Georgia’s demand for machine learning expertise is accelerating, particularly in the Atlanta metro area where job postings for ML engineers and data scientists have seen double-digit growth in the past year. The state is experiencing widespread adoption of AI tools across industries including healthcare, finance, logistics, and manufacturing, with a growing percentage of the workforce actively engaging in AI-supported roles.
Major infrastructure investments in cloud computing and artificial intelligence are expected to generate thousands of high-skilled positions, creating urgent demand for advanced technical talent.
At the same time, Georgia faces a significant talent gap, with many AI-related positions projected to go unfilled due to a shortage of qualified professionals. A master’s degree in machine learning equips graduates with essential competencies in deep learning, natural language processing, MLOps, and statistical modeling, directly aligning with the state’s hiring needs.
2026 Best Schools for Machine Learning Masters in Georgia
Mercer University
Macon, GA - Private 4-year - mercer.edu
Master's - M.S. in Applied Data Intelligence and Machine Learning
Concentration: Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Self-designed study - Online Learning - Visit Website
Mercer University's M.S. in Applied Data Intelligence and Machine Learning is an online program with concentrations in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, or self-designed study, focusing on practical skills for AI and data science roles. The 36-credit-hour curriculum includes hands-on projects and 8-week courses starting in January and August, ideal for working professionals. Admission requires a bachelor's degree with no GRE needed, preparing graduates for high-demand careers in machine learning and data analysis.
- Online format for flexibility.
- 36 credit hours required.
- Concentrations in AI, Data Science.
- 8-week course terms.
- No GRE admission requirement.
- Hands-on real-world data projects.
- Start terms in January, August.
- Prepares for high-demand careers.
- Flexible self-designed study option.
- Comprehensive core and elective courses.
Emory University
Atlanta, GA - Private 4-year - emory.edu
Master's - Master of Science in Computer Science
Concentration: Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Data Mining - Campus Based - Visit Website
Emory University's Master of Science in Computer Science offers a specialized concentration in Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, and Data Mining. This campus-based program in Atlanta, GA, emphasizes practical problem-solving and advanced computing concepts, preparing students for industry roles or PhD pursuits. It requires basic programming knowledge and welcomes diverse backgrounds, with options for thesis, project, or coursework tracks, including a practicum. Admissions focus on quantitative aptitude and programming skills, and the program does not require an entrance exam like the GRE, as it is not explicitly stated as required.
- Concentrations in AI, ML, Data Mining.
- Campus-based in Atlanta, GA.
- Requires basic programming knowledge.
- Options for thesis, project, coursework.
- Prepares for industry or PhD.
- Includes practicum requirement.
- Diverse student backgrounds welcome.
- Focus on practical problem-solving.
- Advanced computing concepts covered.
- Emphasis on data-oriented areas.
Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, GA - Public 4-Year - georgiasouthern.edu
Master's - Master of Science in Computer Science
Concentration: Machine Learning - Online Learning - Visit Website
Georgia Southern University's Master of Science in Computer Science with a Machine Learning concentration is an online program that requires the GRE for admission. It offers a 30-credit curriculum blending theory and practical skills, taught by internationally recognized faculty. Flexible delivery options include online, hybrid, or in-person formats, with in-state tuition at $277 per credit hour. Provisional admission is available for non-computing backgrounds, and the program includes research experience and high salary potential, making it an affordable and career-advancing choice.
- Specialization in Machine Learning.
- 30 credit hours.
- Online, hybrid, or in-person.
- In-state tuition $277/credit.
- Internationally recognized faculty.
- Provisional admittance available.
- Flexible delivery options.
- Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s.
- Research experience included.
- High median salary potential.
2026 Low Cost Programs in GA
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Southern University |
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| Mercer University |
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| Emory University |
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How to Choose the Right School for You in GA
Program Overview Comparison
Georgia presents three distinct pathways for machine learning and AI education, each targeting different professional goals and learning preferences:
Mercer University offers a specialized MS in Applied Data Intelligence and Machine Learning with complete online flexibility, emphasizing practical data projects and self-designed study options for working professionals.
Georgia Southern University provides an MS in Computer Science with Machine Learning concentration through multiple delivery formats, combining affordability with internationally recognized faculty and flexible admission pathways.
