Most Affordable Machine Learning Programs 2026

Best Machine Learning Programs - Top 10 Most Affordable — Complete Program Data

1. #1. University of North Carolina at Charlotte

   Location: Charlotte, NC | Type: Public | Tuition: $3,812/year | Graduation Rate: 76%

   What makes University of North Carolina at Charlotte stand out: Offers both engineering-focused machine learning concentration and applied AI certificate that can be pursued concurrently with any graduate degree program at the university

   Program Overview: UNC Charlotte offers machine learning education through multiple pathways including an undergraduate concentration in Machine Learning within ECE programs and a graduate certificate in Applied Artificial Intelligence. The programs focus on training students in machine learning theory, design, and synthesis of intelligent machines capable of autonomous learning.

   Degree Programs: Machine Learning Concentration (BS in Electrical Engineering) (4 years); Machine Learning Concentration (BS in Computer Engineering) (4 years); Graduate Certificate in Applied AI; MS in Computer Science

   Career Outcomes:

   Notable Faculty: Dr. Andrew Willis (Machine Learning (Associate Professor of ECE, Faculty contact for ML concentration))

   Admissions:

2. #2. Florida Polytechnic University

   Location: Lakeland, FL | Type: Public | Tuition: $3,152/year | Graduation Rate: 81%

   What makes Florida Polytechnic University stand out: Florida Poly uniquely embeds ML within applied engineering contexts through manufacturing and robotics partnerships, producing graduates specialized in industrial AI rather than traditional data science.

   Hakia Insight: Florida Polytechnic University's partnerships with Mosaic Company and Arcadis translate research into real-world experience — a key differentiator for hiring managers.

   Program Overview: Florida Poly has deliberately positioned itself as a practice-oriented engineering and technology institution where machine learning and artificial intelligence are embedded within applied engineering contexts rather than pure computer science silos. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on project work, lab-intensive learning, and direct industry collaboration from the freshman year onward. Partnerships with major manufacturers, automotive suppliers, and aerospace companies in the Tampa Bay region provide students with real-world ML applications in computer vision, predictive maintenance, and autonomous systems. The university's smaller enrollment enables closer faculty-student relationships and a cohort-based learning model where ML concepts are applied across disciplines—mechanical engineering students work with sensor data, software engineers build intelligent systems, and electrical engineers optimize neural network implementations on embedded hardware. This engineering-first rather than CS-first approach produces graduates well-suited for roles in industrial AI, robotics, and intelligent manufacturing rather than pure data science.

   Degree Programs: BS in Computer Science (4 years); BS in Electrical Engineering (4 years)

   Industry Partners: Mosaic Company, Arcadis

   Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Mosaic Company, Arcadis, Regional aerospace and manufacturing firms | Common Roles: Embedded Systems Engineer, Industrial AI Engineer, Robotics Engineer

   Admissions:

   Accreditations: ABET accredited

3. #3. North Carolina A & T State University

   Location: Greensboro, NC | Type: Public | Tuition: $3,540/year | Graduation Rate: 84%

   What makes North Carolina A & T State University stand out: North Carolina A&T is the only university in North Carolina offering a stand-alone bachelor's degree in Artificial Intelligence, while most other institutions only offer AI as a concentration within computer science degrees.

   Hakia Insight: North Carolina A & T State University's CASIS - Center for Academic Studies in Identity Sciences and Cyber Defense and AI Lab position students at the forefront of machine learning research.

   Program Overview: North Carolina A&T State University offers a groundbreaking Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence (Applied Track) through the Department of Computer Systems and Technology, making it the only stand-alone AI bachelor's degree in North Carolina and one of only a handful nationally. This interdisciplinary program integrates core principles of computer systems, robotics, machine learning, and data science with real-world applications. Students can choose from specialized concentrations in Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning. The program emphasizes applied learning through project-based coursework, internships, and research collaborations, with support from cutting-edge laboratories and industry partnerships. The university also offers complementary graduate programs including MS in Applied Mathematics and Data Analytics, PhD in Computational Data Science and Engineering, and MS in Data Science and Engineering, creating a comprehensive ML/AI educational ecosystem.

