2026 Best Value Artificial Intelligence Schools in South Dakota

[Artificial Intelligence](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-information-systems-cis/artificial-intelligence/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 2 schools to find the best return on investment for artificial intelligence students.
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2026 Best Value Artificial Intelligence Schools in South Dakota
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in artificial intelligence, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Artificial Intelligence Schools
Dakota State University earned the #1 spot for value among artificial intelligence schools in South Dakota. Dakota State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $9,654, with out-of-state students paying around $12,756. Artificial Intelligence graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Artificial Intelligence graduates of Dakota State University earn a median of $72,367 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dakota State University admits about 88% of applicants.
South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value artificial intelligence schools. Set in the city of Rapid City, South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,500, compared with $14,900 for out-of-state students. Artificial Intelligence graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career artificial intelligence graduates make about $78,193. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
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 · 2 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.