- 1.ML Engineers earn a median salary of $157,000 with 40% projected job growth through 2032 (BLS OES 2024)
- 2.Top-ranked Machine Learning programs include University of Washington-Seattle Campus, Carnegie Mellon University, University of California-Irvine based on graduation rates, program strength, and career outcomes
- 3.Best value: University of Washington-Seattle Campus offers machine learning education at $11,524/year with 97% graduation rate
- 4.48 accredited Machine Learning programs analyzed using IPEDS 2023 completion data
Best Machine Learning Programs - Top 10 Bachelor's
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
UW's engineering-focused AI/ML program is uniquely designed as a stackable degree system where working engineers can earn certificates that build toward a master's, with Boeing Company funding support and specializations spanning everything from robotics to materials science.
Program Overview
The University of Washington-Seattle Campus offers two distinct machine learning pathways: the Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Engineering and the Master of Science in Data Science. The AI/ML for Engineering program is a flexible, stackable degree launching Fall 2026 that's specifically designed for working engineers who want to apply AI and ML to physical systems like manufacturing, robotics, and chemical processes. Built with Boeing Company funding support, this program can be completed fully online part-time or as a full-time student, combining foundational AI/ML skills with domain-specific training across multiple engineering disciplines. The complementary MSDS program has been operating since earlier and focuses on professional data science careers, meeting evenings on campus with an industry-relevant curriculum covering statistical modeling, data visualization, and software engineering. Both programs leverage UW's position as a top-10 global university with deep Seattle tech industry connections.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Real-time learning and control of complex dynamic systems
Data-driven discovery and control of dynamical systems
Data-intensive discovery across all fields using large, complex datasets
Scale-independent Multimodal Automated Real Time Systems
Industry Partners
Admissions
Carnegie Mellon University
CMU houses the world's first academic machine learning department, founded in 2006, and has maintained the #1 ranking in artificial intelligence since 1997 according to U.S. News & World Report.
Program Overview
Carnegie Mellon's Master's in Machine Learning program emerges from the world's first academic machine learning department, founded in 2006. This intensive 16-month program can be completed in three semesters by motivated students, though many take four semesters to deepen their research experience or strengthen foundational skills. The curriculum demands six rigorous core courses spanning probabilistic graphical models to optimization theory, three specialized electives, and a full-time summer practicum that often leads to coveted industry positions. Students work alongside faculty who literally wrote the textbooks on machine learning, with access to cutting-edge research labs studying everything from deep reinforcement learning to AI ethics. The program welcomes students from diverse academic backgrounds - computer science majors study alongside physics PhDs and mathematics graduates - united by exceptional analytical skills and programming proficiency.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
World's first academic ML department with research spanning theoretical foundations to real-world applications
Industry Partners
Admissions
University of California-Irvine
Home to the world-famous UCI Machine Learning Repository with 688 datasets used by millions of researchers globally, plus the unique HPI Research Center partnership with Germany's leading tech institute launched in 2020.
Program Overview
UC Irvine's machine learning programs span multiple pathways through the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences, one of only five computing-focused schools among Association of American Universities (AAU) members. The flagship MS in Computer Science offers deep specialization in artificial intelligence and machine learning through its comprehensive core curriculum, with students choosing from seven specialized areas including the dedicated Artificial Intelligence track featuring courses like COMPSCI 273A Machine Learning. For professionals seeking applied expertise, the Master of Data Science (MDS) program provides both full-time and part-time options with industry-focused curriculum emphasizing experiential learning in statistical modeling, machine learning, data management, and AI. The school maintains over 688 datasets in the renowned UCI Machine Learning Repository, serving millions of researchers worldwide and providing students unique access to cutting-edge data resources.
