2026 Best Value Artificial Intelligence Schools in the Southwest Region
[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.
College Factual analyzed 14 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value artificial intelligence schools.
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2026 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 earned the #1 spot for value among artificial intelligence schools in the Southwest Region. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Artificial Intelligence graduates carry a median of $9,188 in student loans. Early-career artificial intelligence graduates make about $34,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in artificial intelligence will find it at Houston Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Artificial Intelligence graduates carry a median of $19,223 in student loans. Soon after graduation, artificial intelligence degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $40,365. That is a strong return on a $19,223 median debt.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value artificial intelligence schools. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, 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. That is a strong return on a $22,625 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M University Commerce earned it the #4 place for artificial intelligence. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Artificial Intelligence graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $54,201 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,062 median debt. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
Estrella Mountain Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value artificial intelligence schools. Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Avondale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for artificial intelligence graduates is $21,752. Early-career artificial intelligence graduates make about $78,359. Set against $21,752 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chandler Gilbert Community College placed #6 among the best values for artificial intelligence. Set in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $10,447 to complete the artificial intelligence program here. Soon after graduation, artificial intelligence degree recipients from Chandler Gilbert Community College generally make around $46,943. Set against $10,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Texas placed #7 among the best values for artificial intelligence. 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. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the artificial intelligence program here. Artificial Intelligence graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $70,235 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University landed the #8 spot for artificial intelligence value this year. Set in the town of Weatherford, Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,469, with out-of-state students paying around $8,499. 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. Set against $20,795 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Houston Downtown came in at #9 for value in artificial intelligence this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,582, with out-of-state students paying around $17,434. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the artificial intelligence program here. Artificial Intelligence graduates of University Of Houston Downtown earn a median of $56,475 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Downtown admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Arizona earned the #10 position for value in artificial intelligence this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the artificial intelligence program here. Soon after graduation, artificial intelligence degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $73,057. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #11 position for value in artificial intelligence this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Typical student debt for artificial intelligence graduates is $20,500. Artificial Intelligence graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $57,819 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
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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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
