2027 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in North Carolina
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 43 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for individualized studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in North Carolina
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
For return on investment in individualized studies, no school beat Wilkes Community College this year. 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. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $7,250 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of Wilkes Community College earn a median of $25,681 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,250 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in individualized studies will find it at Durham Technical Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,240, compared with $7,531 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $11,321. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Durham Technical Community College generally make around $23,876. That is a strong return on a $11,321 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Cleveland Community College one of the best values for individualized studies. Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Shelby. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,602, compared with $8,746 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,131 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Cleveland Community College generally make around $23,055. Set against $7,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Johnston Community College one of the best values for individualized studies. Located in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,756, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $5,812. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $25,872. Set against $5,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wayne Community College earned it the #5 place for individualized studies. Located in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,566 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,710. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of Wayne Community College earn a median of $33,116 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Edgecombe Community College landed the #6 spot for individualized studies value this year. Edgecombe Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Tarboro. Students from in state pay about $2,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,784. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $22,153 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $49,528. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
James Sprunt Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. James Sprunt Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Kenansville. Students from in state pay about $2,592 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,736. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $11,278. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $25,999. Set against $11,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Piedmont Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Located in the rural area of Roxboro, Piedmont Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $2,556 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,700. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Piedmont Community College generally make around $68,517. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Albemarle landed the #9 spot for individualized studies value this year. College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Elizabeth City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,242, with out-of-state students paying around $7,652. Students borrow a median of $7,481 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $28,261. That is a strong return on a $7,481 median debt.
Craven Community College came in at #10 for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the town of New Bern, Craven Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,022, compared with $6,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Craven Community College earn a median of $28,745 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sampson Community College placed #11 among the best values for individualized studies. Set in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,877, compared with $9,789 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $12,596. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Sampson Community College generally make around $28,489. That is a strong return on a $12,596 median debt.
Fayetteville Technical Community College earned the #12 position for value in individualized studies this year. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,628, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $12,037. Individualized Studies graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $36,276 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lenoir Community College earned the #13 position for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the town of Kinston, Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,578, with out-of-state students paying around $8,822. 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.
Robeson Community College landed the #14 spot for individualized studies value this year. Located in the town of Lumberton, Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,604 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,748 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $9,949. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $25,714. That is a strong return on a $9,949 median debt.
Nash Community College landed the #15 spot for individualized studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Rocky Mount, Nash Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,866, while out-of-state students pay about $8,866. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $12,750 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $45,512. That is a strong return on a $12,750 median debt.
Martin Community College placed #16 among the best values for individualized studies. Set in the town of Williamston, Martin Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,523, while out-of-state students pay about $8,667. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Martin Community College generally make around $42,820.
Surry Community College placed #17 among the best values for individualized studies. Set in the rural area of Dobson, Surry Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,668 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,812. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Surry Community College earn a median of $24,635 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sandhills Community College earned the #18 position for value in individualized studies this year. Sandhills Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Pinehurst. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, while out-of-state students pay about $6,648. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $21,553. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alamance Community College landed the #19 spot for individualized studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Graham, Alamance Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,592, while out-of-state students pay about $8,736. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $6,625. Individualized Studies graduates of Alamance Community College earn a median of $26,855 early in their careers. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mitchell Community College earned the #20 position for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the town of Statesville, Mitchell Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,651, compared with $8,795 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $6,313. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Mitchell Community College generally make around $27,667. Set against $6,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gaston College landed the #21 spot for individualized studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,186, with out-of-state students paying around $9,330. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $6,334. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $26,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Beaufort County Community College earned the #22 position for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the rural area of Washington, Beaufort County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,540 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $7,947. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Beaufort County Community College generally make around $38,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock earned the #23 position for value in individualized studies this year. Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Flat Rock. Students from in state pay about $2,660 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,804. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $12,065 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock earn a median of $27,747 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Roanoke Chowan Community College earned the #24 position for value in individualized studies this year. Roanoke Chowan Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Ahoskie. In-state tuition and fees average $2,642, while out-of-state students pay about $8,786. Graduates go on to earn a median of $29,324 ten years after entry.
Randolph Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Set in the town of Asheboro, Randolph Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,416, while out-of-state students pay about $8,176. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Randolph Community College generally make around $40,145.
Rest of the Top 43 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in individualized studies:
More Individualized Studies Rankings
View All Individualized Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 43 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 43 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.