Emory University delivers a prestigious MS in Computer Science with comprehensive AI/ML focus in Atlanta, offering rigorous campus-based education with thesis, project, and coursework tracks for diverse career preparation.
Cost Analysis
In-State Students (Georgia Residents)
- Georgia Southern: $5,200-$7,800 annually ($277/credit) – Most affordable option
- Mercer: $14,300-$21,400 annually – Mid-tier private pricing
- Emory: $38,200-$57,300 annually – Premium private education
Out-of-State Students
- Georgia Southern: $17,100-$25,700 annually – Significant but reasonable premium
- Mercer: $14,300-$21,400 annually – No residency differential (major advantage)
- Emory: $38,200-$57,300 annually – Consistent premium pricing
Total Program Investment
- Georgia Southern: $8,310 (30 credits, in-state) to $25,650 (out-of-state)
- Mercer: $25,740-$38,520 (36 credits)
- Emory: $76,400-$114,600 (estimated 30+ credits)
Program Duration and Format Comparison
Flexible Professional Format
Mercer operates 8-week course terms with January and August starts, enabling year-round progression for working professionals.
Multi-Modal Delivery
Georgia Southern offers online, hybrid, or in-person options, accommodating diverse scheduling needs and learning preferences.
Traditional Academic Structure
Emory follows campus-based semester format with intensive, immersive learning in Atlanta’s tech ecosystem.
Curriculum Specialization Analysis
Applied Data Intelligence Focus
Mercer emphasizes practical application with real-world data projects, AI and Data Science concentrations, plus unique self-designed study options allowing complete customization.
Computer Science Foundation with ML Specialization
Georgia Southern provides broad CS foundation with ML concentration, research opportunities, and accelerated bachelor’s-to-master’s pathways.
Comprehensive AI/ML/Data Mining Integration
Emory offers the most rigorous academic approach with thesis, project, or coursework tracks, mandatory practicum, and deep theoretical grounding.
Unique Program Features
Customization Options
Mercer uniquely offers self-designed study concentration, allowing students to create personalized curricula matching specific career goals.
Accessibility and Flexibility
Georgia Southern provides provisional admission for non-computing backgrounds and multiple delivery formats serving diverse student populations.
Research Integration
Emory requires practicum experience and offers thesis tracks, preparing students for both industry roles and PhD advancement.
Target Audience and Career Outcomes
Working Professionals and Career Changers
Mercer best serves professionals needing flexible scheduling, practical skills, and immediate application in data intelligence roles.
Budget-Conscious Students Seeking Quality
Georgia Southern appeals to students wanting recognized education at affordable rates with multiple learning format options.
High-Achievers Seeking Prestige and Rigor
Emory targets students wanting premier education, research opportunities, and Atlanta’s tech industry connections.
Admission Requirements Assessment
Most Accessible
Mercer requires no GRE scores and welcomes diverse professional backgrounds for online learning.
Flexible Standards
Georgia Southern offers provisional admission for non-computing majors, broadening access while maintaining quality.
Selective but Fair
Emory requires quantitative background and basic programming skills but doesn’t explicitly mandate entrance exams.
Geographic and Industry Connections
National Online Reach
Mercer serves students nationwide through online delivery while maintaining Georgia-based faculty expertise.
Regional Public University Network
Georgia Southern provides access to University System of Georgia resources and regional industry partnerships.
Atlanta Tech Hub Access
Emory offers direct connection to Atlanta’s thriving tech ecosystem, major corporations, and startup community.
Selection Framework: Choosing Your Best Fit
For Working Professionals and Self-Directed Learners
Choose Mercer University if you value:
- Complete online flexibility with 8-week terms
- Self-designed study options for customization
- Practical, project-based learning approach
- No GRE requirement for accessibility
- Consistent tuition regardless of residency
- Real-world data intelligence focus
For Budget-Conscious Students Seeking Quality Education
Choose Georgia Southern University if you prioritize:
- Most affordable tuition rates (especially in-state)
- Multiple delivery format options
- Internationally recognized faculty
- Provisional admission for career changers
- Research experience opportunities
- Accelerated bachelor’s-to-master’s pathways
For Academic Excellence and Research Opportunities
Choose Emory University if you want:
- Prestigious Atlanta-based education
- Rigorous theoretical and practical integration
- Thesis and research track options
- Comprehensive AI, ML, and data mining coverage
- Strong industry and PhD preparation
- Campus-based collaborative learning
Decision Matrix
Choose Mercer if: You’re a working professional needing maximum flexibility with practical, project-based learning and customizable curriculum options.
