University of Michigan‑Ann Arbor

How this program compares

University of Michigan‑Ann Arbor's PhD in Computer Science (AI) lists about $47.2K total tuition — roughly 46% below the $87.2K AI doctoral average (33rd percentile in our data). It runs on a full-time schedule (on-campus).

Admission Snapshot

Typical admitted student: A master's or bachelor's degree in computer science or related field with strong GPA (3.5+), research experience, and technical background in programming and mathematics are typically required; GRE is often optional.

About This Program

This research-oriented program prepares students for leadership careers in academia and industrial research. It focuses on developing foundational advances and real-world applications in intelligent systems. Coursework concentrates on Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning and AI Engineering / Applied AI. Most students complete it in about 5 years.

Budget planners should note $47.2K estimated total tuition (33rd percentile among AI doctoral programs, below the $87.2K average). That makes it one of the more affordable options for students weighing return on investment.

It is one of 26 AI-related programs we track in Michigan, of which about 69% offer an online option. On price, it comes in higher than about 58% of the Michigan programs in our data, where typical tuition runs near $50.2K.

Graduates frequently move into roles such as AI Research Scientist, with reported salaries around $145,000.

Design and implement advanced AI models for complex problem-solving.

Career Outcomes

University of Michigan‑Ann Arbor positions this doctoral track for AI Research Scientist careers — typical offers cluster around $145,000. Its focus on Artificial Intelligence & 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 23% growth this decade — verify the current figure on the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook before you rely on it.

• 1. AI Research Scientist
• 2. Machine Learning Engineer
• 3. University Professor
• 4. AI Technical Lead

What You'll Learn

• Design and implement advanced AI models for complex problem-solving.
• Conduct original research in machine learning and neural networks.
• Analyze and optimize algorithms for computer vision and natural language processing.
• Apply reinforcement learning to real-world autonomous systems.

Curriculum Highlights

The curriculum is built around foundational coursework and a dissertation. Research areas include reinforcement learning, computer vision, human-AI collaboration, and scalable stochastic optimization.

Top Employers

Top employers include Google, OpenAI, Microsoft Research, and Meta AI.

Admissions

Admission to University of Michigan‑Ann Arbor's PhD in Computer Science (AI) generally expects a master's preferred (bachelor's acceptable with strong research potential). 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