University of California, Riverside

How this program compares

Budget-wise, $15.2K puts this master's program at the 12th percentile on cost — roughly 65% below the $42.9K average across 394 comparable listings. It runs on a full-time schedule (on-campus).

Admission Snapshot

Typical admitted student: A bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, or a related field with a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required, along with coursework in programming, linear algebra, and calculus. Relevant experience in AI, robotics, or machine learning is preferred.

About This Program

This interdisciplinary graduate program, offered through a joint collaboration of three engineering departments, provides advanced training in the design, operation, and control of robotic systems. Coursework concentrates on Machine Learning and AI Engineering / Applied AI. Most students complete it in about 1.33 years.

Graduates frequently move into roles such as Robotics Engineer, with reported salaries around $120,000.

Design AI algorithms for robotic perception and decision-making.

Budget planners should note $15.2K estimated total tuition (12th percentile among AI master's programs, below the $42.9K average). That makes it one of the more affordable options for students weighing return on investment.

It is one of 65 AI-related programs we track in California, of which about 37% offer an online option. On price, it comes in cheaper than about 80% of the California programs in our data, where typical tuition runs near $63.3K.

Career Outcomes

Graduates of University of California, Riverside's Master's in Robotics - Artificial Intelligence and Perception most often target Robotics Engineer roles, where reported compensation runs around $120,000. Its focus on Machine Learning and AI Engineering / Applied AI maps directly to how employers in engineering ai screen for specialized skills rather than generic degrees. Federal projections for this occupational area point to roughly 15% growth this decade — verify the current figure on the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook before you rely on it.

• 1. Robotics Perception Engineer
• 2. AI Robotics Specialist
• 3. Computer Vision Engineer
• 4. Autonomous Systems Developer

What You'll Learn

• Design AI algorithms for robotic perception and decision-making.
• Implement computer vision techniques for object recognition and scene understanding.
• Develop motion planning and control systems using machine learning.
• Apply deep learning models to real-time robotic sensing and localization.

Curriculum Highlights

The program consists of core courses in robotics planning, sensing, and navigation, with a specialized focus area in artificial intelligence and perception that includes computer vision.

Top Employers

Top employers include Boston Dynamics, NVIDIA, Google DeepMind, and iRobot.

Admissions

Admission to University of California, Riverside's Master's in Robotics - Artificial Intelligence and Perception generally expects a bachelor's degree. The GRE is optional 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