Carnegie Mellon University

How this program compares

Carnegie Mellon University's Master's in Machine Learning (5th-Year option) lists about $30.2K total tuition — roughly 30% below the $42.9K AI master's average (45th percentile in our data). It runs on a full-time schedule (on-campus).

Admission Snapshot

Typical admitted student: Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree in computer science, statistics, or a related field with a minimum GPA of 3.0, strong programming skills, and coursework in probability, statistics, linear algebra, and calculus. International students need TOEFL (100+), IELTS (7.5+), or Duolingo (120+) scores.

About This Program

This program allows Carnegie Mellon undergraduates to complete a Master of Science in Machine Learning in one additional year of study. Most students complete it in about 1 year.

Budget planners should note $30.2K estimated total tuition (45th percentile among AI master's programs, below the $42.9K average). That puts it in the mid-range on price among comparable programs.

It is one of 60 AI-related programs we track in Pennsylvania, of which about 43% offer an online option. On price, it comes in cheaper than about 76% of the Pennsylvania programs in our data, where typical tuition runs near $81.1K.

Graduates frequently move into roles such as Machine Learning Engineer, with reported salaries around $150,000.

Design and implement advanced machine learning algorithms for real-world data.

Career Outcomes

The Master's in Machine Learning (5th-Year option) at Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is oriented toward Machine Learning Engineer hiring, with alumni reporting pay near $150,000. Its focus on Machine Learning and AI Engineering / Applied AI maps directly to how employers screen for specialized skills rather than generic degrees. Federal projections for this occupational area point to roughly 36% growth this decade — verify the current figure on the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook before you rely on it.

• 1. Machine Learning Engineer
• 2. AI Research Scientist
• 3. Data Scientist
• 4. ML Systems Engineer

What You'll Learn

• Design and implement advanced machine learning algorithms for real-world data.
• Apply probabilistic modeling and statistical inference to complex datasets.
• Develop deep learning architectures for tasks like computer vision and NLP.
• Optimize ML systems for scalability and deployment in production environments.

Curriculum Highlights

The curriculum features core courses in machine learning and statistics, a summer research practicum, and advanced electives in computer science.

Top Employers

Top employers include Google, Meta, Amazon, Microsoft, and research labs like OpenAI.

Admissions

Admission to Carnegie Mellon University's Master's in Machine Learning (5th-Year option) generally expects a bachelor's degree. The GRE is not required here — a growing norm among AI programs — so applicants can often lead with coursework, projects and recommendations instead. Deadlines, testing policies and funding change year to year, so confirm the current requirements on the official program page before applying.

Application Materials

• Statement of Purpose: Required
• Letters of Recommendation: 3
• Resume: Required
• Transcripts: Official transcripts required

Frequently Asked Questions