2027 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in Massachusetts

[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for individualized studies students.
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2027 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in Massachusetts
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 Bristol Community College, our #1 best value for individualized studies in Massachusetts. Bristol Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fall River. In-state tuition and fees average $5,832, compared with $10,776 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $8,250. Individualized Studies graduates of Bristol Community College earn a median of $31,206 early in their careers. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Shore Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Danvers. In-state tuition and fees average $5,352, with out-of-state students paying around $10,920. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $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 #3. Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Holyoke. Students from in state pay about $5,988 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,932. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $8,995. 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 #4. Located in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,338, while out-of-state students pay about $19,531. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $27,176. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $49,656. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Westfield State University earned it the #5 place for individualized studies. Located in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,179, while out-of-state students pay about $18,259. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $35,004. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Westfield State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Harvard University came in at #6 for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $20,126. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $95,207. That is a strong return on a $20,126 median debt. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst earned the #7 position for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Students borrow a median of $25,742 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $36,362. Set against $25,742 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Lesley University earned the #8 position for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,256. Students borrow a median of $30,057 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Lesley University generally make around $35,658. Set against $30,057 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Endicott College landed the #9 spot for individualized studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Beverly, Endicott College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,650. Students borrow a median of $15,456 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Endicott College earn a median of $45,277 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,456 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
More Individualized Studies Rankings
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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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.