2027 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[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 72 schools to find the best return on investment for individualized studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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
Leading the list is Suffolk County Community College, our #1 best value for individualized studies in the Middle Atlantic Region. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $26,874. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Carroll Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in individualized studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Westminster, Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,308, with out-of-state students paying around $10,158. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Carroll Community College generally make around $23,320. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in individualized studies will find it at Chesapeake College, which ranked #3. Located in the rural area of Wye Mills, Chesapeake College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,274, while out-of-state students pay about $8,768. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $29,611. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Nassau Community College earned it the #4 place for individualized studies. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $27,510. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ulster County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in individualized studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Ulster County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Stone Ridge. Students from in state pay about $6,666 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,146. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $47,424. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Monroe Community College landed the #6 spot for individualized studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,006, with out-of-state students paying around $11,056. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Monroe Community College generally make around $25,252. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Hagerstown Community College placed #7 among the best values for individualized studies. Hagerstown Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Hagerstown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $8,190. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $11,548. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Hagerstown Community College generally make around $25,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange County Community College landed the #8 spot for individualized studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Middletown, Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,526, compared with $12,334 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,625 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Orange County Community College earn a median of $20,630 early in their careers. Set against $10,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montgomery College came in at #9 for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,394, with out-of-state students paying around $14,250. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $20,217. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bucks County Community College came in at #10 for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, with out-of-state students paying around $13,926. Students borrow a median of $10,426 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $37,711. Set against $10,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hudson Valley Community College came in at #11 for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,796, with out-of-state students paying around $11,852. Students borrow a median of $10,046 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $28,464. Set against $10,046 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Prince Georges Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Located in the suburb of Largo, Prince Georges Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,034, with out-of-state students paying around $8,762. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $13,499. Individualized Studies graduates of Prince Georges Community College earn a median of $31,322 early in their careers. Set against $13,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Erie Community College came in at #13 for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,100 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Students borrow a median of $10,090 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Erie Community College generally make around $23,608. Set against $10,090 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Niagara County Community College placed #14 among the best values for individualized studies. Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Sanborn. Students from in state pay about $6,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,030 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of Niagara County Community College earn a median of $22,942 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt.
Corning Community College landed the #15 spot for individualized studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Corning, Corning Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,534, while out-of-state students pay about $10,326. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Corning Community College generally make around $26,679. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Southern Maryland landed the #16 spot for individualized studies value this year. College Of Southern Maryland is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of La Plata. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $9,450. Students borrow a median of $9,456 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of College Of Southern Maryland earn a median of $29,862 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,456 median debt.
Genesee Community College earned the #17 position for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the town of Batavia, Genesee Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,900, with out-of-state students paying around $6,500. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $10,064. Individualized Studies graduates of Genesee Community College earn a median of $22,079 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny Westchester Community College earned the #18 position for value in individualized studies this year. Suny Westchester Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Valhalla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,948, while out-of-state students pay about $12,486. Students borrow a median of $8,764 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $30,417. Set against $8,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sullivan County Community College came in at #19 for value in individualized studies this year. Sullivan County Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Loch Sheldrake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,468, compared with $12,132 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of Sullivan County Community College earn a median of $27,874 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Onondaga Community College came in at #20 for value in individualized studies this year. Onondaga Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Syracuse. In-state tuition and fees average $6,102, with out-of-state students paying around $11,392. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $10,950. Individualized Studies graduates of Onondaga Community College earn a median of $22,966 early in their careers. Set against $10,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mohawk Valley Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Utica. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,851. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $11,100. Individualized Studies graduates of Mohawk Valley Community College earn a median of $23,618 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,100 median debt.
Harford Community College placed #22 among the best values for individualized studies. Located in the rural area of Bel Air, Harford Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,032 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,832. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $10,227 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $26,448. That is a strong return on a $10,227 median debt.
Allegany College Of Maryland landed the #23 spot for individualized studies value this year. Allegany College Of Maryland is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Cumberland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,940, compared with $12,620 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of Allegany College Of Maryland earn a median of $27,637 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
Broome Community College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Broome Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Binghamton. In-state tuition and fees average $8,624, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Broome Community College generally make around $23,351. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wor Wic Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Set in the rural area of Salisbury, Wor Wic Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,840 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,400 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $6,500. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $30,763. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s individualized studies value ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 72 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 72 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.
