Kansas State University offers a Master of Science in Computer Science through the Department of Computer Science in the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering.
The 30-credit degree is available on the Manhattan campus and online. Machine learning is not required of every student. It enters the degree through Principles of Artificial Intelligence, one choice in the Applied Computer Science breadth area, and through electives in machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, and computer vision.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Quick Facts
| Degree | MS in Computer Science |
| School | Department of Computer Science, Carl R. Ice College of Engineering |
| Location | Manhattan, Kansas or Online |
| Format | Campus or online |
| Credits | 30 |
| Culminating Experience | Thesis, report, or coursework only with an exit interview |
| Minimum GPA | 3.0 (3.5 recommended) |
| GRE | Required only for applicants with degrees from outside the United States |
| Application Deadlines | January 8 (fall), August 1 (spring) |
| Tuition | $498.33 per credit hour (Kansas resident, campus), $1,130.42 (nonresident, campus), $593.25 (online), before the engineering surcharge |
| Typical Length | Two years on campus; often longer online |
Official MS in Computer Science page
Curriculum
The Department of Computer Science does not list a standalone master’s degree in machine learning or artificial intelligence. Students earn the MS in Computer Science and build a machine learning focus through their course choices. K-State Online describes artificial intelligence and data science as two of the degree’s core areas of focus, alongside cybersecurity, high assurance software engineering, and cyber-physical systems.
Students complete 30 graduate credits consisting of:
- Six breadth courses, one from each of six areas
- Electives chosen with an adviser
- A thesis (6 credits) or report (3 credits), or additional coursework in the coursework-only option
Each breadth course must be passed with a B or better, and students need a 3.0 GPA in all coursework. Up to 10 credit hours can be transferred from other accredited graduate programs.
Breadth Areas
Students take one course in each area. No course can count toward more than one area. The lists below show the courses the department’s Fall 2026 handbook does not flag as not offered recently.
- Implementation: CIS 690 – Implementation Projects, CIS 706 – Translator Design I, CIS 736 – Computer Graphics, or CIS 801 – Translator Design II
- Languages: CIS 705 – Programming Languages, CIS 706 – Translator Design I, CIS 771 – Software Specification, or CIS 801 – Translator Design II
- Systems: CIS 720 – Advanced Operating Systems, CIS 721 – Real-Time Systems, CIS 751 – Computer and Information Security, or CIS 755 – Systems Security
- Applied Computer Science: CIS 730 – Principles of Artificial Intelligence or CIS 761 – Data Base Management Systems
- Foundations: CIS 770 – Formal Language Theory or CIS 775 – Analysis of Algorithms
- Specialization: one course numbered CIS 800 or higher, other than seminar, project, and research courses
Because CIS 761 also satisfies the Applied Computer Science area, it is possible to finish the degree without an artificial intelligence course. Students who want machine learning should plan for CIS 730 and use the Specialization area and their electives for the courses below.
Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence Courses
The K-State catalog lists these graduate courses in the department:
- CIS 730 – Principles of Artificial Intelligence
- CIS 732 – Machine Learning and Pattern Recognition
- CIS 733 – Data Science Foundations
- CIS 737 – Advanced Computer Vision
- CIS 738 – Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
- CIS 739 – Natural Language Processing
- CIS 830 – Current Topics in Artificial Intelligence
- CIS 831 – Deep Learning
- CIS 833 – Information Retrieval and Text Mining
- CIS 834 – Machine Learning for Bioinformatics
- CIS 835 – Neuro-Symbolic Artificial Intelligence: Deep Learning and Knowledge Representation
Each course is 3 credits. Not every course is offered every term, so students should check the current schedule with the department, particularly if they plan to study online.
Thesis, Report, or Coursework Only
All three options require 30 credits:
- Thesis: original research with 6 credits of CIS 899 – Research in Computer Science and an oral defense
- Report: a project with 1 credit of CIS 897 – Seminar in Computer Science and 2 credits of CIS 898 – Master’s Report in Computer Science, plus an oral defense
- Coursework only: 30 credits of coursework followed by an exit interview with the supervisory committee
Students select a major professor by the end of their first year and file a program of study with the Graduate School.
