12 Best Online Master’s Degree in Machine Learning Programs 

Best Online Machine Learning Masters Degree Badge

A master’s degree program in machine learning is typically designed for students who have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a closely related field and want to advance their training with intensive studies in this field of artificial intelligence. Many online programs have emerged in machine learning, and some of these are at the master’s degree level. These programs make it more convenient for working professionals to further their education in the field from home, in their own time and at their own pace. 

Here, we will present 12 of the best online master’s degree in machine learning programs available as of 2023. The way that we have chosen these programs considers the following factors:

Accreditation

Every online master’s in machine learning degree program that is listed on this page has received accreditation from a regional institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accrediting agencies include:

  • Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
  • Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
  • Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
  • WASC Senior College and University Commission (WASC)
  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC)

Machine Learning Program Focus

Each online master’s degree program listed here has a machine learning focus, either through a major, specialization, or concentration area. 

Online Delivery

All programs included within this page are offered in an online delivery format. Some of these may be delivered to the student completely online, while others might offer on-campus courses to those who are interested.

Choosing the Right Online Master’s in Machine Learning Program for You

Use this listing as a guide to choose the online master’s in machine learning program that is right for you. You should ask yourself the following questions when making this choice:

  • Are you interested in an online master’s degree program in machine learning, or would you accept a program with machine learning as a specialization or concentration?
  • Are you searching for a program that offers all courses online, or would you be interested in taking some classes on-campus?
  • How much money are you looking to spend in getting your online master’s degree? Basic graduate tuition rates are presented here. Remember to investigate any grants, loans, and scholarships for which you may be eligible.
  • Are you looking only at online schools within the state you reside, or are out-of-state schools acceptable to you? Keep in mind that some schools offer in-state and out-of-state students the same online tuition rates, while others may charge out-of-state students significantly higher tuition.
  • Are you looking for an online program that requires a practicum, internship or field experience?
  • Are you looking for an online program that requires a thesis?
  • Do you plan to attend school on a part-time or full-time basis? This will also affect your costs in the long run, as well as how long it will take you to finish your degree program and graduate with an online master’s in machine learning.

12 Best Online Master’s in Machine Learning Degree Programs 

The programs listed below are categorized by state for easier searching, and not in any ranked order. Without further ado, here are the 12 best online master’s in machine learning degree programs, as of 2023.

Arizona

University of Arizona

University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ

Admission requirements for the University of Arizona’s MS in Information Science: Machine Learning include having a bachelor’s degree with at least a 3.0 undergraduate GPA, and having completed undergraduate mathematics and computer programming courses. A resume, statement of purpose, and two letters of recommendation are also necessary. GRE scores are not required for admission to this program. The master’s degree program is presented by the Schol of Information, totals 30 credits, and includes an internship or capstone project.

Colorado

CSU Global

Colorado State University-Global Campus, Greenwood Village, CO

CSU’s MSAI/ML is a 100% online program totaling 30 credits. Prior to enrolling in this degree program, students must have completed an advanced course in discrete mathematics and an advanced course in probability and statistics. For admission to the program, student need a bachelor’s degree and an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0. Official transcripts from all prior coursework must be submitted. GRE scores are not required for admission to the program.

Georgia

Georgia Southern University

Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA

  • Master of Science in Computer Science: Machine Learning
  • Offered online, hybrid, and in-person at the Statesboro campus
  • Graduate tuition (2023):
    • $277 per credit hour in-state
    • $1105 per credit hour out-of-state
  • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
  • Contact: Dr. Andrew Allen, Program Director at (912) 478-5898 or [email protected]

GSU’s MSCS: ML is offered in completely online, hybrid and on-campus formats. An accelerated bachelor’s-to-master’s degree program is also available. The 30-credit-hour degree program takes two years to complete if attending full-time. Both a thesis curriculum and a non-thesis curriculum are available. Provisional admittance may be granted to students who do not have a bachelor’s degree in a computing field. This allows students to complete necessary prerequisites before becoming fully admitted to the program. 

