2027 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in the Southwest Region
[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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 15 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for individualized studies students.
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2027 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in individualized studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Individualized Studies Schools
Pima Community College earned the #1 spot for value among individualized studies schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,939 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $31,002. Set against $8,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern New Mexico College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in individualized studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Espanola, Northern New Mexico College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,064 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,328 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,112 ten years after entry.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Jacksonville College Main Campus earned it the #3 place for individualized studies. Set in the town of Jacksonville, Jacksonville College Main Campus is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,820. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,885 ten years after entry.
A rank of #4 makes Eastern Arizona College one of the best values for individualized studies. Located in the town of Thatcher, Eastern Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,352, with out-of-state students paying around $9,552. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Eastern Arizona College generally make around $40,304. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Navajo Technical College earned it the #5 place for individualized studies. Navajo Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Crownpoint. In-state tuition and fees average $2,498. Median earnings reach $26,364 ten years out.
Mesalands Community College earned the #6 position for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the town of Tucumcari, Mesalands Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,136, while out-of-state students pay about $3,408. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Mesalands Community College generally make around $35,517.
Mesa Community College landed the #7 spot for individualized studies value this year. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $54,730. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
Arizona State University earned the #8 position for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $44,173. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #9 spot for individualized studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $55,222. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of St Thomas Texas earned the #10 position for value in individualized studies this year. University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,634. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $25,000. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $50,420. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #11 among the best values for individualized studies. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $19,052 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $69,994 early in their careers. Set against $19,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Rogers State University earned the #12 position for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the town of Claremore, Rogers State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,750, with out-of-state students paying around $16,410. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $45,644. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wayland Baptist University earned the #13 position for value in individualized studies this year. Wayland Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Plainview. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,782. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $24,258. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $44,688. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wayland Baptist University admits about 56% of applicants.
Concordia University Texas earned the #14 position for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the city of Austin, Concordia University Texas is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $32,778. Students borrow a median of $32,474 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Concordia University Texas earn a median of $36,012 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Concordia University Texas admits about 91% of applicants.
Southern Methodist University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,040 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,712 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $57,967. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
