If you want to take your career in machine learning to the next level, you might be considering enrolling in one of the best PhDs in machine learning. However, it can be hard to figure out which program is right for you, how to fulfill all the requirements, or how to secure the right funding opportunities so you can continue your education in this field.
This comprehensive guide will look at the best options for a machine learning PhD, both in-person and online. We’ll also discuss the best machine learning jobs and how to get them with this type of degree, as well as the average PhD in machine learning salary you can earn upon graduation.
What Is a PhD in Machine Learning?
A PhD in machine learning is a research-intensive degree program that helps students further their education in machine learning. A machine learning PhD is a doctorate degree that involves coursework, qualifying exams, and oral examinations. Professors and members of faculty also work closely with students to help them develop a strong dissertation throughout their degree program.
Students interested in pursuing a PhD in machine learning should have already completed a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. They also need to have completed a master’s degree, or commit to completing it along the way.
How to Get Into a Machine Learning PhD Program: Admission Requirements
The admission requirements to get into a machine learning PhD program typically include filling out an application form and submitting an application fee, academic transcripts from your undergraduate degree, two to three recommendation letters, a statement of purpose, GRE scores, a resume, writing sample, and English proficiency test scores for international students.
Each school’s website will have a detailed breakdown of all the requirements needed for the application process. Some schools may require you to pay an application fee, have a minimum GPA score, and take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), although most schools have waived this requirement until 2023.
You will need two or three recommendation letters for your PhD application. The recommendation letter should be from faculty members and colleagues familiar with your work. Part of the application process is a statement of purpose, which is an essay that should tell the admission committee why you want to pursue a PhD in Machine Learning.
PhD in Machine learning Admission Requirements
- Application form
- Application fee
- College transcripts
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 (varies)
- Two to three recommendation letters
- Statement of purpose
- GRE scores
- Resume
- Writing sample
- English proficiency test (only for non-native English speakers)
Machine Learning PhD Acceptance Rates: How Hard Is It to Get Into a PhD Program in Machine Learning?
It is hard to get into a PhD program in machine learning. Prestigious schools are usually very selective and have a low admission rate ranging between four and 30 percent. For example, Harvard University has an admission rate of four percent, so make sure you prepare a strong application and have a high GPA if you want to get into Harvard or another highly-reputable university.
However, not all PhD programs are extremely selective. For instance, institutions in the University of California system have higher acceptance rates, such as 34.4 percent. To improve your chances of acceptance, you can ask a friend or mentor to look over your PhD application. You should also apply to more than one program.
How to Get Into the Best Universities
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Best PhDs in Machine Learning: In Brief
| School | Program | Online Option |
|---|---|---|
| Carnegie Mellon University | PhD in Machine Learning | No |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | PhD in Machine Learning | No |
| Harvard University | PhD in Computer Science | No |
| Northwestern University | PhD in Computer Science and Learning Sciences | No |
| Tulane University | PhD in Computer Science | No |
| University of California Irvine | PhD in Computer Science | No |
| University of California San Diego | PhD in Machine Learning and Data Science | No |
| University of Pennsylvania | PhD in Computer and Information Science | No |
| University of Texas at Arlington | PhD in Computer Science | No |
| University of Washington | PhD in Machine Learning and Big Data | No |
Best Universities for Machine Learning PhDs: Where to Get a PhD in Machine Learning
The best universities for machine learning PhDs include Carnegie Mellon University, Georgia Tech, and University of Washington. These schools can help you earn your machine learning PhD. If you’re wondering where you can get a PhD in machine learning, the list below discusses 10 excellent programs, along with their essential details.
Can You Get a PhD in Machine Learning Online?
No, you cannot get a PhD in machine learning online. However, you can pursue an online PhD in computer science with a machine learning component such as an online machine learning course or specialization. Many fantastic online computer science PhDs will help you fine-tune your machine learning expertise.
Best Online PhD Programs in Machine Learning
| School | Program | Length |
|---|---|---|
| University of North Dakota | Online PhD in Computer Science | 4-5 years |
| University of Southern Carolina | Online PhD in Computer Science | Up to 10 years |
| Kennesaw State University | Online PhD in Computer Science | 4-5 years |
How Long Does It Take to Get a PhD in Machine Learning?
It takes between four and 10 years to get a PhD in Machine learning. According to Statista, the average time to complete a doctorate degree is seven and a half years. A PhD takes this long to complete because it is research-intensive and involves several stages.
Students need to take required courses and complete coursework in the first two years of a PhD program. Once the coursework is complete, students will write an examination to ensure they have completed all the essential skills and expertise in machine learning.
In the final years of a PhD, students conduct research and write a dissertation which takes between two to five years to finish. Usually, the school will have information on their website regarding the maximum time students have to meet all the PhD requirements.
Is a PhD in Machine Learning Hard?
