Master's degrees in robotics, autonomy and mechatronics, ranked with our method.
Updated
Duke University, Georgia Institute of Technology, and University of California, San Diego lead our ranking of robotics master's programs. U.S. colleges awarded 1,016 master's degrees in mechatronics, robotics and automation engineering in 2023–24, up from 452 in 2020–21, according to U.S. Department of Education completions data. Of the 43 programs we compared, 8 are Master of Engineering degrees and 7 list an online option.
Top 10 robotics master's programs
Rank
School
Location
1
Duke University
Durham, NC
2
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA
3
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, CA
4
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, NY
5
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL
6
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ
7
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI
8
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL
9
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD
10
Drexel University
Philadelphia, 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 (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 92% of programs on this list have full scoring data. Read the full ranking methodology.
How To Choose a Robotics Master's Program
Use these criteria when you shortlist—then confirm details on each school’s program page.
M.S. or M.Eng.
A Master of Engineering is usually coursework-based and aimed at industry jobs; 8 programs here use that title. An M.S. more often offers a thesis option, which matters if you might go on to a PhD.
Dedicated robotics degree or a track
Some schools award a robotics degree outright; others offer robotics as a track inside computer science or another engineering master's (Georgia Institute of Technology and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute take that form). A track keeps the broader degree name but may require fewer robotics courses.
Hardware access
Robotics needs labs: robot arms, mobile platforms, drones or vehicles. Ask how much lab time students get, and how online students complete hands-on work.
Specialty fit
Programs lean toward different areas, such as autonomy and perception, controls and mechatronics, or unmanned aircraft. Match the elective list on the program requirements page to the work you want.
Online format
Georgia Institute of Technology, Columbia University, Rice University, Kennesaw State University, Stevens Institute of Technology, University of Washington, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute list an online option. Most online robotics programs lean on simulation and software, so confirm any in-person lab requirements.
Where a robotics master's leads
The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish a separate occupation profile for robotics engineers; robotics work spans software, hardware and research roles.
Software developers earned a median $135,980 in May 2025, and BLS projects the field to grow 10.2% from 2025 to 2035. Autonomy, perception and robot-control software jobs fall here.
Computer hardware engineers earned a median $161,740 in May 2025, and BLS projects the field to grow 9.1% from 2025 to 2035. Embedded systems and sensor hardware for robots fit this role.
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. Research labs in robotics and autonomy hire into this role.
Program summaries for these robotics master's programs
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
Duke University
Durham, NC
Master of Engineering in Robotics and Autonomy
Overview
Availability: Varies
Estimated tuition total: Confirm on school site
Credits: 30
Best for: Students comparing this specialty on cost and delivery
NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-CD)
Program summary
Duke University's program is worth a close look; confirm delivery mode on the school’s program page.
MS in Computer Science with Computational Perception and Robotics Specialization
Overview
Availability: Online
Estimated tuition total: Confirm on school site
Credits: 30
Best for: Working adults comparing this online AI/ML path on cost and fit
Program summary
Georgia Tech sits in Atlanta. 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.
MS in ECE — Intelligent Systems · Robotics · and Control
Overview
Availability: Varies
Estimated tuition total: Confirm on school site
Credits: Confirm on school site
Best for: Students comparing this specialty on cost and delivery (University of California, San Diego)
Program summary
University of California, San Diego is based in La Jolla. University of California, San Diego's program is worth a close look; confirm delivery mode on the school’s program page. ML/AI sits inside an engineering master's—not a standalone AI degree.
Best for: Students comparing this specialty on cost and delivery (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute)
Program summary
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is based in Troy. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's program is worth a close look; confirm delivery mode on the school’s program page.
Best for: Students comparing this specialty on cost and delivery (University of Michigan, Ann Arbor)
Program summary
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor's program is the one profiled here. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor's program is worth a close look; confirm delivery mode on the school’s program page.
Master's in Mechanical Engineering — Robotics · Systems Modeling · Dynamics · And Control
Overview
Availability: Varies
Estimated tuition total: Confirm on school site
Credits: 36
Best for: Students comparing this specialty on cost and delivery (Johns Hopkins University)
NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-R)
Program summary
Students looking at Baltimore will find Johns Hopkins on this list. Johns Hopkins' program is worth a close look; confirm delivery mode on the school’s program page.
Best for: Students comparing this specialty on cost and delivery (Drexel University)
NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-CD)
Program summary
Students looking at Philadelphia will find Drexel University on this list. Drexel University's program is worth a close look; confirm delivery mode on the school’s program page.
These schools also offer robotics 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.
Duke University, Georgia Institute of Technology, and University of California, San Diego lead our ranking. Carnegie Mellon's Master of Science in Robotics appears in the extended list below. Compare lab access, specialty and format alongside rank.
Can you get a robotics master's online?
Yes. Georgia Institute of Technology, Columbia University, Rice University, Kennesaw State University, Stevens Institute of Technology, University of Washington, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute list an online option among the 43 programs we compared. Ask how online students complete hands-on lab work.
What is the difference between an M.S. and an M.Eng. in robotics?
An M.Eng. is usually coursework-based and built for industry careers. An M.S. more often includes a thesis or research option, which helps if you plan to apply to PhD programs.
How many colleges award robotics master's degrees?
In 2023–24, 32 U.S. colleges awarded master's degrees coded as mechatronics, robotics and automation engineering, totaling 1,016 degrees. Many more offer robotics as a track inside computer science, mechanical or electrical engineering, which federal data count under those fields.
What jobs can you get with a robotics master's?
Common roles include robotics software engineer, autonomy engineer, controls engineer and research scientist. Software developers earned a median $135,980 in May 2025, and BLS projects the field to grow 10.2% from 2025 to 2035.
How is this list built?
We order schools on this page using our ranking method, with more weight on affordability (30%), 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 92% of programs on this list have full scoring data. See the full ranking methodology for weights and data sources.
