Best Online Master's in Machine Learning: 2026 Rankings & Career Guide
Best online machine learning master's programs for applied ML careers.
Updated
Georgia Institute of Technology, University of New Mexico, and Purdue University lead our ranking of the best online master's programs in machine learning. Georgia Institute of Technology's M.S. in Computer Science — Machine Learning lists about $7,000 for 30 credits, University of New Mexico's Online Master of Science in Computer Engineering (MSCE) — Applied Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence lists $17,000, and Purdue University lists $27,990. Across our top 10, published tuition totals run from $7,000 to $60,000, with programs requiring 30 to 36 credits.
10 Best Online Master's in Machine Learning Programs
Rank
School
Location
1
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA
2
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM
3
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN
4
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT
5
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA
6
University of Washington
Seattle, WA
7
New York University
New York City, NY
8
George Washington University
Washington, DC
9
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, IL
10
Stevens Institute of Technology
Hoboken, NJ
The table is for quick comparison. School write-ups below cover program name, format, and tuition—always confirm on the school site. More programs to compare appear after the write-ups when we have additional schools outside this top list.
How we ranked this list
We order schools on this page using our ranking method, with more weight on affordability (40%), student outcomes (30%), curriculum (20%). Figures draw from published school tuition and U.S. Department of Education outcomes data when available. Schools cannot pay for a higher rank. About 86% of programs on this list have full scoring data. Read the full ranking methodology.
Tuition Snapshot
Among 9 programs on this page with an estimated tuition total, the median is about $27,990 and the mean is about $28,497. These are published list-price estimates—not what students usually pay after aid (net price). Confirm current rates on each school site.
Online Machine Learning Master's Programs: The Latest Data
This guide ranks 10 programs after scoring and keeping one listing per school. Use the tuition snapshot with curriculum fit and accreditation notes before you apply.
How To Choose an Online Master's in Machine Learning
Use these criteria when you shortlist—then confirm details on each school’s program page.
Curriculum focus
Favor algorithms, modeling, and production ML coursework over survey-only AI titles.
Costs
Compare published totals where available, then verify fees on each school site.
Required courses
Check math and programming requirements—bridge courses vary widely.
Career outcomes
Look for projects and portfolio work that map to ML engineer hiring.
Best for: Cost-conscious CS students seeking an AI specialization
Program summary
Georgia Tech sits in Atlanta. Computer science is the umbrella; the AI or machine-learning focus lives in electives and specializations rather than a separate AI degree name. Delivery is fully online—confirm live vs recorded sessions and any intensives.
Online Master of Science in Computer Engineering (MSCE) — Applied Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence
Overview
Availability: Online
Estimated tuition total: $17,000 (~$548/credit)
Credits: 31
Best for: ML-focused engineers who want applied AI coursework
NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-R)
Program summary
Positioned as an AI/ML program on paper; verify labs, final projects, and math required courses match the intensity you want. Delivery is fully online—confirm live vs recorded sessions and any intensives. ML/AI sits inside an engineering master's—not a standalone AI degree.
MS in Artificial Intelligence — AI and Machine Learning Major
Overview
Availability: Online
Estimated tuition total: $27,990 (~$933/credit)
Credits: 30
Best for: Learners seeking a dedicated AI master's
NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-R)
Program summary
Named as an AI or ML degree—use the course list to separate theory-heavy terms from tool-focused applied semesters. Delivery is fully online—confirm live vs recorded sessions and any intensives. Dedicated AI master's—not an add-on to another degree.
MS in Computer Science — AI and Machine Learning Specialization
Overview
Availability: Online
Estimated tuition total: $8,770
Credits: 30
Best for: Self-paced CS students specializing in AI/ML while working
NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-CD)
Program summary
Expect the parent degree’s core plus an AI-focused set of electives—confirm how many credits must be AI-labeled before you treat it as an AI credential. Delivery is fully online—confirm live vs recorded sessions and any intensives. AI is an MSCS specialization—not a standalone AI master's.
