by our College Data Analytics Team
[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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong individualized studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for individualized studies students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the individualized studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Schoolcraft College tops our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools in Michigan. 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. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $10,734. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $29,158. That is a strong return on a $10,734 median debt.
Oakland Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in individualized studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $12,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kellogg Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Set in the city of Battle Creek, Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,118, with out-of-state students paying around $8,282. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $15,057 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of Kellogg Community College earn a median of $32,616 early in their careers. Set against $15,057 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Michigan College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in individualized studies, landing the #4 spot 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. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Lake Michigan College generally make around $21,526. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ferris State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $38,583 early in their careers. Set against $24,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Mid Michigan Community College placed #6 among the best values for individualized studies. Set in the rural area of Harrison, Mid Michigan Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,132, with out-of-state students paying around $10,864. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $14,425 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Mid Michigan Community College generally make around $27,136. Set against $14,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Glen Oaks Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Set in the rural area of Centreville, Glen Oaks Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,176, with out-of-state students paying around $6,624. Students borrow a median of $13,764 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $46,226. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland University landed the #8 spot for individualized studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $28,000. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $36,157. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Dearborn came in at #9 for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $32,609 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $62,536 early in their careers. Set against $32,609 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Kuyper College earned the #10 position for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the suburb of Grand Rapids, Kuyper College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,660. Median earnings reach $41,066 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Michigan State University earned the #11 position for value in individualized studies this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Students borrow a median of $27,312 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $30,916 early in their careers. Set against $27,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
This ranking is produced 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.