Low Cost Machine Learning Masters Degrees

2026 Most Affordable Masters in Machine Learning Degrees

Finding an affordable program is key for students looking to earn a Master's in Machine Learning without a high cost. This table lists schools across the U.S., including options in states like California and New York, with details on tuition range and program highlights. It helps you compare economical choices and make a smart decision for your education in 2026.
School NameHighlightsAnnual Estimated Tuition & Fees
University of Central Florida
  • $7,100 - $10,600 (Graduate In-State)
  • $22,900 - $34,400 (Graduate Non-Resident)
University of Central Missouri
  • $8,200 - $12,400 (Graduate In-State)
  • $15,300 - $22,900 (Graduate Non-Resident)
Georgia Southern University
  • 4 concentration options
  • Entrance exam required
  • Exams: GRE
  • 30 total credit hours
  • Starts fall/spring/summer
  • 2.5 GPA minimum
  • Graduates from this program earn about 30% more than those only holding a bachelor's degree
  • Thesis or capstone option
  • $5,300 - $8,000 (Graduate In-State)
  • $17,900 - $26,900 (Graduate Non-Resident)
University of Arizona
  • 2 concentration options
  • 18-Month program
  • 30 total credit hours
  • Starts fall/spring/summer
  • $102,000 median earnings
  • Capstone required
  • STEM-designated program
  • Machine Learning ranked #14 nationally
  • $11,900 - $17,800 (Graduate In-State)
  • $27,300 - $40,900 (Graduate Non-Resident)
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
  • $8,400 - $12,700 (Graduate In-State)
  • $17,300 - $25,900 (Graduate Non-Resident)
California State University-Long Beach
  • $7,100 - $10,700 (Graduate In-State)
  • $15,200 - $22,800 (Graduate Non-Resident)
University of Rhode Island
  • 3 concentration options
  • No entrance exam required
  • Test optional
  • 30 total credit hours
  • Apply by 2026-08-04
  • Starts fall
  • 2 letters of recommendation (minimum)
  • Prerequisite courses required
  • $14,400 - $21,600 (Graduate In-State)
  • $26,500 - $39,800 (Graduate Non-Resident)
Old Dominion University
  • 5 concentration options
  • Starts fall/spring/summer
  • $108,020 median earnings
  • 2 letters of recommendation (minimum)
  • Capstone required
  • Financial aid available
  • Scholarships available
  • Capstone project for real-world practice
  • $12,300 - $18,500 (Graduate In-State)
  • $28,900 - $43,400 (Graduate Non-Resident)
University of Illinois Chicago
  • 2 concentration options
  • $896 per credit
  • 12-Month program
  • 36 total credit hours
  • 9 total courses
  • Apply by 2026-08-15
  • Full-time and part-time options
  • No thesis or capstone required
  • $14,000 - $21,100 (Graduate In-State)
  • $22,200 - $33,300 (Graduate Non-Resident)
The University of Texas at Austin
  • 30 total credit hours
  • 10 total courses
  • Starts fall/spring
  • Asynchronous online classes
  • Taught by world-class UT Austin faculty
  • 100% online program
  • One of the first online AI master's programs
  • Affordable at $10,000+ fees
  • $9,600 - $14,400 (Graduate In-State)
  • $18,400 - $27,500 (Graduate Non-Resident)
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
  • $13,100 - $19,700 (Graduate In-State)
  • $23,300 - $34,900 (Graduate Non-Resident)
Indiana University-Bloomington
  • Complete in Most students finish in 1.5 to 2 years
  • Starts fall
  • 97% job placement rate
  • 3.0 GPA minimum
  • $113,858 median earnings
  • $113,858 Average starting salary
  • Financial aid available
  • Scholarships available
  • $9,400 - $14,100 (Graduate In-State)
  • $26,800 - $40,100 (Graduate Non-Resident)
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
  • 100% Online
  • No GRE Required
  • Three Concentration Options
  • 18-24 Months to Complete
  • $25,830 In-State Tuition
  • 10 Courses Total
  • Flexible Scheduling
  • Live Online Classes
  • $12,800 - $19,200 (Graduate In-State)
  • $27,800 - $41,700 (Graduate Non-Resident)
Western Washington University
  • $11,100 - $16,700 (Graduate In-State)
  • $21,900 - $32,900 (Graduate Non-Resident)
Portland State University
  • 8 concentration options
  • Complete in one and a half years
  • 45 total credit hours
  • Prepares for computing industry careers
  • Thesis option available
  • Covers NLP and computer vision
  • Core courses in theory and programming
  • $14,200 - $21,300 (Graduate In-State)
  • $18,700 - $28,000 (Graduate Non-Resident)
Drexel University
  • 18-Month program
  • 45 total credit hours
  • Full-time and part-time options
  • Thesis or capstone option
  • Uses Keras, TensorFlow, scikit-learn
  • Careers in tech, healthcare, finance, defense
  • Graduate advisors guide course selection
  • Philadelphia urban campus
  • $31,400 - $47,100 (Graduate)
Campbellsville University
  • $540 per credit
  • 12-Month program
  • Complete in can be completed in as little as one year
  • 36 total credit hours
  • 12 total courses
  • 2.5 GPA minimum
  • Capstone required
  • $0 application fee
  • $7,900 - $11,900 (Graduate)
Saint Louis University
  • $20,500 - $30,700 (Graduate)
Hofstra University
  • $24,900 - $37,300 (Graduate)
Temple University
  • $18,300 - $27,400 (Graduate In-State)
  • $23,900 - $35,900 (Graduate Non-Resident)
Western Governors University
  • No entrance exam required
  • Test optional
  • 19-Month program
  • 10 total courses
  • Rolling admissions
  • 12 start dates per year
  • Starts rolling
  • Asynchronous online classes
  • $7,500 - $11,200 (Graduate)
Northeastern University
  • 5 concentration options
  • 32 total credit hours
  • Apply by 2026-05-01
  • Capstone required
  • Financial aid available
  • Scholarships available
  • Co-op program ranked #1 nationally
  • Interdisciplinary capstone project
  • $23,300 - $35,000 (Graduate)
Harvard University
  • $45,800 - $68,700 (Graduate)
Colorado State University Global
  • Artificial Intelligence specialization
  • Computer Science foundation
  • Automation and scalability skills
  • Cybersecurity insights
  • Leadership and communication
  • Problem solving emphasis
  • Strategic planning skills
  • Digital transformation focus
  • $9,700 - $14,600 (Graduate)
University of California-Los Angeles
  • $11,600 - $17,400 (Graduate In-State)
  • $23,700 - $35,500 (Graduate Non-Resident)
*NCES, IPEDS 2024 survey, U.S. Department of Education. https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/