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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Artificial Intelligence Schools in the Great Lakes Region

4 Colleges in the United States
$23,205 Avg Student Debt
$62,305 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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong artificial intelligence education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 23 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value artificial intelligence schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Artificial Intelligence Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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

Best Value Artificial Intelligence Schools

1

Leading the list is Sinclair Community College, our #1 best value for artificial intelligence in the Great Lakes Region. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Artificial Intelligence graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. 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.

2

University Of Michigan Dearborn is a great value for students pursuing a degree in artificial intelligence, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for artificial intelligence graduates is $25,000. Artificial Intelligence graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $77,273 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.

3

Purdue University Northwest is a great value for students pursuing a degree in artificial intelligence, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,357, with out-of-state students paying around $15,504. Artificial Intelligence graduates carry a median of $18,700 in student loans. Soon after graduation, artificial intelligence degree recipients from Purdue University Northwest generally make around $51,424. Set against $18,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.

4

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in artificial intelligence, landing the #4 spot this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. 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. Artificial Intelligence graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $69,632 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,780 median debt. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.

5
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Students looking for strong value in artificial intelligence will find it at Purdue University Main Campus, which ranked #5. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $19,985 to complete the artificial intelligence program here. Soon after graduation, artificial intelligence degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $72,132. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.

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6
Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University came in at #6 for value in artificial intelligence this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for artificial intelligence graduates is $26,500. Early-career artificial intelligence graduates make about $66,537. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

7
Ferris State University crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University placed #7 among the best values for artificial intelligence. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Artificial Intelligence graduates carry a median of $27,813 in student loans. Early-career artificial intelligence graduates make about $54,608. Set against $27,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

8

Wayne State University came in at #8 for value in artificial intelligence this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,672 to complete the artificial intelligence program here. Artificial Intelligence graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $55,469 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.

9

Indiana University Bloomington landed the #9 spot for artificial intelligence value this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for artificial intelligence graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, artificial intelligence degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $62,350. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #10 for value in artificial intelligence this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Artificial Intelligence graduates carry a median of $25,347 in student loans. Soon after graduation, artificial intelligence degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $49,045. Set against $25,347 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

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11

Illinois Institute Of Technology earned the #11 position for value in artificial intelligence this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $52,202 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete the artificial intelligence program here. Soon after graduation, artificial intelligence degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $73,644. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.

12

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #12 among the best values for artificial intelligence. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Artificial Intelligence graduates carry a median of $23,203 in student loans. Artificial Intelligence graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $80,126 early in their careers. Set against $23,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

13

Kent State University At Kent placed #13 among the best values for artificial intelligence. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for artificial intelligence graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, artificial intelligence degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $63,535. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.

14

Milwaukee School Of Engineering came in at #14 for value in artificial intelligence this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee School Of Engineering is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,480. Typical student debt for artificial intelligence graduates is $27,667. Early-career artificial intelligence graduates make about $72,677. That is a strong return on a $27,667 median debt. The acceptance rate is 59%.

15

Concordia University Wisconsin placed #15 among the best values for artificial intelligence. Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mequon. In-state tuition and fees average $35,470. Typical student debt for artificial intelligence graduates is $27,172. Soon after graduation, artificial intelligence degree recipients from Concordia University Wisconsin generally make around $58,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

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16

Northwestern University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value artificial intelligence schools. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Typical student debt for artificial intelligence graduates is $16,616. Soon after graduation, artificial intelligence degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $78,551. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.

17
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value artificial intelligence schools. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $45,405 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,321 to complete the artificial intelligence program here. Soon after graduation, artificial intelligence degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $58,220. Set against $24,321 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.

18
Marquette University crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University landed the #18 spot for artificial intelligence value this year. Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students from in state pay about $51,170 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,536 to complete the artificial intelligence program here. Early-career artificial intelligence graduates make about $60,443. Set against $22,536 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.

19

Lawrence Technological University came in at #19 for value in artificial intelligence this year. Set in the city of Southfield, Lawrence Technological University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $44,760. Artificial Intelligence graduates carry a median of $27,799 in student loans. Soon after graduation, artificial intelligence degree recipients from Lawrence Technological University generally make around $74,924. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.

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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 · 23 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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