Most Affordable Artificial Intelligence Degree Programs 2026
Discover the best value artificial intelligence (AI) programs that deliver quality education without breaking the bank. Ranked by our Value Score algorithm that balances academic quality with affordability.
Programs Ranked145
Median In-State Tuition$9K/yr
Most Affordable$4K/yr
Value Score AlgorithmQ/T
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Key Takeaways
1.aI Engineers and Computer Scientists earn a median salary of $136,620 with 23% projected job growth through 2032 (BLS OES 2024)
2.Top-ranked Artificial Intelligence programs include University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Florida Polytechnic University, North Carolina A & T State University based on graduation rates, program strength, and career outcomes
3.Best value: University of North Carolina at Charlotte offers artificial intelligence education at $3,812/year with 76% graduation rate
4.25 accredited Artificial Intelligence programs analyzed using IPEDS 2024 completion data
Best Artificial Intelligence Programs - Top 10 Most Affordable
Ranked #1 among artificial intelligence bachelor's programs by Hakia Score (68.4/100): 59% graduation rate, $128,105 median salary, $7,070 in-state tuition, 2 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.
Ranked #3 among artificial intelligence bachelor's programs by Hakia Score (69.2/100): 54% graduation rate, $128,105 median salary, $9,518 in-state tuition, 2 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.
Ranked #4 among artificial intelligence bachelor's programs by Hakia Score (87.8/100): 83% graduation rate, $128,105 median salary, $9,718 in-state tuition, 1 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.
Ranked #5 among artificial intelligence bachelor's programs by Hakia Score (78.4/100): 80% graduation rate, $128,105 median salary, $10,622 in-state tuition, 2 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.
Ranked #7 among artificial intelligence bachelor's programs by Hakia Score (70.8/100): 71% graduation rate, $128,105 median salary, $25,620 in-state tuition, 1 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.
Ranked #8 among artificial intelligence bachelor's programs by Hakia Score (70.9/100): 44% graduation rate, $128,105 median salary, $26,906 in-state tuition, 13 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.
Ranked #9 among artificial intelligence bachelor's programs by Hakia Score (72.6/100): 61% graduation rate, $128,105 median salary, $38,600 in-state tuition, 4 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.
Ranked #10 among artificial intelligence bachelor's programs by Hakia Score (64.5/100): 57% graduation rate, $128,105 median salary, $40,248 in-state tuition, 1 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.
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Program Strengths
57% graduation rate
$128,105 median salary
$40,248 in-state tuition
1 graduates annually
Best Artificial Intelligence Programs - Top 10 Most Affordable, Complete Program Data
#1. State University of New York at Plattsburgh — Bachelor's Artificial Intelligence
Hakia ranks State University of New York at Plattsburgh's bachelor's artificial intelligence program #1. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Plattsburgh, NY | Type: Public | Tuition: $7,070/year | Graduation Rate: 59% | Median Salary: $128,105 | Score: 68.4
#2. Dakota State University — Bachelor's Artificial Intelligence (Online)
Hakia ranks Dakota State University's online bachelor's artificial intelligence program #2. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: fully online. Location: Madison, SD | Type: Public | Tuition: $7,616/year | Graduation Rate: 51% | Median Salary: $128,105 | Score: 65.1
#8. Full Sail University — Bachelor's Artificial Intelligence
Hakia ranks Full Sail University's bachelor's artificial intelligence program #8. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Winter Park, FL | Type: Private for-profit | Tuition: $26,906/year | Graduation Rate: 44% | Median Salary: $128,105 | Score: 70.9
#9. DigiPen Institute of Technology — Bachelor's Artificial Intelligence
Hakia ranks DigiPen Institute of Technology's bachelor's artificial intelligence program #9. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Redmond, WA | Type: Private for-profit | Tuition: $38,600/year | Graduation Rate: 61% | Median Salary: $128,105 | Score: 72.6
#10. Long Island University — Bachelor's Artificial Intelligence
Hakia ranks Long Island University's bachelor's artificial intelligence program #10. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Brookville, NY | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $40,248/year | Graduation Rate: 57% | Median Salary: $128,105 | Score: 64.5
Best Artificial Intelligence Programs - Compare Top 5 Most Affordable
School
Location
Type
Tuition
Grad Rate
Score
#1 Bridgewater State University
Bridgewater, MA
Public
$910
97%
100.0/100
#2 Elizabeth City State University
Elizabeth City, NC
Public
$1,000
99%
83.9/100
#3 Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC
Public
$1,000
95%
82.4/100
#4 Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, NC
Public
$1,000
86%
80.5/100
#5 Westfield State University
Westfield, MA
Public
$970
N/A
77.8/100
Data from IPEDS 2024. Tuition shown is in-state for public schools.
