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Key Takeaways
Best machine learning degree programs: Western Governors, Weber State, Brigham Young
Ranked by graduation rates, program outcomes, and institutional quality
Tuition ranges from $4,180 to $40,896/year
Weber State offers the most affordable option at $5,471/yr
Machine Learning degree programs available: 3 associate's, 4 master's, 2 doctoral in Utah
From community college pathways to advanced research degrees
Utah community college transfer can save 40-60% on total degree costs
3 associate's programs provide transfer pathways to bachelor's degrees
Education Commission of the States
Major employers: Adobe, Qualtrics, Pluralsight, Domo
Tech hubs in Salt Lake City and Provo
Hakia Research 2026
Machine Learning degree programs near 28+ cities across Utah
Search by city to find programs within 200 miles of your location
Updated July 13, 2026
How we ranked Utah Machine Learning programs
We rank 17 accredited machine learning programs in Utah using IPEDS 2024 institutional data, BLS OEWS 2024 state salary data, and College Scorecard outcomes. A 4-factor weighted composite is normalized to a 0–100 score. Schools cannot pay for placement; rankings are produced algorithmically.
Are Machine Learning Degree Programs in Utah Worth It?
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Machine Learning Degree Rankings in Utah
Compare the top-ranked Machine Learning programs in Utah by degree level. Tuition, graduation rate, and Hakia Score for every accredited program.
Best Associate's Machine Learning Programs in Utah
Program Landscape
Utah offers 3 accredited associate's degree programs in machine learning, providing an affordable entry point into the technology field. The top-ranked programs include Weber State, Utah Valley, Snow College, which combine rigorous technical curriculum with practical skills training.
Costs & Value
Community colleges in Utah offer these two-year programs at an average cost of $5,088/yr, significantly less than four-year university tuition. Students completing associate's degrees can pursue entry-level technical positions and transfer opportunities, with entry-level salaries averaging $59,400 in Utah.
Career Pathways
Many programs feature guaranteed transfer agreements with Utah's public universities, allowing students to complete their first two years at reduced cost before transferring to complete a bachelor's degree. The Salt Lake City, Provo, Lehi areas offer particularly strong job markets for associate's degree holders, with employers like Adobe, Qualtrics, Pluralsight hiring for technical support, junior development, and IT specialist positions.
Curriculum & Specializations
Programs typically include coursework in programming fundamentals, database management, networking basics, and software development. Among machine learning schools in Utah, these associate's programs offer the best value for students beginning their machine learning degrees in Utah.
Best Bachelor's Machine Learning Programs in Utah
Program Landscape
Utah ranks among the nation's top destinations for machine learning education, with 8 accredited bachelor's degree programs across 5 public and 3 private institutions. The highest-ranked programs are Western Governors, Weber State, Brigham Young, recognized for academic excellence, research opportunities, and strong industry connections.
Career Outcomes
Graduates from Utah machine learning programs earn a median salary of $91,800, 6% below the national average. The state's robust technology sector, anchored by the Salt Lake City, Provo, Lehi metropolitan areas, provides abundant internship and employment opportunities with companies including Adobe, Qualtrics, Pluralsight.
Costs & Value
Tuition ranges from $5,266 to $40,896 annually, with an average of $10,704/yr. Top programs maintain graduation rates above 86%, with the highest reaching 92%. Many programs hold ABET accreditation, the gold standard for computing education, ensuring curriculum meets rigorous industry standards.
Curriculum & Specializations
Students can choose from specializations including software engineering, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data science, and systems architecture. Strong industry partnerships provide access to co-op programs, capstone projects with real companies, and direct recruiting pipelines to Utah's leading technology employers. For students seeking machine learning degrees in Utah, these top-ranked machine learning schools offer the strongest combination of academic rigor and career preparation.
