Best Value Artificial Intelligence Degree Programs 2026

Best Artificial Intelligence Programs - Top 10 Best Value — Complete Program Data

1. #1. Bridgewater State University Artificial Intelligence Program

   Hakia ranks Bridgewater State University as the #1 in artificial intelligence degree program. Location: Bridgewater, MA | Type: Public | Tuition: $910/year | Graduation Rate: 97% | Score: 100.0

   Degree Programs: Bachelors in Artificial Intelligence

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2. #2. Elizabeth City State University Artificial Intelligence Program

   Hakia ranks Elizabeth City State University as the #2 in artificial intelligence degree program. Location: Elizabeth City, NC | Type: Public | Tuition: $1,000/year | Graduation Rate: 99% | Score: 83.9

   What makes Elizabeth City State University stand out: ECSU uniquely positions technology education within coastal North Carolina's maritime and environmental context, serving one of the nation's smallest HBCU populations.

   Hakia Insight: Located in coastal North Carolina with maritime industry connections

   Program Overview: Computational thinking and data-driven problem-solving form the backbone of Elizabeth City State University's approach to artificial intelligence education, positioning students to engage with AI as both a technical discipline and a tool for addressing regional challenges. The university's computer science program emphasizes hands-on application, moving students from theoretical foundations in algorithms and discrete mathematics into practical work with real datasets and contemporary AI frameworks. Faculty integrate machine learning concepts throughout the curriculum—not as an isolated capstone, but as a recurring theme that students encounter, deepen, and apply across multiple courses. Elizabeth City's location in coastal North Carolina and institutional mission create unique opportunities for students to apply AI techniques to practical problems in marine science, environmental monitoring, and resource management, distinguishing the program from purely urban or abstract orientations. The university maintains partnerships with regional employers and research institutions, creating pathways for students to transition from classroom learning to internships where they work directly with AI systems in production environments. What makes this program distinctive is its emphasis on accessibility and scaffolded learning: students from various preparation levels receive targeted support, and the curriculum balances conceptual depth with pragmatic skills employers actually seek. Graduates have entered positions in data analysis, software development, and IT roles across government, healthcare, and private sector organizations. The program recognizes that not every computer science student will become an AI researcher, yet all benefit from understanding how to evaluate AI tools, work with machine learning pipelines, and think critically about algorithmic decision-making in their professional contexts. For students seeking an AI education grounded in applied problem-solving rather than pure theory, Elizabeth City State University offers a program focused on capability and readiness.

   Degree Programs: BS in Computer Science (4 years)

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3. #3. Western Carolina University Artificial Intelligence Program

   Hakia ranks Western Carolina University as the #3 in artificial intelligence degree program. Location: Cullowhee, NC | Type: Public | Tuition: $1,000/year | Graduation Rate: 95% | Score: 82.4

   What makes Western Carolina University stand out: Western Carolina uniquely serves rural Appalachia by making computer science education accessible while addressing regional technology workforce gaps.

   Hakia Insight: Located in rural western North Carolina serving Appalachian region

   Program Overview: Machine learning and data analytics form the core of Western Carolina's AI-related offerings, with curriculum design that balances algorithmic theory against applied problem-solving in Appalachian contexts. The computer science department has developed AI coursework addressing real challenges—environmental monitoring, agricultural innovation, and small business data strategy—giving students projects with tangible community impact. Faculty actively engage in research spanning neural networks, natural language processing, and predictive modeling, creating opportunities for undergraduates to contribute to published work. A distinctive element of the program is its emphasis on AI ethics and responsible technology deployment, ensuring graduates think critically about algorithmic bias and societal implications alongside technical competence. Western Carolina's mountain location and regional focus don't limit opportunity; rather, the university leverages partnerships with regional industries and research centers to provide internship placements and consulting experiences. The program attracts students seeking rigorous AI education within a supportive, mentorship-rich environment where faculty know students by name and actively develop their research interests.

   Degree Programs: BS in Computer Science (4 years)

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4. #4. Fayetteville State University Artificial Intelligence Program

   Hakia ranks Fayetteville State University as the #4 in artificial intelligence degree program. Location: Fayetteville, NC | Type: Public | Tuition: $1,000/year | Graduation Rate: 86% | Score: 80.5

   What makes Fayetteville State University stand out: FSU leverages its proximity to Fort Liberty and defense/government technology sectors to create applied learning opportunities while serving historically underrepresented populations in technology.

