2027 Best Value Individualized Studies Master’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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools to find the best return on investment for individualized studies students.
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2027 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in individualized studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Individualized Studies Schools
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earned the #1 spot for value among individualized studies schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $64,717 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Arizona State University earned it the #2 place for individualized studies. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $39,198. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Northern Iowa one of the best values for individualized studies. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $26,400. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $40,009. Set against $26,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
A rank of #4 makes North Carolina State University At Raleigh one of the best values for individualized studies. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,993 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $48,700. Set against $25,993 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Stony Brook University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $20,537 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $74,387. That is a strong return on a $20,537 median debt. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Johns Hopkins University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $84,850. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $68,293 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Tiffin University landed the #8 spot for individualized studies value this year. Located in the town of Tiffin, Tiffin University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,790 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,977 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Tiffin University earn a median of $51,326 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Dartmouth College placed #9 among the best values for individualized studies. Located in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,019. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $16,989 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Dartmouth College generally make around $81,992. Set against $16,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dartmouth College admits about 5% of applicants.
Duke University came in at #10 for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $13,296. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $51,346. That is a strong return on a $13,296 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Depaul University earned the #11 position for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,405 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $42,350. Individualized Studies graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $62,334 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
New York University earned the #12 position for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $21,787 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from New York University generally make around $40,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.
Georgetown University earned the #13 position for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,089 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $66,719. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 13%.
Southern Methodist University landed the #14 spot for individualized studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,040 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $20,712. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $57,967. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Other Individualized Studies Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Individualized Studies rankings across 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
