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2026 Best Value Artificial Intelligence Schools

30 Colleges in the United States
$22,284 Avg Student Debt
$64,849 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Artificial Intelligence Badge [Artificial Intelligence](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-information-systems-cis/artificial-intelligence/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 125 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value artificial intelligence schools.

What’s on this page:

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Finding the Best Value Artificial Intelligence School for You

The right artificial intelligence school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Artificial Intelligence Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.

See how we build our rankings

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Artificial Intelligence Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.

Associate's Degrees in Artificial Intelligence
Bachelor's Degrees in Artificial Intelligence
Master's Degrees in Artificial Intelligence
Doctorate Degrees in Artificial Intelligence

Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.

Learn more about our methodology

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2026 Best Value Artificial Intelligence Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the artificial intelligence degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Artificial Intelligence Schools

1

Leading the list is Central Piedmont Community College, our #1 best value for artificial intelligence in the United States. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,456 to complete the artificial intelligence program here. Artificial Intelligence graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $40,629 early in their careers. Set against $10,456 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Sinclair Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value artificial intelligence schools. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Typical student debt for artificial intelligence graduates is $12,525. Early-career artificial intelligence graduates make about $35,348. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Seminole State College Of Florida earned it the #3 place for artificial intelligence. Located in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,122 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,447 for out-of-state students. Artificial Intelligence graduates carry a median of $16,484 in student loans. Artificial Intelligence graduates of Seminole State College Of Florida earn a median of $48,049 early in their careers. Set against $16,484 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Central New Mexico Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in artificial intelligence, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Students borrow a median of $9,188 to complete the artificial intelligence program here. Artificial Intelligence graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,156 early in their careers. Set against $9,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Miami Dade College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value artificial intelligence schools. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,838 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Artificial Intelligence graduates carry a median of $11,195 in student loans. Artificial Intelligence graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $49,903 early in their careers. Set against $11,195 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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6

Utah Valley University landed the #6 spot for artificial intelligence value this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Artificial Intelligence graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Artificial Intelligence graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Florida Atlantic University earned the #7 position for value in artificial intelligence this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for artificial intelligence graduates is $18,337. Soon after graduation, artificial intelligence degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $67,392. That is a strong return on a $18,337 median debt. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.

8

University Of Central Florida landed the #8 spot for artificial intelligence value this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $22,751 to complete the artificial intelligence program here. Artificial Intelligence graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $70,616 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

9

Wayne Community College placed #9 among the best values for artificial intelligence. Located in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,566, compared with $8,710 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the artificial intelligence program here. Early-career artificial intelligence graduates make about $33,116. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #10 among the best values for artificial intelligence. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,277 to complete the artificial intelligence program here. Early-career artificial intelligence graduates make about $98,235. That is a strong return on a $16,277 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

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11

The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #11 position for value in artificial intelligence this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Typical student debt for artificial intelligence graduates is $22,625. Early-career artificial intelligence graduates make about $72,804. That is a strong return on a $22,625 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

12

San Jose State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value artificial intelligence schools. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.

13

University Of Michigan Dearborn ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value artificial intelligence schools. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the artificial intelligence program here. Early-career artificial intelligence graduates make about $77,273. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

14

The University Of West Florida landed the #14 spot for artificial intelligence value this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Artificial Intelligence graduates carry a median of $19,385 in student loans. Artificial Intelligence graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $66,485 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,385 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

15

Houston Community College placed #15 among the best values for artificial intelligence. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Artificial Intelligence graduates carry a median of $19,223 in student loans. Artificial Intelligence graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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16
Ocean County College crest
Ocean County College
Toms River, NJ

Ocean County College came in at #16 for value in artificial intelligence this year. Set in the suburb of Toms River, Ocean County College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,906, with out-of-state students paying around $6,970. Typical student debt for artificial intelligence graduates is $13,792. Soon after graduation, artificial intelligence degree recipients from Ocean County College generally make around $41,306. That is a strong return on a $13,792 median debt.

17
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value artificial intelligence schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $19,985 to complete the artificial intelligence program here. Artificial Intelligence graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $72,132 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,985 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.

18

Purdue University Northwest placed #18 among the best values for artificial intelligence. Set in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,357, with out-of-state students paying around $15,504. Typical student debt for artificial intelligence graduates is $18,700. Artificial Intelligence graduates of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $51,424 early in their careers. Set against $18,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.

19

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value artificial intelligence schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,780 to complete the artificial intelligence program here. Soon after graduation, artificial intelligence degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $69,632. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.

20
University Of Utah crest
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah earned the #20 position for value in artificial intelligence this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Artificial Intelligence graduates carry a median of $20,798 in student loans. Soon after graduation, artificial intelligence degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $60,527. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.

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21

University Of Missouri St Louis landed the #21 spot for artificial intelligence value this year. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Students borrow a median of $25,943 to complete the artificial intelligence program here. Soon after graduation, artificial intelligence degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $53,079. That is a strong return on a $25,943 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.

22

Louisiana State University Shreveport came in at #22 for value in artificial intelligence this year. Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public school located in the city of Shreveport. Students from in state pay about $7,327 in tuition and fees. Artificial Intelligence graduates carry a median of $28,907 in student loans. Artificial Intelligence graduates of Louisiana State University Shreveport earn a median of $45,300 early in their careers. Set against $28,907 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Louisiana State University Shreveport admits about 50% of applicants.

23

University Of Georgia placed #23 among the best values for artificial intelligence. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Artificial Intelligence graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Early-career artificial intelligence graduates make about $53,546. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.

24

Texas A And M University Commerce earned the #24 position for value in artificial intelligence this year. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Artificial Intelligence graduates carry a median of $22,062 in student loans. Artificial Intelligence graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $54,201 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,062 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

25

University Of Nebraska At Omaha placed #25 among the best values for artificial intelligence. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Artificial Intelligence graduates carry a median of $19,875 in student loans. Artificial Intelligence graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $48,906 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,875 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Artificial Intelligence Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for artificial intelligence this year:

26
27
28
Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI
29
Ferris State University crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI
30
31
32
33
Saint Peters College crest
Saint Peters College
Jersey City, NJ
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
South College crest
South College
Knoxville, TN

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View All Rankings >

Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Artificial Intelligence. See all related rankings.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 125 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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