2027 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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 65 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 Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in individualized studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Individualized Studies Schools
Schoolcraft College earned the #1 spot for value among individualized studies schools in the Great Lakes Region. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $6,501. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $10,734. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $29,158. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University Kokomo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in individualized studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Students borrow a median of $24,236 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Indiana University Kokomo generally make around $35,482. That is a strong return on a $24,236 median debt. Indiana University Kokomo admits about 86% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oakland Community College earned it the #3 place for individualized studies. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. Students borrow a median of $12,843 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $37,347. That is a strong return on a $12,843 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in individualized studies will find it at North Central State College, which ranked #4. Located in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,786, compared with $11,374 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,236 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from North Central State College generally make around $47,458. Set against $12,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Kellogg Community College one of the best values for individualized studies. Located in the city of Battle Creek, Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,118, with out-of-state students paying around $8,282. Students borrow a median of $15,057 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Kellogg Community College earn a median of $32,616 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,057 median debt.
Ivy Tech Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $10,026 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $24,356. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ferris State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,778 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,990 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $38,583. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Oakland University earned the #8 position for value in individualized studies this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the individualized studies program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Ohio University Lancaster Campus placed #9 among the best values for individualized studies. Ohio University Lancaster Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Lancaster. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,362, while out-of-state students pay about $9,444. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $24,614 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of Ohio University Lancaster Campus earn a median of $35,825 early in their careers. Set against $24,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Northwest came in at #10 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, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $31,000. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $37,035. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Ohio University Zanesville Campus earned the #11 position for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the town of Zanesville, Ohio University Zanesville Campus is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,362 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,444. Students borrow a median of $24,614 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Ohio University Zanesville Campus generally make around $44,243. Set against $24,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Southeast landed the #12 spot for individualized studies value this year. Located in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $28,948 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of Indiana University Southeast earn a median of $37,440 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Northwest landed the #13 spot for individualized studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,357, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,517 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Purdue University Northwest generally make around $33,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Ohio University Chillicothe Campus landed the #14 spot for individualized studies value this year. Located in the town of Chillicothe, Ohio University Chillicothe Campus is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,362, compared with $9,444 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $24,614 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of Ohio University Chillicothe Campus earn a median of $43,704 early in their careers. Set against $24,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washington State Community College landed the #15 spot for individualized studies value this year. Set in the town of Marietta, Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,128, with out-of-state students paying around $4,152. Students borrow a median of $16,291 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Washington State Community College generally make around $45,305. Set against $16,291 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University South Bend placed #16 among the best values for individualized studies. Located in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $25,319 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of Indiana University South Bend earn a median of $33,716 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Lake Michigan College earned the #17 position for value in individualized studies this year. Lake Michigan College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Benton Harbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,445, compared with $7,755 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $21,526. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University East landed the #18 spot for individualized studies value this year. Set in the town of Richmond, Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public institution. 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 $29,072 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Indiana University East generally make around $39,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #19 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $41,499. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
Indiana State University came in at #20 for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,258, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $28,750 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $53,952. Set against $28,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Vincennes University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Vincennes University is a very large public school located in the town of Vincennes. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,126, with out-of-state students paying around $16,858. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $12,079. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $35,239. That is a strong return on a $12,079 median debt.
Kent State University At Stark earned the #22 position for value in individualized studies this year. Kent State University At Stark is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of North Canton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,211, compared with $17,969 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $26,232. Individualized Studies graduates of Kent State University At Stark earn a median of $38,087 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,232 median debt.
University Of Illinois At Springfield came in at #23 for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,557, compared with $20,139 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $29,467 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $53,344 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside earned the #24 position for value in individualized studies this year. University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Kenosha. Students from in state pay about $8,270 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,429. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $24,485 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,485 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Parkside admits about 75% of applicants.
Glen Oaks Community College earned the #25 position for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the rural area of Centreville, Glen Oaks Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $4,176 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,624. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $13,764. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $46,226. 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:
Narrow Individualized Studies Schools by State
More Individualized Studies Rankings
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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 · 65 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 65 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.
