The Best Colleges for Machine Learning in 2021
Machine learning sometimes referred to as ML, is an exciting aspect of artificial intelligence. It refers to the research and practice in which one can investigate how computing agents can improve their perception, cognition, and action with experience. Machine learning is about machines that improve from data, knowledge, experience, and interaction.
If you want to know more about ML, you should consider looking for machine learning engineer schools. This is the best way to become a machine learning engineer. Take a look below at the best schools for machine learning in 2021.
Top 10 Machine Learning Schools in 2021 at a Glance
In the following list, you can see some of the best schools that offer degree programs in machine learning or similar topics. All tuition information has been sourced from each school’s respective website.
| School and Degrees | State | Tuition | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carnegie Mellon University Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning Minor Master of Science in Machine Learning Doctor of Philosophy in Machine Learning |
(PA) | $57,560 per year $699 per unit $635 per unit |
Undergraduate Master’s Doctorate |
| Columbia University Bachelor of Science in Computer Science Master of Science in Computer Science Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science |
(NY) | $1,948 per credit $2,196 per credit |
Undergraduate Graduate |
| Cornell University Master of Engineering in Computer Science Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science |
(NY) | $60,286 per year $29,500 per year |
Master’s Doctorate |
| Georgia Institute of Technology Master of Science in Computer Science, Specialization in Machine Learning Doctor of Philosophy in Machine Learning |
(GA) | $586 per credit hour $1,215 per credit hour |
In-state Out-of-state |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology Bachelor of Science in Computation and Cognition Master of Engineering in Computation and Cognition Professional Certificate in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence |
(MA) | $27,755 per term | All students |
| Stanford University Bachelor of Science in Computer Science Master of Science in Computer Science Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science |
(CA) | $18,491 per quarter $18,105 per quarter |
Undergraduate Graduate |
| University of California, Berkeley Bachelor of Arts in Data Science Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science Master of Engineering – Data Science and Systems Concentration Graduate Certificate in Applied Data Science |
(CA) | $5,721 per semester $20,598 per semester $11,844 per semester |
In-state Undergraduate, out-of-state Graduate, out-of-state |
| University of California, Los Angeles Bachelor of Science in Computer Science Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering Master of Science in Computer Science Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science |
(CA) | $13,258 per year $43,012 per year $17,486 per year* $32,588 per year* |
Undergraduate, in-state Undergraduate, out-of-State Graduate, in-state Graduate, out-of-state |
| University of California, San Diego Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering Master of Science in Computer Science and Engineering Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Engineering |
(CA) | $12,570 per year $42,324 per year $27,672 per year |
In-state Undergraduate, out-of-State Graduate, out-of-state |
| University of Washington Bachelor of Science in Computer Science Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering Master in Computer Science and Engineering Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science and Engineering Certificate in Machine Learning |
(WA) | $12,076 per year* $39,906 per year* $20,175 per year* $35,064 per year* $4,548 total |
Undergraduate, in-state Undergraduate, out-of-state Graduate, in-state Graduate, out-of-state Certificate |
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Online vs In-Person Machine Learning Degrees
When enrolling in a degree in machine learning, there are options for either in-person or online schooling. By learning more about the advantages and disadvantages of each delivery method, you can decide which choice is right for you.
Most students can master the material offered in either setting. Online learning can give you more scheduling freedom, but it can also require more time. By attending an online program, you can get a more affordable IT degree. However, traditional learning may be better suited for networking opportunities and face-to-face interaction.
Choosing the Best School for You
Some things to consider when deciding on a school are degree programs, location, and education statistics. Read below to learn more about the factors you should consider when choosing a machine learning program.
Degree Programs
The specific degree program depends on the career path you want to take. Different schools offer specialized classes in different niches. This is why it is important to search for the schools that offer those degree programs that meet your needs. These include associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and doctoral degrees.
Location
When choosing a school, it is essential to consider whether the school you want to attend is in your location. This is because tuition tends to vary depending on whether you are a resident or non-resident. You can also choose online programs to save money in some cases.
Statistics
It is a good idea to research schools according to data on admissions, retention, and graduation rates. Also, consider financial information, including the percentage of students who pay full tuition, receive financial aid, and take out loans. The National Center for Education Statistics provides helpful data for many schools.
The Best Machine Learning Schools in 2021
Some of the best schools to get a machine learning degree are listed below. This list is meant to help you evaluate the degree programs they offer to see which school will be a good fit for your specific goals.
Carnegie Mellon University
The machine learning department at Carnegie Mellon University is globally known. It is one of the only schools in the country to offer a Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence and a Minor in Machine Learning. Research areas include the theoretical foundations of machine learning and contributions to the general intelligence of the AI field.
Carnegie Mellon University Machine Learning Programs
- Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning Minor
- Master of Science in Machine Learning
- Doctor of Philosophy in Machine Learning
Columbia University
The computer science department offers two Bachelor of Science programs and four Bachelor of Arts programs. It also currently offers concentration tracks for Master of Science students covering eight disciplines. Students can choose a machine learning concentration track and participate in state-of-the-art research with research groups and labs.