Online Programs
Flexibility & Lower Cost
On-Campus Programs
Networking & Experience
Average Tuition$20,000/year$65,000/year
FlexibilityGeorgia Tech OMSCS-AI at $8,950 totalFixed schedule, set location
NetworkingLess research lab accessIn-person connections
Top ProgramGeorgia Tech OMSCS-AI ($8,950), Eastern University ($9,900), UT Austin MSAI OnlineCarnegie Mellon (first AI undergrad degree), MIT CSAIL, Stanford SAIL, UC Berkeley BAIR
Online Programs
Flexibility & Lower Cost
On-Campus Programs
Networking & Experience
Average Tuition$20,000/year$65,000/year
FlexibilityGeorgia Tech OMSCS-AI at $8,950 totalFixed schedule, set location
NetworkingLess research lab accessIn-person connections
Top ProgramGeorgia Tech OMSCS-AI ($8,950), Eastern University ($9,900), UT Austin MSAI OnlineCarnegie Mellon (first AI undergrad degree), MIT CSAIL, Stanford SAIL, UC Berkeley BAIR
Top 25 Most Affordable Artificial Intelligence Programs 2026
How Much Does a Artificial Intelligence Affordable Degree Cost?
The total cost of a affordable's degree in Artificial Intelligence ranges from $49,424 at public universities to over $260,000 at elite private institutions. Financial aid, scholarships, and in-state tuition significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs (CollegeTuitionCompare 2025, Research.com).
Public University (In-State): $12,356/year × 4 years = $49,424 total
Public University (Out-of-State): $31,846/year × 4 years = $127,384 total
Private University: $65,000/year × 4 years = $260,000 total
Online Programs: $20,000/year × 4 years = $80,000 total
With median starting salaries of $145,080, most graduates achieve positive ROI within 3-5 years. Financial aid recipients often pay 30-50% less than sticker price.
Calculate Your ROI
Enter your details to estimate your degree return on investment
Leave blank to use average cost for selected program type
20 years
10 years20 years30 years
20-Year ROI
+907%
Net gain divided by total investment. ROI above 200% is considered excellent for education investments.
Net Gain
$1,677,254
Your additional lifetime earnings with this degree vs. working without one, minus the total investment.
Break-Even
5 years
Years until your cumulative earnings exceed total investment. Shorter programs often break even faster due to lower opportunity cost.
COL-Adjusted Salary
$133,333
Your starting salary adjusted for local cost of living. This shows real purchasing power compared to a $100K national baseline.
Why does break-even change with program type? Your "total investment" includes both tuition AND opportunity cost (foregone earnings while in school). A 4-year full-time public university (in-state) means 4 years of not earning a salary ($140,000 in opportunity cost). Shorter full-time programs may have higher tuition but lower total investment because you return to the workforce sooner.
