Machine learning is a core component of artificial intelligence. Both disciplines are enjoying a massive surge in popularity thanks in part to the recent advances in generative AI.
As more businesses launch AI-based products and services, the need for well-qualified machine learning experts is only growing.
This is where master’s in machine learning programs come in. They are great for people looking to pivot a career or find more specific training to get launched in the machine learning space.
Making Machine Learning Education Affordable
One of the key considerations we hear when talking to prospective students is that cost is a fundamental concern when pursuing a degree.
It doesn’t matter if the career is in high demand or if the demand for machine learning engineers is outpacing the supply. Funding a master’s degree is a complex and weighty decision.
That’s why the TechGuide research team recently compiled the most affordable machine learning master’s degree options. We hope that this list helps with the info-gathering phase of the decision-making process. The list contains both campus-based and online master’s in machine learning programs.
The following results are based on our analysis of 16 programs:
- Lowest Cost: Colorado State University Global at $20,250.
- Average: $59,586.
- Most Expensive: Northwestern University costs $133,830.
Most Affordable Machine Learning Master’s Degree for 2025
Colorado State University Global
Denver, Colorado
Program: Online Master's in Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning
ARTiBA accreditation: No
Delivery method: Online
Total tuition: $20,250
2024/2025 Cost per credit: $675
Credits: 30
GRE requirement: Not required
Learn more: Program detailsMercer University
Macon, GeorgiaProgram: MS in Applied Data Intelligence and Machine Learning
ARTiBA accreditation: No
Delivery method: Online
Total tuition: $21,930
2024/2025 Cost per credit: $731
Credits: 30
GRE requirement: Not required
Learn more: Program detailsCarnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaProgram: Master of Science in Machine Learning
ARTiBA accreditation: Yes
Delivery method: Campus
Total tuition: $23,970
2024/2025 Cost per credit: $799
Credits: 30
GRE requirement: Required
Learn more: Program detailsFairfax University of America
Fairfax, VirginiaProgram: MS Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
ARTiBA accreditation: No
Delivery method: Campus
Total tuition: $26,136
2024/2025 Cost per credit: $726
Credits: 36
GRE requirement: Not required
Learn more: Program detailsUniversity of Wisconsin–Madison
Madison, WisconsinProgram: MS in Machine Learning & Signal Processing
ARTiBA accreditation: No
Delivery method: Campus
Total tuition: $36,000
2024/2025 Cost per credit: $1,200
Credits: 30
GRE requirement: Not required
Learn more: Program detailsUniversity of Maryland
College Park, MarylandProgram: Machine Learning Master of Professional Studies
ARTiBA accreditation: Yes
Delivery method: Campus
Total tuition: $39,990
2024/2025 Cost per credit: $1,333
Credits: 30
GRE requirement: Optional
Learn more: Program detailsMilwaukee School of Engineering
Milwaukee, WisconsinProgram: M.S. in Machine Learning
ARTiBA accreditation: No
Delivery method: Online
Total tuition: $48,000
2024/2025 Cost per credit: $1,500
Credits: 32
GRE requirement: Required if the GPA is lower than a 3.0
Learn more: Program detailsUniversity of Arizona
Tucson, ArizonaProgram: MS in Information Science (MS) - Machine-Learning
ARTiBA accreditation: No
Delivery method: Online & campus
Total tuition: $56,670
2024/2025 Cost per credit: $1,053 in-state | $1,889 out-of-state
Credits: 30
GRE requirement: Not required
Learn more: Program detailsUniversity of Massachusetts Lowell
Lowell, MassachusettsProgram: Master of Science (MS) in Engineering - Computer Engineering (Artificial and Machine Intelligence concentration)
ARTiBA accreditation: No
Delivery method: Campus
Total tuition: $56,790
2024/2025 Cost per credit: $1,048 in-state | $1,893 out-of-state
Credits: 30
GRE requirement: Required
Learn more: Program detailsClaremont Graduate University
Claremont, CaliforniaProgram: MS in Statistics & Machine Learning
ARTiBA accreditation: No
Delivery method: Campus
Total tuition: $64,640
2024/2025 Cost per credit: $2,020
Credits: 32
GRE requirement: Optional
Learn more: Program detailsDrexel University
Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaProgram: Master's in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
ARTiBA accreditation: No
Delivery method: Online & campus
Total tuition: $64,710
2024/2025 Cost per credit: $1,438
Credits: 45
GRE requirement: Recommended for international students and for domestic students with a GPA below 3.0
Learn more: Program detailsUniversity of North Texas
Denton, TexasProgram: MS in Artificial Intelligence with Machine Learning concentration
ARTiBA accreditation: No
Delivery method: Campus
Total tuition: $67,386
2024/2025 Cost per credit: $1,584 in-state | $2,042 out-of-state
Credits: 33
GRE requirement: Not required
Learn more: Program detailsColumbia University
New York, New YorkProgram: Computer Science Master's Degree - Machine Learning
ARTiBA accreditation: No
Delivery method: Online
Total tuition: $73,860
2024/2025 Cost per credit: $2,462
Credits: 30
GRE requirement: Not required
Learn more: Program detailsStevens Institute of Technology
Hoboken, New JerseyProgram: Masters in Machine Learning
ARTiBA accreditation: No
Delivery method: Online & campus
Total tuition: $88,980
2024/2025 Cost per credit: $2,966
Credits: 30
GRE requirement: Required
Learn more: Program detailsDuke University
Durham, North CarolinaProgram: MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering (with concentration in Data Analytics and Machine Learning)
ARTiBA accreditation: Yes
Delivery method: Campus
Total tuition: $130,230
2024/2025 Cost per credit: $4,341
Credits: 30
GRE requirement: Not required
Learn more: Program detailsNorthwestern University
Evanston, IllinoisProgram: Master of Science in Machine Learning and Data Science
ARTiBA accreditation: Yes
Delivery method: Campus
Total tuition: $133,830
2024/2025 Cost per credit: $4,461
Credits: 30
GRE requirement: Optional
Learn more: Program details