Yes, a PhD in Machine Learning is hard because it is research-driven. If you decide to pursue a PhD in machine learning, you need to ensure that you are motivated and determined to work hard because this program involves many hours of independent research and writing.
A PhD is also a lengthy degree program that takes a minimum of four years to complete. Don’t let the difficulty of a PhD in machine learning discourage you, though. If you are determined and enjoy researching and learning about machine learning, you will succeed.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a PhD in Machine Learning?
It costs $19,314 annually to get a PhD in Machine Learning, according to the figures from 2019 stated by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). The total tuition of your machine learning PhD depends on specific factors, including format, location, school, and specialization.
Colleges and universities are usually public or private institutions. Depending on what kind of school you attend, the tuition will differ. The average tuition for a PhD at a public institution is $12,171, while a PhD at a private institution costs $25,929. Search your school’s website or contact it directly to learn about the specific tuition costs of your PhD program.
How to Pay for a PhD in Machine Learning: PhD Funding Options
The funding options that students can use to pay for their PhD in machine learning include research assistantships, teaching assistantships, fellowships, internships, grants, and stipends. These funding options will lighten the financial burden of pursuing a PhD in machine learning.
Some schools offer teaching assistantships to students. You work a certain number of hours per week and receive a stipend or a tuition waiver or discount. A research assistantship is similar to a teaching assistantship, but they have different duties. According to Statista, research assistantships are the most common funding option for doctoral degrees.
Find out directly from your school if there are available paid internships, along with any other funding opportunities for PhD students in machine learning. Some schools award funding opportunities to students nominated by faculty members.
Best Online Master’s Degrees
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What Is the Difference Between a Machine Learning Master’s Degree and PhD?
The difference between a machine learning master’s degree and a PhD is that a PhD is research-intensive and focused, while a master’s degree is more focused on one’s career and may or may not include research for a master’s thesis.
A PhD is the highest degree level that a person can pursue, whereas a master’s degree is one level below. According to Statista, PhD degree holders make more than master’s degree graduates. Upon completing a master’s degree, students can earn an average salary of $92,272, while PhD graduates earn an average salary of $136,702.
Master’s vs PhD in Machine Learning Job Outlook
You can get a job as a computer information research scientist with a master’s degree, which comes with a job outlook of 22 percent. This is much faster than the average job outlook. With a PhD in machine learning, you can get any job in machine learning, but a job that explicitly requires a PhD is a university lecturer.
The job outlook for a machine learning lecturer is 12 percent, according to information cited by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This job outlook is much lower than that of a computer information research scientist. However, 12 percent is still an excellent average growth rate.
Difference in Salary for Machine Learning Master’s vs PhD
There is a significant contrast in earnings between a Machine learning PhD and a Machine learning Master’s degree. Although PayScale does not list the salary of Machine learning graduates specifically, it lists salary information for artificial intelligence, a field closely related to machine learning.
The average salary of an artificial intelligence PhD graduate is $115,000, while an AI master’s degree graduate earns an average salary of $103,000, annually. As you can see, a PhD will get you a very high average annual wage, and your salary can increase depending on your experience, location, and position.
Related Machine Learning Degrees
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Why You Should Get a PhD in Machine Learning
You should get a PhD in machine learning because it will open up new job opportunities, help you earn a higher salary, and allow you to add value to the machine learning industry. If you enjoy doing research, learning new things, and want to earn a higher salary, then a PhD is perfect for you.
Reasons for Getting a PhD in Machine Learning
- Higher salaries. Earning a PhD ensures that you will get a job with a high-paying salary. A PhD is the highest degree level that you can achieve, and PhD graduates earn a significantly higher salary than associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree holders.
- Contributing to your professional industry. While completing a PhD, students conduct a lot of original research, broaden their skills and add value to their field. At the end of a PhD, students submit a dissertation, a document that identifies a problem within the industry and presents a solution through research.
- Enhancing specialized and soft skills. A PhD will help you improve and gain valuable specialized skills and techniques in machine learning, such as statistics and natural language processing. You will also gain excellent soft skills in machine learning, like problem-solving and time management.
- Increasing job opportunities. Once you earn your PhD, your job opportunities will increase. A PhD will help you get a senior profession, such as a lecturer or senior machine learning engineer. According to PayScale, a senior machine learning engineer earns an annual wage of $153,255.
- Gaining valuable knowledge. Due to a PhD’s research-intensive nature, students constantly learn new things and gain valuable knowledge. If you enjoy learning, you should get a PhD because the learning opportunities are endless.
Getting a PhD in Machine Learning: Machine Learning PhD Coursework
Getting a PhD in Machine Learning requires taking specific courses to meet the necessary credit hours to graduate from your PhD program. Required courses typically include machine learning, introduction to AI, and statistical learning. Machine learning PhD coursework will help you gain essential machine learning skills and knowledge.
