University of California, San Diego

How this program compares

At an estimated $42.9K in total tuition, the MS in ECE - ML and Data Science sits about 1% above the $42.4K average for AI master's programs in our database — placing it in the 64th percentile on cost among the 531 we track at this level.

Admission Snapshot

Typical admitted student: A bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, or related field with a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required, along with coursework in programming, linear algebra, and probability/statistics.

About This Program

This program integrates computer science and engineering to prepare students for careers in the rapidly evolving fields of machine learning and big data analytics. Coursework concentrates on Machine Learning and Data Science & Analytics. Most students complete it in about 1.5 years.

Estimated total tuition is $42.9K, above the $42.4K average for AI master's programs in our database and in the 64th percentile on cost at this level. That puts it in the mid-range on price among comparable programs.

Excel as Data Scientist in Engineering AI with machine learning expertise Graduates frequently move into roles such as Data Scientist, with reported salaries around $140,000.

Career Outcomes

Excel as Data Scientist in Engineering AI with machine learning expertise

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

What You'll Learn

• Design and implement supervised/unsupervised machine learning models for data analysis.
• Optimize systems for large-scale ML training and LLM inference.
• Apply data mining techniques to extract insights from complex datasets.
• Build scalable engineering solutions for AI agents and data science pipelines.

Curriculum Highlights

The curriculum includes core courses in probability and stochastic processes, plus electives in deep learning, GPU programming, and sensing for robotics.

Top Employers

Top employers include tech companies like Google, Meta, NVIDIA, and research institutions such as national labs and AI startups.

Admissions

A bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, or related field with a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required, along with coursework in programming, linear algebra, and probability/statistics.

Application Materials

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

Academic Requirements

• Degree Required: Bachelor's degree
• GRE/GMAT: Optional
• TOEFL/IELTS: Required for international students (TOEFL 80+ / IELTS 6.5+)