2027 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in the New England 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 16 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 New England Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in individualized studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Individualized Studies Schools
Community College Of Rhode Island earned the #1 spot for value among individualized studies schools in the New England Region. Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public school located in the city of Warwick. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, compared with $14,834 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,997 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $39,680. That is a strong return on a $8,997 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bristol Community College earned it the #2 place for individualized studies. Located in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,832 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,776 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of Bristol Community College earn a median of $31,206 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Shore Community College earned it the #3 place for individualized studies. North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Danvers. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,352, while out-of-state students pay about $10,920. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from North Shore Community College generally make around $33,353. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in individualized studies will find it at Holyoke Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the rural area of Holyoke, Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,988, with out-of-state students paying around $10,932. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $8,995 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $25,779. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in individualized studies will find it at Salem State University, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,338, while out-of-state students pay about $19,531. Students borrow a median of $27,176 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Salem State University generally make around $49,656. Set against $27,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Westfield State University came in at #6 for value in individualized studies this year. Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Westfield. Students from in state pay about $12,179 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,259 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $35,004. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Westfield State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Harvard University earned the #7 position for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $20,126. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $95,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
Southern Maine Community College earned the #8 position for value in individualized studies this year. Southern Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of South Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $10,250 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $41,328. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Thomas More College Of Liberal Arts landed the #9 spot for individualized studies value this year. Thomas More College Of Liberal Arts is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Merrimack. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,400. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Thomas More College Of Liberal Arts generally make around $33,863. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #10 among the best values for individualized studies. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $25,742. Individualized Studies graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $36,362 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Connecticut landed the #11 spot for individualized studies value this year. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $44,240. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Dartmouth College came in at #12 for value in individualized studies this year. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Lesley University earned the #13 position for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,256. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $30,057. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Lesley University generally make around $35,658. That is a strong return on a $30,057 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Southern New Hampshire University placed #14 among the best values for individualized studies. Southern New Hampshire University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Manchester. In-state tuition and fees average $17,200. Students borrow a median of $24,338 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Southern New Hampshire University earn a median of $49,573 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,338 median debt. Southern New Hampshire University admits about 100% of applicants.
Endicott College landed the #15 spot for individualized studies value this year. Endicott College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Beverly. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,650. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $15,456. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $45,277. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Landmark College landed the #16 spot for individualized studies value this year. Landmark College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Putney. Students from in state pay about $66,540 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $23,375. Median earnings reach $29,813 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Landmark College admits about 49% of applicants.
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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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