Machine Learning
During the machine learning course, students will learn about the fundamental topics and techniques in machine learning, such as logistic regression, clustering, classifications, deep neural networks, linear models, and support vector machines. This course encourages reinforcement learning by looking at several real-world examples.
Deep Learning
Deep learning is an essential part of machine learning and involves artificial neural networks. The deep learning course will teach students about theoretical and practical aspects of deep learning, including neural networks, optimization algorithms, and structured models.
Statistical Learning
This course will cover modern learning algorithms such as variational approximations, boosting, and support vector machines. While completing the statistical learning course, students will learn about statistical algorithms for data analysis and applications of signal processing. Students should know programming languages to enroll in this course.
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
While completing a PhD in machine learning, students will need to complete an Artificial Intelligence course. An Introduction to AI course involves the study of models and theories related to systems that emulate human intelligence. Students will cover Bayesian networks, constraint satisfaction, probabilistic reasoning, and natural language processing.
Analysis of Algorithms
The analysis of algorithms course looks at different efficient algorithms and studies their complexity and correctness. Topics covered include network flow, dynamic programming, and amortized analysis. Students will discuss problems with no solutions and cover all different kinds of algorithms.
Best Master’s Degrees
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How to Get a PhD in Machine Learning: Doctoral Program Requirements
Read the list below to find out how to get a PhD in Machine Learning. There are specific criteria that each student needs to meet before being awarded their degree. Common requirements include the completion of coursework, a research project, and a final thesis.
Potential Careers With a Machine Learning Degree
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PhD in Machine Learning Salary and Job Outlook
Machine learning PhD graduates earn a highly favorable salary because a PhD is the highest degree level someone can earn. As stated above, PayScale does not list the average salary of a machine learning PhD graduate, but it notes that the average salary of an AI PhD graduate is $115,000. Artificial intelligence is a field very closely related to machine learning.
The job outlook for a machine learning PhD graduate is between 12 and 22 percent. That is a very favorable job outlook. The BLS has stated that there are approximately 33,000 machine learning jobs each year.
What Can You Do With a PhD in Machine Learning?
With a PhD in machine learning, you can become a computer and information research scientist, a deep learning research engineer, or a computational linguist. Most higher education institutions offer career coaching services that help students prepare for interviews, write resumes, and find jobs. Contact your college to find out whether it offers career services.
Best Jobs with a PhD in Machine Learning
- Computer and Information Research Scientist
- Machine Learning Engineer
- Deep Learning Research Engineer
- Professor of Machine Learning
- Computational Linguist
What Is the Average Salary for a PhD in Machine Learning?
The average salary for a PhD in machine learning is $115,000 per year. This is a high average salary, but it varies based on factors such as experience, location, and job description. The more experience you have and the higher your degree level is, the higher your salary will be. If you decide to become a computer and information research scientist, you can earn an average salary of $131,490. If you are part of the 90th percentile, you can earn more than $208,000 annually.
Highest-Paying Machine Learning Jobs for PhD Grads
| Machine Learning PhD Jobs | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Machine Learning Engineer | $112,513 |
| Deep Learning Research Engineer | $110,679 |
| Computer and Information Research Scientist | $100,384 |
| Professor of Machine Learning | $98,500 |
| Computational Linguist | $80,330 |
Best Machine Learning Jobs with a Doctorate
Now that we have looked at all the details about a machine learning PhD and how to become a machine learning engineer, let’s look at the five highest-paying machine learning Jobs for PhD graduates, in detail.
Is a PhD in Machine Learning Worth It?
Yes, a PhD in Machine Learning is worth it. There are many excellent institutions that can help you earn a PhD in Machine Learning while providing valuable support from faculty members. Earning this type of degree can help you further your machine learning career.
If you pursue a PhD in machine learning, you will very likely add value to your industry with the research conducted during your dissertation. Completing a PhD takes many years and is research-intensive but completely worth it if you look at the jobs that use machine learning and the average PhD in Machine learning salary.
Additional Reading About Machine Learning
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PhD in Machine Learning FAQ
The cheapest PhD in machine learning is the PhD in Machine Learning and Data Science offered by University of California San Diego. The PhD in Machine Learning and Data Science tuition at University of California San Diego costs $11,442 per year for both residents and non-residents.
Many top companies hire machine learning PhD graduates, including Google, Microsoft, Adobe, PayPal, Amazon, IBM, and Duolingo. With a PhD in machine learning, you can land a job at one of these companies and earn a high salary.
Yes, there are many remote jobs available for machine learning graduates. A quick search on websites such as Indeed, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn can put you in touch with many possible machine learning jobs. Make sure you read the details of each job carefully before you apply.
Yes, you can get a job in machine learning with a bootcamp. Bootcamps are short, but they are intensive and can teach you all the necessary skills to have a successful career in the machine learning industry. There are many excellent machine learning bootcamps to help you start your machine learning career.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