Show all 8 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | Southern Utah University | Cedar City, UT | Public | $6,006 | 86% | 44.2 |
| #7 | Utah Tech University | Saint George, UT | Public | $5,266 | — | 43.1 |
| #8 | Westminster University | Salt Lake City, UT | Private | $40,896 | — | 37.1 |
Best Master's Machine Learning Programs in Utah
Program Landscape
Utah offers 4 master's degree programs in machine learning, designed for professionals seeking to advance into senior engineering, technical leadership, and specialized roles. The top programs, U of Utah, Brigham Young, Weber State, combine advanced technical training with research opportunities and leadership development.
Career Outcomes
Master's graduates in Utah earn a median salary of $108,000, approximately 20-30% higher than bachelor's degree holders. The concentration of technology companies in Salt Lake City, Provo, Lehi creates strong demand for graduate-level talent, with Adobe, Qualtrics, Pluralsight actively recruiting from these programs.
Costs & Value
Program formats include traditional full-time study (typically 2 years), part-time options for working professionals (2-3 years), and accelerated tracks. Tuition averages $6,439/yr, with many employers offering tuition reimbursement for graduate education. Some programs offer thesis and non-thesis tracks, allowing students to focus on research or professional development based on their career goals.
Curriculum & Specializations
Curriculum covers advanced topics including machine learning, distributed systems, software architecture, and technical management. Many programs include practicum experiences, industry capstone projects, or consulting engagements that provide real-world application of advanced concepts. Among Utah's machine learning schools at the graduate level, these programs stand out for both academic quality and career outcomes.
Best Doctoral Machine Learning Programs in Utah
Program Landscape
Utah is home to 2 doctoral programs in machine learning, preparing students for research positions, faculty appointments, and executive technical roles. Leading programs at U of Utah, Brigham Young are recognized for cutting-edge research, strong faculty publications, and competitive funding packages.
Career Outcomes
Doctoral graduates command premium salaries, with Utah PhD holders earning a median of $135,000, reflecting the advanced expertise required for research and executive positions. The Salt Lake City, Provo, Lehi region's research universities and corporate R&D centers provide extensive collaboration opportunities with industry leaders like Adobe, Qualtrics, Pluralsight.
Costs & Value
PhD programs typically require 4-6 years of full-time study, including coursework, qualifying examinations, and original dissertation research. Many programs offer full funding through teaching or research assistantships, covering tuition and providing stipends of $25,000–$40,000 annually.
Curriculum & Specializations
Research strengths across Utah programs include artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, human-computer interaction, systems, and theoretical computer science. For aspiring researchers pursuing machine learning degrees in Utah, graduates go on to careers as university faculty, industry research scientists, or technical executives, contributing to advances in technology that impact millions of users worldwide.
Machine Learning Degree Costs & Tuition in Utah
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average in-state tuition | $9,979/year |
| Average out-of-state tuition | $24,948/year |
| Community college tuition | $2,495/year |
| 4-year savings for residents | $59,876 |
| 2+2 transfer pathway savings | $14,968 |
Source: IPEDS 2024
Financial Aid & Scholarships for Machine Learning Students in Utah
State Aid Programs
Utah residents pursuing machine learning degrees have access to multiple financial aid pathways, beginning with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) through (Federal Student Aid). This foundational step opens eligibility for federal grants, loans, and work-study opportunities. Beyond federal aid, the (Utah Opportunity Scholarship) provides need- and merit-based awards specifically for Utah residents attending institutions within the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE). These state-funded scholarships recognize academic achievement and financial need, making advanced machine learning education more accessible across the state's public universities and community colleges.
Key Programs & Amounts
Individual institutions also offer strong scholarship programs tailored to machine learning and computer science students. Brigham Young University, University of Utah, and Weber State University each provide institutional scholarships alongside state aid programs. Students should explore both merit-based scholarships for academic performance and need-based grants through each school's financial aid office. The combination of federal aid, state scholarships, and institutional support creates a comprehensive financial ecosystem. For detailed information on eligibility requirements and application deadlines, prospective students should contact their institution's financial aid office or visit (USHE's financial aid resources) to understand how state and federal aid align with their educational goals.
