Best Machine Learning Bachelor's Degrees: 2026 Rankings
Undergraduate machine learning majors and concentrations, ranked with our method.
Updated
Kansas State University, University of Colorado Boulder, and University of Washington lead our ranking of machine learning bachelor's degrees. Most undergraduate machine learning programs are a concentration inside a broader major: 33 of the 39 programs we compared are tracks within computer science, engineering, data science or statistics, and 6 are standalone machine learning majors. Federal data show U.S. colleges awarded 115 bachelor's degrees in the artificial intelligence field in 2023–24, compared with 44,627 in computer science.
Top 10 machine learning bachelor's degrees
Rank
School
Location
1
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS
2
University of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO
3
University of Washington
Seattle, WA
4
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, CA
5
Boston University
Boston, MA
6
Duke University
Durham, NC
7
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO
8
The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX
9
University of California, Davis
Davis, CA
10
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA
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 (30%), student outcomes (25%), curriculum (25%). Figures draw from published school tuition and U.S. Department of Education outcomes data when available. Schools cannot pay for a higher rank. All programs on this list have full scoring data. Read the full ranking methodology.
How To Choose a Machine Learning Bachelor's Degree
Use these criteria when you shortlist—then confirm details on each school’s program page.
Math depth
Machine learning rests on linear algebra, probability, statistics and calculus. Count the required math courses on the program requirements page; a track with only one statistics course will leave gaps.
Standalone major or concentration
A concentration inside computer science or engineering keeps the broader degree name employers know, and most programs here take that form. A standalone major (Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Drexel University, and Saint Joseph's University offer one) gives more machine learning courses but a less familiar title.
Projects and research
Look for a capstone, undergraduate research or a lab where you train and evaluate real models. A portfolio of projects matters more than the concentration name when you apply for jobs.
Online availability
Of the 39 programs we compared, 8 list an online option. Ask how online students get computing resources for model training.
Path to graduate study
Research roles usually ask for more than a bachelor's; BLS lists a master's degree as the typical entry education for computer and information research scientists. Check whether the school offers an accelerated bachelor's-to-master's path.
Where a machine learning bachelor's leads
Data scientists earned a median $120,230 in May 2025, and BLS projects the field to grow 34.6% from 2025 to 2035. Entry-level data science and analytics roles are a common first job for machine learning graduates.
Software developers earned a median $135,980 in May 2025, and BLS projects the field to grow 10.2% from 2025 to 2035. Machine learning engineering jobs usually sit inside software teams, so strong programming skills matter as much as model knowledge.
Computer and information research scientists earned a median $140,300 in May 2025, and BLS projects the field to grow 21.8% from 2025 to 2035. BLS lists a master's degree as the typical entry education for this role.
Program summaries for these machine learning bachelor's
Each school lists a quick overview (program, estimated cost, format) plus a short program summary with links to official school pages and related program paths. Tuition figures are published estimates—confirm current totals on the school’s program page before you apply.
1
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS
Bachelor’s Degree in Cyber Systems Design & Dynamics (Machine Learning and Autonomous Systems concentration)
Overview
Availability: Varies
Estimated tuition total: $52,284 (~$436/credit)
Credits: 120
Best for: technical AI curriculum
NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-R)
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.
BS in Computer Science — Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Overview
Availability: On campus
Estimated tuition total: Confirm on school site
Credits: 128
Best for: ML-focused engineers who want applied AI coursework
Program summary
University of Colorado Boulder's program is the one profiled here. You’re in a CS degree that leans AI/ML—confirm how many required courses are explicitly AI versus general graduate CS. Most of the work is on campus—labs and cohort access are part of the draw. Plan on roughly 4 years. AI is a CS concentration—not a standalone AI bachelor's.
BS in Electrical and Computer Engineering — Machine Learning
Overview
Availability: On campus
Estimated tuition total: Confirm on school site
Credits: 180
Best for: Engineers applying ML/AI inside computer engineering
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. Most of the work is on campus—labs and cohort access are part of the draw. Plan on roughly 4 years. ML/AI sits inside an engineering bachelor's—not a standalone AI degree.
