Top 10 Universities for AI ML in the USA

The US has forever been a primary choice for students who wish to pursue higher studies. Recently, students have been interested in studying artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML). Have you ever wondered what AI and ML mean? Well, artificial intelligence (AI) is about machines exhibiting intelligence, particularly computer systems. Machine Learning is a branch of AI and computer science that emphasizes using data and algorithms that allow AI to imitate how humans learn and improve their accuracy.

The AI, and ML field is one of the world’s fastest-growing industries. Even though AI is a global phenomenon, some countries outpace other nations when it comes to AI research, knowledge, and technology, especially the US. Being the largest economy in the world, the US provides a holistic environment for the promotion of AI and ML. It is not home to major AI companies but has several universities that are highly ranked for teaching Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.

While you can take help from study abroad consultants in narrowing down the list of universities to study in USA, we have also combined a list in this blog, about the best universities known for their AI, and ML programs in America, for you to have a look at.

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The first in our list is the Massachusetts Institute of Technology which was established in 1861 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It has a student-faculty ratio of 3:1. With an acceptance rate of 4%, MIT is extremely selective in terms of admission. This means that you need to put in your best effort when it comes to seeking admission here. It is not just about obtaining good grades, but also focusing on the resume, essay, SOP, and LOR that you would have to prepare for your college application. So, write it with the help of renowned study abroad consultants who provide a resume, essay, SOP, and LOR writing services. Among the universities students prefer to study in the USA, MIT remains a top choice for students interested in AI and ML. And why wouldn’t it be? MIT has played a pivotal role in the rise of AI and created a new category of jobs across the world economy.  It offers two courses on AI and ML, which are:

• Professional Certificate Program in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
• No Code AI and Machine Learning: Building Data Science Solutions

Interested candidates can apply for the above-mentioned courses by going to the University’s website and fill the online application form. followed by a screening process to determine whether you are a fit for the program or not. Upon selection, you will receive and acceptance letter from the university and have to pay the application fees.  MIT Professional Education offers the Professional Certificate Program in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence. It aims to guide students through the latest advancements and technical approaches in AI technologies like natural language processing, predictive analysis, deep learning, and algorithmic methods. The cost for the various courses within this program varies, starting from $2500. It has been designed for professionals who have had at least three years of work experience and hold a bachelor’s degree (at a minimum) in a technical area such as computer science, statistics, physics, or electrical engineering. It consists of a total of 16 days of qualifying courses, out of which the mandatory course to learn is Machine Learning for Big Data and Text Processing. Within the certificate program, you can opt for any number of courses, but they should be completed within 36 months of your first qualifying course.  Classes for this are usually held in June, July, and August on the MIT campus. Learning this program not only entitles you to gain knowledge about effective AI systems but you also get added benefits such as a 15% discount on future MIT Professional Education Short Programs and Digital Plus Programs courses.  Course Link– https://professional.mit.edu/course-catalog/professional-certificate-program-machine-learning-artificial-intelligence-0 At MIT, you also get the chance to enroll yourself in an online program which is the No Code AI and Machine Learning: Building Data Science Solutions course. Its duration is of 12-weeks. All you need to do is dedicate 6-12 hours per week to this. Its cost is $2,498. With its unique ‘No Code’ approach, the course has been designed in a way to cater to a layman interested in AI and ML. It uses intuitive tools to make complex AI concepts comprehensible.  You will get to learn about the basics of data analysis and concepts like how data visualization makes data clearer, unstructured data, natural language processing, recommendation systems, potential business applications, temporal data, and Generative AI. It serves as a platform for business leaders and AI enthusiasts to form an application-based pedagogy and solve problems in the real world. Course Link–  https://professionalonline2.mit.edu/no-code-artificial-intelligence-machine-learning-program

2. University of California, Berkeley

Founded in 1868, Berkeley the University of California is one of the original eight Public Ivy schools. Kickstart your dream of making a career in AI and ML, with the Professional Certificate in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence offered by the university, which is a 6 months-online course, priced at $7,584. You will get a chance to learn from the world-class faculty of Berkeley Executive Education, which has been ranked among the top five universities in the U.S. News and World Report Best Global Universities Rankings. By being a part of this program, you get practical, hands-on experience using cutting-edge ML/AI tools and platforms. It provides you with a basic understanding of AI and ML along with advanced knowledge in data analytics, natural language processing, and generative AI. It has been structured in a way, to make you adapt the skills required to be a skilled professional in the world of Generative AI (GenAI) tools. Students with a bachelor’s or even a higher degree with proficiency in mathematics and programming are eligible to apply for the course. It is recommended that you also have prior experience working in STEM-related fields, Python, R, or SQL, statistics, and calculus. Course Link– https://em-executive.berkeley.edu/professional-certificate-machine-learning-artificial-intelligence

