2027 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong individualized studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 15 schools to find the best return on investment for individualized studies students.
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2027 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in the The Plains States 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 Metropolitan Community College Area, our #1 best value for individualized studies in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,375, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $10,214. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $33,011. Set against $10,214 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Valley City State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in individualized studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,580 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,544. Students borrow a median of $25,074 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Valley City State University earn a median of $48,241 early in their careers. Set against $25,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Ozarks Technical Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in individualized studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $4,256 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Students borrow a median of $12,567 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Ozarks Technical Community College earn a median of $26,787 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,567 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Central Missouri one of the best values for individualized studies. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $27,106 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $36,845. Set against $27,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Northern Iowa one of the best values for individualized studies. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Students borrow a median of $26,400 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $40,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Butler Community College landed the #6 spot for individualized studies value this year. Set in the town of El Dorado, Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,541, while out-of-state students pay about $6,271. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Butler Community College generally make around $39,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
White Earth Tribal And Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Set in the rural area of Mahnomen, White Earth Tribal And Community College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,490. Graduates go on to earn a median of $18,044 ten years after entry.
Avila University placed #8 among the best values for individualized studies. Set in the city of Kansas City, Avila University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,200 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Avila University earn a median of $51,234 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Herzing University Minneapolis placed #9 among the best values for individualized studies. Herzing University Minneapolis is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of St. Louis Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,450. Students borrow a median of $32,120 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Herzing University Minneapolis generally make around $44,766. That is a strong return on a $32,120 median debt. Herzing University Minneapolis admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Iowa placed #10 among the best values for individualized studies. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Students borrow a median of $25,269 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $40,791. That is a strong return on a $25,269 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Dakota State University came in at #11 for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the town of Madison, Dakota State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,654, compared with $12,756 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $37,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Dakota State University generally make around $41,119. That is a strong return on a $37,250 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Hannibal Lagrange College came in at #12 for value in individualized studies this year. Hannibal Lagrange College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hannibal. In-state tuition and fees average $26,880. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $21,705. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $43,544. Set against $21,705 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Hannibal Lagrange College admits about 73% of applicants.
Crown College landed the #13 spot for individualized studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Saint Bonifacius, Crown College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,410. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $29,537. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $42,695. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 23%.
Missouri Baptist University earned the #14 position for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Missouri Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $33,122. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $29,154 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Missouri Baptist University generally make around $45,270. That is a strong return on a $29,154 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota earned the #15 position for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,398. Students borrow a median of $4,500 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $14,747. Set against $4,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 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.