Choose Georgia Southern if: You want quality, affordable education with multiple delivery options and don’t mind potentially longer completion times.
Choose Emory if: You can invest in premium education for prestigious credentials, research opportunities, and Atlanta tech industry connections.
Critical Considerations
Cost vs. Prestige Trade-off
Georgia residents receive exceptional value at Georgia Southern ($8,310 total), while Emory commands premium pricing ($76,000+) for prestigious credentials.
Flexibility vs. Rigor Balance
Mercer maximizes convenience for professionals, while Emory provides most rigorous academic experience requiring significant time commitment.
Career Trajectory Alignment
Mercer serves immediate professional advancement, Georgia Southern offers cost-effective skill development, Emory prepares for leadership and research roles.
The optimal choice depends on budget constraints, career stage, learning preferences, and long-term professional goals. Georgia residents should strongly consider Georgia Southern for affordability, while working professionals benefit from Mercer’s flexibility. Those seeking prestigious credentials and research opportunities should evaluate Emory despite higher costs. Each program serves distinct market segments effectively, making the decision primarily about personal priorities and circumstances rather than absolute program quality.
List of Online Masters in Machine Learning Offerings in Georgia
Macon, GA
Mercer University
- Master's - M.S. in Applied Data Intelligence and Machine Learning
Concentration: Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Self-designed study - Online Learning - Website
- Online format for flexibility.
- 36 credit hours required.
- Concentrations in AI, Data Science.
- 8-week course terms.
- No GRE admission requirement.
- Hands-on real-world data projects.
- Start terms in January, August.
- Prepares for high-demand careers.
Statesboro, GA
Georgia Southern University
- Master's - Master of Science in Computer Science
Concentration: Machine Learning - Online Learning - Website
- Specialization in Machine Learning.
- 30 credit hours.
- Online, hybrid, or in-person.
- In-state tuition $277/credit.
- Internationally recognized faculty.
- Provisional admittance available.
- Flexible delivery options.
- Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s.
Machine Learning Engineer Opportunities in Georgia
Below is a mini market analysis for machine learning expertise demand using sites like Indeed and Google Jobs. Based on current job postings, here’s what employers are looking for, organized by key skill requirements and compensation levels.
Core Technical Skills in High Demand
Python Programming & ML Frameworks
Nearly every employer requires strong Python skills paired with ML frameworks. Sage seeks candidates with expert knowledge in Python, OpenAI, HuggingFace, Spark, Azure, and AWS for their Principal ML Engineer role ($134,000-$205,000 range estimated). Intuit emphasizes Python programming alongside ML frameworks like scikit-learn, XGBoost, TensorFlow, or PyTorch for their Senior ML Engineer position ($149,500-$219,000). The Home Depot specifically mentions experience with Jupyter Notebooks, Pandas, SciPy, Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, and PyTorch for their Senior ML Engineer role.
Cloud Platform Expertise
Cloud proficiency is universally required. Amazon Web Services offers $129,300-$223,600 for ML Engineers specializing in generative AI solutions built on AWS services. Verizon ($101,000-$194,000) requires experience with AWS, Azure, or GCP along with their AI/ML services. GAINSystems focuses specifically on Azure cloud platforms with Databricks and MLflow for their MLOps Engineer contractor position ($60-$67/hour).
MLOps and Production Systems
The emphasis on production-ready ML systems is clear across all major employers. Gusto seeks Senior ML Engineers with 10+ years of software engineering experience and demonstrated expertise in MLOps tooling such as KubeFlow, AWS Sagemaker, or MLFlow. Coforge requires 4-8 years of experience with AWS SageMaker, MLFlow, and CloudWatch for their MLOps Engineer role in Alpharetta. Verizon emphasizes hands-on experience with model deployment, ML engineering techniques, and real-time/batch AI processors.