Machine Learning Degree ROI Calculator, Utah
Use our interactive ROI calculator to estimate your return on investment for a machine learning degree in Utah. Enter your expected tuition costs, financial aid, and career goals to see projected payback periods and lifetime earnings. The calculator uses current salary data from BLS and tuition data from IPEDS to provide accurate estimates.
Machine Learning Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your return on investment for a machine learning degree
Leave blank to use average cost for selected program type
+1064%
Net gain divided by total investment. ROI above 200% is considered excellent for education investments.
$1,967,896
Your additional lifetime earnings with this degree vs. working without one, minus the total investment.
5 years
Years until your cumulative earnings exceed total investment. Shorter programs often break even faster due to lower opportunity cost.
$147,619
Your starting salary adjusted for local cost of living. This shows real purchasing power compared to a $100K national baseline.
Why does break-even change with program type? Your "total investment" includes both tuition AND opportunity cost (foregone earnings while in school). A 4-year full-time public university (in-state) means 4 years of not earning a salary ($140,000 in opportunity cost). Shorter full-time programs may have higher tuition but lower total investment because you return to the workforce sooner.
Detailed Breakdown
How we calculate your degree ROI using real salary data
Tuition plus opportunity cost (earnings you miss while in school)
Direct cost of the degree program
4 years × $35K/year foregone salary while studying full-time
Projected career earnings starting after graduation, with salary growth
What you'd earn working at $35K/year with 2% annual growth
Median salary for this role in your selected location (BLS 2024)
Your investment's compound annual growth rate (similar to stock market returns)
Data sources: BLS OEWS May 2024, IPEDS 2024. Calculations use median salaries, 3% discount rate, and assume salary growth declines from 6% to 2% over career. Individual results will vary. | Powered by Hakia.com
Machine Learning Salaries by Metro Area
Median annual salary in Utah metro areas
View data table
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Salt Lake City | $119K |
| Provo | $113K |
| Lehi | $108K |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Hakia.com
Top Employers Hiring Machine Learning Graduates in Utah
Find machine learning jobs in Utah. These major employers across Utah metro areas are actively hiring machine learning degree holders. Click employer names to view current job openings.
Machine Learning Jobs in Salt Lake City
UTMachine Learning Jobs in Provo
UTMachine Learning Jobs in Lehi
UTTransfer Pathways for Machine Learning Degrees in Utah
State Transfer System
Utah's higher education system facilitates seamless transfer pathways from two-year to four-year institutions through the Utah Transfer Guides, which provide major-specific articulation agreements for machine learning and related computer science programs. Four two-year institutions in the state offer associate's degrees in machine learning, with 179 completions recorded in 2023 (IPEDS). Weber State University (#1 ranked associate's, $5,471 tuition) and Utah Valley University (#2 ranked associate's, $5,614 tuition) are primary pathways for students beginning their machine learning education at the community college level. Salt Lake Community College ($3,778 tuition) and Snow College ($4,180 tuition) also provide affordable entry points for prospective students.
How Transfers Work
The Utah Transfer Guides specify prerequisite coursework and guaranteed transfer credit for machine learning associate's degree holders transferring to bachelor's programs at four-year institutions. Students completing an associate's degree at Weber State or Utah Valley University can transfer directly into bachelor's programs at Brigham Young University, University of Utah, or Utah State University with guaranteed junior-level standing. This pathway substantially reduces time-to-degree and overall costs, making machine learning education accessible to a broader population. The Utah Opportunity Scholarship provides need- and merit-based financial aid to Utah residents pursuing higher education, further supporting transfer students. For additional context on affordability, review most affordable programs nationally. Explore related transfer pathways through Data Analytics in Utah and Artificial Intelligence in Utah.