BS in Cognitive Science — Machine Learning and Neural Computation Specialization
Overview
Availability: Varies
Estimated tuition total: Confirm on school site
Credits: 180
Best for: Students comparing this specialty on cost and delivery
Program summary
Students looking at La Jolla will find University of California, San Diego on this list. 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.
BS in Biomedical Engineering — Machine Learning Concentration
Overview
Availability: Varies
Estimated tuition total: Confirm on school site
Credits: 133
Best for: Students comparing this specialty on cost and delivery (AI concentration)
NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-CD, CAE-R)
Program summary
Boston University's program is the one profiled here. This is a specialization on a larger program, not a standalone AI diploma; the parent major still drives required courses and campus-visit rules.
BS in Computer Science — AI and Machine Learning Concentration
Overview
Availability: Varies
Estimated tuition total: Confirm on school site
Credits: Confirm on school site
Best for: CS students specializing in AI/ML within a bachelor's
NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-CD)
Program summary
Duke University is based in Durham. 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. AI is a CS concentration—not a standalone AI bachelor's.
BS in Computer Science · Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Concentration
Overview
Availability: Online
Estimated tuition total: $58,800 (~$490/credit)
Credits: 120
Best for: CS students specializing in AI/ML within a bachelor's (AI specialization)
NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-CD, CAE-R)
Program summary
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 is a CS concentration—not a standalone AI bachelor's.
BS in Computer Science — Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence
Overview
Availability: On campus
Estimated tuition total: Confirm on school site
Credits: 120
Best for: CS students specializing in AI/ML within a bachelor's (The University of Texas at Austin)
Program summary
UT Austin's program is the one profiled here. You’re in a CS degree that leans AI/ML—confirm how many required courses are explicitly AI versus general graduate CS. Most of the work is on campus—labs and cohort access are part of the draw. Plan on roughly 4 years. AI is a CS concentration—not a standalone AI bachelor's.
Best for: Students comparing this specialty on cost and delivery (University of California, Davis)
NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-R)
Program summary
University of California, Davis' program is the one profiled here. 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.
BS in Computer Science — Machine Learning Concentration
Overview
Availability: Varies
Estimated tuition total: Confirm on school site
Credits: Confirm on school site
Best for: CS students specializing in AI/ML within a bachelor's (Carnegie Mellon University)
NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-CD, CAE-R, CAE-CO)
Program summary
Carnegie Mellon sits in Pittsburgh. 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. AI is a CS concentration—not a standalone AI bachelor's.
More Machine Learning Bachelor's Programs to Compare
These schools also offer machine learning bachelor's. 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 machine learning bachelor's degree?
Kansas State University, University of Colorado Boulder, and University of Washington lead our ranking. Compare math requirements, project work and format alongside rank.
Can you major in machine learning?
At a few schools, yes. Most colleges offer machine learning as a concentration inside computer science, engineering, data science or statistics: 33 of the 39 programs we compared take that form.
Is machine learning the same as an AI degree?
Machine learning is the part of AI that builds systems that learn from data. AI degrees usually add topics such as robotics, planning, language and ethics. A machine learning track goes deeper on statistics and model building.
What jobs can you get with a machine learning bachelor's?
Common first jobs include data scientist, machine learning engineer and software developer. Data scientists earned a median $120,230 in May 2025, and BLS projects the field to grow 34.6% from 2025 to 2035.
Can you earn a machine learning bachelor's online?
Yes. Of the 39 programs we compared, 8 list an online option. Confirm how online students get access to computing resources and project mentoring.
How is this list built?
We order schools on this page using our ranking method, with more weight on affordability (30%), student outcomes (25%), curriculum (25%). Figures draw from published school tuition and U.S. Department of Education outcomes data when available. Schools cannot pay for a higher rank. All programs on this list have full scoring data. See the full ranking methodology for weights and data sources.