Georgia College of Tech Computing

Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA

Georgia Tech’s MSCS: ML program is a 100% online degree program presented by the College of Computing. Admission requires a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field and a 3.0 GPA. Students with a bachelor’s degree in another field must be able to demonstrate programming knowledge, data structures knowledge, knowledge of object-oriented design principles, and knowledge of algorithms. The 30-credit-hour degree program can usually be completed within three years. 

Illinois

University of Illinois Chicago

University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL

UIC’s MEng in AI and ML is a completely online degree program consisting of just nine courses totaling 36 credit hours. The program is presented in accelerated 8-week formats and can be completed within one year. A bachelor’s degree in engineering or a closely related field is required for admission to the program. Those with a bachelor’s degree in another field may be admitted if they have taken calculus 1 through 3 and 10 credit hours in science courses. Additionally, a 3.0 GPA is necessary for admission, as is two years of post-bachelor’s professional work experience. 

New Jersey

Stevens Institute of Technology

Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ

  • Master of Science in Machine Learning
  • Online and on-campus formats available
  • Graduate tuition (2023):
    • $1776 per credit hour (does not include fees)
  • Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
  • Contact: Graduate Admissions at (888) 511-1306 or [email protected]

Stevens’ MS in ML program is presented by the Charles V. Shaeffer, Jr. School of Engineering and Science and is available in 100% online as well as on-campus formats. Prospective students must have a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA, two letters of recommendation, and competitive GRE scores (for full-time students only; GRE not required for part-time students). The program totals 30 credits. A thesis is optional.

New York

Columbia University in the City of New York

Columbia University, New York, NY

Columbia University’s MSCS:ML is a fully online program. Admission requires a bachelor’s degree in a related field, a 3.3 GPA, GRE scores, three letters of recommendation, transcripts, a resume, and a personal-professional statement. Those with unrelated bachelor’s degrees may apply if they complete prerequisites in computer science and math. The program, which is presented through the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, totals 30 credit hours.

Pennsylvania

Drexel University

Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University’s College of Computing & Informatics presents the MSML/AI degree program in both online and on-campus formats. A bachelor’s degree in a STEM-related area is required for admission. GRE scores are required for students with a GPA below 3.0. The 45-quarter-credit degree program can be completed in two to three years full-time or two to four years part-time. A capstone course concludes the program.

Villanova University

Villanova University, Villanova, PA

Villanova University’s Professional MBA offers an Applied AI & ML specialized track. The degree program of the Villanova School of Business totals 48 credits and is offered in online, on-campus and hybrid formats. Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree, two recommendation letters, a resume, two essays, and scores from the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Exam (GRE). 

Texas

Rice University

Rice University, Houston, TX

  • Master of Data Science: Machine Learning
  • Online and on-campus formats available
  • Graduate tuition (2023):
    • $1666.70 per credit hour (does not include fees)
  • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
  • Contact: (713) 348-4002 or [email protected]

Rice University’s MDS:ML is available in on-campus and online formats. The program totals 31 credits and does not include a thesis requirement. A bachelor’s degree in a STEM field is preferred for applicants to the program, as is a solid mathematical background and a 3.0 GPA. If an applicant’s GPA is under 3.0, GRE scores will be considered. It is also recommended that applicants to the program have some professional work experience in the field, as well as basic programming skills. 

SMU

Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX

SMU’s MSDS:ML is a 100% online program perfect for working professionals who want to advance their knowledge of machine learning. The machine learning specialization includes courses in applied statistics, file organization and database management, visualization of information, and quantifying the world. SMU’s online degree program totals 33.5 credit hours and takes approximately 20 to 28 months to complete. 

Wisconsin

MSOE

Milwaukee School of Engineering, Milwaukee, WI

MSOE’s MS in ML is a 100% online program designed for working professionals that wish to learn advanced knowledge in machine learning. Classes are held in a synchronous online format. The degree totals 32 credits and can be completed in two years. A bachelor’s degree in a related area is necessary to apply to the program.