University of Southern Maine

How this program compares

Budget-wise, $14.3K puts this master's program at the 10th percentile on cost — roughly 67% below the $42.9K average across 394 comparable listings. It is one of the 54% of programs in our database offered fully or partly online.

Admission Snapshot

Typical admitted student: Applicants typically need a bachelor's degree in computer science, mathematics, engineering, or a related field with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Some programs require programming experience and may recommend the GRE, though it is increasingly optional for competitive applicants.

About This Program

This graduate program prepares students for high-impact careers in software development and the quantitative analysis of large datasets for modeling. Coursework concentrates on Machine Learning and Deep Learning. Most students complete it in about 2 years.

Estimated total tuition is $14.3K, below the $42.9K average for AI master's programs in our database and in the 10th percentile on cost at this level. That makes it one of the more affordable options for students weighing return on investment.

It is one of 4 AI-related programs we track in MAINE, of which about 75% offer an online option. On price, it comes in cheaper than about 75% of the MAINE programs in our data, where typical tuition runs near $83.6K.

Graduates frequently move into roles such as Operations Research Analyst, with reported salaries around $128,000.

Design and implement machine learning models for real-world data science problems.

Career Outcomes

University of Southern Maine positions this master track for Operations Research Analyst careers — typical offers cluster around $128,000. Its focus on Machine Learning and Deep Learning maps directly to how employers screen for specialized skills rather than generic degrees. Federal projections for this occupational area point to roughly 36% growth this decade — verify the current figure on the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook before you rely on it.

• 1. Machine Learning Engineer
• 2. Data Scientist
• 3. AI Research Scientist
• 4. Analytics Engineer

What You'll Learn

• Design and implement machine learning models for real-world data science problems
• Develop proficiency in AI frameworks, deep learning architectures, and large language models
• Apply statistical and computational methods to extract insights from complex datasets
• Build scalable data systems and deploy AI solutions in production environments

Curriculum Highlights

The program requires 30 credits, including a culminating master's thesis or project focused on AI research or solving software application problems.

Top Employers

Top employers include Google, Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, OpenAI, and major financial institutions like JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs.

Admissions

Admission to University of Southern Maine's MS in Computer Science - AI and Data Analytics 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