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

21 Colleges in the United States
$23,128 Avg Student Debt
$72,110 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Artificial Intelligence Master'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

Florida Atlantic University earned the #1 spot for value among artificial intelligence schools in the United States. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $18,337 to complete the artificial intelligence program here. Soon after graduation, artificial intelligence degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $76,404. Set against $18,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned it the #2 place for artificial intelligence. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,277 to complete the artificial intelligence program here. Artificial Intelligence graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $123,084 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,277 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

3

Students looking for strong value in artificial intelligence will find it at San Jose State University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, 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%.

4

The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value artificial intelligence schools. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Students borrow a median of $22,625 to complete the artificial intelligence program here. Artificial Intelligence graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $72,804 early in their careers. Set against $22,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

5

The University Of West Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in artificial intelligence, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Artificial Intelligence graduates carry a median of $19,385 in student loans. Early-career artificial intelligence graduates make about $87,236. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

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6

University Of Michigan Dearborn came in at #6 for value in artificial intelligence this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Typical student debt for artificial intelligence graduates is $25,000. Early-career artificial intelligence graduates make about $77,273. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 56%.

7

University Of Missouri St Louis earned the #7 position for value in artificial intelligence this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Early-career artificial intelligence graduates make about $53,079. Set against $25,943 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.

8

Louisiana State University Shreveport came in at #8 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. Soon after graduation, artificial intelligence degree recipients from Louisiana State University Shreveport generally make around $45,300. That is a strong return on a $28,907 median debt. Louisiana State University Shreveport admits about 50% of applicants.

9
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus landed the #9 spot for artificial intelligence value this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for artificial intelligence graduates is $19,985. Early-career artificial intelligence graduates make about $63,111. Set against $19,985 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.

10

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #10 among the best values for artificial intelligence. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. 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 $84,699 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.

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11

University Of Central Florida placed #11 among the best values for artificial intelligence. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,751 to complete the artificial intelligence program here. Early-career artificial intelligence graduates make about $72,439. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

12

Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #12 for value in artificial intelligence this year. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Typical student debt for artificial intelligence graduates is $22,062. Artificial Intelligence graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $54,201 early in their careers. Set against $22,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.

13
University Of Utah crest
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah earned the #13 position for value in artificial intelligence this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete the artificial intelligence program here. Artificial Intelligence graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $60,527 early in their careers. Set against $20,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

14

Missouri University Of Science And Technology came in at #14 for value in artificial intelligence this year. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rolla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,984, with out-of-state students paying around $33,248. Typical student debt for artificial intelligence graduates is $23,619. Soon after graduation, artificial intelligence degree recipients from Missouri University Of Science And Technology generally make around $76,869. That is a strong return on a $23,619 median debt. Missouri University Of Science And Technology admits about 72% of applicants.

15

University Of Nebraska At Omaha ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value artificial intelligence schools. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Students borrow a median of $19,875 to complete the artificial intelligence program here. Artificial Intelligence graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $48,906 early in their careers. Set against $19,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.

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16
Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University placed #16 among the best values for artificial intelligence. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Artificial Intelligence graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, artificial intelligence degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $66,537. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.

17

University Of Georgia earned the #17 position for value in artificial intelligence this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the artificial intelligence program here. Artificial Intelligence graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $53,546 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.

18
Saint Peters College crest
Saint Peters College
Jersey City, NJ

Saint Peters College came in at #18 for value in artificial intelligence this year. Set in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,552. Artificial Intelligence graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, artificial intelligence degree recipients from Saint Peters College generally make around $32,169. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

19

Wayne State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value artificial intelligence schools. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. 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. Set against $20,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.

20

University Of North Texas ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value artificial intelligence schools. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the artificial intelligence program here. Early-career artificial intelligence graduates make about $70,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.

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21

Johns Hopkins University placed #21 among the best values for artificial intelligence. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Students borrow a median of $12,750 to complete the artificial intelligence program here. Soon after graduation, artificial intelligence degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $139,520. That is a strong return on a $12,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.

22

University Of California Santa Cruz placed #22 among the best values for artificial intelligence. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,035, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. Typical student debt for artificial intelligence graduates is $18,559. Early-career artificial intelligence graduates make about $40,920. Set against $18,559 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.

23

Indiana University Bloomington earned the #23 position for value in artificial intelligence this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. 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.

24

New Jersey Institute Of Technology earned the #24 position for value in artificial intelligence this year. Set in the city of Newark, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $19,974, compared with $37,664 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the artificial intelligence program here. Early-career artificial intelligence graduates make about $93,621. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.

25

Montclair State University earned the #25 position for value in artificial intelligence this year. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Students borrow a median of $23,501 to complete the artificial intelligence program here. Early-career artificial intelligence graduates make about $84,539. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Artificial Intelligence Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s artificial intelligence value ranking:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
Capitol College crest
Capitol College
Laurel, MD
39
40
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA
41
42
43
Marymount University crest
Marymount University
Arlington, VA
44
45
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL
46
Marquette University crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI
47
48
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
49
50

Other Artificial Intelligence Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Artificial Intelligence rankings across degree levels:

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

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 21 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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