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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Artificial Intelligence Schools in the Great Lakes Region

4 Colleges in the United States
202 Artificial Intelligence Degrees Awarded
$69,934 Avg Early-Career Salary

Artificial Intelligence degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 23 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for artificial intelligence students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Artificial Intelligence in the Great Lakes Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the artificial intelligence degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Artificial Intelligence

1

Northwestern University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in artificial intelligence. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 35 artificial intelligence students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Artificial Intelligence graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $78,551 early in their careers. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. See the full artificial intelligence program report for Northwestern University

2

Milwaukee School Of Engineering is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in artificial intelligence, ranking #2. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee School Of Engineering is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 30 artificial intelligence students who graduated with this degree at Milwaukee School Of Engineering in the most recent data year. Students who receive their artificial intelligence degree from Milwaukee School Of Engineering earn around $72,677 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,667 to complete this degree. Read more about the artificial intelligence program at Milwaukee School Of Engineering

3

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best artificial intelligence schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Cincinnati. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 artificial intelligence degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, artificial intelligence degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $80,126. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,203 in student loans. Read more about the artificial intelligence program at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

4
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Students looking for a strong artificial intelligence program will find one at Depaul University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Depaul University awarded about 10 artificial intelligence degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the artificial intelligence program make about $58,220 in their early career. Depaul University graduates carry a median of $24,321 in student loans. Get the full artificial intelligence details for Depaul University

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of Michigan Dearborn one of the top schools for artificial intelligence. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. University Of Michigan Dearborn awarded about 22 artificial intelligence degrees in the most recent data year. Artificial Intelligence graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $77,273 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. See the full artificial intelligence program report for University Of Michigan Dearborn

6

Illinois Institute Of Technology earned the #6 position for artificial intelligence this year. Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Illinois Institute Of Technology awarded about 74 artificial intelligence degrees in the most recent data year. Artificial Intelligence graduates of Illinois Institute Of Technology earn a median of $73,644 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,750. See the full artificial intelligence program report for Illinois Institute Of Technology

7

University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #7 for artificial intelligence this year. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. University Of Akron Main Campus graduates 52% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 artificial intelligence students who graduated with this degree at University Of Akron Main Campus in the most recent data year. Artificial Intelligence graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $49,045 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,347. More information about a degree in artificial intelligence from University Of Akron Main Campus

Narrow Artificial Intelligence Schools by State

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 23 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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