2026 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in Ohio

[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong individualized studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 27 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value individualized studies schools.
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Featured Individualized Studies Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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2026 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in Ohio
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
North Central State College tops our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools in Ohio. Located in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,786, compared with $11,374 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,236 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from North Central State College generally make around $47,458. Set against $12,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Ohio University Southern Campus one of the best values for individualized studies. Located in the suburb of Ironton, Ohio University Southern Campus is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,362, compared with $9,444 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $24,614 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $35,825. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in individualized studies will find it at Ohio University Zanesville Campus, which ranked #3. Ohio University Zanesville Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Zanesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,362, compared with $9,444 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,614 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Ohio University Zanesville Campus generally make around $44,222. Set against $24,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Antioch College one of the best values for individualized studies. Antioch College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Yellow Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $37,043. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Ohio University Lancaster Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Located in the rural area of Lancaster, Ohio University Lancaster Campus is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,362, compared with $9,444 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,614 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Ohio University Lancaster Campus generally make around $35,825. Set against $24,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clark State Community College earned the #6 position for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Clark State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,393, compared with $8,049 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,260 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Clark State Community College earn a median of $39,734 early in their careers. Set against $14,260 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washington State Community College placed #7 among the best values for individualized studies. Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marietta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,128, with out-of-state students paying around $4,152. Students borrow a median of $16,291 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $45,305. That is a strong return on a $16,291 median debt.
Ohio University Chillicothe Campus placed #8 among the best values for individualized studies. Located in the town of Chillicothe, Ohio University Chillicothe Campus is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,362, compared with $9,444 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $24,614. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Ohio University Chillicothe Campus generally make around $43,693. That is a strong return on a $24,614 median debt.
University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College came in at #9 for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the suburb of Blue Ash, University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,106, with out-of-state students paying around $15,904. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $20,500. Individualized Studies graduates of University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College earn a median of $42,936 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt.
University Of Cincinnati Clermont College earned the #10 position for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the suburb of Batavia, University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,639 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,871 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Clermont College generally make around $39,106. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kent State University At East Liverpool ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Set in the town of East Liverpool, Kent State University At East Liverpool is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,211, with out-of-state students paying around $17,969. Students borrow a median of $26,232 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Kent State University At East Liverpool generally make around $38,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kent State University At Trumbull ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Set in the rural area of Warren, Kent State University At Trumbull is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,211 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,969. Students borrow a median of $26,232 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Kent State University At Trumbull generally make around $38,087. That is a strong return on a $26,232 median debt.
Kent State University At Ashtabula landed the #13 spot for individualized studies value this year. Set in the town of Ashtabula, Kent State University At Ashtabula is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,211 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,969. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $26,232. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $38,087. That is a strong return on a $26,232 median debt.
Kent State University At Geauga landed the #14 spot for individualized studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Burton, Kent State University At Geauga is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,211, with out-of-state students paying around $17,969. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $26,232. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Kent State University At Geauga generally make around $38,087. Set against $26,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kent State University At Stark earned the #15 position for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Kent State University At Stark is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,211, while out-of-state students pay about $17,969. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $26,232. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Kent State University At Stark generally make around $38,087. Set against $26,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kent State University At Tuscarawas came in at #16 for value in individualized studies this year. Kent State University At Tuscarawas is a mid-sized public school located in the town of New Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,211, while out-of-state students pay about $17,969. Students borrow a median of $26,232 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Kent State University At Tuscarawas generally make around $38,087. That is a strong return on a $26,232 median debt.
Kent State University At Salem landed the #17 spot for individualized studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Salem, Kent State University At Salem is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,211, compared with $17,969 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $26,232 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Kent State University At Salem generally make around $38,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #18 spot for individualized studies value this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $24,614 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $35,825. That is a strong return on a $24,614 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #19 spot for individualized studies value this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Students borrow a median of $20,784 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $32,604 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,784 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rio Grande placed #20 among the best values for individualized studies. Set in the rural area of Rio Grande, University Of Rio Grande is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $20,560 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,044 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from University Of Rio Grande generally make around $46,611. That is a strong return on a $27,044 median debt.
More 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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.