3. California Institute of Technology

Nestled in the city of Pasadena, the California Institute of Technology was founded in the year 1891. Caltech is one of the most sought-after universities in the US known for its excellence in STEM-based programs. Its Post Graduate Program in AI and Machine Learning is an online 11-month course that is designed to provide an extensive experience while maintaining Caltech’s academic excellence.  The application process involves the submission of a brief SOP. So, ensure that while applying you fill in all your essential details and present them coherently in your SOP. Consult professional SOP writers or online SOP writers for further assistance in drafting a well-written SOP.  You need to pay $2,795 to enroll in this program. It’s in online mode and comprises self-paced online videos, live virtual classes, hands-on projects, labs, and master classes. It covers essential mathematical and statistical concepts, like Python programming, machine learning, deep learning, generative AI, prompt engineering, explainable AI, ChatGPT, computer vision, natural language processing, and more.  Students who wish to apply for this course need to have a bachelor’s degree with an average of 50% or higher marks, prior knowledge of programming and mathematics, and a formal work experience of 2+ years. As part of the application process, you need to tell the university a bit about yourself and why you wish to be a part of this program while filling out the online application form. After that, your responses will be reviewed by the Caltech admission panel. Upon selection, you can begin the online AI course within 1-2 weeks. Individuals who want a seamless transition to adapting AI and ML roles in their organizations are most likely to benefit from this. Course Link– https://pg-p.ctme.caltech.edu/ai-machine-learning-course

4. Harvard University

The next university to feature in our list is not just the oldest institution of higher learning in the US, but also one of the prestigious Ivy League universities. Harvard University was established in the year 1636, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It has two courses two offered on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, for which an applicant needs to have prior experience in Python and statistics. The two courses are:

• Machine Learning and AI with Python
• AI, Machine Learning, and the Built Environmen

Looking for an AI and ML course without any fees? Then, you must try out the Machine Learning and AI with Python online course for 6 weeks which is free of cost. Available on the edX platform, the course teaches you about advanced data science challenges through sample data sets, decision trees, random forests, and machine learning models. It will help you build a foundation for the use of Python libraries in ML and AI.  Course Link– https://pll.harvard.edu/course/machine-learning-and-ai-python AI, Machine Learning, and the Built Environment is an online program, priced within the range of $1400 and $1500. It constitutes a non-technical introduction to AI and ML, with a strong emphasis on how these are used in various industries like landscape, architecture, urbanism, and Real estate, especially in Proptech. You will learn about the value of data acquisition and ML and identify its potential issues of bias and its ethical applications. Course Link– https://pll.harvard.edu/course/ai-machine-learning-and-built-environment

5. Cornell University

Based in Ithaca, New York, Cornell University was founded in 1865. Famous for its cutting-edge research, Cornell, an Ivy League university is ranked 17th among US universities in the U.S. News and World Reports. Its Applied Machine Learning and AI Certificate Program which is an online mode costs $3,750 and can be completed within a period of 3.5 months, provided you dedicate 8-10 hours of study per week.  Through this certificate program, you will get to acquire the skills needed to come up with ML solutions using ethical and inclusive practices in real-life scenarios. This program consists of several courses such as:

• Machine learning foundations
• Managing Data in ML
• Training common ML models
• Training Linear Models
• Evaluating and Improving Your Model
• Improving Performance with Ensemble Methods
• Using ML for Text Analysis

It will teach you about the ML lifecycle, common machine learning packages, and how to work with industry-relevant tools to analyze large data sets. It will also focus on k-nearest neighbors (KNN) and decision trees DT).  For a better understanding of this course, students must be familiar with Python.  Course Link–https://ecornell.cornell.edu/certificates/technology/applied-machine-learning-and-ai/

