---

2026 Best Value Artificial Intelligence Schools in Iowa

[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for artificial intelligence students.

What’s on this page:

• Best Value Artificial Intelligence Schools in Iowa

2026 Best Value Artificial Intelligence Schools in Iowa

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

Best Value Artificial Intelligence Schools

1

Iowa State University
Ames, IA

$10,787 In-State Tuition & Fees

$24,438 Avg Student Debt

$63,386 Median Earnings (10yr)

Iowa State University tops our 2026 list of the best value artificial intelligence schools in Iowa. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Artificial Intelligence graduates carry a median of $24,438 in student loans. Artificial Intelligence graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $60,397 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

2

Drake University
Des Moines, IA

$51,960 In-State Tuition & Fees

$21,281 Avg Student Debt

$71,901 Median Earnings (10yr)

Students looking for strong value in artificial intelligence will find it at Drake University, which ranked #2. Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,960. Artificial Intelligence graduates carry a median of $21,281 in student loans. Artificial Intelligence graduates of Drake University earn a median of $69,835 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Drake University admits about 64% of applicants.

View All Artificial Intelligence Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 4 schools evaluated.

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

• The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
• Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).

More about our data sources and methodologies.