Detailed Breakdown
How we calculate your degree ROI using real salary data
Total Investment$185,000
Tuition plus opportunity cost (earnings you miss while in school)
Program Cost (Tuition)$45,000
Direct cost of the degree program
Opportunity Cost$140,000
4 years × $35K/year foregone salary while studying full-time
20-Year Earnings (with degree)$2,712,662
Projected career earnings starting after graduation, with salary growth
20-Year Earnings (without degree)$850,408
What you'd earn working at $35K/year with 2% annual growth
Starting Salary (Austin, TX)$140,000
Median salary for this role in your selected location (BLS 2024)
Annualized Return4.9%
Your investment's compound annual growth rate (similar to stock market returns)
Data sources: BLS OEWS May 2024, IPEDS 2024. Calculations use median salaries, 3% discount rate, and assume salary growth declines from 6% to 2% over career. Individual results will vary. | Powered by Hakia.com
Affordable Artificial Intelligence Degrees: Quality Education Without the Debt
Artificial Intelligence education doesn't require six-figure debt. exceptional value opportunities, with the most affordable in-state programs delivering quality education at a fraction of private school costs.
Public universities in Southern and Western states lead our affordable rankings, offering strong academics with affordable tuition. These programs maintain competitive graduation rates, industry partnerships, and excellent job placement, proving that cost doesn't determine quality in artificial intelligence education.
Our methodology prioritizes total value by calculating a Value Score that divides academic quality metrics by tuition cost. This ensures we're recommending programs that deliver the best education for your dollar, not just the cheapest options regardless of quality. See our full ranking methodology for details on how we calculate Value Scores.
$95,000
Starting Salary
$135,000
Mid-Career
+0.25%
Job Growth
22,500
Annual Openings
Career Paths
Research Scientist
SOC 15-1221
+0.21%
Conduct advanced research in AI and machine learning, publish papers, and develop new algorithms and methodologies.
Median Salary:$145,080
Computer Vision Engineer
SOC 15-1299
+0.23%
Develop systems that can interpret and understand visual information, work with image processing and pattern recognition.
Median Salary:$125,000
Natural Language Processing Engineer
SOC 15-1299
+0.24%
Build systems that can understand and process human language, work on chatbots, translation, and text analysis.
Median Salary:$128,000
Most Affordable States for Artificial Intelligence Education
Financial aid significantly reduces the cost of AI education at public universities. The average aid package at top affordable programs covers 65% of tuition costs, bringing net prices down to $7,800 annually. Federal Pell Grants cover up to $7,395 per year for eligible students, while many states offer additional need-based and merit aid.
STEM-specific scholarships provide additional funding opportunities. The National Science Foundation offers graduate fellowships worth $37,000 annually, while many tech companies sponsor undergraduate scholarships. Students should also explore employer tuition reimbursement programs if pursuing degrees while working.
Work-study programs and research assistantships offer valuable experience while offsetting costs. Many AI programs employ undergraduates as research assistants, providing both income and hands-on experience with advanced projects. Graduate students can often secure teaching or research assistantships that cover tuition plus provide stipends.
Frequently Asked Questions About Artificial Intelligence Degrees
How long does it take to get an Artificial Intelligence degree?
A bachelor's degree takes 4 years (120-128 credits). Master's programs take 1.5-2 years (30-45 credits). Some accelerated online master's complete in 12-18 months. AI-focused bootcamps run 3-6 months but don't provide the theoretical depth of degrees. PhD programs take 4-6 years for research-focused roles. (IPEDS, University catalogs)
Can you get an Artificial Intelligence degree online?
Top universities offer online AI degrees. Georgia Tech's OMSCS with AI specialization costs only $8,950 total. Eastern University offers MS in Applied AI for $9,900. UT Austin, Johns Hopkins, and Northwestern offer online AI master's programs. Online AI programs provide the same curriculum as on-campus equivalents. (MastersInAI.org, Georgia Tech)
Is an Artificial Intelligence degree worth it?
With median salaries of $145,080 (up to $233,106) and 26-34% job growth through 2034, AI degrees offer exceptional ROI. The global AI market will reach $4.8 trillion by 2033. 75% of employers prefer master's degrees for AI roles. However, strong math skills are essential. AI involves complex statistical problems. (BLS, Glassdoor, World Economic Forum)
What are the best schools for Artificial Intelligence?
Top programs: Carnegie Mellon (first AI undergrad degree, 2018), MIT CSAIL, Stanford SAIL, UC Berkeley BAIR, and Georgia Tech. CMU's School of Computer Science is considered the world's leading AI program. For online, Georgia Tech OMSCS-AI offers exceptional value. Johns Hopkins and Nanyang Technological University also rank highly. (US News 2026, QS Rankings 2025, CSRankings)
What are the requirements for an Artificial Intelligence degree?
