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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Artificial Intelligence Associate’s Degree Schools

1 Colleges in the United States
$15,173 Avg Student Debt
$46,324 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Artificial Intelligence Associate's Degree Badge [Artificial Intelligence](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-information-systems-cis/artificial-intelligence/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong artificial intelligence education at a price that pays off.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 125 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for artificial intelligence students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Artificial Intelligence Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in artificial intelligence, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Artificial Intelligence Schools

1

Central Piedmont Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value artificial intelligence schools in the United States. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Artificial Intelligence graduates carry a median of $10,456 in student loans. Soon after graduation, artificial intelligence degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,629. 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. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for artificial intelligence graduates is $12,525. Artificial Intelligence graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Central New Mexico Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in artificial intelligence, landing the #3 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, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $9,188 to complete the artificial intelligence program here. Early-career artificial intelligence graduates make about $34,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Utah Valley University earned it the #4 place for artificial intelligence. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for artificial intelligence graduates is $16,478. Soon after graduation, artificial intelligence degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Miami Dade College earned it the #5 place for artificial intelligence. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,195 to complete the artificial intelligence program here. Early-career artificial intelligence graduates make about $40,267. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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6

Wayne Community College came in at #6 for value in artificial intelligence this year. Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Goldsboro. 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. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Houston Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value artificial intelligence schools. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete the artificial intelligence program here. Soon after graduation, artificial intelligence degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $40,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8
Ocean County College crest
Ocean County College
Toms River, NJ

Ocean County College landed the #8 spot for artificial intelligence value this year. Ocean County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Toms River. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,906, with out-of-state students paying around $6,970. Students borrow a median of $13,792 to complete the artificial intelligence program here. Artificial Intelligence graduates of Ocean County College earn a median of $41,306 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Chandler Gilbert Community College placed #9 among the best values for artificial intelligence. Located in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $10,447 to complete the artificial intelligence program here. Soon after graduation, artificial intelligence degree recipients from Chandler Gilbert Community College generally make around $46,943. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Estrella Mountain Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value artificial intelligence schools. Located in the suburb of Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for artificial intelligence graduates is $21,752. Soon after graduation, artificial intelligence degree recipients from Estrella Mountain Community College generally make around $78,359. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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11

Pennsylvania State University World Campus came in at #11 for value in artificial intelligence this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,356. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

12

Rochester Institute Of Technology landed the #12 spot for artificial intelligence value this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $59,210. Artificial Intelligence graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Artificial Intelligence graduates of Rochester Institute Of Technology earn a median of $71,358 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.

13

Keiser University Ft Lauderdale landed the #13 spot for artificial intelligence value this year. Set in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Keiser University Ft Lauderdale is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,056. Artificial Intelligence graduates carry a median of $24,517 in student loans. Artificial Intelligence graduates of Keiser University Ft Lauderdale earn a median of $45,965 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,517 median debt. Keiser University Ft Lauderdale admits about 97% of applicants.

Other Artificial Intelligence Degree Levels

Explore the best-value artificial intelligence schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Artificial Intelligence
Bachelor's Degrees in Artificial Intelligence
Master's Degrees in Artificial Intelligence
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View All Artificial Intelligence Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, 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 1 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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