2027 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in Pennsylvania
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 13 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value individualized studies schools.
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2027 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in individualized studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Individualized Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked Bucks County Community College the best value for a degree in individualized studies in Pennsylvania. Bucks County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Newtown. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,926 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,426 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Bucks County Community College generally make around $37,711. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Community College Of Philadelphia one of the best values for individualized studies. Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,632, with out-of-state students paying around $12,744. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $32,697. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in individualized studies will find it at Reading Area Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Reading, Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,480, while out-of-state students pay about $12,510. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Reading Area Community College generally make around $49,248. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earned it the #4 place for individualized studies. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,380, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $25,125 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $42,972. Set against $25,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Northampton County Area Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in individualized studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Northampton County Area Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Bethlehem. Students from in state pay about $5,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,270 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $15,250. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Northampton County Area Community College generally make around $23,879. That is a strong return on a $15,250 median debt.
Pennsylvania Western University placed #6 among the best values for individualized studies. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,436, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Students borrow a median of $30,140 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Pennsylvania Western University generally make around $33,989. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus came in at #7 for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,356. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $25,958 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $50,933. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern University came in at #8 for value in individualized studies this year. Eastern University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Davids. In-state tuition and fees average $38,400. Students borrow a median of $25,187 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Eastern University generally make around $28,442. Set against $25,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #9 spot for individualized studies value this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $16,155. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $68,293. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #10 for value in individualized studies this year. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $25,515 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $89,327. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #11 for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,958 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus generally make around $50,775. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Drexel University placed #12 among the best values for individualized studies. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,412. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $27,154. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $67,556. Set against $27,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Villanova University landed the #13 spot for individualized studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,776. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Villanova University earn a median of $72,601 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Villanova University admits about 27% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
