Michigan Machine Learning Masters Programs

Michigan is rapidly positioning itself as a Midwest AI powerhouse, driven by major data-center expansions, academic innovation, and pro-tech state incentives.

• In 2022, Google committed $600 million to enlarge its Jackson County data center footprint to support cloud and AI workloads
• Meta followed with an $800 million facility in Muskegon for high-performance computing.
• The University of Michigan’s Michigan AI Lab and Michigan State University’s AI Institute lead cutting-edge research in natural language processing, robotics, and energy systems.
• Wayne State University’s Innovate Blue incubator fosters AI startups in healthcare and mobility.
• The Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Technology & Talent Initiative offers grants and tax credits to create hundreds of internships in data science.

Yet many Michigan firms report difficulty filling machine-learning engineer and data-scientist roles. A specialized master’s in machine learning will positions you to capitalize on this great career opportunity.

2026 Best Schools for Masters in Machine Learning Degrees in Michigan

If you're looking for the best schools for a master's in machine learning in Michigan, you've come to the right place. At mastersinmachinelearning.org, we've carefully ranked top programs based on factors like faculty expertise and career outcomes. Our rankings help you find schools that offer strong education and opportunities in this growing field. For details on how we create these rankings, check out our methodology page.

#1

Davenport University

Grand Rapids, MI - Private 4-year - davenport.edu

Master's - Master of Science in Computer Science

Concentration: artificial intelligence, computer architecture and algorithms, gaming and simulation - Online Learning - Visit Website

Davenport University's Master of Science in Computer Science offers a 30-credit program with concentrations in artificial intelligence, computer architecture and algorithms, and gaming and simulation, preparing graduates for high-demand tech careers. Delivered online or in-person, it features small classes and expert faculty, with admission requiring a bachelor's degree and pre-admission courses for non-CS majors. Recognized as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education, the program emphasizes industry-aligned skills and hands-on learning, leading to competitive salaries in fields like information security analysis. No entrance exam is required for admission.

• 30-credit program
• Online or in-person
• Small class sizes
• Expert faculty
• Concentrations available
• National recognition
• High-demand careers
• Competitive salaries
• Quality education
• Flexible learning options

#2

Kettering University

Flint, MI - Private 4-year - kettering.edu

Master's - Master of Engineering in Artificial Intelligence

Campus Based - Visit Website

Kettering University's Master of Engineering in Artificial Intelligence, a campus-based program in Michigan, leverages the region's automotive industry to offer a two-year curriculum focused on autonomous driving, machine learning, and sensor fusion. This program emphasizes hands-on learning and industry connections, preparing graduates for careers in smart vehicle design. Admission requires a bachelor's degree in a related field, and no entrance exam is mentioned as required.

• Two-year program duration.
• Focus on automotive AI.
• Hands-on learning opportunities.
• Located in Michigan's automotive hub.
• Campus-based program.
• Advanced AI coursework.
• Machine learning included.
• Sensor fusion technologies.
• Autonomous driving focus.
• Industry connections.

#3

Northern Michigan University

Marquette, MI - Public 4-Year - nmu.edu

Master's - Master of Science in Computer Science

Concentration: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Evolutionary Computation - Campus Based - Visit Website

Northern Michigan University's Master of Science in Computer Science features concentrations in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Evolutionary Computation, providing a campus-based education focused on advanced computing. The 32-credit program includes core courses like Advanced Algorithm Design and offers thesis or project options for practical experience. Admission requires a strong computer science background; no entrance exam is specified, but applicants should check the university's website for details. This military-friendly program prepares graduates for leadership roles in the tech industry with hands-on skills in cutting-edge technologies.

• Concentrations in AI, Machine Learning.
• Campus-based program.
• Thesis or project options.
• 32 credit hours required.
• Advanced Algorithm Design core.

#4

Lawrence Technological University

Southfield, MI - Private 4-year - ltu.edu

Master's - Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence

Concentration: Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Data Science - Campus Based - Visit Website

Lawrence Technological University's Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence program, with concentrations in Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and Data Science, is a campus-based offering that blends theoretical foundations with hands-on applications. Designed for careers in sectors like automotive and healthcare, it covers advanced topics such as data mining and neural networks. Admission requires a bachelor's degree in a related field with a minimum GPA of 3.0; the program does not explicitly state if an entrance exam is required, so further inquiry is recommended.

• 30 credit hours.
• Campus-based program.
• Concentrations available.
• Hands-on learning experience.
• Admission GPA 3.0 required.
• Covers machine learning.
• Includes deep learning.
• Data science focus.
• Practical applications.
• Theoretical knowledge blend.

#5

Northwood University

Midland, MI - Private 4-year - northwood.edu

Master's - Global Master of Science in Business Analytics

Concentration: Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Predictive Analytics - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Northwood University's Global Master of Science in Business Analytics offers a 12-month hybrid program with a concentration in Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, and Predictive Analytics. This STEM-certified curriculum emphasizes hands-on experience using tools like SAS, Python, and R, preparing graduates for high-demand roles in data-driven decision-making. Admission requires a bachelor's degree, and the program does not specify an entrance exam requirement. Scholarships up to $6,000 are available, and it supports international students with OPT eligibility.

• 12-month program duration.
• Hybrid online and on-campus format.
• Concentrations in AI, ML, Predictive Analytics.
• Hands-on experience with SAS, Python, R.
• STEM certified for OPT eligibility.
• Scholarships up to $6,000 available.
• Focus on data-driven decision-making.
• Prepares for high-demand analytics roles.
• Admission requires bachelor's degree.
• International students welcome.

