2027 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in Colorado
[Individualized Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/individualized-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 18 schools to find the best return on investment for individualized studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in Colorado
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 Colorado Mountain College, our #1 best value for individualized studies in Colorado. Set in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,616, with out-of-state students paying around $12,840. Students borrow a median of $7,541 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Colorado Mountain College generally make around $32,551. That is a strong return on a $7,541 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Pikes Peak Community College one of the best values for individualized studies. Located in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,510 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,110. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of Pikes Peak Community College earn a median of $26,779 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Aurora is a great value for students pursuing a degree in individualized studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Community College Of Aurora is a large public school located in the city of Aurora. In-state tuition and fees average $4,470, with out-of-state students paying around $17,070. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $12,250. Individualized Studies graduates of Community College Of Aurora earn a median of $38,729 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in individualized studies will find it at Red Rocks Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,859, with out-of-state students paying around $17,459. Students borrow a median of $11,913 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $27,242. That is a strong return on a $11,913 median debt.
Morgan Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in individualized studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Morgan Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Fort Morgan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,252, compared with $16,852 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,250 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Morgan Community College earn a median of $70,412 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar Community College landed the #6 spot for individualized studies value this year. Set in the town of Lamar, Lamar Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,260 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $9,300. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $25,669. Set against $9,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Denver earned the #7 position for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the city of Denver, Community College Of Denver is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,058 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,658. Students borrow a median of $14,445 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $29,078. That is a strong return on a $14,445 median debt.
Colorado State University Pueblo placed #8 among the best values for individualized studies. Set in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,720, with out-of-state students paying around $17,944. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of Colorado State University Pueblo earn a median of $38,502 early in their careers. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colorado State University Pueblo admits about 95% of applicants.
Trinidad State Junior College came in at #9 for value in individualized studies this year. Trinidad State Junior College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Trinidad. In-state tuition and fees average $4,608, with out-of-state students paying around $7,318. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $9,995. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Trinidad State Junior College generally make around $30,532. That is a strong return on a $9,995 median debt.
Aims Community College landed the #10 spot for individualized studies value this year. Set in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,258, compared with $11,786 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $9,152 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $29,845. That is a strong return on a $9,152 median debt.
Otero Junior College came in at #11 for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the town of La Junta, Otero Junior College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, compared with $7,270 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $9,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Otero Junior College generally make around $66,338. That is a strong return on a $9,750 median debt.
Arapahoe Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Located in the suburb of Littleton, Arapahoe Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,434, with out-of-state students paying around $17,034. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $15,125 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $38,592. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pueblo Community College landed the #13 spot for individualized studies value this year. Set in the city of Pueblo, Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,049, compared with $17,649 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $14,962. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $30,640. That is a strong return on a $14,962 median debt.
Colorado Northwestern Community College landed the #14 spot for individualized studies value this year. Colorado Northwestern Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Rangely. In-state tuition and fees average $4,594, compared with $7,304 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Colorado Northwestern Community College generally make around $56,978. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Adams State College landed the #15 spot for individualized studies value this year. Adams State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alamosa. Students from in state pay about $9,824 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,944. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $24,879 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of Adams State College earn a median of $39,546 early in their careers. Set against $24,879 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Front Range Community College came in at #16 for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,663 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,263. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $14,750. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $35,023. Set against $14,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeastern Junior College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Northeastern Junior College is a small public school located in the town of Sterling. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,730, compared with $8,267 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $24,287. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mesa State College placed #18 among the best values for individualized studies. Located in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,927, compared with $25,124 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $23,485 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $37,298. That is a strong return on a $23,485 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
