Why Nanjing University Leads China’s AI Education: Rankings, Salaries, and Graduate Success

In 2018, Nanjing University became the first C9 university in China to establish an Artificial Intelligence Institute, enrolling its first cohorts of undergraduates and graduate students the following year.

On June 16, 2022, the inaugural AI cohort graduated with a overall employment rate of 96.19%, an average undergraduate salary of 303,800 RMB, and a master’s average salary of 482,100 RMB.

AI program ranking: Nanjing University leads

Since the Ministry of Education added Artificial Intelligence to the list of new undergraduate majors in March 2019, the number of universities offering AI programs has grown exponentially, reaching 440 by early 2022. In the 2022 Soft Science China University Major Rankings, Nanjing University ranked first in AI, with traditional engineering schools occupying the remaining top spots.

Nanjing University: C9’s first AI institute

The institute boasts a world‑class faculty, including Professor Zhou Zhihua, a foreign member of the European Academy of Sciences and the first Chinese “Grand Slam Fellow” in AI, and Associate Professor Yu Yang, selected as one of the 2018 International AI Top 10 New Stars.

It also collaborates with leading AI companies such as JD.com, Ecovacs, and Megvii, providing students with internship and training opportunities.

Graduate outcomes: 68% of undergraduates pursue further study

By May 2022, the institute’s overall employment rate was 96.19% (undergraduates 95.83%, master’s 96.97%).

68% of undergraduate graduates continued to graduate school—90% at domestic “Double First‑Class” universities and 10% abroad, with 80% of the overseas institutions ranking in the QS Top 100.

Among those entering the workforce, 40% of undergraduates secured positions at Fortune‑500 or unicorn companies (e.g., ByteDance, Honor), earning an average annual salary of 303,800 RMB (median over 300,000 RMB).

For master’s graduates, 12% pursued further study (75% domestic, 25% overseas, all QS Top 100), while 93% were hired by Fortune‑500 or unicorn firms, with an average annual salary of 482,100 RMB (median over 450,000 RMB).

AI job postings on major recruitment platforms show that AI positions command higher salaries, with the top five roles averaging monthly salaries of 20,895 RMB (Machine Learning), 19,944 RMB (Algorithm Engineer), 19,431 RMB (Deep Learning), 18,720 RMB (NLP), and 18,601 RMB (Image Algorithm).

Notably, positions requiring a master’s degree or higher account for 30.8% of AI job demand, giving graduate‑level candidates a significant competitive edge over bachelor‑level applicants.

Editor: Chang Zhang Source: Datawhale public account