Columbia University Machine Learning Programs
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
- Master of Science in Computer Science
- Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League institution. Its computer science department maintains 12 major avenues of research in graphics, programming languages, scientific computing, robotics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. The MEng is a four-semester program for students who wish to deepen their knowledge of computer science.
Cornell University Machine Learning Programs
- Master of Engineering in Computer Science
- Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science
Georgia Institute of Technology
Georgia Tech is one of the best tech schools in the country. It offers two graduate programs to help you become a machine learning expert. Both the MS and Ph.D. can help you learn artificial intelligence and advanced machine learning systems. There are also extensive research opportunities.
Georgia Institute of Technology Machine Learning Programs
- Master of Science in Computer Science, Specialization in Machine Learning
- Doctor of Philosophy in Machine Learning
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MIT offers joint programs from the computer science and brain and cognitive science departments. The Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Computation and Cognition cover machine learning and artificial intelligence with a biological spin. If you would rather get a certificate, MIT also offers one in ML and AI.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Machine Learning Programs
- Bachelor of Science in Computation and Cognition
- Master of Engineering in Computation and Cognition
- Professional Certificate in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
Stanford University
Stanford University’s Computer Science Department is part of the School of Engineering. It offers computer science degrees at every level. The computer science department also participates in undergraduate interdisciplinary programs such as computer systems engineering, symbolic systems, and mathematical and computational sciences.
Stanford University Machine Learning Programs
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
- Master of Science in Computer Science
- Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science
University of California, Berkeley
UC Berkeley offers many data science degrees that have a focus on machine learning. The Master of Engineering with a Data Science and Systems Concentration is a highlight because it offers hands-on experience. You can also pursue a graduate certificate to learn more about neural networks, data structures, and machine learning algorithms.
University of California, Berkeley Machine Learning Programs
- Bachelor of Arts in Data Science
- Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science
- Master of Engineering – Data Science and Systems Concentration
- Graduate Certificate in Applied Data Science
University of California, Los Angeles
UCLA’s Department of Computer Science offers a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science or both Computer Science and Engineering combined. You can access many different areas of research, including big data and machine learning. UCLA also offers highly regarded computer science graduate degrees where you can focus on ML.
University of California, Los Angeles Machine Learning Programs
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering
- Master of Science in Computer Science
- Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science
University of California, San Diego
The Computer Science and Engineering department offers degrees in Computer Science and Computer Engineering. These degrees provide a research-oriented education in preparation for a research, industrial, or entrepreneurial careers. If you want to learn computer engineering for machine learning, UCSD is a great choice.
University of California, San Diego Machine Learning Programs
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering
- Master of Science in Computer Science and Engineering
- Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science
- Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Engineering
University of Washington
The Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Washington is among the top computer science programs in the United States. The school participates in a broad range of multi-disciplinary initiatives that are nationally recognized to promote diversity and demonstrate the transformative power of computing.
University of Washington Machine Learning Programs
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering
- Master in Computer Science and Engineering
- Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science and Engineering
- Certificate in Machine Learning
What Can You Do With a
Machine Learning Degree?
With a Machine Learning Degree, you can work at tech and data science companies. If you’re interested in working in tech, this is one of the best degrees to get. You can also continue studying and enroll in combined bachelors and master’s before going into the industry. You can also pursue Masters and Ph.D. machine learning programs.
Another option is to apply your technical skills in other areas like education, arts, and law. Whether you directly use your technical skills in a tech company or contribute your knowledge of computer science to a different industry, you will be prepared to stand out in a variety of careers and make a positive impact in the world.
How Much Can I Expect to Earn With a Degree in Machine Learning?
Students with a degree in machine learning can earn $103,930 per year in data science occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This number can fluctuate depending on your position, work experience, and degree level. If you’re interested in learning more about machine learning salaries, take a look at the careers below.
Min salary
Average salary
Top salary
Top Machine Learning Degree Careers
| Profession | Minimum Education | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Data Scientist | Master’s Degree | $126,742 |
| Machine Learning Engineer | Bachelor’s Degree | $112,850 |
| Senior Database Administrator | Master’s Degree | $110,292 |
| Data Scientist | Bachelor’s Degree | $96,559 |
| Senior Data Analyst | Master’s Degree | $82,523 |
| Business Intelligence Developer | Bachelor’s Degree | $81,135 |
| Database Administrator | Bachelor’s Degree | $73,398 |
| Intelligence Analyst | Bachelor’s Degree | $71,401 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | Bachelor’s Degree | $70,181 |
| Business Intelligence Analyst | Bachelor’s Degree | $69,647 |
Does It Matter What College I Go to for Machine Learning?
Yes, it matters what college you go to. You need to make sure your school is accredited and offers quality degrees. Some schools offer a variety of opportunities in research, internships, programs, and capstone projects. Students may also find it helpful if their school provides support from faculty and hands-on experience with complex real data sets.
Should You Pursue a Degree in Machine Learning?
Yes, you should get a degree in machine learning. If you have an interest in technology and data, machine learning is a great career choice. Our society increasingly relies on digital data. Machine learning is crucial for the current and future applications of this data.
Enrolling in a machine learning, computer science, or artificial intelligence degree is the right decision. If you are interested in building your career path while acquiring critical skills, you should attend one of the best schools for machine learning in 2021.