MS in Data Science and Analytics — Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Concentration
Overview
Availability: Online
Estimated tuition total: $11,212 (in-state)
Credits: Confirm on school site
Best for: In-state data professionals adding an AI/ML concentration
NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-CO, CAE-CD, CAE-R)
Program summary
Old Dominion University is based in Norfolk. AI/ML sits as a concentration or track inside a broader degree—scan required vs elective AI courses so you know how deep the path actually goes. Delivery is fully online—confirm live vs recorded sessions and any intensives. AI/ML is a concentration on a data science or analytics master's—not a standalone AI degree.
Online Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (MS in AIML) for Engineering
Overview
Availability: Online
Estimated tuition total: $40,000 (~$1,212/credit)
Credits: 33
Best for: Learners seeking a dedicated AI master's (University of Washington)
NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-CD, CAE-R)
Program summary
Named as an AI or ML degree—use the course list to separate theory-heavy terms from tool-focused applied semesters. Delivery is fully online—confirm live vs recorded sessions and any intensives. Plan on roughly 2 years (Full-Time); 3-4 years (Part-Time).
Online Master of Science (MS) in Emerging Technologies — Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence
Overview
Availability: Online
Estimated tuition total: Confirm on school site
Credits: 30
Best for: customizing coursework and urban ML applications
NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-CO, CAE-CD, CAE-R)
Program summary
The title reads AI/ML-first; still open the curriculum map to see how much is core AI versus borrowed CS, stats, or engineering electives. Delivery is fully online—confirm live vs recorded sessions and any intensives. Plan on roughly 2-3 years.
Online Master of Engineering (MEng) in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
Overview
Availability: Online · sync
Estimated tuition total: $52,500 (~$1,750/credit)
Credits: 30
Best for: Career changers who want AI & ML with scheduled online sessions
NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-R)
Program summary
George Washington University's program is the one profiled here. The title reads AI/ML-first; still open the curriculum map to see how much is core AI versus borrowed CS, stats, or engineering electives. Delivery is fully online—confirm live vs recorded sessions and any intensives. Plan on roughly up to 3 years. Combined AI & ML master's—not a single-subject add-on.
Online Master of Engineering (MEng) — AI and Machine Learning
Overview
Availability: Online
Estimated tuition total: $32,000 (~$889/credit)
Credits: 36
Best for: ML-focused engineers who want applied AI coursework (University of Illinois at Chicago)
Program summary
University of Illinois at Chicago anchors this ranking slot. Named as an AI or ML degree—use the course list to separate theory-heavy terms from tool-focused applied semesters. Delivery is fully online—confirm live vs recorded sessions and any intensives. Plan on roughly 1-2 years.
Best for: ML-focused engineers who want applied AI coursework (Stevens Institute of Technology)
NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-CD, CAE-R)
Program summary
Named as an AI or ML degree—use the course list to separate theory-heavy terms from tool-focused applied semesters. Delivery is fully online—confirm live vs recorded sessions and any intensives. Plan on roughly 1.5-2 years.
More Online Machine Learning Master's Programs to Compare
These schools also offer online machine learning master's programs. They are not numbered in the ranking above—either they sat outside the top list, or we do not yet have a defensible tuition estimate to score them fairly on cost. Confirm current tuition and admissions on each school site.
What is the best online machine learning master's?
On this Best Overall list, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of New Mexico, and Purdue University lead for cost, curriculum, and outcomes. Confirm required math courses and credit load before you apply.
Is an online ML master's different from an AI master's?
Titles overlap. ML programs lean harder into algorithms and modeling; AI programs may add NLP, vision, or ethics tracks. Read the curriculum.
Do I need a strong math background?
Most ML master's expect linear algebra, probability, and programming. Bridge courses help if you are switching fields—check each school's required courses.
How does AIDegrees rank these programs?
We order schools on this page using our ranking method, with more weight on affordability (40%), student outcomes (30%), curriculum (20%). Figures draw from published school tuition and U.S. Department of Education outcomes data when available. Schools cannot pay for a higher rank. About 86% of programs on this list have full scoring data. See the full ranking methodology for details.
