[Individualized Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/individualized-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 358 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value individualized studies schools.
Finding the Best Value Individualized Studies School for You
Where you study individualized studies affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Individualized Studies Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Individualized Studies Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for individualized studies in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $17,669. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $58,388. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Pima Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in individualized studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $8,939. Individualized Studies graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $31,002 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,939 median debt.
Wayne Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in individualized studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Goldsboro. In-state tuition and fees average $2,566, compared with $8,710 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $5,500. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $33,116. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Suffolk County Community College one of the best values for individualized studies. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $26,874. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.
Wilkes Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Set in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,572, with out-of-state students paying around $8,716. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $7,250 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $25,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Metropolitan Community College Area earned the #6 position for value in individualized studies this year. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,375, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,214 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $33,011 early in their careers. Set against $10,214 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Canada College earned the #7 position for value in individualized studies this year. Canada College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redwood City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,384. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $106,691. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Durham Technical Community College earned the #8 position for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,240, with out-of-state students paying around $7,531. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $11,321. Individualized Studies graduates of Durham Technical Community College earn a median of $23,876 early in their careers. Set against $11,321 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Johnston Community College landed the #9 spot for individualized studies value this year. Set in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,756, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,812 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Johnston Community College generally make around $25,872. That is a strong return on a $5,812 median debt.
Schoolcraft College came in at #10 for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,501. Students borrow a median of $10,734 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Schoolcraft College generally make around $29,158. That is a strong return on a $10,734 median debt.
Chattahoochee Technical College earned the #11 position for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $6,108. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $9,616. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $44,673. That is a strong return on a $9,616 median debt.
Carroll Community College earned the #12 position for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the town of Westminster, Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,308 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,158. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $8,750. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Carroll Community College generally make around $23,320. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Las Positas College came in at #13 for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,168, compared with $9,808 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,088 ten years after entry.
Craven Community College landed the #14 spot for individualized studies value this year. Craven Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of New Bern. Students from in state pay about $2,022 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,630. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $7,500. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $28,745. That is a strong return on a $7,500 median debt.
Coastal Pines Technical College earned the #15 position for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,268, compared with $5,836 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $5,812 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $39,090. That is a strong return on a $5,812 median debt.
Fayetteville Technical Community College earned the #16 position for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $12,037 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $36,276. That is a strong return on a $12,037 median debt.
Lenoir Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Located in the town of Kinston, Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,578 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,822 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $9,118 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $33,374. Set against $9,118 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Itawamba Community College came in at #18 for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,420, while out-of-state students pay about $5,820. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Itawamba Community College generally make around $19,091. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College landed the #19 spot for individualized studies value this year. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Valdosta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,480, compared with $6,048 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $10,864 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $40,452. That is a strong return on a $10,864 median debt.
Cleveland Community College placed #20 among the best values for individualized studies. Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Shelby. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,602, with out-of-state students paying around $8,746. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $7,131 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $23,055. That is a strong return on a $7,131 median debt.
Surry Community College landed the #21 spot for individualized studies value this year. Surry Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Dobson. In-state tuition and fees average $2,668, while out-of-state students pay about $8,812. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $5,500. Individualized Studies graduates of Surry Community College earn a median of $24,635 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Regional Technical College landed the #22 spot for individualized studies value this year. Set in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,007 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,575 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $9,086 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $44,007. Set against $9,086 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chesapeake College placed #23 among the best values for individualized studies. Located in the rural area of Wye Mills, Chesapeake College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,274, with out-of-state students paying around $8,768. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $5,500. Individualized Studies graduates of Chesapeake College earn a median of $29,611 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
College Of The Albemarle placed #24 among the best values for individualized studies. College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Elizabeth City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,242, with out-of-state students paying around $7,652. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $7,481. Individualized Studies graduates of College Of The Albemarle earn a median of $28,261 early in their careers. Set against $7,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Atlanta Technical College placed #25 among the best values for individualized studies. Located in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,950 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $17,655. Individualized Studies graduates of Atlanta Technical College earn a median of $35,441 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in individualized studies:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 358 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 358 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).
[Individualized Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/individualized-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