   Degree Programs: Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence (Applied Track) (4 years); Master of Science in Applied Mathematics and Data Analytics (not specified); PhD in Computational Data Science and Engineering (not specified); MS in Data Science and Engineering (not specified)

   Research Labs: Center for Trustworthy AI (CTA) - Safety, security, and reliability of AI-driven technology through inclusive and multidisciplinary research; CASIS - Center for Academic Studies in Identity Sciences - Biometrics and identity security issues, identities and behaviors in cyber systems; Center for Cyber Defense - Information Assurance Education, Research, and Technology; Cyber Defense and AI Lab - Cybersecurity, cyber identity, trustworthy and explainable AI, adversarial machine learning, and data science

   Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: 90%

   Notable Faculty: Dr. Evelyn Sowells-Boone (Computer Systems Technology); Dr. Ahmad Patooghy (Artificial Intelligence); Dr. Kaushik Roy (Trustworthy AI, Cybersecurity, Adversarial Machine Learning); Dr. Xiaohong Yuan (Biometrics, Identity Sciences, Cyber Systems)

   Admissions:

   Accreditations: National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education designated by NSA and Department of Homeland Security

4. #4. University of North Florida

   Location: Jacksonville, FL | Type: Public | Tuition: $3,996/year | Graduation Rate: 82%

   What makes University of North Florida stand out: UNF emphasizes integrated ML across its CS curriculum with strong regional industry partnerships in healthcare and logistics, positioning graduates for immediate ML engineering roles.

   Hakia Insight: University of North Florida's partnerships with Mayo Clinic and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida translate research into real-world experience — a key differentiator for hiring managers.

   Program Overview: UNF's computer science program integrates machine learning and data science concepts throughout its curriculum rather than as a siloed specialization, reflecting a modern pedagogical approach to computing education. The program benefits from the university's location in Jacksonville—Florida's largest city by area—and partnerships with healthcare systems, financial services firms, and logistics companies that frequently deploy ML solutions. Faculty expertise spans software engineering, databases, and computational methods, with increasing focus on applications in healthcare analytics and business intelligence. Students gain practical experience through capstone projects and industry-sponsored challenges that often involve real datasets and ML problems from partner organizations. While UNF doesn't maintain the research volume of larger R1 institutions, its emphasis on translating ML concepts into professional practice, combined with strong regional industry connections, creates a pipeline toward data science and ML engineering roles.

   Degree Programs: BS in Computer Science (4 years)

   Industry Partners: Mayo Clinic, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida

   Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Mayo Clinic, Blue Cross Blue Shield, CSX Corporation | Common Roles: Data Analyst, Software Engineer, ML Engineer

   Admissions:

   Accreditations: ABET accredited

5. #5. University of West Florida

   Location: Pensacola, FL | Type: Public | Tuition: $3,735/year | Graduation Rate: 84%

   What makes University of West Florida stand out: UWF offers Florida's first fully online master's in data science with three specialized tracks and strong integration with the Institute for Human-Machine Cognition (IHMC) for advanced AI research.

   Hakia Insight: Proximity to Institute for Human-Machine Cognition (IHMC)

   Program Overview: The University of West Florida's Machine Learning program is primarily delivered through their Master of Science in Data Science, which is the first fully online master's in data science in Florida. The program offers comprehensive training in machine learning, statistical analysis, mathematical processes, regression modeling, multivariate methods, database management and mining, and big data analytics. Students can choose from three specialized tracks: Analytics and Modeling (focusing on algorithms and predictive models), Analytics of Business Decisions (emphasizing business problem-solving), and Health Analytics (targeting healthcare industry applications). The 30-credit hour program can be completed in 24 months and is available both face-to-face and fully online, making it highly flexible for working professionals.