6. University of Washington

Moving ahead, the next university that we will be talking about is the University of Washington located in Seattle. It was built in 1861. Engineers who wish to advance in their careers can enroll themselves in the university’s Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Engineering program. This program can be completed fully online as both a part-time and a full-time student.  It will build upon your existing engineering knowledge that can be applied to AI and ML tools while solving problems. As a part of this course, you get to choose and implement appropriate AL and ML methods for specific engineering applications. It will help you strengthen your math and coding skills. Keeping in mind the engineering code of ethics, it teaches you how to learn AL and ML properly.  The total estimated cost for this degree is between $41,250 and $43,500. As part of the application process, a student needs to submit transcripts from the previous colleges and universities s/he attended, along with a 1-page resume, 1-page SOP, and  1 LOR. If you are a working engineer, who wishes to be admitted into this program, then you must focus on writing a well-structured resume, SOP, and an LOR, which increases your chances of being selected. To get the right guidance, search for acclaimed study abroad consultants who have a dedicated team of resume, SOP and LOR writers. Course Link–  https://www.engr.washington.edu/admission/professional-masters-certificates/masters-artificial-intelligence-and-machine-learning

7. University of Texas, Austin

A major center of academic research, the University of Texas situated in Austin, was founded in the year 1883. Ranked 12th among universities in the US for its Artificial intelligence program, the university’s McCombs School of Business teaches a 6-month Post Graduate Program in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Its total price is $4200. Taught by a renowned faculty, this program has a 4-week Programming boot camp for learners who have no prior programming experience. This will eventually help students as they progress with the course.  Through hands-on demonstrations and live webinars, it has an extensive curriculum that will teach you about AI-ML Foundations, Statistics, Machine Learning in Python, Deep Learning & Neural Networks, Computer Vision, and Natural Language Processing. With the help of their weekend sessions, learners will get to work on 8 hands-on projects and assignments spread across several modules. Even when the program ends, the university’s team will be there to assist you with career guidance, preparation for job interviews, and your resume writing. With this online course comprehensive curriculum, you will become a highly skilled professional in AI and ML. Course Link– https://onlineexeced.mccombs.utexas.edu/online-ai-machine-learning-course

8. University of California, San Diego

The University of California, San Diego was established in 1960. It has a variety of courses teaching Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, out of which the two exclusive courses with a primary focus on AI and ML are:

• AI and Machine Learning Bootcamp
• Machine Learning Engineering and AI Bootcamp

The AI and Machine Learning Bootcamp has been created to allow individuals to benefit from high-quality education along with their jobs. It costs $12,995. Over 26 weeks of online training, students will get to understand practical and theoretical ML concepts and the basics of AI, using real-world tools.  It delves into concepts such as:

• Statistics Essentials for Data Science
• Programming Basics
• Applied Data Science with Python
• Machine Learning
• Deep Learning
• Generative AI and Prompt Engineering

To be eligible for this program, you need to be at least 18 years old, with a high school diploma or a GED equivalent with a prior understanding or experience in programming or intermediate mathematics (including linear algebra, probability, and statistics). This part-time course aims to equip students with the requisite knowledge in Applied Data Science with Python, Deep Learning, Generative AI, and Prompt Engineering, to build a career in the fast-paced AI-driven world. Course Link–  https://bootcamp.sandiego.edu/programs/ai-machine-learning#:~:text=Gain%20the%20skills%20in%20Applied,Interested%20in%20AI%20%26%20Machine%20Learning%3F The Machine Learning Engineering and AI Bootcamp course is meant for students of ML Engineering who wish to learn about in-demand ML models, algorithms, mathematics, statistics, and Python Data Science tools. It is a 36-week program with a total cost of $9,900. The curriculum also covers deep neural networks and common configurations, computer vision and image processing, and natural language processing using libraries.  A student must be skilled and experienced in object-oriented programming to be eligible for this course. Being a part of this program will help you build an ML application that can be used via an API, web course, or website. Course Link– https://extendedstudies.ucsd.edu/courses-and-programs/principles-of-machine-learning-engineering-bootcamp-us

