University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

How this program compares

Budget-wise, $27.6K puts this master's program at the 38th percentile on cost — roughly 36% 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 technical field with a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required, along with coursework in linear algebra, calculus, programming, and control systems.

About This Program

This program offers technical depth in robotics and autonomy while preparing students to work within or lead multidisciplinary engineering teams. Coursework concentrates on Computer Vision and Machine Learning. Most students complete it in about 1 year.

Graduates frequently move into roles such as Robotics Engineer, with reported salaries around $115,000.

Model and simulate dynamic behaviors of autonomous robots and vehicles.

At roughly $27.6K total, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Master of Engineering in Autonomy & Robotics sits below the $42.9K average among AI master's programs we track — the 38th percentile on price. That puts it in the mid-range on price among comparable programs.

It is one of 35 AI-related programs we track in Illinois, of which about 34% offer an online option. On price, it comes in cheaper than about 74% of the Illinois programs in our data, where typical tuition runs near $71.7K.

Career Outcomes

Graduates of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Master of Engineering in Autonomy & Robotics most often target Robotics Engineer roles, where reported compensation runs around $115,000. Its focus on Computer Vision and Machine Learning maps directly to how employers in autonomous vehicles 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 Engineer
• 2. Autonomy Systems Engineer
• 3. Control Systems Engineer
• 4. Machine Learning Robotics Specialist

What You'll Learn

• Model and simulate dynamic behaviors of autonomous robots and vehicles.
• Implement advanced control strategies including optimal, robust, and adaptive control.
• Develop perception systems using sensor fusion, computer vision, and SLAM for navigation.
• Design machine learning algorithms for robot decision-making and path planning.

Curriculum Highlights

The 32-credit curriculum features core coursework in robotics and autonomy, professional development, and a culminating capstone project.

Top Employers

Top employers include Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Google DeepMind, and Tesla.

Admissions

Admission to University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Master of Engineering in Autonomy & Robotics 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: 2–3
• Resume: Required
• Transcripts: Official transcripts required

Frequently Asked Questions