   Degree Programs: Master of Science in Data Science (24 months); Ph.D. in Intelligent Systems & Robotics (not specified)

   Research Labs: Institute for Human-Machine Cognition (IHMC) - Artificial Intelligence and Robotics

   Career Outcomes: | Common Roles: Statistician, Data Engineer, Project Manager, Clinical Informatics Analyst

   Notable Faculty: Dr. Brian Jalaian (Robust machine learning, uncertainty quantification, AI safety and security, Bayesian deep learning); Dr. Jia Liu (Mathematics and Statistics)

   Admissions:

6. #6. Kennesaw State University

   Location: Kennesaw, GA | Type: Public | Tuition: $4,450/year | Graduation Rate: 66%

   What makes Kennesaw State University stand out: Georgia's second AI program of its kind with emphasis on experiential learning, offering flexible thesis or capstone options, and designed to accept students from all undergraduate majors with foundational course support

   Program Overview: The Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence (MSAI) at KSU is Georgia's second program of its kind, offering a 30-credit hour interdisciplinary graduate program. The program emphasizes experiential learning and problem solving, incorporating existing curriculum and research strength in computer science, data science, information technology and software engineering.

   Degree Programs: MS (1-2 years)

   Career Outcomes: | Common Roles: AI application developer, ethics researcher, product manager, research scientist, solutions architect, algorithm developer, Big Data Engineer/Architect, Data Analyst, Data Engineer, Data Scientist, Machine Learning Engineer, Robotics Engineer, Software Engineer

   Admissions:

7. #7. Bellevue College

   Location: Bellevue, WA | Type: Public | Tuition: $4,074/year | Graduation Rate: 96%

   What makes Bellevue College stand out: Bellevue College delivers fast-track, industry-aligned machine learning education for career-changers and working professionals, with unmatched proximity to Seattle tech giants.

   Hakia Insight: Bellevue College's partnerships with Microsoft and Amazon translate research into real-world experience — a key differentiator for hiring managers.

   Program Overview: Bellevue College's machine learning and data science offerings target working professionals and career-switchers through flexible, applied coursework positioned directly adjacent to Seattle's booming tech sector. The college offers an Associate degree pathway in Data Science and related certificate programs designed for rapid entry into machine learning roles, as well as transfer agreements with four-year institutions for students seeking bachelor's degrees. The curriculum emphasizes immediate technical skills—Python, machine learning frameworks, statistical modeling—rather than extended foundational prerequisites, allowing motivated students to build portfolios quickly. Bellevue's location in the Seattle metropolitan area means guest speakers, industry mentors, and internship opportunities from Microsoft, Amazon, Google, and countless startups are woven into the student experience. The two-year format appeals to students who cannot afford lengthy programs, and many complete their degrees while working part-time in tech roles.

   Degree Programs: AA in Data Science (2 years); Certificate in Machine Learning (1 year)

   Industry Partners: Microsoft, Amazon, Google

   Career Outcomes:

   Admissions:

8. #8. University of North Carolina Wilmington

   Location: Wilmington, NC | Type: Public | Tuition: $4,443/year | Graduation Rate: 79%

   What makes University of North Carolina Wilmington stand out: UNCW offers North Carolina's first Intelligent Systems Engineering Bachelor of Science program and features an accelerated 16-month Master's in Data Science & Artificial Intelligence with 70% of students obtaining summer internships between their first and second years.

   Hakia Insight: University of North Carolina Wilmington's partnerships with CSI and Apiture translate research into real-world experience — a key differentiator for hiring managers.

   Program Overview: The University of North Carolina Wilmington offers comprehensive machine learning education through multiple programs designed to prepare students for the AI-driven economy. The flagship Master of Data Science & Artificial Intelligence is a 16-month accelerated program that emphasizes computational-based applications of traditional data analysis methods and current trends in data mining and machine learning. The unique Intelligent Systems Engineering Bachelor of Science program is the first of its kind in North Carolina, creating 'SMART' engineers through an interdisciplinary approach combining Artificial Intelligence, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Design, and the Internet of Things. Students gain hands-on experience through real-world projects, including 6-month industry partnerships, and access to cutting-edge research facilities including the BotanyBot autonomous agriculture platform and Cyber-PARK cybersecurity learning systems.

