Ohio offers several graduate programs for students who want to study machine learning, artificial intelligence, data science, and advanced computing.
The four programs on this page take different approaches.
- Tiffin University and Kent State University offer dedicated master’s degrees in artificial intelligence.
- The University of Cincinnati offers a one-year professional Master of Engineering in Artificial Intelligence.
- Case Western Reserve University approaches machine learning through a flexible MS in Data Science with extensive AI and ML coursework.
This guide compares the Ohio programs by curriculum, format, cost, length, and academic focus.
Ohio Machine Learning Master’s Programs at a Glance
| School | Degree | Location | Format | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Case Western Reserve University | MS in Data Science | Cleveland | Campus | Varies by path |
| Tiffin University | MS in Artificial Intelligence | Tiffin / Online | Online or Campus | About 12 months |
| Kent State University | MS in Artificial Intelligence | Kent | Campus | About 2 years |
| University of Cincinnati | MEng in Artificial Intelligence | Cincinnati | Campus | About 12 months |
Students should compare the curriculum as closely as the degree title. Ohio includes dedicated AI degrees, a data science degree with deep ML coverage, research options, and short professional programs aimed at industry.
Case Western Reserve University
MS in Data Science
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Credits: 30
Format: Campus
Estimated Base Tuition: About $71,520 at the 2026–27 standard graduate rate
Machine Learning Focus: Extensive ML and AI coursework within data science
Case Western Reserve University offers the broadest data science approach among the four Ohio programs. Its 30-credit MS in Data Science includes substantial machine learning and artificial intelligence coursework while allowing students to choose a Course-Focused, Project-Focused, or Thesis-Focused path.
Relevant courses include Machine Learning, Machine Learning on Graphs, Causal Learning from Data, Probabilistic Models in AI, Statistical NLP, and Deep Generative Models. Students can therefore build significant ML depth without enrolling in a degree formally titled Artificial Intelligence or Machine Learning.
The project and thesis options also make Case Western notable for students who want applied work or research rather than coursework alone.
Best fit for: Students who want a research-university setting, extensive ML electives, and a choice between coursework, project, and thesis paths.
View our complete Case Western Reserve University machine learning program profile
Tiffin University
MS in Artificial Intelligence
Location: Tiffin, Ohio or Online
Credits: 33
Format: Online or Campus
Program Length: Approximately 12 months
2026–27 Tuition: $755 per credit; about $24,915 in base tuition
Machine Learning Focus: Required advanced ML, deep learning, NLP, and computer vision
Tiffin University offers one of Ohio’s most direct machine learning options. The MS in Artificial Intelligence includes required coursework in Advanced Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Natural Language Processing, Human and Computer Vision, Data Mining, and Big Data Analytics.
The program is also the most flexible Ohio option on this list for distance learners. Tiffin offers the degree fully online in an asynchronous format as well as on campus. The university lists an approximate completion time of 12 months and uses seven-week terms for online courses.
Students finish with an AI capstone rather than a thesis, making the degree more applied than research-centered.
Best fit for: Working professionals and other students who want a focused AI and machine learning curriculum with a fully online option and a short completion time.
View our complete Tiffin University artificial intelligence program profile
Kent State University
MS in Artificial Intelligence
Location: Kent, Ohio
Credits: 30
Format: Campus
Typical Length: About 2 years
2026–27 Ohio Resident Tuition: $631 per credit when enrolled in fewer than 11 credits
Machine Learning Focus: Required Machine Learning and Deep Learning course
Kent State University offers a dedicated MS in Artificial Intelligence with machine learning built into the required curriculum. All students take Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Deep Learning, Advanced Artificial Intelligence, and Advanced Database Systems Design.
Electives can extend the degree into data mining, big data analytics, robotics, image processing, probabilistic data management, visualization, Internet of Things, and health informatics.
Kent State also gives students a choice between a thesis and an applied capstone project. That makes the program useful for students who want a dedicated AI degree but have not yet decided between research and professional work.
Best fit for: Students who want a campus-based AI degree with required machine learning coursework and the choice of a thesis or applied project.
