2027 Best Value Individualized Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Individualized Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/individualized-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong individualized studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 117 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value individualized studies schools.
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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
West Virginia University At Parkersburg tops our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools in the United States. Set in the rural area of Parkersburg, West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,476, compared with $9,424 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $18,557. Individualized Studies graduates of West Virginia University At Parkersburg earn a median of $32,909 early in their careers. Set against $18,557 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Kokomo earned it the #2 place for individualized studies. Set in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $24,236. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Indiana University Kokomo generally make around $35,482. Set against $24,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Kokomo admits about 86% of applicants.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $15,453 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $33,588. That is a strong return on a $15,453 median debt. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Florida Atlantic University one of the best values for individualized studies. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,453 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $29,605 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Louisiana State University Alexandria came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Located in the rural area of Alexandria, Louisiana State University Alexandria is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,050 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,725 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Louisiana State University Alexandria generally make around $32,463. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Northwest earned the #6 position for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Indiana University Northwest earn a median of $37,035 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Indiana University Northwest admits about 73% of applicants.
Oakland University placed #7 among the best values for individualized studies. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $36,157. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
Purdue University Northwest ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,357, while out-of-state students pay about $15,504. Students borrow a median of $29,517 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $33,295 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,517 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
New College Of Florida ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Set in the city of Sarasota, New College Of Florida is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,916, compared with $29,944 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $15,314. Individualized Studies graduates of New College Of Florida earn a median of $20,395 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,314 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Ferris State University landed the #10 spot for individualized studies value this year. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $29,852 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $38,583 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Northern New Mexico College came in at #11 for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the town of Espanola, Northern New Mexico College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $5,064 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,328. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,112 ten years after entry.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #12 for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $61,361. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Southeast landed the #13 spot for individualized studies value this year. Located in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $28,948. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $37,440. That is a strong return on a $28,948 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University South Bend came in at #14 for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,319 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $33,716. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University East came in at #15 for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the town of Richmond, Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $29,072 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Indiana University East earn a median of $39,936 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University East admits about 67% of applicants.
Potomac State College Of West Virginia University placed #16 among the best values for individualized studies. Located in the town of Keyser, Potomac State College Of West Virginia University is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $13,200. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $25,000. Individualized Studies graduates of Potomac State College Of West Virginia University earn a median of $34,883 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Valley City State University earned the #17 position for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,580, compared with $13,544 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $25,074. Individualized Studies graduates of Valley City State University earn a median of $48,241 early in their careers. Set against $25,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Colorado State University Pueblo placed #18 among the best values for individualized studies. Located in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,720, while out-of-state students pay about $17,944. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Colorado State University Pueblo generally make around $38,502. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. Colorado State University Pueblo admits about 95% of applicants.
Portland State University landed the #19 spot for individualized studies value this year. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Students borrow a median of $30,250 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $23,253. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #20 position for value in individualized studies this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $41,499 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Springfield came in at #21 for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Students borrow a median of $29,467 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $53,344. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Buffalo ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Set in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,533, with out-of-state students paying around $19,653. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $32,082. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana State University landed the #23 spot for individualized studies value this year. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $28,750 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $53,952 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside placed #24 among the best values for individualized studies. University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Kenosha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,270, compared with $17,429 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $24,485. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $40,365. That is a strong return on a $24,485 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Parkside admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Dearborn earned the #25 position for value in individualized studies this year. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $32,609 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $62,536. Set against $32,609 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in individualized studies:
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. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 117 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 117 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.