Why Pursue a Machine Learning Degree in Utah?
Industry & Workforce
Utah is a thriving hub for machine learning education, with 19 institutions offering specialized programs across all degree levels (IPEDS). The state's commitment to AI and data science is evident in its strong academic infrastructure: 8 bachelor's programs, 5 master's programs, and 2 doctoral programs prepare students for careers in this rapidly growing field. Western Governors University leads the state with 840 completions, while the University of Utah and Weber State University have each produced hundreds of qualified graduates, demonstrating Utah's capacity to develop skilled machine learning professionals.
Salary Outlook
Beyond academic excellence, Utah offers significant financial advantages for students pursuing machine learning degrees. Public four-year institutions charge an average in-state tuition of just $6,014, making quality education accessible compared to national averages (College Scorecard). The state's major tech employers, including Goldman Sachs, Adobe, and Intermountain Healthcare, actively recruit graduates from local universities, creating exceptional career opportunities in Salt Lake City, Provo, and other growing metro areas. Students exploring related fields should also consider Utah's strong Data Science and Computer Science programs. For national context, explore best bachelor's programs nationwide and most affordable options.
Machine Learning Program Availability in Utah
Source: IPEDS 2024
Machine Learning Job Market & Salary Data in Utah
Employment Outlook
Utah's machine learning job market is experiencing strong growth, supported by a thriving tech ecosystem across multiple metropolitan regions. The state's major employment hubs include the Salt Lake City metro area, the Provo-Orem corridor, and the Ogden-Clearfield region, each offering distinct opportunities for machine learning professionals. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Utah's technology sector continues to expand, with machine learning roles becoming increasingly prevalent across various industries. The Salt Lake Valley and Utah County regions particularly stand out as centers of digital innovation, attracting both established tech companies and emerging startups seeking machine learning talent.
Salaries by Metro
Utah institutions are producing a substantial pipeline of machine learning graduates to meet market demand. According to IPEDS data, Utah offers 19 institutions with machine learning programs across all degree levels. The state has generated 1,508 bachelor's degree completions, 187 master's degree completions, and 179 associate's degree completions in machine learning, demonstrating strong educational capacity at multiple credential levels. This diverse range of programs, from associate's degrees at two-year institutions to doctoral programs at research universities, ensures that Utah's workforce development aligns with both entry-level and advanced technical positions. Prospective students should explore national best bachelor's programs to compare Utah institutions with national standards, and review data science opportunities in Utah for related career pathways that complement machine learning expertise.
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)
New graduates and career changers
Senior (8+ yrs)
Technical leads and architects
Online vs On-Campus Machine Learning Programs in Utah
Online Programs
0 available in Utah
On-Campus Programs
Traditional classroom experience
Compare Machine Learning Programs in Other States
- Total Programs
- 11
- Median Tuition
- $6,000
- Total Programs
- 17
- Median Tuition
- $13,900
- Total Programs
- 30
- Median Tuition
- $10,300
- Total Programs
- 7
- Median Tuition
- $7,900
- Total Programs
- 179
- Median Tuition
- $5,700
- Total Programs
- 39
- Median Tuition
- $11,000
- Total Programs
- 73
- Median Tuition
- $9,000
Machine Learning Degree Programs in Utah: FAQ
What are the best machine learning degree programs in Utah?
How much do machine learning degree programs cost in Utah?
What salary can machine learning degree graduates earn in Utah?
Are there online machine learning degree programs in Utah?
What companies hire machine learning degree graduates in Utah?
Is a machine learning degree program worth it in Utah?
How long do machine learning degree programs take in Utah?
What financial aid is available for machine learning degree students in Utah?
Data Sources
Institutional characteristics, completions, graduation rates
Utah salary and employment data
Program details and admissions information
Last Updated: June 26, 2026. Rankings based on IPEDS 2024 data. Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Taylor Rupe
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.