   Degree Programs: Bachelor of Science in Intelligent Systems Engineering (4 years); Master of Science in Data Science & Artificial Intelligence (16 months)

   Research Labs: BotanyBot - Autonomous agriculture through open-source robotic botany platform integrating machine learning, sensor analytics, and robotics; Cyber-PARK - Interactive cybersecurity learning platform for K-5 students

   Industry Partners: CSI, Apiture

   Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: 70%+ obtain summer internships | Common Roles: Data Scientists, Data Analysts, Statistical Programmers, AI Engineers

   Notable Faculty: Dr. Ahmed ElSaid (Autonomous agriculture and robotics); Dr. Ellie Ebrahimi (Cybersecurity education)

   Admissions:

9. #9. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

   Location: Chapel Hill, NC | Type: Public | Tuition: $7,019/year | Graduation Rate: 93%

   What makes University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill stand out: The curriculum provides in-depth exposure to quantitative topics and opportunities for direct application through four-course concentrations, upper-level electives, mentored research, and internship opportunities with a focus on ethical practice and responsible data science.

   Program Overview: The bachelor of science (B.S.) in data science provides students with a strong foundation in preparation for entry to the workforce or pursuit of an advanced degree. The B.S. in data science is comprised of six competencies: responsible data science, communication, computational thinking, mathematical and statistical foundations, optimization, and machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI).

   Degree Programs: BS (4 years)

   Career Outcomes:

   Notable Faculty: Dr. Kristen Hassmiller Lich (artificial intelligence, machine learning and data science); Dr. Lisa M. LaVange (artificial intelligence, machine learning and data science); Dr. Kari North (artificial intelligence, machine learning and data science); Dr. Hongtu Zhu (artificial intelligence, machine learning and data science)

   Admissions:

10. #10. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

    Location: San Luis Obispo, CA | Type: Public | Tuition: $5,742/year | Graduation Rate: 100%

    What makes California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo stand out: Cal Poly's machine learning program stands out for its mandatory hands-on project-based learning model integrated throughout the curriculum rather than isolated in capstones, combining rigorous theory with immediate real-world application.

    Hakia Insight: California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's partnerships with Apple and Google translate research into real-world experience — a key differentiator for hiring managers.

    Program Overview: Cal Poly's machine learning education is built on the university's signature 'learn by doing' philosophy, which translates into substantial hands-on lab work and industry-embedded projects from day one. Rather than treating ML as pure theory, students in the computer science program work through applied problems in robotics, autonomous systems, and data analytics using real datasets and hardware. The curriculum emphasizes mathematical foundations—linear algebra, probability, optimization—while immediately deploying these concepts in capstone projects where students partner with regional tech companies and agricultural tech firms leveraging Cal Poly's Central Coast location. Faculty researchers actively work in computer vision and embedded systems, pulling students into ongoing projects that have real commercial applications. Graduates report strong placement in companies like Apple, Google, and SpaceX, with many moving directly into machine learning engineering roles rather than requiring extensive onboarding. The program's proximity to Silicon Valley and growing tech ecosystems in San Luis Obispo itself creates organic networking and internship pathways that strengthen job prospects significantly.

    Degree Programs: BS in Computer Science (Machine Learning track) (4 years)

    Research Labs: Autonomous Systems Lab - Robotics and autonomous vehicle perception; Embedded Systems and Networked Computing Lab - Machine learning on edge devices

    Industry Partners: Apple, Google, SpaceX

    Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Apple, Google, SpaceX, Tesla | Common Roles: Machine Learning Engineer, Data Scientist, Robotics Engineer, Computer Vision Engineer

    Admissions:

    Accreditations: ABET accredited