Compare 50 accredited machine learning doctoral programs. Find research-focused PhD programs ranked by faculty publications, funding packages, and graduate placement in top research labs and academia.
Quick Answer: Is a Machine Learning PhD Worth It?
Source: A machine learning PhD is worth it if you want to conduct original research, whether in academia or industry research labs. Unlike master's programs, PhDs are typically fully funded (tuition + ~$35K/year stipend). Industry research scientists at Google, Meta, and OpenAI earn $200K-400K+. Academic faculty earn less but enjoy research freedom and job security.
A PhD is the terminal research degree in machine learning, required for tenure-track faculty positions and highly valued for industry research scientist roles. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Computer and Information Research Scientists with advanced degrees can earn $208,000+ or more, especially in research-focused positions.
Who Should Consider a PhD?
The PhD Value Proposition
Important: Don't pursue a PhD just for salary gains. If your goal is maximizing income quickly, a master's + industry experience often yields better short-term returns. A PhD is a 5-6 year commitment to research mastery.
$128,105 median salary · 94% graduation rate
$128,105 median salary · 85% graduation rate
$128,105 median salary · 59% graduation rate
$128,105 median salary · 43% graduation rate
Hakia ranks Carnegie Mellon University's online doctorate artificial intelligence program #1. Degree: Doctorate (research). Delivery: fully online. Location: Pittsburgh, PA | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $64,596/year | Graduation Rate: 94% | Median Salary: $128,105 | Score: 95.3
Hakia ranks University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus's doctorate artificial intelligence program #2. Degree: Doctorate (research). Delivery: on-campus. Location: Pittsburgh, PA | Type: Public | Tuition: $20,556/year | Graduation Rate: 85% | Median Salary: $128,105 | Score: 76.2
Hakia ranks University of West Florida's doctorate artificial intelligence program #3. Degree: Doctorate (research). Delivery: on-campus. Location: Pensacola, FL | Type: Public | Tuition: $3,735/year | Graduation Rate: 59% | Median Salary: $128,105 | Score: 65.7
Hakia ranks Capitol Technology University's online doctorate artificial intelligence program #4. Degree: Doctorate (research). Delivery: fully online. Location: Laurel, MD | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $26,350/year | Graduation Rate: 43% | Median Salary: $128,105 | Score: 54.5
| Rank | Program & School | Delivery | Annual Tuition | Grad Rate | Median Salary | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Doctorate in Artificial Intelligence Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburgh, PA · Private nonprofit | Online | $64,596 | 94% | $128,105 | 95.3 |
| #2 | Doctorate in Artificial Intelligence University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusPittsburgh, PA · Public | On-campus | $20,556 | 85% | $128,105 | 76.2 |
| #3 | Doctorate in Artificial Intelligence University of West FloridaPensacola, FL · Public | On-campus | $3,735 | 59% | $128,105 | 65.7 |
| #4 | Doctorate in Artificial Intelligence Capitol Technology UniversityLaurel, MD · Private nonprofit | Online | $26,350 | 43% | $128,105 | 54.5 |
Showing all 4 ranked programs.
| Factor | Industry Research | Academic Faculty |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Salary | $150,000-$200,000+ | $100,000-$140,000 |
| Salary Ceiling | $300,000-$500,000+ (with equity) | $150,000-$250,000 |
| Job Security | Project-dependent, at-will | Tenure after 6-7 years |
| Research Freedom | Aligned with company goals | High autonomy after tenure |
| Publication Pressure | Varies by company | Essential for tenure |
| Resources | Well-funded, large compute | Grant-dependent |
| Work-Life Balance | Better | Highly variable |
| Impact Timeline | Faster deployment | Long-term influence |
| Typical Employers | Google, Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI | Universities, research institutes |
Source: Salary data from [CRA Taulbee Survey](https://cra.org/resources/taulbee-survey/) and [Glassdoor](https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/)
Based on 742 programs from IPEDS 2024
Carnegie Mellon University's Doctorate in Artificial Intelligence tops our list of 4 doctoral machine learning programs. We fold federal graduation, admissions, salary, and tuition figures into a single 0 to 100 score applied identically to every school. Graduates step into a field where the median wage runs about $128,105.
Number of graduates per year in this specific field (CIP code). Larger programs indicate established departments with more resources, course offerings, and career services. Measured from IPEDS Completions data.
Percentage of students completing their degree within 150% of expected time (6 years for bachelor's, 3 years for associate's). Higher rates indicate better student support and program quality. Source: IPEDS Graduation Rates survey.
Admission rate (lower = more selective). More selective institutions have stronger academic environments and more competitive graduates. For open-admission institutions, we use graduation rates as a proxy for quality.
National salary data for machine learning graduates, factored into institutional scores based on job market strength.
Overall quality using all four factors weighted as shown above. Ideal for students seeking the strongest academic experience.
Same methodology, filtered to schools with fully online or hybrid options (IPEDS Distance Education data). Some schools may have lower graduation rates due to different student demographics.
Ranked primarily by net cost (tuition minus average institutional aid), with quality factors as tiebreakers. Best for cost-conscious students.
Federal database of U.S. postsecondary institutions
Computer science research publication rankings by faculty
May 2024 salary data for research positions
Co-founder & Editor (B.S. Computer Science, Oregon State • B.A. Psychology, University of Washington)
Taylor combines technical expertise in computer science with a deep understanding of human behavior and learning. His dual background drives Hakia's mission: leveraging technology to build authoritative educational resources that help people make better decisions about their academic and career paths.