2027 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in the Southeast Region
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 134 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 Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in individualized studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Individualized Studies Schools
Leading the list is Wilkes Community College, our #1 best value for individualized studies in the Southeast Region. Located in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,572, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $7,250. Individualized Studies graduates of Wilkes Community College earn a median of $25,681 early in their careers. Set against $7,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in individualized studies will find it at Wayne Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,566, with out-of-state students paying around $8,710. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Wayne Community College generally make around $33,116. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in individualized studies will find it at Durham Technical Community College, which ranked #3. Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. In-state tuition and fees average $2,240, while out-of-state students pay about $7,531. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $11,321. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $23,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Johnston Community College one of the best values for individualized studies. Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Smithfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,756, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $5,812. Individualized Studies graduates of Johnston Community College earn a median of $25,872 early in their careers. Set against $5,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Coastal Pines Technical College earned it the #5 place for individualized studies. Set in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,268 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,836. Students borrow a median of $5,812 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $39,090. Set against $5,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Set in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,480 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,048. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $10,864. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Wiregrass Georgia Technical College generally make around $40,452. That is a strong return on a $10,864 median debt.
Atlanta Technical College earned the #7 position for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,382, with out-of-state students paying around $5,950. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $17,655. Individualized Studies graduates of Atlanta Technical College earn a median of $35,441 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,655 median debt.
Cleveland Community College placed #8 among the best values for individualized studies. Located in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,602 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,746. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $7,131 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Cleveland Community College generally make around $23,055. That is a strong return on a $7,131 median debt.
Southern Regional Technical College earned the #9 position for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,007, with out-of-state students paying around $5,575. Students borrow a median of $9,086 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $44,007. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattahoochee Technical College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Located in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, compared with $6,108 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $9,616 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $44,673. Set against $9,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Georgia Technical College placed #11 among the best values for individualized studies. Located in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,992, with out-of-state students paying around $7,202. Students borrow a median of $10,423 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from South Georgia Technical College generally make around $40,497. Set against $10,423 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Craven Community College came in at #12 for value in individualized studies this year. Craven Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of New Bern. Students from in state pay about $2,022 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,630. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $28,745. That is a strong return on a $7,500 median debt.
Fayetteville Technical Community College placed #13 among the best values for individualized studies. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,628 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $12,037. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $36,276. Set against $12,037 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Virginia University At Parkersburg earned the #14 position for value in individualized studies this year. West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Parkersburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,476, while out-of-state students pay about $9,424. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $15,084 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of West Virginia University At Parkersburg earn a median of $33,159 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,084 median debt.
College Of The Albemarle landed the #15 spot for individualized studies value this year. Set in the town of Elizabeth City, College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,242, while out-of-state students pay about $7,652. Students borrow a median of $7,481 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of College Of The Albemarle earn a median of $28,261 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,481 median debt.
James Sprunt Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Located in the rural area of Kenansville, James Sprunt Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,592, with out-of-state students paying around $8,736. Students borrow a median of $11,278 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of James Sprunt Community College earn a median of $25,999 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,278 median debt.
West Georgia Technical College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Set in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,410, compared with $5,978 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from West Georgia Technical College generally make around $39,922. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lenoir Community College landed the #18 spot for individualized studies value this year. Located in the town of Kinston, Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,578, compared with $8,822 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $9,118. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Lenoir Community College generally make around $33,374. Set against $9,118 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sampson Community College came in at #19 for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,877, with out-of-state students paying around $9,789. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $12,596 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $28,489. That is a strong return on a $12,596 median debt.
Edgecombe Community College landed the #20 spot for individualized studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Tarboro, Edgecombe Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,640, with out-of-state students paying around $8,784. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $22,153. Individualized Studies graduates of Edgecombe Community College earn a median of $49,528 early in their careers. Set against $22,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Itawamba Community College came in at #21 for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,420, while out-of-state students pay about $5,820. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $7,000. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Itawamba Community College generally make around $19,091. Set against $7,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Shore Community College placed #22 among the best values for individualized studies. Located in the rural area of Melfa, Eastern Shore Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $5,082 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,520. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,418 ten years after entry.
Nash Community College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Nash Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rocky Mount. Students from in state pay about $2,866 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,866. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $12,750. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Nash Community College generally make around $45,512. That is a strong return on a $12,750 median debt.
University Of Florida earned the #24 position for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $17,669. Individualized Studies graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,388 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Surry Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Surry Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Dobson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,668, while out-of-state students pay about $8,812. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $5,500. Individualized Studies graduates of Surry Community College earn a median of $24,635 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for individualized studies this year:
Narrow Individualized Studies Schools by State
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 134 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 134 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.
