2026 Best Value Individualized Studies Associate’s Degree Schools

1

Pima Community College
Tucson, AZ

Our analysis ranked Pima Community College the best value for a degree in individualized studies in the United States. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $8,939. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $31,002. That is a strong return on a $8,939 median debt.

2

Metropolitan Community College Area
Omaha, NE

Students looking for strong value in individualized studies will find it at Metropolitan Community College Area, which ranked #2. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Students borrow a median of $10,214 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $33,011 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Suffolk County Community College
Selden, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suffolk County Community College earned it the #3 place for individualized studies. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $26,874 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Frederick Community College
Frederick, MD

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Frederick Community College earned it the #4 place for individualized studies. Set in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,849, with out-of-state students paying around $10,042. Students borrow a median of $8,935 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $22,067. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Wilkes Community College
Wilkesboro, NC

Students looking for strong value in individualized studies will find it at Wilkes Community College, which ranked #5. Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wilkesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $2,572, compared with $8,716 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $7,250. 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.

6

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida placed #6 among the best values for individualized studies. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $58,388. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

7

Durham Technical Community College
Durham, NC

Durham Technical Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,240, with out-of-state students paying around $7,531. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $11,321. Individualized Studies graduates of Durham Technical Community College earn a median of $23,876 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Carroll Community College
Westminster, MD

Carroll Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Westminster. Students from in state pay about $4,308 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,158. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $23,320. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Las Positas College
Livermore, CA

Las Positas College placed #9 among the best values for individualized studies. Las Positas College is a large public school located in the city of Livermore. In-state tuition and fees average $1,168, while out-of-state students pay about $9,808. Median earnings reach $51,088 ten years out.

10

De Anza College
Cupertino, CA

De Anza College came in at #10 for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,571, with out-of-state students paying around $12,596. Students borrow a median of $7,271 to complete the individualized studies program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,596 ten years after entry. Set against $7,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

Wayne Community College
Goldsboro, NC

Wayne Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. 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, compared with $8,710 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $26,028. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.

12

Chesapeake College
Wye Mills, MD

Chesapeake College came in at #12 for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the rural area of Wye Mills, Chesapeake College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,274, compared with $8,768 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Chesapeake College generally make around $29,611. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.

13

Fayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville, NC

Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,628, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Students borrow a median of $12,037 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $36,276 early in their careers. Set against $12,037 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Johnston Community College
Smithfield, NC

Johnston Community College came in at #14 for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,756, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $5,812 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of Johnston Community College earn a median of $25,872 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,812 median debt.

15

Oakland Community College
Auburn Hills, MI

Oakland Community College came in at #15 for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Students borrow a median of $12,843 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $37,347 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

16

Community College Of Rhode Island
Warwick, RI

Community College Of Rhode Island landed the #16 spot for individualized studies value this year. Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public school located in the city of Warwick. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, compared with $14,834 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $8,997 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Community College Of Rhode Island generally make around $39,680. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Richmond, VA

J Sargeant Reynolds Community College landed the #17 spot for individualized studies value this year. J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $11,718. Students borrow a median of $7,249 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earn a median of $31,068 early in their careers. Set against $7,249 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY

Nassau Community College placed #18 among the best values for individualized studies. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,330, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $9,500. Individualized Studies graduates of Nassau Community College earn a median of $27,510 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Patrick Henry Community College
Martinsville, VA

Patrick Henry Community College landed the #19 spot for individualized studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Martinsville, Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,002, compared with $11,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $9,000. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $20,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Colorado Mountain College
Glenwood Springs, CO

Colorado Mountain College placed #20 among the best values for individualized studies. Located in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,616 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,541 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Colorado Mountain College earn a median of $32,551 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

Cape Fear Community College
Wilmington, NC

Cape Fear Community College came in at #21 for value in individualized studies this year. Cape Fear Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,748, with out-of-state students paying around $8,892. Students borrow a median of $8,734 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Cape Fear Community College earn a median of $30,056 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

Vance Granville Community College
Henderson, NC

Vance Granville Community College earned the #22 position for value in individualized studies this year. Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Henderson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,944, while out-of-state students pay about $6,552. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $14,833. Individualized Studies graduates of Vance Granville Community College earn a median of $34,109 early in their careers. Set against $14,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

Lord Fairfax Community College
Middletown, VA

Lord Fairfax Community College landed the #23 spot for individualized studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Middletown, Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,072, with out-of-state students paying around $11,510. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $8,865 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Lord Fairfax Community College generally make around $28,017. That is a strong return on a $8,865 median debt.

24

Rowan Cabarrus Community College
Salisbury, NC

Rowan Cabarrus Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,064, compared with $6,672 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $8,719. Individualized Studies graduates of Rowan Cabarrus Community College earn a median of $27,726 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,719 median debt.

25

Cleveland Community College
Shelby, NC

Cleveland Community College landed the #25 spot for individualized studies value this year. Located in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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.