2027 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in New York
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 38 schools to find the best return on investment for individualized studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in New York
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 New York. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $26,874. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nassau Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,330, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of Nassau Community College earn a median of $27,510 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ulster County Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Set in the rural area of Stone Ridge, Ulster County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,666, while out-of-state students pay about $12,146. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $8,750. Individualized Studies graduates of Ulster County Community College earn a median of $47,424 early in their careers. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Monroe Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006, with out-of-state students paying around $11,056. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $11,000. Individualized Studies graduates of Monroe Community College earn a median of $25,252 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange County Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,526 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,334. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $10,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Orange County Community College generally make around $20,630. Set against $10,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Niagara County Community College earned the #6 position for value in individualized studies this year. Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Sanborn. In-state tuition and fees average $6,894, with out-of-state students paying around $12,030. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $11,500. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $22,942. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt.
Hudson Valley Community College came in at #7 for value in individualized studies this year. Hudson Valley Community College is a large public school located in the city of Troy. Students from in state pay about $6,796 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,852 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,046 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $28,464. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Erie Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. 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. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $10,090. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Erie Community College generally make around $23,608. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Corning Community College placed #9 among the best values for individualized studies. Corning Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Corning. Students from in state pay about $6,534 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,326. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Corning Community College earn a median of $26,679 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Genesee Community College came in at #10 for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the town of Batavia, Genesee Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,900, while out-of-state students pay about $6,500. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $10,064 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Genesee Community College generally make around $22,079. That is a strong return on a $10,064 median debt.
Sullivan County Community College landed the #11 spot for individualized studies value this year. Sullivan County Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Loch Sheldrake. Students from in state pay about $6,468 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,132. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $11,000. Individualized Studies graduates of Sullivan County Community College earn a median of $27,874 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Suny Westchester Community College earned the #12 position for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,948, while out-of-state students pay about $12,486. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $8,764. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Suny Westchester Community College generally make around $30,417. Set against $8,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Onondaga Community College placed #13 among the best values for individualized studies. Onondaga Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Syracuse. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,102, while out-of-state students pay about $11,392. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $10,950. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $22,966. That is a strong return on a $10,950 median debt.
Mohawk Valley Community College placed #14 among the best values for individualized studies. 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. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $11,100 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $23,618. That is a strong return on a $11,100 median debt.
Broome Community College placed #15 among the best values for individualized studies. Set in the suburb of Binghamton, Broome Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. 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. Individualized Studies graduates of Broome Community College earn a median of $23,351 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Schenectady County Community College earned the #16 position for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the city of Schenectady, Schenectady County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,190 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,974. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,902.
Cayuga County Community College landed the #17 spot for individualized studies value this year. Set in the town of Auburn, Cayuga County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,056, with out-of-state students paying around $12,336. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,709.
Rockland Community College landed the #18 spot for individualized studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Suffern, Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,862. Students borrow a median of $8,390 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Rockland Community College earn a median of $21,840 early in their careers. Set against $8,390 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dutchess Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Set in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,670, with out-of-state students paying around $10,670. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Dutchess Community College generally make around $22,095. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny College At Buffalo ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Set in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,533, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $32,082 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Jamestown Community College earned the #21 position for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the town of Jamestown, Jamestown Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,840 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $9,280. Individualized Studies graduates of Jamestown Community College earn a median of $23,757 early in their careers. Set against $9,280 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tompkins Cortland Community College placed #22 among the best values for individualized studies. Located in the rural area of Dryden, Tompkins Cortland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,970, with out-of-state students paying around $12,855. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $24,591. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stony Brook University earned the #23 position for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,931, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Students borrow a median of $20,537 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $74,387. Set against $20,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Herkimer County Community College placed #24 among the best values for individualized studies. Set in the town of Herkimer, Herkimer County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $19,395. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jefferson Community College came in at #25 for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the city of Watertown, Jefferson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,264 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,700. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $23,245. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 38 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for individualized studies this year:
More Individualized Studies Rankings
View All Individualized Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 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.