Specialized Domain Knowledge
Generative AI and LLMs
Sage focuses heavily on generative AI, large language models, and building AI-powered automation tools. Amazon Web Services seeks engineers for their Gen AI Innovation Center, requiring experience with prompt engineering, vector databases, and retrieval augmented generation (RAG). The Home Depot mentions building LLM-powered applications using prompt engineering, RAG, and fine-tuning techniques.
Financial Services and Fraud Detection
Coforge specifically targets fraud detection models in the BFS/Investment Management industry, requiring expertise in structured and unstructured data processing for fraud models with strong knowledge of evaluation metrics like precision, recall, F1-score, and AUC-ROC.
Supply Chain and Operations
GAINSystems offers opportunities in supply chain planning and execution, seeking candidates with ML applications in demand forecasting, inventory optimization, and logistics.
Telecommunications and Media
EY ($124,300-$227,900, up to $259,000 in high-cost areas) specifically seeks ML engineers for their TMT (Technology, Media, Telecommunications) sector with 6-10 years of experience. They require familiarity with telecommunications protocols (5G, LTE), streaming video/audio technologies, and customer segmentation for media companies.
Cross-Disciplinary Integration
Full-Stack Development
Vividly emphasizes that their ML engineers must contribute to full-stack development and DevOps needs when integrating AI features. Amazon Web Services requires front-end development skills (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React) alongside backend model integration and API design.
Data Engineering
Intuit expects their Senior ML Engineers to handle data wrangling, feature engineering, and building pipelines for model training and deployment. GAINSystems requires hands-on experience with ETL/ELT pipelines and orchestration tools like Airflow.
Software Engineering
Gusto requires at least 10 years of software engineering experience (Python, Ruby, or Java) for their Senior ML Engineer – Platform role. Verizon emphasizes development lifecycle management and DevOps automation methods.
Business Strategy and Consulting
EY uniquely positions their ML engineers as client-facing consultants who must manage client relationships, lead teams, and identify additional service opportunities, requiring 2-4 years of direct team management experience.
Education and Experience Requirements
Advanced Degrees Preferred
Coforge requires a PhD or MS in Computer Science, Statistics, or related field. EY lists a Master’s degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, or Physical Sciences as preferred. Rivian (referenced from previous data) prefers M.S. or Ph.D. in Machine Learning for their Staff positions.
Experience Levels
- Entry to Mid-Level: The Home Depot accepts 2-4 years of relevant experience
- Senior Level: Intuit, Sage, and Vividly typically require 5+ years
- Principal/Staff Level: Sage and Gusto seek 6-10+ years of experience
- Leadership Roles: EY requires 6-10 years plus 2-4 years of team management experience
Compensation Analysis
Salary Ranges by Level:
- Contract/Hourly: GAINSystems offers $60-$67/hour for specialized MLOps work
- Senior Level: $101,000-$219,000 (Verizon to Intuit)
- Principal Level: $124,300-$259,000 (EY, varying by location)
- AWS Premium: $129,300-$223,600 for cloud-native GenAI roles
Geographic Variations
EY explicitly shows location-based salary adjustments, with higher ranges for New York City Metro Area, Washington State, and California ($149,200-$259,000) compared to other locations ($124,300-$227,900).
Key Trends in Georgia’s ML Market
Industry Diversity: Georgia’s ML market spans financial services (Coforge), retail (Home Depot), cloud computing (AWS), telecommunications (Verizon), enterprise software (Sage, Gusto), and consulting (EY).
Production-First Mentality: Employers consistently emphasize production deployment experience over theoretical knowledge. As Vividly explicitly states: “We’re not looking for someone to sit in a corner and prototype notebooks.”
Hybrid Work Models: Most positions offer flexible arrangements, with Sage requiring three days per week in Atlanta/Lawrenceville offices, and EY expecting 40-60% in-person time for client-serving roles.
Mentorship and Leadership: Senior roles increasingly require mentoring capabilities, with Sage, Gusto, and EY all emphasizing team leadership and knowledge sharing responsibilities.
The Georgia ML market offers exceptional opportunities for graduates with machine learning master’s degrees, particularly those who can demonstrate practical experience in production systems, cloud platforms, and cross-functional collaboration.