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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Artificial Intelligence Schools in North Carolina

1 Colleges in the United States
$9,751 Avg Student Debt
$56,604 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Artificial Intelligence Badge [Artificial Intelligence](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-information-systems-cis/artificial-intelligence/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong artificial intelligence education at a price that pays off.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 3 schools to find the best return on investment for artificial intelligence students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Artificial Intelligence Schools in North Carolina

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

Best Value Artificial Intelligence Schools

1

For return on investment in artificial intelligence, no school beat Central Piedmont Community College this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Typical student debt for artificial intelligence graduates is $10,456. 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

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wayne Community College earned it the #2 place for artificial intelligence. Set in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,566 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,710 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for artificial intelligence graduates is $5,500. Artificial Intelligence graduates of Wayne Community College earn a median of $33,116 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value artificial intelligence schools. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,758. Artificial Intelligence graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. Artificial Intelligence graduates of Duke University earn a median of $83,388 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Duke University admits about 6% of applicants.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 3 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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