   Hakia Insight: Located in Fayetteville with proximity to Fort Liberty military installations

   Program Overview: Fayetteville State University's artificial intelligence program emerges from the computer science department's commitment to preparing students for technology careers in a rapidly evolving digital economy. The curriculum builds systematically from programming fundamentals and discrete mathematics through courses in data structures, algorithms, and software engineering before introducing machine learning and AI-specific applications. Students gain hands-on experience with popular AI frameworks and tools, learning not just theoretical concepts but also the practical realities of implementing, testing, and deploying AI systems. Faculty emphasize that artificial intelligence is fundamentally about computation and problem-solving—understanding how to structure data, design efficient algorithms, and evaluate whether an approach actually works—before getting caught up in hype or overconfidence in what current systems can do. The university's location in Fayetteville, within North Carolina's growing technology sector, provides internship and employment opportunities that connect classroom learning to working professionals in the field. What distinguishes Fayetteville State's approach is its pragmatic orientation: the program focuses on skills that directly translate to job readiness rather than chasing every new AI trend. Students complete projects involving classification, prediction, clustering, and optimization—core AI applications across industries—building portfolios demonstrating competence to employers. The program maintains an inclusive stance toward computer science education broadly, welcoming students from diverse backgrounds and offering academic support structures that help individuals succeed. Graduates work in software development, data analysis, cybersecurity, and IT support roles across the region. For prospective students seeking solid technical training in AI fundamentals from faculty invested in student success, Fayetteville State University provides a program that balances rigor with accessibility.

   Degree Programs: BS in Computer Science (4 years)

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5. #5. Westfield State University Artificial Intelligence Program

   Hakia ranks Westfield State University as the #5 in artificial intelligence degree program. Location: Westfield, MA | Type: Public | Tuition: $970/year | Score: 77.8

   Degree Programs: Bachelors in Artificial Intelligence

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6. #6. Fitchburg State University Artificial Intelligence Program

   Hakia ranks Fitchburg State University as the #6 in artificial intelligence degree program. Location: Fitchburg, MA | Type: Public | Tuition: $970/year | Score: 76.8

   Degree Programs: Bachelors in Artificial Intelligence

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7. #7. University of North Carolina at Pembroke Artificial Intelligence Program

   Hakia ranks University of North Carolina at Pembroke as the #7 in artificial intelligence degree program. Location: Pembroke, NC | Type: Public | Tuition: $1,000/year | Score: 69.8

   What makes University of North Carolina at Pembroke stand out: UNCP stands out as a Native American-serving institution providing accessible computer science education to underrepresented populations in rural North Carolina.

   Hakia Insight: Rural North Carolina location serving local and regional employers

   Program Overview: UNC Pembroke's artificial intelligence initiatives reflect the university's commitment to making cutting-edge technology accessible to a diverse student body. The program emphasizes practical machine learning applications with particular strength in data science fundamentals, preparing students for roles in healthcare analytics, business intelligence, and research computing. Faculty bring industry experience alongside academic credentials, creating a bridge between classroom theory and real-world problem-solving. What distinguishes the AI focus here is its integration across multiple disciplines—computer science majors can specialize in AI while working on interdisciplinary projects that address regional economic development and social equity challenges. The university's location in southeastern North Carolina positions it uniquely to partner with growing tech hubs in the Research Triangle, offering internship and job placement advantages. Hands-on learning through capstone projects and faculty-mentored research gives students portfolio pieces before graduation. The program benefits from UNC Pembroke's identity as a historically Native American-serving institution, fostering inclusive computer science spaces and addressing underrepresentation in tech fields.

   Degree Programs: BS in Computer Science (4 years)

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8. #8. Florida Atlantic University Artificial Intelligence Program

   Hakia ranks Florida Atlantic University as the #8 in artificial intelligence degree program. Location: Boca Raton, FL | Type: Public | Tuition: $2,522/year | Graduation Rate: 78% | Score: 41.0

   What makes Florida Atlantic University stand out: FAU's AI programs stand out for their integration with the university's comprehensive research initiatives and strategic location in South Florida's emerging tech corridor, providing students with unique opportunities to work on real-world AI applications in healthcare, cybersecurity, and ocean engineering.

   Hakia Insight: Florida Atlantic University graduates earn $7,500,095,000, driven by the program's industry connections and hands-on artificial intelligence curriculum.