With approximately 4,000 undergraduates, 600 master's students, and 400 doctoral students, the school creates an exceptional research environment supported by over 50 Computer Science faculty including 15 ACM Fellows, 13 IEEE Fellows, and 15 AAAS Fellows. Students benefit from the Center for Machine Learning and Intelligent Systems connecting more than thirty faculty across disciplines, plus specialized research centers like the Computational Vision Lab and the HPI Research Center in Machine Learning and Data Science established in 2020. The programs emphasize real-world application through industry capstone projects, with MDS students working directly on data science problems with corporate partners.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Addresses challenges of the modern data-driven world, using computer algorithms to discover useful information from vast data archives
Partnership with Hasso Plattner Institute promoting research and educational activities in ML and data science
Understanding information processing capabilities of biological visual systems and developing computational systems for visual media
Maintains 688 datasets as a service to the machine learning community worldwide
Industry Partners
Admissions
University of Southern California
USC houses the MS in Computer Science - Artificial Intelligence, the first dedicated AI master's program in the United States, while its interdisciplinary approach uniquely combines machine learning with wireless communications, social impact applications, and entertainment industry connections in the heart of Los Angeles.
Indiana University-Bloomington
IU's machine learning programs operate from the $35 million Luddy AI Center within the unique Mind, Brain, and Machine Quad, fostering unprecedented collaboration between AI researchers and cognitive scientists, psychologists, and neuroscientists.
University at Albany
UAlbany is one of the few universities to integrate topological data analysis as a core component of its data science curriculum, offering specialized training in this emerging field alongside traditional machine learning and statistics.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MIT pioneered many foundational concepts in artificial intelligence and machine learning, housing CSAIL - one of the world's largest and most influential AI research laboratories - where faculty and students work alongside the creators of fundamental algorithms that power modern ML systems.
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
9 machine learning graduates annually
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
36 machine learning graduates annually
Rochester Institute of Technology
16 machine learning graduates annually
Best Machine Learning Programs - Compare Top 5 Bachelor's
| School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 University of Washington-Seattle Campus | Seattle, WA | Public | $11,524 | 97% | 97.5/100 |
| #2 Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PA | Private | $62,260 | 98% | 85/100 |
| #3 University of California-Irvine | Irvine, CA | Public | $11,834 | 96% | 75.3/100 |
| #4 University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | Private | $66,640 | 92% | 75.1/100 |
| #5 Indiana University-Bloomington | Bloomington, IN | Public | $10,312 | 84% | 74/100 |
Complete Rankings: Best Machine Learning Bachelor's Programs 2026
| Rank | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus | Seattle, WA | $11,524 | 97% | 97.5 |
| 2 | Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PA | $62,260 | 98% | 85 |
| 3 | University of California-Irvine | Irvine, CA | $11,834 | 96% | 75.3 |
| 4 | University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | $66,640 | 92% | 75.1 |
| 5 | Indiana University-Bloomington | Bloomington, IN | $10,312 | 84% | 74 |
| 6 | University at Albany | Albany, NY | $7,070 | 99% | 72.8 |
| 7 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Cambridge, MA | $59,750 | — | 70.6 |
| 8 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor, MI | $17,977 | 92% | 68.6 |
| 9 | University of Massachusetts-Amherst | Amherst, MA | $16,591 | 90% | 64.1 |
| 10 | Rochester Institute of Technology | Rochester, NY | $55,784 | 90% | 62.7 |
| 11 | The University of Texas at Austin | Austin, TX | $11,678 | 89% | 62.4 |
| 12 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus | Pittsburgh, PA | $20,154 | 88% | 60.6 |
| 13 | Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus | University Park, PA | $19,672 | 87% | 60.5 |
| 14 | University of Louisiana at Lafayette | Lafayette, LA | $5,407 | 98% | 60.2 |
| 15 | University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | $11,546 | 68% | 59.1 |
| 16 | University of Iowa | Iowa City, IA | $9,016 | 93% | 56.4 |
| 17 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion | Tempe, AZ | $11,308 | 81% | 56.1 |
| 18 | Illinois Institute of Technology | Chicago, IL | $49,607 | 89% | 54.8 |
| 19 | University of North Florida | Jacksonville, FL | $3,996 | 82% | 53.6 |
| 20 | University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth | North Dartmouth, MA | $14,533 | 97% | 52.4 |
| 21 | Idaho State University | Pocatello, ID | $5,992 | 87% | 52.3 |
| 22 | Indiana University-Indianapolis | Indianapolis, IN | $9,241 | — | 51.6 |
| 23 | Florida Gulf Coast University | Fort Myers, FL | $4,191 | 95% | 51.3 |
| 24 | Lipscomb University | Nashville, TN | $35,848 | 90% | 50.5 |
| 25 | University of Montevallo | Montevallo, AL | $12,090 | 97% | 50.3 |
Showing 1–25 of 48
Career Paths
Machine Learning Engineer
SOC 15-1299Design and implement ML systems for production environments, focusing on model deployment, monitoring, and optimization.
