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2026 Best Value Individualized Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools

45 Colleges in the United States
$26,179 Avg Student Debt
$59,025 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Individualized Studies Bachelor's Degree Badge [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.

College Factual analyzed 473 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value individualized studies schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the individualized studies degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Individualized Studies Schools

1

Leading the list is California State University Dominguez Hills, our #1 best value for individualized studies in the United States. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $15,453 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $33,588 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

2

West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a great value for students pursuing a degree in individualized studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Parkersburg, West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,476, while out-of-state students pay about $9,424. Students borrow a median of $18,557 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $32,909. That is a strong return on a $18,557 median debt.

3

Students looking for strong value in individualized studies will find it at New College Of Florida, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Sarasota, New College Of Florida is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,916, while out-of-state students pay about $29,944. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $15,314 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from New College Of Florida generally make around $20,395. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.

4

A rank of #4 makes Northern New Mexico College one of the best values for individualized studies. Northern New Mexico College is a small public school located in the town of Espanola. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,064, with out-of-state students paying around $14,328. Median earnings reach $38,112 ten years out.

5

A rank of #5 makes Florida Atlantic University one of the best values for individualized studies. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $19,453. Individualized Studies graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $29,605 early in their careers. Set against $19,453 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.

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6

Indiana University Kokomo came in at #6 for value in individualized studies this year. Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Kokomo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $24,236. Individualized Studies graduates of Indiana University Kokomo earn a median of $35,482 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

7

Indiana University Northwest placed #7 among the best values for individualized studies. Set in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $31,000. Individualized Studies graduates of Indiana University Northwest earn a median of $37,035 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.

8
Antioch College crest
Antioch College
Yellow Springs, OH

Antioch College came in at #8 for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the rural area of Yellow Springs, Antioch College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,043. The acceptance rate is 89%.

9

Potomac State College Of West Virginia University earned the #9 position for value in individualized studies this year. Potomac State College Of West Virginia University is a small public school located in the town of Keyser. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, compared with $13,200 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $34,883. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Indiana University Southeast came in at #10 for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,948 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $37,440. That is a strong return on a $28,948 median debt. Indiana University Southeast admits about 84% of applicants.

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11

Indiana University South Bend earned the #11 position for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $25,319. Individualized Studies graduates of Indiana University South Bend earn a median of $33,716 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

12

Louisiana State University Alexandria landed the #12 spot for individualized studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Alexandria, Louisiana State University Alexandria is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,050, compared with $14,725 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $32,463. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

13

University Of Wisconsin Parkside placed #13 among the best values for individualized studies. University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Kenosha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,270, compared with $17,429 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $24,485 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of Illinois At Springfield placed #14 among the best values for individualized studies. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $29,467. Individualized Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $53,344 early in their careers. Set against $29,467 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.

15

Purdue University Northwest ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. Students from in state pay about $8,357 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,504. Students borrow a median of $29,517 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $33,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

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16

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #16 among the best values for individualized studies. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $41,499. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.

17

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $61,361. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 15%.

18

Indiana University East came in at #18 for value in individualized studies this year. Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Richmond. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,072 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Indiana University East generally make around $39,936. Set against $29,072 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University East admits about 67% of applicants.

19

Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #19 for value in individualized studies this year. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $28,933. Individualized Studies graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $54,201 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.

20
Kean University crest
Kean University
Union, NJ

Kean University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,703 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $48,705. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.

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21

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earned the #21 position for value in individualized studies this year. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public school located in the city of Fort Wayne. Students from in state pay about $9,532 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,887. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $24,106. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne generally make around $39,564. Set against $24,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne admits about 84% of applicants.

22

Western Illinois University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $28,750 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $38,196. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.

23

University Of Southern Indiana ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,066 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $17,707. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $34,573. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.

24

Valdosta State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Set in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,124, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $25,441. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

25

University Of Wisconsin Green Bay landed the #25 spot for individualized studies value this year. Set in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,700 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,288. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Green Bay generally make around $54,436. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay admits about 89% of applicants.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in individualized studies:

26
27
28
Ferris State University crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI
29
30
Saint Peters College crest
Saint Peters College
Jersey City, NJ
31
32
33
Indiana State University crest
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN
34
35
Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
45
46
47
48
49
50

Other Individualized Studies Degree Levels

Explore the best-value individualized studies schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Individualized Studies
Associate's Degrees in Individualized Studies
Master's Degrees in Individualized Studies
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View All Individualized Studies Rankings >

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 473 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 45 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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