2027 Best Value Artificial Intelligence Schools in the Southwest Region
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 15 schools to find the best return on investment for artificial intelligence students.
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2027 Best Value Artificial Intelligence Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the artificial intelligence degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Artificial Intelligence Schools
Central New Mexico Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value artificial intelligence schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $9,188 to complete the artificial intelligence program here. Early-career artificial intelligence graduates make about $34,156. Set against $9,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #2 on our 2027 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. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Typical student debt for artificial intelligence graduates is $22,625. Soon after graduation, artificial intelligence degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $72,804. Set against $22,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Houston Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value artificial intelligence schools. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Artificial Intelligence graduates carry a median of $19,223 in student loans. Artificial Intelligence graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,223 median debt.
University Of Houston Downtown is a great value for students pursuing a degree in artificial intelligence, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Houston Downtown is a large public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $7,582 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,434. Artificial Intelligence graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career artificial intelligence graduates make about $56,475. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Downtown admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M University Commerce earned it the #5 place for artificial intelligence. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Students borrow a median of $22,062 to complete the artificial intelligence program here. Early-career artificial intelligence graduates make about $54,201. That is a strong return on a $22,062 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Estrella Mountain Community College earned the #6 position for value in artificial intelligence this year. Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Avondale. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,752 to complete the artificial intelligence program here. Artificial Intelligence graduates of Estrella Mountain Community College earn a median of $78,359 early in their careers. Set against $21,752 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chandler Gilbert Community College placed #7 among the best values for artificial intelligence. Set in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for artificial intelligence graduates is $10,447. Soon after graduation, artificial intelligence degree recipients from Chandler Gilbert Community College generally make around $46,943. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arizona State University landed the #8 spot for artificial intelligence value this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,312 to complete the artificial intelligence program here. Early-career artificial intelligence graduates make about $55,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University landed the #9 spot for artificial intelligence value this year. Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Weatherford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,469, compared with $8,499 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,795 to complete the artificial intelligence program here. Artificial Intelligence graduates of Southwestern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $57,280 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Angelo State University placed #10 among the best values for artificial intelligence. Located in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,460, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for artificial intelligence graduates is $20,500. Early-career artificial intelligence graduates make about $46,134. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Angelo State University admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of North Texas came in at #11 for value in artificial intelligence this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Artificial Intelligence graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Early-career artificial intelligence graduates make about $70,235. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Arizona landed the #12 spot for artificial intelligence value this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for artificial intelligence graduates is $26,000. Early-career artificial intelligence graduates make about $73,057. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
American Intercontinental University Online earned the #13 position for value in artificial intelligence this year. American Intercontinental University Online is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Chandler. In-state tuition and fees average $12,397. Artificial Intelligence graduates carry a median of $45,606 in student loans. Soon after graduation, artificial intelligence degree recipients from American Intercontinental University Online generally make around $58,783. Set against $45,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #14 position for value in artificial intelligence this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the artificial intelligence program here. Artificial Intelligence graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $111,587 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
University Of Advancing Technology landed the #15 spot for artificial intelligence value this year. Set in the city of Tempe, University Of Advancing Technology is a small private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,800. Typical student debt for artificial intelligence graduates is $29,802. Artificial Intelligence graduates of University Of Advancing Technology earn a median of $40,489 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Advancing Technology admits about 98% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