9. Drexel University

A private research space-grant university, Drexel University is situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1891. Its College of Computing and Informatics is among the top 10 colleges in the US on the list of Best Online Master’s in AI Programs. It provides a degree in Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, which focuses on the understanding of mathematical foundations, algorithms, tools, and applications.  This will help you gain knowledge about real data sets and data analysis tasks with cutting-edge tools, technologies, and platforms. By the end of this course, students will have to work on a research problem based on what they have learned. Only applicants who hold a four-year degree bachelor’s or a master’s degree from a proclaimed educational institution of Computer Science, can enroll themselves in this program.  As part of its application process, Drexel University requires you to submit transcripts, English language proficiency test scores, a 500-word essay expressing your interest in the above-mentioned course, a resume, and 1 LOR. To write an essay, resume, and LOR in the best possible manner, get in touch with study abroad consultants with a special emphasis on SOP and LOR writing services. Course Link–  https://catalog.drexel.edu/graduate/collegeofcomputingandinformatics/artificialintelligenceandmachinelearning/

10. Purdue University

Moving ahead, the next university that we will focus on is Purdue University which was established in 1869. It is located in West Lafayette, Indiana, US. It is home to the oldest computer science program in the US. Its online 11-month PG Program in AI and ML teaches concepts like Python for data science, deep learning specialization, essentials of generative AI, Prompt Engineering and ChatGPT, and many more. At the beginning of the course, you will be taught about statistics and intelligent computing.  By using tools like Tensorflow, Python, ChatGPT, Keras, etc. this course will help you acquire skills needed to advance your career in the field of AI and ML. The total cost for this program is $2,260. Only those candidates who have attained a bachelor’s degree in the relevant field along with a work experience of more than 2 years, can enroll themselves. In addition to this, you also need to have a basic understanding of programming concepts and mathematics. By collaborating with IBM, Purdue’s Post Graduate Program in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning aims to provide students with a strong foundation in AI theory and application.  Course Link–  https://bootcamp-sl.discover.online.purdue.edu/ai-machine-learning-certification-course

Career Opportunities after Studying AI and ML in the USA

The AI industry is booming. The machine learning job market has continuously shown signs of progress and growth. With rapid industrialization and an increase in data consumption, there has been a keen interest among individuals wanting to pursue AI and ML as a career option. This has led to a huge rise in the number of students who wish to study in USA for an AI and ML degree. A lack of skilled professionals in AI and ML training leads to a huge demand for AI and ML experts who are paid an impressive salary by major tech companies. 

By pursuing a degree in AI and ML from the US, you stand out from the rest of the crowd in terms of eligibility and proficiency. Students who pursue studies in AI and ML can go on to have flourishing careers in the AI and ML domain. Prominent job roles are that of a Machine Learning Engineer, AI Engineer, Data scientist, Computer Vision Engineer, Deep Learning Engineer, Natural Language Processing Engineer, and AI Research Scientist, to name a few.

Basic Documents Required for Studying AI and ML in the USA

Through this blog, you have a basic understanding of the leading universities in the US known for offering some of the best AI and ML degrees and about the career opportunities in this domain. We shall now have a look at the important documents that a student might require to seek admission at a US university for a course in AI and ML. The essential documents are:

• Transcripts containing your marks and grades attained during high school and earlier academic courses that you have been a part of.
• Resume- Prepare a resume describing your academic and professional qualifications might be asked at times by a university to have a basic understanding of your profile as a student and the duties and responsibilities assigned to you at a prior workplace.
• Essay- If you are about to seek admission at a university, that has very limited seats for an AI and ML course, then you might be asked to submit an essay, about your keen interest in studying and you have to provide specific reasons for that. This is required by the university to help in shortlisting candidates.
• SOP must always be written in a way, that by reading it the admissions officials get an idea of who you are as a person who truly deserves to be a part of a university. It should focus on your skills, interests, reasons for choosing AI and ML, and how it will help you advance your career. To write efficiently, do get in touch with professional SOP writers or online SOP writers who will support you in writing a well-structured SOP keeping in mind the university guidelines.
• LOR- At times, a university might ask you to get a Letter of Recommendation from your previous employer/ teacher/professor/ mentor to know about your personality traits and credibility as an individual. To write a good LOR that shows you are a deserving candidate for the AI and ML program at a particular university, seek assistance from recognized study abroad consultants dealing with SOP and LOR writing services. 
• Standardized Test Scores in the GRE/ GMAT exam might be asked by certain universities which might have a very selective admissions process, to evaluate your reasoning, thinking, and analytical skills. 
• English Language Proficiency test scores in an exam like IELTS/ TOEFL/ PTE/ Duolingo to assess whether you will be able to communicate effectively in an educational setting with the medium of instruction being English.