI project failures, per Dataconomy.

Career implication: Companies need people who understand why AI fails, not just how to build it. Project management, communication, and strategic thinking become differentiators.

Where the Robots Are

Michigan leads the nation with 27,632 industrial robots, 12% of the national total, per Brookings. Ohio follows with 20,415. Indiana has 19,451.

The auto industry employs nearly half of all industrial robots, according to Fortune. Michigan has 7.4 robots per 1,000 workers, per Money. Macomb County alone has 30,000 robotics jobs, 253% above the national average.

California leads in robotics engineer job postings, according to AIPRM. Globally, 542,000 industrial robots were installed in 2024, more than double from ten years ago, per DC Velocity.

Where to Study Robotics and AI

Carnegie Mellon University established its Robotics Institute in 1979 and ranks #1 for graduate programs, per AdmissionSight.

MIT provides world-renowned robotics research opportunities, according to Amber Student.

University of Michigan ranks #2 globally for its M.S. in Robotics, per College Factual. Graduates land at Tesla, GM, Ford, Apple, and Boeing.

Stanford University offers a strong AI/robotics track through Computer Science, according to Inspirit.

Georgia Tech houses the Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Machines, per Stilt.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates earn $11,997 above average starting salary, according to College Transitions.

Ask programs for graduate employment data. Check industry connections and internship pipelines. Review curricula for foundational concepts, not just current tools. Per Niche, hands-on projects provide practical experience employers value.

Companies Leading the Industry

Established Leaders

FANUC holds significant global market share with strong automotive presence, per Fast Company. ABB has installed over 400,000 robots worldwide, according to VanEck. Yaskawa has installed over 500,000 robots globally, per Built In.

Emerging Players

Boston Dynamics creates robots with human and animal-like dexterity, according to Built In. Waymo dominates robotaxis with over 150,000 paid trips per week, per Robot Report. Figure AI is negotiating a $1.5 billion funding round at a $39.5 billion valuation, according to Standard Bots.

Robotics startups secured over $2.26 billion in Q1 2025, per Standard Bots. The global market reached $73.64 billion in 2025 and is projected to hit $185.37 billion by 2030, according to Standard Bots.

Making Your Decision

If You're Considering an AI Degree

Request graduate employment data showing job placement within six months, per CNBC. Prioritize schools with established industry connections. Consider a computer science degree with an AI concentration for more flexibility.

Building AI-Proof Skills

Strategic thinking and complex problem-solving remain human domains. Leadership and communication matter more as AI handles routine tasks. Understanding why AI fails, per RAND, makes you valuable.

Timeline Planning

Assume your current knowledge has a 3-5 year expiration date, according to Medium. Build a Plan B. Audit target jobs for automation risk.

The Honest Answer

Is an AI degree worth it? Compared to no degree and no plan, yes. You'll gain foundational knowledge and credentials that still matter. Compared to unrealistic expectations of guaranteed high-paying jobs, no. The entry-level market has contracted.

The graduates who thrive combine technical knowledge with human skills that resist automation. They understand why AI projects fail, not just how to build them. They stay adaptable.

High salaries exist. The $900,000 roles are real. But they require years of experience no new graduate has. Plan for a realistic trajectory.

The job market is tough for everyone entering the workforce. But 78 million net new jobs are projected by 2030. Opportunities exist for those positioned correctly.

Your career adaptability matters more than any single credential. The degree is a tool. What you build with it determines whether the investment pays off.