#6

Walsh College

Troy, MI - Private 4-year - walshcollege.edu

Master's - Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Walsh College's Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning is a hybrid program designed for professionals, blending online and on-campus flexibility. It emphasizes hands-on learning with the latest AI tools, taught by industry experts. Students develop skills in data analysis, machine learning, deep learning, and more, focusing on real-world applications. No entrance exam is required, making it accessible for career advancement in AI fields.

• Hybrid program format
• Taught by industry experts
• Flexible online and on-campus options
• Focus on latest AI tools
• Hands-on learning approach
• Data analysis expertise
• Machine learning mastery
• Deep learning proficiency
• Natural language processing skills
• Computer vision competence

*Source: U.S. DOE National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS 2023 collection.

Who’s Hiring Machine Learning Engineers in Michigan

Michigan’s diverse industrial landscape, from automotive technology to semiconductor manufacturing, creates robust opportunities for machine learning professionals. The state offers competitive compensation across traditional manufacturing, cutting-edge autonomous vehicle development, and healthcare technology sectors.

We surveyed some recent job listings to give you an idea of how your new degree will help you earn.

Autonomous Vehicle and Automotive Technology Leaders ($177K-$213K)

Torc Robotics in Ann Arbor offers the highest compensation at $177,300-$212,800 for Senior Machine Learning Engineers focused on autonomous trucking technology. As part of the Daimler family, they seek candidates with 5+ years of experience in applied ML for robotics and autonomous systems, requiring expertise in PyTorch, CUDA programming, and distributed computing frameworks like Ray and AWS. The role involves developing deep learning models for object detection, multimodal fusion, and trajectory planning for commercial autonomous vehicles.

Canopy in Detroit provides $98,000-$138,000 for Senior Machine Learning Engineers developing AI solutions for vehicle security and theft prevention. They require 5+ years of experience with perception systems using RADAR, camera, or LiDAR technologies, along with Python expertise and deep learning frameworks (PyTorch or TensorFlow). The position emphasizes signal processing, sensor fusion, and deploying models to edge hardware for real-world security applications.

Semiconductor and Electronics Manufacturing ($102K-$174K)

KLA Corporation in Ann Arbor offers $102,200-$173,700 for Senior Machine Learning Engineers working on semiconductor manufacturing challenges. This global electronics leader seeks candidates with 5+ years of experience (or 3+ with master’s degree) to develop models detecting nanoscale defects in semiconductor production. The role requires expertise in PyTorch, TensorFlow, Keras, and Large Language Models, with emphasis on MLOps deployment to customer sites and statistical analysis for manufacturing optimization.

Healthcare Technology and Data Science ($117K-$275K)

Molina Healthcare provides the widest salary range at $117,731-$275,491 for Data Scientists specializing in generative AI and machine learning applications. This remote position requires 10+ years of healthcare data science experience, with expertise in Python, R, TensorFlow, Keras, and PyTorch. The role focuses on developing agentic workflows, implementing RAG (retrieval-augmented generation) patterns, and fine-tuning models for healthcare operations and member experience enhancement.

Transcend Company in Auburn Hills offers $90,000-$140,000 for Machine Learning Data Science Engineers in concierge healthcare. They seek candidates with 3+ years of experience in distributed data processing tools including Spark, MLflow, and Airflow, along with cloud environments (AWS, Snowflake, Azure, GCP). The position requires HIPAA compliance knowledge and experience with real-time data processing using Apache Kafka or Spark Streaming.

Defense and Signal Processing ($67K-$122K)

Leidos in Ann Arbor provides $67,600-$122,200 for Machine Learning Signal Processing Engineers focusing on remote sensing applications. They require active SECRET clearance and seek candidates with bachelor’s degree plus 2+ years or master’s degree experience in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or Applied Mathematics. The role involves developing Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) algorithms using SAR/RF, acoustic, EO/IR, and LIDAR data for defense applications.

Remote and Contract Opportunities ($40/hour – Variable)

DataAnnotation offers $40+ per hour for remote Machine Learning Engineer positions training AI chatbots. This contract role requires Python or JavaScript proficiency and strong writing skills for evaluating AI model performance. Candidates can work 5-40 hours weekly with flexible scheduling.

SynergisticIT in Dearborn Heights provides variable compensation for AI and Machine Learning Engineers developing real-time prediction and clustering systems. They seek candidates with expertise in Python ecosystem, SciKit-Learn, TensorFlow, Keras, and PyTorch for time-series, sales, business data, and image processing applications.

Common Requirements Across Michigan Employers

Technical Skills: Python programming dominates job requirements, with PyTorch and TensorFlow being the most sought-after frameworks. Cloud platform experience (AWS, GCP, Azure) appears in most senior positions, while automotive and security roles emphasize edge computing and embedded systems.

Industry Specialization: Michigan’s automotive heritage drives demand for perception systems expertise (RADAR, LiDAR, camera), while the state’s manufacturing base requires process optimization and quality control applications. Healthcare organizations seek HIPAA compliance knowledge and experience with sensitive data handling.

Security Clearances: Defense contractors like Leidos require active security clearances, which can significantly impact compensation and job availability for qualified candidates.

Education and Experience: Entry-level positions typically require bachelor’s degrees with 2-3 years of experience, while senior roles prefer master’s degrees or equivalent experience. Healthcare and autonomous vehicle companies often require 5+ years of specialized industry experience.

Soft Skills: All employers emphasize communication abilities, cross-functional collaboration, and the capacity to translate technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders. Leadership and mentoring capabilities are particularly valued in senior positions.

Michigan’s machine learning job market reflects the state’s industrial transformation, combining traditional manufacturing expertise with cutting-edge autonomous vehicle technology and emerging healthcare applications. The salary ranges demonstrate strong demand for ML professionals who can apply advanced algorithms to real-world industrial challenges while working effectively in both established corporations and innovative startups.