Cost and Tuition
Cost depends on format. Campus students pay resident or nonresident tuition, while students in online programs pay one rate regardless of residency. Courses offered by the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering, including CIS courses, also carry a per-credit faculty salary tuition surcharge, and the online surcharge is higher than the campus one.
For fall 2026, spring 2027, and summer 2027, the Cashiers and Student Accounts office lists:
| Category | Tuition per Credit Hour | Engineering Surcharge per Credit Hour |
|---|---|---|
| Campus, Kansas resident | $498.33 | $105.60 |
| Campus, nonresident | $1,130.42 | $105.60 |
| Online program | $593.25 | $289.70 |
At 30 credits of CIS coursework, tuition and the surcharge together come to about $18,118 for a Kansas resident on campus, about $37,081 for a nonresident on campus, and about $26,489 online. These totals are estimates and do not include other fees.
Graduate students on the Manhattan campus also pay a Student Services fee of $56.92 per credit hour, capped at $512.28 at nine or more credit hours. The Graduate School application fee is $65 for domestic applicants and $75 for international applicants. Rates can change each year, so students should confirm current costs with the Cashiers office.
View Kansas State University campus tuition and fees
Admission Requirements
The department normally requires a strong background in computer science. Applicants need one of the following:
- a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a closely related field from an ABET-accredited institution in the United States, with a GPA of at least 3.0 (3.5 is recommended)
- a comparable degree from an institution outside the United States, with GRE scores
The department handbook says exceptional candidates with degrees in other areas will also be considered. It also asks that an applicant’s qualifications, taken as a whole, show potential to conduct scholarly research.
Application Materials
Applicants submit:
- Graduate School online application and application fee
- personal statement explaining their interest in graduate study
- resume
- three reference letters
- unofficial transcripts from every institution attended
- proof of English proficiency when required
The GRE is required only for applicants whose degree is from outside the United States. The department asks for scores of at least 146 Verbal, 151 Quantitative, and 3.0 Analytical Writing, and recommends 150 Verbal and 160 Quantitative.
International applicants who earned their degrees abroad must take an approved English test. The department cites an IELTS score of at least 6.5.
Application Deadlines
| Entry Term | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall | January 8 |
| Spring | August 1 |
The department does not list a summer entry term or separate dates for online applicants.
Program Format
The degree is taught on the Manhattan campus and is also available online through K-State Online, which describes the online program as 100 percent online and taught by on-campus professors.
According to the department handbook, on-campus students normally complete the program in two years while taking 6 to 9 credit hours per semester. Distance students often take somewhat longer. All students are expected to finish within five years.
Kansas State University also offers a separate MS in Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Systems through its Salina campus. That 30-credit degree is offered entirely online, is designed to be completed part time in 24 months, and does not require the GRE.
Who Is This Program Best For?
The K-State MS in Computer Science is a strong option for students with a computer science background who want machine learning inside a broad computer science master’s degree at a public university, on campus or online.
It may be especially appealing to students interested in:
- machine learning and pattern recognition
- deep learning
- natural language processing and text mining
- computer vision
- a thesis and faculty-supervised research
- combining AI coursework with security, systems, or software courses
The degree is a computer science master’s first. Machine learning is a choice within it, not a requirement, and most of the six breadth courses fall in languages, systems, theory, and implementation. Admission normally requires a computer science degree, and online students pay a higher engineering surcharge than campus students. Students who want a degree built entirely around AI, who are changing careers from another field, or who want a lower online price may want to compare other Kansas schools or K-State’s MS in Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Systems.
Official Kansas State University Program Links
- MS in Computer Science program page and handbook
- Computer Science graduate admission requirements and deadlines
- K-State Online MS in Computer Science
- Catalog program requirements
- Graduate School application process
- Campus-based tuition and fees
- Online program tuition and fees
- MS in Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Systems (K-State Salina)
Related Machine Learning Programs in Kansas
Students can also compare Kansas State University with other master’s programs in machine learning, artificial intelligence, and related fields offered in Kansas.
- Fort Hays State University – Hays
- Ottawa University – Overland Park
- Pittsburg State University – Pittsburg
- University of Kansas – Lawrence
- Wichita State University – Wichita