2027 Best Value Individualized Studies Associate’s Degree Schools
[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 248 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value individualized studies schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the individualized studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Individualized Studies Schools
Pima Community College earned the #1 spot for value among individualized studies schools in the United States. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $8,939 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $31,002. Set against $8,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Florida came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $58,388. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Wayne Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Located in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,566, while out-of-state students pay about $8,710. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Wayne Community College generally make around $33,116. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Suffolk County Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $26,874. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wilkes Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in individualized studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,572, with out-of-state students paying around $8,716. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $7,250. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $25,681. That is a strong return on a $7,250 median debt.
Metropolitan Community College Area landed the #6 spot for individualized studies value this year. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $10,214. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $33,011. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Durham Technical Community College came in at #7 for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,240, with out-of-state students paying around $7,531. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $11,321 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of Durham Technical Community College earn a median of $23,876 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,321 median debt.
Canada College came in at #8 for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Canada College generally make around $106,691. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Johnston Community College came in at #9 for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public university. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Schoolcraft College came in at #10 for value in individualized studies this year. Schoolcraft College is a large public school located in the city of Livonia. Students from in state pay about $3,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,501. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $10,734. Individualized Studies graduates of Schoolcraft College earn a median of $29,158 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Carroll Community College came in at #11 for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the town of Westminster, Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,308, while out-of-state students pay about $10,158. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Carroll Community College generally make around $23,320. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Las Positas College earned the #12 position for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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 #13 spot for individualized studies value this year. Located in the town of New Bern, Craven Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,022 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,630. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Craven Community College earn a median of $28,745 early in their careers. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fayetteville Technical Community College came in at #14 for value in individualized studies this year. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,037 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $36,276. Set against $12,037 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lenoir Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Set in the town of Kinston, Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,578, while out-of-state students pay about $8,822. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $9,118 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Lenoir Community College generally make around $33,374. Set against $9,118 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Itawamba Community College landed the #16 spot for individualized studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,420, compared with $5,820 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
Cleveland Community College earned the #17 position for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,602, while out-of-state students pay about $8,746. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $7,131 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of Cleveland Community College earn a median of $23,055 early in their careers. Set against $7,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Surry Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Located in the rural area of Dobson, Surry Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,668, with out-of-state students paying around $8,812. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Surry Community College generally make around $24,635. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chesapeake College came in at #19 for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the rural area of Wye Mills, Chesapeake College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,274, compared with $8,768 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Chesapeake College generally make around $29,611. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Albemarle came in at #20 for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the town of Elizabeth City, College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,242 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,652. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $7,481. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from College Of The Albemarle generally make around $28,261. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lord Fairfax Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Middletown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,072, compared with $11,510 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,865 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Lord Fairfax Community College earn a median of $28,017 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bristol Community College landed the #22 spot for individualized studies value this year. Bristol Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fall River. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,832, with out-of-state students paying around $10,776. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of Bristol Community College earn a median of $31,206 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Germanna Community College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Set in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,257, with out-of-state students paying around $11,648. Students borrow a median of $8,267 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $27,088. That is a strong return on a $8,267 median debt.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College earned the #24 position for value in individualized studies 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, while out-of-state students pay about $6,048. Students borrow a median of $10,864 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $40,452. That is a strong return on a $10,864 median debt.
James Sprunt Community College landed the #25 spot for individualized studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Kenansville, James Sprunt Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,592, while out-of-state students pay about $8,736. Students borrow a median of $11,278 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $25,999. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for individualized studies this year:
Other Individualized Studies Degree Levels
Explore the best-value individualized studies schools at other degree levels:
View All Individualized Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 248 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 248 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.