   Program Overview: Florida Atlantic University's College of Engineering and Computer Science offers comprehensive Artificial Intelligence programs that have gained significant recognition, with their master's program ranking #6 nationally and their bachelor's program ranking #8. The university has made substantial investments in AI education and research infrastructure, establishing itself as a leader in South Florida's growing tech ecosystem. The programs emphasize both theoretical foundations and practical applications, with strong connections to industry partners and research opportunities in machine learning, computer vision, and data science.

   Degree Programs: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (4); Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering (4)

   Research Labs: Center for Cybersecurity - AI-driven cybersecurity solutions; Visual Computing Lab - Computer vision and image processing; Machine Learning Research Group - Deep learning and neural networks

   Industry Partners: IBM, Microsoft, Motorola Solutions

   Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: 85% within 6 months | Top Employers: IBM, Microsoft, Citrix, AutoNation, NextEra Energy

   Notable Faculty: Dr. Borko Furht (Multimedia and AI systems); Dr. Ankur Agarwal (Machine learning and data mining); Dr. Bassem Alhalabi (Computer vision and pattern recognition)

   Admissions: GPA: 3.0 minimum for undergraduate, 3.2 for graduate | Acceptance Rate: 63%

   Accreditations: CompTIA A+, Oracle Java Certification, IBM AI Engineering

9. #9. North Carolina A & T State University Artificial Intelligence Program

   Hakia ranks North Carolina A & T State University as the #9 in artificial intelligence degree program. Location: Greensboro, NC | Type: Public | Tuition: $3,540/year | Graduation Rate: 84% | Score: 32.1

   What makes North Carolina A & T State University stand out: NC A&T stands out as the highest-ranked HBCU for Artificial Intelligence programs, combining academic excellence with a strong commitment to increasing diversity representation in AI fields.

   Hakia Insight: North Carolina A & T State University graduates earn $75,000, driven by the program's industry connections and hands-on artificial intelligence curriculum.

   Program Overview: North Carolina A&T State University's Artificial Intelligence programs are housed within the College of Science and Technology, offering cutting-edge education that combines theoretical foundations with practical applications. The university has made significant investments in AI infrastructure and faculty, positioning itself as a leader among HBCUs in artificial intelligence education. The programs emphasize hands-on learning through state-of-the-art laboratories and real-world project experiences. The AI curriculum at NC A&T integrates machine learning, data science, computer vision, and natural language processing with strong industry connections throughout North Carolina's Research Triangle and beyond. Students benefit from the university's commitment to diversity in STEM fields and its strong track record of producing graduates who excel in technology careers. The programs are designed to prepare students for the rapidly evolving AI landscape while maintaining a focus on ethical AI development and social responsibility.

   Degree Programs: BS (4 years)

   Research Labs: Center for Advanced Studies in Identity Sciences - AI applications in cybersecurity and biometrics; Computational Science Research Center - High-performance computing for AI applications; Data Science Laboratory - Machine learning and data analytics

   Industry Partners: IBM, Microsoft, Research Triangle companies

   Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: 85% within 6 months | Top Employers: IBM, Microsoft, Bank of America, Duke Energy, Cisco Systems

   Notable Faculty: Dr. Jinsheng Xu (BS in AI Program Coordinator); Dr. Kaushik Roy (Computer Science Professor and Chair); Dr. Evelyn Sowells-Boone (Computer Systems Technology Department Chair); Dr. Ahmad Patooghy (Program Coordinator)

   Admissions: GPA: 3.0 minimum for graduate programs | Acceptance Rate: 58%

   Accreditations: ABET Accredited Computer Science programs, SACSCOC regional accreditation

10. #10. University of North Carolina at Charlotte Artificial Intelligence Program

    Hakia ranks University of North Carolina at Charlotte as the #10 in artificial intelligence degree program. Location: Charlotte, NC | Type: Public | Tuition: $3,812/year | Graduation Rate: 76% | Score: 31.4

    What makes University of North Carolina at Charlotte stand out: The program offers built-in flexibility, allowing students to explore courses in other disciplines and apply AI across diverse fields, with specialization clusters including Machine Learning, Robotics and Decision Making, Human-AI Interaction, AI System Design, and AI Security.

    Program Overview: The Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence is designed for students aiming to build skills for a range of careers in AI and machine learning. Graduates will gain comprehensive training in core mathematics, computing, AI algorithms, the AI software lifecycle, and ethical considerations, while building strong communication and teamwork abilities through practical, hands-on learning.

    Degree Programs: BS (4 years); MS

    Research Labs: Charlotte AI Institute - artificial intelligence research and innovation

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