View our complete Kent State University artificial intelligence program profile
University of Cincinnati
Master of Engineering in Artificial Intelligence
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Credits: 30
Format: Campus
Program Length: Approximately 12 months
2026–27 Ohio Resident Tuition: $746 per credit before College of Engineering and Applied Science program fees for part-time enrollment
Machine Learning Focus: Applied AI, deep learning, and multiple ML electives
The University of Cincinnati offers a 30-credit Master of Engineering in Artificial Intelligence built for applied technical careers. The non-thesis program can be completed in about one year and ends with an industry-focused capstone that may be completed through an internship.
Required courses include Artificial Intelligence, Deep Learning, and Intelligent Systems. Students then choose from electives such as Machine Learning, Advanced Methods in Machine Learning, Machine Learning Techniques for Engineers, Generative Artificial Intelligence, and Applied Generative AI.
Cincinnati stands apart from Kent State and Case Western because it is clearly structured as a professional, non-thesis degree. The short format and applied capstone make it especially relevant for students who want to move into industry quickly.
Best fit for: Students with engineering, computer science, or related technical backgrounds who want a one-year, industry-focused AI master’s degree.
View our complete University of Cincinnati artificial intelligence program profile
Which Ohio Machine Learning Program Is Right for You?
The four Ohio programs serve different types of students.
| If You Want… | Consider |
|---|---|
| A fully online AI and machine learning degree | Tiffin University |
| A dedicated campus AI degree with thesis or capstone options | Kent State University |
| A one-year professional AI degree with an industry capstone | University of Cincinnati |
| A data science degree with extensive ML electives | Case Western Reserve University |
| A thesis-based research path | Case Western Reserve or Kent State |
| The shortest clearly stated completion time | Tiffin or University of Cincinnati |
There is no single best program for every student. Your strongest option depends on whether you value online flexibility, research, a dedicated AI degree, a professional engineering structure, or broader data science training.
Online vs. Campus Machine Learning Programs in Ohio
Three of the four primary programs in this guide are campus-based. Case Western offers its MS in Data Science in Cleveland, Kent State offers its MS in Artificial Intelligence in Kent, and the University of Cincinnati offers its AI MEng in Cincinnati.
Tiffin University is the clearest fully online option. Its MS in Artificial Intelligence is available online asynchronously, so students do not need to attend scheduled live classes. The same degree is also available on campus.
Case Western also offers a separate 100% online MS in Computer Science with study in artificial intelligence, databases and data mining, security, and software engineering. Students interested in Case Western should compare that degree with the campus MS in Data Science described above.
Students who need more distance-learning choices can compare programs in our guide to online machine learning master’s degrees.
What Do Ohio Machine Learning Programs Teach?
Course offerings vary, but students in these Ohio programs can study subjects such as:
- Machine learning and advanced machine learning
- Deep learning and neural networks
- Artificial intelligence
- Natural language processing
- Computer vision and image processing
- Data mining and big data analytics
- Generative AI
- Probabilistic AI and data management
- Robotics and intelligent systems
- Graph machine learning and causal learning
The main difference is how each school organizes those subjects. Tiffin and Kent State place machine learning inside dedicated AI degrees. Cincinnati combines AI with a professional engineering structure. Case Western places machine learning inside a broader data science curriculum with several advanced elective paths.
Machine Learning Careers in Ohio
Ohio supports machine learning work across manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, aerospace and defense, robotics, software, and data infrastructure. Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, and the Dayton area each have different concentrations of technical employers and research organizations.
A graduate degree can support careers such as machine learning engineer, AI engineer, data scientist, applied scientist, software engineer, analytics specialist, and AI research or development roles.
Employers also evaluate practical skills. Programming ability, mathematics, projects, internships, research, cloud tools, data engineering, and experience deploying models can matter as much as the exact wording on the degree.
Compare More Machine Learning Master’s Programs
Ohio gives students several distinct routes into graduate machine learning and AI study, from a fully online applied AI degree to campus programs with thesis and research options.
- Compare machine learning master’s programs in every state
- Explore online machine learning master’s degrees
Before applying, check each university’s official website for current tuition, admission requirements, course availability, program format, and application deadlines.