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2026 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in Washington

[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.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 3 schools to find the best return on investment for individualized studies students.

What’s on this page:

• Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in Washington

2026 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in Washington

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in individualized studies, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Individualized Studies Schools

1

Northwest Indian College
Bellingham, WA

$4,365 In-State Tuition & Fees

$35,447 Median Earnings (10yr)

Our analysis ranked Northwest Indian College the best value for a degree in individualized studies in Washington. Set in the suburb of Bellingham, Northwest Indian College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,365. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Northwest Indian College generally make around $25,182.

2

Washington State University
Pullman, WA

$13,391 In-State Tuition & Fees

$22,881 Avg Student Debt

$68,905 Median Earnings (10yr)

A rank of #2 makes Washington State University one of the best values for individualized studies. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Students borrow a median of $22,881 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $40,061. Set against $22,881 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.

View All Individualized Studies Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 3 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.