by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 5 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.
For return on investment in individualized studies, no school beat Ozarks Technical Community College this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $12,567 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $26,787. That is a strong return on a $12,567 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in individualized studies will find it at University Of Central Missouri, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,106 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $36,845. That is a strong return on a $27,106 median debt. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Avila University one of the best values for individualized studies. Located in the city of Kansas City, Avila University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,200. 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. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hannibal Lagrange College earned it the #4 place for individualized studies. Set in the town of Hannibal, Hannibal Lagrange College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $26,880. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $21,705 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Hannibal Lagrange College generally make around $43,544. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Students looking for strong value in individualized studies will find it at Missouri Baptist University, which ranked #5. Missouri Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $33,122. Students borrow a median of $29,154 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $45,270. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri Baptist University admits about 69% of applicants.
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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.