Prerequisites include strong foundations in Calculus I-III, Linear Algebra, Probability/Statistics, and programming (Python, C++). Core coursework covers machine learning, deep learning, neural networks, NLP, computer vision, and robotics. Most master's programs require a bachelor's in CS, math, or engineering with 3.0+ GPA. (CMU, Stanford, MIT requirements)
Do you need an AI degree for entry-level AI jobs?
Most AI positions prefer advanced degrees, 75% of employers seek master's or PhD for AI roles. Entry-level data analyst roles may accept bachelor's degrees. For AI Engineer and Research Scientist positions, master's degrees are required. Consider minoring in AI while majoring in CS or math for versatility. (Industry surveys, BLS)
What's the job market like for AI graduates?
Exceptionally strong. BLS projects 26-34% growth (2024-2034). World Economic Forum predicts 5 million+ unfilled AI positions globally. AI Engineers average $171,715 with top earners above $200,000. However, 2025 shows increased competition for entry-level roles, only 30% of 2025 grads secured full-time positions immediately. (BLS, World Economic Forum, CNBC)
AI degree vs Computer Science: which is better?
CS provides broader versatility (can specialize in AI, security, data, etc.). Dedicated AI degrees offer deeper specialization in ML, neural networks, and robotics. CS degrees are more widely available. AI degrees command higher starting salaries ($145,080 vs $133,080). Choose AI for research-focused careers. CS for maximum flexibility. (Salary comparisons, university catalogs)
What skills do Artificial Intelligence graduates need?
Key skills include programming languages, problem-solving, analytical thinking, and communication. Specific technical skills vary by specialization but include proficiency in industry-standard tools and methodologies.
How much do Artificial Intelligence graduates earn?
The median salary for Artificial Intelligence professionals is $145,080 nationally. Entry-level positions start around $81,453, with experienced professionals earning over $233,106.
Most Affordable AI Programs: Detailed Analysis
The following five programs represent the best combination of affordability and quality in AI education. Each offers unique strengths while maintaining low tuition costs and strong career outcomes for graduates.
How We Rank Artificial Intelligence Degree Programs
Based on 742 programs from IPEDS 2024
State University of New York at Plattsburgh's Bachelor's in Artificial Intelligence tops our list of 17 most affordable artificial intelligence programs. We fold federal graduation, admissions, salary, and tuition figures into a single 0 to 100 score applied identically to every school. 2 of them can be earned fully online.
Ranking Factors
Program Completions35%
Number of graduates per year in this specific field (CIP code). Larger programs indicate established departments with more resources, course offerings, and career services. Measured from IPEDS Completions data.
Graduation Rate25%
Percentage of students completing their degree within 150% of expected time (6 years for bachelor's, 3 years for associate's). Higher rates indicate better student support and program quality. Source: IPEDS Graduation Rates survey.
Selectivity20%
Admission rate (lower = more selective). More selective institutions have stronger academic environments and more competitive graduates. For open-admission institutions, we use graduation rates as a proxy for quality.
Career Outcomes20%
National salary data for artificial intelligence graduates, factored into institutional scores based on job market strength.
Ranking Categories
Best Programs
Overall quality using all four factors weighted as shown above. Ideal for students seeking the strongest academic experience.
Online Programs
Same methodology, filtered to schools with fully online or hybrid options (IPEDS Distance Education data). Some schools may have lower graduation rates due to different student demographics.
Most Affordable
Ranked primarily by net cost (tuition minus average institutional aid), with quality factors as tiebreakers. Best for cost-conscious students.
Co-founder & Editor (B.S. Computer Science, Oregon State • B.A. Psychology, University of Washington)
Taylor combines technical expertise in computer science with a deep understanding of human behavior and learning. His dual background drives Hakia's mission: leveraging technology to build authoritative educational resources that help people make better decisions about their academic and career paths.