Data Scientist
SOC 15-2051Analyze complex datasets to extract insights and build predictive models for business decision-making.
Software Engineer
SOC 15-1252Develop software applications with ML capabilities, integrating AI features into user-facing products.
Research Scientist
SOC 15-1221Conduct cutting-edge ML research in academic or industry settings, publishing findings and developing new algorithms.
How to Choose the Right Machine Learning Program
Selecting the right machine learning bachelor's program requires careful consideration of multiple factors beyond just rankings. Students should evaluate programs based on their career goals, learning style, and financial situation.
Research focus areas of faculty members to ensure alignment with your interests. If you're passionate about computer vision, look for programs with strong imaging research labs. For natural language processing enthusiasts, seek out schools with active NLP research groups and industry partnerships with companies like Google, Microsoft, or OpenAI.
Consider the geographic location and its impact on internship and job opportunities. Programs in tech hubs like Silicon Valley, Seattle, and Boston offer more internship opportunities and stronger alumni networks in the industry. However, emerging tech centers like Austin, Atlanta, and Research Triangle Park also provide excellent opportunities often with lower living costs.
Evaluate the balance between theoretical foundations and practical applications. Some programs emphasize mathematical rigor and research preparation, while others focus more on applied skills and industry readiness. Consider whether you plan to pursue graduate school or enter the workforce immediately after graduation.
Financial considerations are crucial given the wide range of tuition costs. While top private schools offer exceptional programs, many public universities provide excellent education at significantly lower cost. Calculate the total cost of attendance including living expenses and consider the return on investment based on expected starting salaries.
Which Program Type Is Right for You?
- You want access to cutting-edge research and top faculty
- Strong academic background with high test scores and GPA
- Family can afford $60,000+ annual tuition or qualify for need-based aid
- Interested in research or graduate school
- Want prestigious brand name for career advancement
- Seeking excellent education with lower tuition costs
- Strong academic preparation but cost-conscious
- Prefer larger research universities with diverse opportunities
- Want access to extensive alumni networks
- Interested in both research and industry career paths
- Want to stay close to home or in specific geographic region
- Prioritize practical skills and job placement over research
- Prefer smaller class sizes and more personal attention
- Looking for competitive tuition rates
- Interested in local internship and job opportunities
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on 50 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Degree completions (sqrt normalized, capped at 500)
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023
State-specific salary data from BLS OES 2024
Admission rate (lower = more selective)
Institution type (R1/R2 research bonus)
CAE-CD designation, curator bonuses
Data completeness proxy
Reporting completeness
Data Sources and Methodology
Employment projections and salary data for computer and information research scientists
Graduation rates, post-graduation earnings, and institutional data
Comprehensive higher education statistics including enrollment and degree completion
Return on investment calculations and salary progression data
Analysis of ML-related publications in top-tier conferences and journals
Direct outreach to program administrators regarding industry collaboration and job placement
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.