by our College Data Analytics Team
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 25 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for individualized studies students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the individualized studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Eastern Shore Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools in Virginia. Set in the rural area of Melfa, Eastern Shore Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,418.
Patrick Henry Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Set in the rural area of Martinsville, Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,002, compared with $11,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $8,250. Individualized Studies graduates of Patrick Henry Community College earn a median of $21,360 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rappahannock Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Set in the rural area of Glenns, Rappahannock Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,102, with out-of-state students paying around $11,540. Students borrow a median of $6,792 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $24,024. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Paul D Camp Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Paul D Camp Community College is a small public school located in the town of Franklin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,012, with out-of-state students paying around $11,450. Students borrow a median of $7,955 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Paul D Camp Community College generally make around $27,232. Set against $7,955 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in individualized studies will find it at Wytheville Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Wytheville, Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,007, compared with $11,445 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,438 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Wytheville Community College earn a median of $22,162 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dabney S Lancaster Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Located in the rural area of Clifton Forge, Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $5,022 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Median earnings reach $34,293 ten years out.
Virginia Western Community College landed the #7 spot for individualized studies value this year. Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Roanoke. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,400, while out-of-state students pay about $11,838. Students borrow a median of $10,988 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Virginia Western Community College earn a median of $22,382 early in their careers. Set against $10,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $11,718. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $9,125 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earn a median of $27,924 early in their careers. Set against $9,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southside Virginia Community College came in at #9 for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the rural area of Alberta, Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,007, while out-of-state students pay about $11,445. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Southside Virginia Community College generally make around $23,346. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
John Tyler Community College landed the #10 spot for individualized studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Students borrow a median of $9,055 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $25,346. That is a strong return on a $9,055 median debt.
Germanna Community College earned the #11 position for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,257, while out-of-state students pay about $11,648. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $8,227 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $26,563. That is a strong return on a $8,227 median debt.
Virginia Highlands Community College came in at #12 for value in individualized studies this year. Virginia Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Abingdon. In-state tuition and fees average $5,022, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Virginia Highlands Community College earn a median of $16,365 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Piedmont Virginia Community College came in at #13 for value in individualized studies this year. Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Students from in state pay about $5,072 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,510. Students borrow a median of $9,325 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Piedmont Virginia Community College generally make around $29,027. That is a strong return on a $9,325 median debt.
Lord Fairfax Community College placed #14 among the best values for individualized studies. Located in the rural area of Middletown, Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,072, with out-of-state students paying around $11,510. Students borrow a median of $8,865 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $21,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwest Virginia Community College landed the #15 spot for individualized studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,075 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,513 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $23,756. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New River Community College placed #16 among the best values for individualized studies. Set in the town of Dublin, New River Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,979 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,417. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $10,600. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $25,746. Set against $10,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Danville Community College placed #17 among the best values for individualized studies. Located in the town of Danville, Danville Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,992, with out-of-state students paying around $11,430. Students borrow a median of $9,199 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $28,056. That is a strong return on a $9,199 median debt.
Central Virginia Community College landed the #18 spot for individualized studies value this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Central Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,157, with out-of-state students paying around $11,595. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $9,758. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $19,009. That is a strong return on a $9,758 median debt.
Thomas Nelson Community College came in at #19 for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,088, while out-of-state students pay about $11,526. Students borrow a median of $8,165 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Thomas Nelson Community College generally make around $31,228. Set against $8,165 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Virginia Community College earned the #20 position for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,891, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $10,875. Individualized Studies graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $28,249 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,875 median debt.
Mountain Empire Community College earned the #21 position for value in individualized studies this year. Mountain Empire Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Big Stone Gap. In-state tuition and fees average $5,007, compared with $11,445 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Mountain Empire Community College generally make around $18,017. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tidewater Community College earned the #22 position for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,858, compared with $12,296 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $12,971. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $29,491. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Located in the rural area of Weyers Cave, Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,084. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $8,625 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $24,029. Set against $8,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
George Mason University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $41,398. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Mary Washington landed the #25 spot for individualized studies value this year. University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. In-state tuition and fees average $14,905, with out-of-state students paying around $28,083. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $22,354. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $37,677. Set against $22,354 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
This ranking is produced 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.