Top 3 Machine Learning Programs in Colorado
University of Colorado Boulder
Top AI research lab with 15 ML faculty members
Colorado State University
Strong industry partnerships with tech companies
Colorado School of Mines
Applied ML focus with mining and energy applications
- 1.Colorado hosts 12 universities offering machine learning programs at bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels
- 2.Average starting salaries for ML graduates in Colorado range from $85,000-$115,000
- 3.CU Boulder leads in AI research funding with $12.4 million in NSF grants
- 4.Colorado's tech industry grew 28% in 2024, creating 8,500 new ML-related positions
- 5.In-state tuition averages $28,000 compared to $52,000 out-of-state
2,400
ML Job Openings
$108,000
Median ML Salary
450+
Tech Companies
$45M
Research Funding
Colorado's Growing Machine Learning Job Market
Colorado's technology sector has emerged as a major hub for artificial intelligence and machine learning careers. The state added 8,500 new tech positions in 2024, with machine learning roles representing the fastest-growing segment at 28% year-over-year growth according to the Colorado Technology Association.
Denver-Boulder metro area ranks as the 8th largest tech ecosystem in the US, housing over 3,200 technology companies including major employers like IBM, Oracle, and Palantir. These companies actively recruit from Colorado universities, creating strong career pathways for ML graduates. The median salary for machine learning engineers in Colorado reached $108,000 in 2024, with senior positions commanding $150,000-$180,000.
The state's strategic advantages include no corporate income tax for new businesses, a highly educated workforce, and proximity to both Silicon Valley and emerging tech hubs in Austin and Seattle. Colorado also benefits from significant federal research funding, with NIST, NOAA, and NCAR all maintaining major research facilities that collaborate with university ML programs.
Key industry sectors driving ML demand include aerospace (Lockheed Martin, Ball Aerospace), financial services (Charles Schwab, FirstBank), and energy (Suncor, Antero Resources). These diverse applications create opportunities for specialized ML career paths ranging from computer vision for satellite imagery to algorithmic trading and renewable energy optimization.
Source: Colorado Technology Association
Complete Rankings: Best Machine Learning Programs in Colorado 2025
| Rank | Location | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Colorado Boulder | Boulder, CO | $32,000 | 8900% | $115,000 | 94 |
| 2 | Colorado State University | Fort Collins, CO | $29,000 | 8600% | $108,000 | 91 |
| 3 | Colorado School of Mines | Golden, CO | $35,000 | 9200% | $112,000 | 89 |
| 4 | University of Denver | Denver, CO | $45,000 | 8400% | $105,000 | 85 |
| 5 | University of Colorado Denver | Denver, CO | $31,000 | 7900% | $98,000 | 82 |
| 6 | Colorado State University Pueblo | Pueblo, CO | $24,000 | 7500% | $88,000 | 76 |
| Factor | CU Boulder | CSU | Mines | DU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research Funding | $12.4M | $8.2M | $6.1M | $3.8M |
| Faculty Ratio | 1:12 | 1:14 | 1:10 | 1:11 |
| Industry Partners | 45+ | 38+ | 32+ | 25+ |
| PhD Placements | 85% | 78% | 82% | 71% |
| Starting Salary | $115,000 | $108,000 | $112,000 | $105,000 |
University of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO • University
Program Highlights
- • $12.4M in active NSF research grants
- • 45+ industry partnership agreements
- • 89% graduate school acceptance rate
- • Average starting salary: $115,000
Program Strengths
- 15 full-time ML faculty members with active research programs
- Collaborative agreements with NIST, NOAA, and Ball Aerospace
- Access to high-performance computing clusters and GPU farms
- Strong placement record in top tech companies (Google, Microsoft, Tesla)
- Interdisciplinary programs connecting ML with aerospace, biology, and physics
Why Ranked #1
CU Boulder leads Colorado in machine learning research with the highest NSF funding and strongest industry partnerships. Their Computer Science department ranks #35 nationally with specialized tracks in AI, computer vision, and natural language processing.
Student Reviews
"The ML program at CU Boulder connected me directly with cutting-edge research. I worked on computer vision projects that led to my position at Tesla's Autopilot team."
— Sarah Chen, Class of 2024
Based on 12 programs from Analysis of IPEDS data, faculty research metrics, and graduate survey responses
Employment rates, salary data, and career advancement
Faculty publications, funding, and research impact
Course offerings, practical experience, and industry relevance
Faculty credentials, student-to-faculty ratios
Internship placements, corporate partnerships, job placement rates
Career Paths
Machine Learning Engineer
SOC 15-1252Design and implement ML algorithms for production systems at tech companies and startups
Data Scientist
SOC 15-2051Extract insights from large datasets using statistical analysis and ML techniques
AI Research Scientist
SOC 19-1032Develop new ML methodologies and algorithms in academic or industrial research settings
Software Engineer
SOC 15-1252Build software applications incorporating ML capabilities for user-facing products
Computer Vision Engineer
SOC 15-1252Develop image and video analysis systems for autonomous vehicles, robotics, and medical imaging
Admission Requirements for Colorado ML Programs
Admission to machine learning programs in Colorado varies significantly by degree level and institution. Bachelor's programs typically require strong mathematics backgrounds including calculus, linear algebra, and statistics, along with programming experience in Python or C++.
For undergraduate admission, competitive applicants generally need a 3.5+ high school GPA and SAT scores above 1400 or ACT scores above 30. CU Boulder's Computer Science program admits approximately 25% of applicants, while Colorado State University admits 35% for their data science track. Master's programs require a bachelor's degree in computer science, mathematics, engineering, or related field with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
- Strong foundation in mathematics: Calculus I-III, linear algebra, probability and statistics
- Programming proficiency in Python, R, or Java with demonstrated project experience
- GRE scores (for graduate programs): Quantitative 160+, Verbal 150+
- Letters of recommendation from faculty or employers familiar with technical work
- Personal statement demonstrating interest in ML applications and career goals
- Portfolio of programming projects or research experience (preferred but not required)
International students must demonstrate English proficiency through TOEFL (100+ iBT) or IELTS (7.0+) scores. Many programs offer graduate assistantships that provide tuition waivers and stipends for qualified students. Early application is recommended as the most competitive programs fill quickly, typically by February 1st for fall admission.
Machine Learning Programs Across Colorado
Boulder County
Denver Metro
Northern Colorado
Southern Colorado
Which Should You Choose?
- You want the strongest research opportunities and PhD preparation
- You prefer a larger university with extensive resources and facilities
- You're interested in interdisciplinary ML applications across multiple fields
- You want access to federal research labs and aerospace industry connections
- You value strong industry partnerships and internship opportunities
- You prefer a more affordable public university option
- You're interested in agricultural or environmental ML applications
- You want a balanced program emphasizing both theory and practical skills
- You're interested in applied ML for energy, mining, or engineering sectors
- You want small class sizes and close faculty mentorship
- You prefer a highly technical, engineering-focused curriculum
- You're planning a career in specialized industrial ML applications
- You prefer a private university environment with smaller classes
- You want flexible scheduling options for working professionals
- You're interested in ML applications in business and finance
- You value personalized attention and career services support
Frequently Asked Questions
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Data Sources and Methodology
Employment projections and salary data for computer and information research scientists
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Graduate earnings, employment outcomes, and institutional metrics
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Taylor Rupe
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