- 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 North Carolina at Charlotte, Florida Polytechnic University, North Carolina A & T State University based on graduation rates, program strength, and career outcomes
- 3.Best value: University of North Carolina at Charlotte offers machine learning education at $3,812/year with 76% graduation rate
- 4.25 accredited Machine Learning programs analyzed using IPEDS 2023 completion data
Best Machine Learning Programs - Top 10 Most Affordable
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
N/A machine learning graduates annually
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 for Machine Learning based on 76% graduation rate, strong graduates, and overall score of undefined/100. Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Program Strengths
- 76% graduation rate
- Accredited institution
Florida Polytechnic University
N/A machine learning graduates annually
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 for Machine Learning based on 81% graduation rate, strong graduates, and overall score of undefined/100. Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Program Strengths
- 81% graduation rate
- Accredited institution
North Carolina A & T State University
N/A machine learning graduates annually
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 for Machine Learning based on 84% graduation rate, strong graduates, and overall score of undefined/100. Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Program Strengths
- 84% graduation rate
- Accredited institution
University of North Florida
N/A machine learning graduates annually
University of West Florida
N/A machine learning graduates annually
Kennesaw State University
N/A machine learning graduates annually
Bellevue College
N/A machine learning graduates annually
University of North Carolina Wilmington
N/A machine learning graduates annually
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
N/A machine learning graduates annually
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
N/A machine learning graduates annually
Best Machine Learning Programs - Compare Top 5 Most Affordable
| School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 University of North Carolina at Charlotte | Charlotte, NC | Public | $3,812 | 76% | N/A |
| #2 Florida Polytechnic University | Lakeland, FL | Public | $3,152 | 81% | N/A |
| #3 North Carolina A & T State University | Greensboro, NC | Public | $3,540 | 84% | N/A |
| #4 University of North Florida | Jacksonville, FL | Public | $3,996 | 82% | N/A |
| #5 University of West Florida | Pensacola, FL | Public | $3,735 | 84% | N/A |
Top 25 Most Affordable Machine Learning Programs 2026
| Rank | Institution | Location | Tuition | Value Score | Grad Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte | Charlotte, NC | $3,812 | 187.7 | 76% |
| 2 | Florida Polytechnic University | Lakeland, FL | $3,152 | 186.5 | 81% |
| 3 | North Carolina A & T State University | Greensboro, NC | $3,540 | 183.9 | 84% |
| 4 | University of North Florida | Jacksonville, FL | $3,996 | 148 | 82% |
| 5 | University of West Florida | Pensacola, FL | $3,735 | 146.2 | 84% |
| 6 | Kennesaw State University | Kennesaw, GA | $4,450 | 139.1 | 66% |
| 7 | Bellevue College | Bellevue, WA | $4,074 | 138.1 | 96% |
| 8 | University of North Carolina Wilmington | Wilmington, NC | $4,443 | 134.9 | 79% |
| 9 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill, NC | $7,019 | 130.8 | 93% |
| 10 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | San Luis Obispo, CA | $5,742 | 130.2 | 100% |
| 11 | University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus | Norman, OK | $5,070 | 130.2 | 88% |
| 12 | San Diego State University | San Diego, CA | $5,742 | 129.6 | 83% |
| 13 | Florida Gulf Coast University | Fort Myers, FL | $4,191 | 124.6 | 95% |
| 14 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh | Raleigh, NC | $6,535 | 123.4 | 85% |
| 15 | Grambling State University | Grambling, LA | $5,140 | 123.4 | 99% |
| 16 | University of Louisiana at Lafayette | Lafayette, LA | $5,407 | 118.8 | 98% |
| 17 | Appalachian State University | Boone, NC | $4,242 | 117.7 | 78% |
| 18 | San Jose State University | San Jose, CA | $5,742 | 115.5 | 100% |
| 19 | California State University-Long Beach | Long Beach, CA | $5,742 | 114.5 | 73% |
| 20 | Georgia State University | Atlanta, GA | $7,158 | 114 | 94% |
| 21 | Stony Brook University | Stony Brook, NY | $7,070 | 111.9 | 89% |
| 22 | California State Polytechnic University-Pomona | Pomona, CA | $5,742 | 111.3 | 87% |
| 23 | Weber State University | Ogden, UT | $5,471 | 111.1 | 92% |
| 24 | University at Albany | Albany, NY | $7,070 | 110.6 | 99% |
| 25 | University at Buffalo | Buffalo, NY | $7,070 | 109.3 | 95% |
Career Paths
Design and implement ML systems for production environments
Extract insights from data using statistical methods and ML algorithms
AI Research Scientist
Develop new ML algorithms and techniques for cutting-edge applications
Build software applications incorporating ML and AI capabilities
Most Affordable States for Machine Learning Education
Florida
North Carolina
Louisiana
California
Idaho
Utah
Montana
New York
Wisconsin
Texas
Tennessee
Iowa
Maryland
Indiana
Financial Aid Strategies for ML Students
Graduate students in ML programs have access to multiple funding sources that can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs. Research assistantships and teaching assistantships are the most common, providing $18,000-$28,000 annually plus tuition waivers.
Many tech companies offer tuition reimbursement programs for part-time ML students. Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and other major employers cover $8,000-$15,000 annually for relevant coursework. This strategy allows students to gain experience while pursuing advanced degrees.
Federal financial aid options include Stafford loans up to $20,500 annually for graduate students. Unlike undergraduate aid, graduate financial aid is less dependent on family income. Merit-based scholarships specifically for ML and AI students are increasingly available from professional organizations and tech companies.
- Research assistantships: 60% of students receive funding
- Average RA/TA stipend: $22,000 plus tuition waiver
- Corporate tuition assistance: $8,000-$15,000 annually
- Federal loan limits: $20,500 per academic year
Online vs On-Campus Costs for ML Programs
Online ML programs offer significant cost advantages without compromising educational quality. Top online programs like ASU's Master of Computer Science with ML concentration and Georgia Tech's Online Master of Science in Analytics provide the same curriculum as on-campus versions.
The primary savings come from eliminated housing, transportation, and campus fees. Students save an average of $15,000-$25,000 over a two-year program. However, online students miss networking opportunities and research experiences that can be valuable for career advancement.
Hybrid programs combine the best of both worlds, offering reduced residency requirements that lower costs while maintaining face-to-face interaction. These programs typically require 2-4 on-campus sessions per year, reducing total costs by 30-40% compared to full-time on-campus programs.
- Online program total cost: $25,000-$45,000
- On-campus program total cost: $40,000-$70,000
- Hybrid program total cost: $30,000-$50,000
- Average savings with online: $18,000 over 2 years
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on 146 programs from IPEDS 2023 (tuition $2K-$35K, 40%+ grad rate, 10+ graduates)
Our Best Value algorithm calculates Value Score = Quality Score / (Tuition / $10,000). This rewards schools delivering quality education at reasonable prices.
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023, weighted at 35% of the Quality Score
Number of Machine Learning graduates indicating program resources and faculty (IPEDS 2023)
Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)
R1 research universities receive bonus points for institutional quality
Data Sources and Methodology
Official data on graduation rates, employment outcomes, and student debt
Comprehensive higher education statistics including tuition, enrollment, and financial aid
Employment projections and salary data for technology occupations
Graduate enrollment and degree completion statistics for STEM fields
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.