Online Degrees in Machine Learning & AI

For this reason, there’s an explosive growth of demand for skilled AI professionals. The projected growth for computer and information research scientists is 20% (BLS, 2024-2034). Industry leaders, such as OpenAI, are driving the strong demand, too.

Featured Programs

More people are also considering AI/ML degrees because of their high salaries. The average machine learning salary for engineers, for example, is $186,498 per year (Indeed). Other high-paying AI careers are AI engineers, data scientists, and AI research scientists.

But which online machine learning degree should you choose? This is an important question because of the significant time and money investment. Read on because we’ll discuss the best degrees, their career paths, and expected salaries.

Related:

What Is an Online Machine Learning or AI Degree?

Fun Fact: Carnegie Mellon University offered the first bachelor’s degree in AI in Fall 2018.

Artificial Intelligence Degrees Explained

AI degrees:

Focus on the core areas of data science, neural networks, and machine learning
Combine theory with real-world projects and hands-on programming
Enable students to gain career-ready skills in robotics, automation, and NLP

AI degrees are offered in many different ways.

Bachelor’s (foundational skills) vs. master’s (advanced competencies) degree in AI.
Bachelor’s in computer science with ML concentration degrees (broad computer science foundation and targeted ML courses).
Data science (data analysis, predictive modeling) vs AI (intelligent systems) programs.
Core courses include Python programming, applied machine learning, and deep learning.

There are also differences between these programs.

An online machine learning degree emphasizes specialized ML training.
An online AI degree covers broader AI topics like ethical AI, NLP, and robotics.
An online data science degree uses analysis and statistics to extract useful insights.
A computer science degree covers the foundations of AI and ML.

AI & Machine Learning Salary Breakdown

The total AI career salary will depend on many factors, including:

Education level
Work experience
Company

For example, an entry-level machine learning engineer’s salary can be $90,000-$100,0000/year. But it can increase to $150,000-$200,000/year for senior roles.

Highest Paying AI Careers Table

Career	Median Salary	10-year Growth	Degree Required	Remote Potential
Machine Learning Engineer	$125,000‑$152,000	36%	Bachelor’s + master’s degrees	High
AI Engineer	$130,000‑$152,000	36%	Bachelor’s + master’s degrees	High
Data Scientist	$100,000–$120,000	34%	Bachelor’s + master’s degrees	High
Robotics Engineer	$95,000–$120,000	4%	Bachelor’s degree in engineering	Medium
AI Research Scientist	$120,000–$150,000	20%	Master’s or PhD degree	Medium-high

AI Career Paths Explained

Depending on your degree, you can choose to pursue one of these AI career paths.

Abbreviations:

Entry Salary Range: ESR
Mid‑career Salary: MS
Skills Required: SR
Ideal Degree Pathway: EDP

1. Machine Learning Engineer

As a machine learning engineer, your responsibilities include:

Building predictive systems, ML models, and intelligent solutions
Working with cloud platforms like Amazon Web Services

ESR: $88,000–$124,000 

MS: $134,000–$170,000 

SR: Python, TensorFlow, PyTorch, cloud platforms, model evaluation

IDP: Bachelor’s in computer science or ML/AI degree + master’s for advanced roles

2. AI Engineer

In this role, you’ll perform these responsibilities:

Develop intelligent automation systems
Integrate AI into enterprise software

ESR: $120,000–$145,000 

MS: $150,000– $185,000 

SR: Software engineering fundamentals, deep learning and neural networks, ML model deployment

IDP: Bachelor’s in AI, computer science, or software engineering with AI/ML specialization

3. Data Scientist (AI Focus)

As a data scientist, your responsibilities include:

Apply statistical modeling and ML to extract insights and solve business problems
Clean, process, and analyze massive datasets

There’s a strong cross-industry demand for data scientists, too.

ESR: $91,000–$99,000 

MS: $104,000 – $117,000 

SR: SQL and databases, Python or R, ML algorithms, data visualization

IDP: Bachelor’s in data science, statistics, or computer science. A master’s degree increases competitiveness

4. Robotics / Autonomous Systems Engineer

In this role, your responsibilities include:

Designing robotic control systems
Implementing AI for perception and navigation
Integrating sensors within autonomous workflows

You can work in the manufacturing, defense, or logistics industries, too.

ESR: $105,000 

MS: $120,000–$140,000 

SR: Robotics frameworks, control systems, C/C++ or Python, sensor integration

IDP: Bachelor’s in mechanical or electrical engineering with robotics/AI coursework

5. AI Product Manager

In this role, your responsibilities include:

Set product vision and its corresponding AI roadmap
Define customer outcomes and KPIs
Work with data scientists and engineers

The role combines business strategy and technical AI knowledge.

ESR: $110,000– $130,000 

MS: $140,000– $190,000 

SR: Product lifecycle management, AI/ML understanding, Agile/project management

IDP: Bachelor’s in business, tech management, or AI/CS. Specialized product training or an MBA helps

Top Schools for Online Degree in Machine Learning and AI

We considered the following as the best online AI programs for their:

Accreditation and university reputation
Reasonable costs and financial aid
Favorable graduate outcomes

1. Georgia Institute of Technology – Online Master of Science in Computer Science (OMS CS) – AI/ML Track

This is a 30-credit program with a 2-3 years completion time.

2. University of Texas at Austin – Online Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence (MSAI)

The 30-credit artificial intelligence degree online program features flexible schedules.

3. University of Washington – Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Engineering (Online)

The program enables students to earn stackable graduate certificates toward the degree.

4. University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign – Online Master of Computer Science (MCS) with AI/ML Focus

The 32-credit program features rigorous coursework that can be completed in 1-3 years.

5. University of California, Berkeley – Master of Information and Data Science (MIDS) with AI Emphasis

This is a 27-unit program with flexible part-time paths (12-32 months completion time).

ROI Analysis: Is an AI Degree Worth It?

Is an AI degree worth it? Again, yes, it is for these reasons.

Yes, its tuition is on the high side. But its strong earning ceiling means higher returns.
Remote work flexibility increases lifetime earnings.
Strong demand for skilled AI professionals through 2035 and beyond.

Here’s a quick look at the AI degree ROI.

Degree Level	Average Total Tuition	Median Annual Salary (AI Roles)	10-year Approximate Earnings	Breakeven Estimate
Bachelor’s	$40,000–$80,000	$95,000–$110,000 (Entry)	$1.3 million–$1.5 million	3-4 years
Master’s	$30,000–$90,000	$130,000– $165,000 (Mid‑career)	$1.6 million– $2 million	3-5 years
Certificates	$5,000 –$15,000	$95,000–$110,000 (Entry)	$1.3 million – $1.5 million	1-2 years

Bachelor’s vs Master’s in AI: Which Pays More?

Factor	Bachelor’s in AI / ML	Master’s in AI / ML
Entry-level Access	Junior AI analyst, ML engineer, or data scientist	More competitive access to advanced, specialized, or leadership roles
Salary Ceiling	Strong earning potential	Higher long-term ceiling
Employer Preference	Sufficient for many applied roles	Required or preferred for research labs and advanced AI teams
Research vs Applied Roles	Focus on applied work	Best for research, leadership, or innovation roles

So, a master’s degree pays more than a bachelor’s degree.

Are Online AI Degrees Respected by Employers?

Online degrees had a bad reputation because of diploma mills that issued fake degrees.

Do Employers Value Online Machine Learning Degrees?

But employers value online ML degrees if these are:

Awarded by accredited colleges and universities
Supported by strong portfolios and GitHub projects
Backed by hands-on learning experiences

In the tech industry, your demonstrated skills matter more than delivery format.

Fastest Growing AI & ML Jobs (20%+ Growth Table)

Machine learning jobs 2030 are in high demand, as this table shows. (Data comes from BLS 2024-2034)

Job Title	Projected Growth	Median Annual Salary	Related Degree
Data Scientist	34%	$112,590	Bachelor’s/Master’s in Data Science or AI/CS
Computer and Information Research Scientist	20%	$140,910	Master’s/PhD in CS, AI, or ML
Operations Research Analyst	22%	$91,290	Bachelor’s in CS, Math, Statistics
Actuary	22%	$125,770	Bachelor’s in Actuarial Science/Math/CS

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an online AI degree worth it?

Yes, it is. But it must be from an accredited institution and backed by hands-on learning.

What is the highest paying AI job?

AI research scientist and AI engineer roles usually have the highest pay.

Can you become a machine learning engineer with a bachelor’s degree?

Yes, if you’re aiming for entry-level roles. For advanced roles, a master’s degree and experience are usually necessary.

How long does an online machine learning degree take?

3-4 years for a bachelor’s degree. 1-2 years for a master’s degree.

Is AI better than data science as a major?

It depends on your interests and goals. AI focuses on building intelligent systems. Data science focuses on data analysis and insights.

Conclusion

In conclusion, an ML/AI degree leads to long-term salary growth if you leverage it. But it’s also a great idea to compare:

Accreditation and program curriculum
Tuition costs and financial aid
Salary potential and long-term earning growth
Projected job growth

With so much at stake, thoughtful planning is critical.

Online Degrees in Machine Learning & AI: Salary + Career Paths