2026 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1

Suffolk County Community College
Selden, NY

For return on investment in individualized studies, no school beat Suffolk County Community College this year. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $26,874. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY

Students looking for strong value in individualized studies will find it at Nassau Community College, which ranked #2. 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. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $27,510. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.

3

Frederick Community College
Frederick, MD

A rank of #3 makes Frederick Community College one of the best values for individualized studies. Set in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,849, compared with $10,042 for out-of-state students. 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.

4

Carroll Community College
Westminster, MD

Students looking for strong value in individualized studies will find it at Carroll Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Westminster, Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,308 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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.

5

Chesapeake College
Wye Mills, MD

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Chesapeake College earned it the #5 place for individualized studies. Set in the rural area of Wye Mills, Chesapeake College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,274, compared with $8,768 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Chesapeake College generally make around $29,611. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Hudson Valley Community College
Troy, NY

Hudson Valley Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Hudson Valley Community College is a large public school located in the city of Troy. In-state tuition and fees average $6,796, while out-of-state students pay about $11,852. Students borrow a median of $10,046 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $28,464. Set against $10,046 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

The Community College Of Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD

The Community College Of Baltimore County landed the #7 spot for individualized studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,110, compared with $10,182 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $13,469. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from The Community College Of Baltimore County generally make around $27,852. That is a strong return on a $13,469 median debt.

8

Monroe Community College
Rochester, NY

Monroe Community College placed #8 among the best values for individualized studies. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,006 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,056. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of Monroe Community College earn a median of $25,252 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Montgomery College
Rockville, MD

Montgomery College placed #9 among the best values for individualized studies. Set in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,394, while out-of-state students pay about $14,250. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of Montgomery College earn a median of $20,217 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.

10

Wor Wic Community College
Salisbury, MD

Wor Wic Community College earned the #10 position for value in individualized studies this year. Wor Wic Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Salisbury. Students from in state pay about $3,840 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,400. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $30,763. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Schenectady County Community College
Schenectady, NY

Schenectady County Community College placed #11 among the best values for individualized studies. Located in the city of Schenectady, Schenectady County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,190, while out-of-state students pay about $8,974. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,902 ten years after entry.

12

Erie Community College
Buffalo, NY

Erie Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Set in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $10,090. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Erie Community College generally make around $23,608. Set against $10,090 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Onondaga Community College
Syracuse, NY

Onondaga Community College landed the #13 spot for individualized studies value this year. Onondaga Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Syracuse. Students from in state pay about $6,102 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,392. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $10,950 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of Onondaga Community College earn a median of $22,966 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,950 median debt.

14

Orange County Community College
Middletown, NY

Orange County Community College earned the #14 position for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the suburb of Middletown, Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,526, with out-of-state students paying around $12,334. Students borrow a median of $10,625 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Orange County Community College generally make around $20,630. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Niagara County Community College
Sanborn, NY

Niagara County Community College landed the #15 spot for individualized studies value this year. Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Sanborn. In-state tuition and fees average $6,894, compared with $12,030 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $22,942. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt.

16

Bucks County Community College
Newtown, PA

Bucks County Community College landed the #16 spot for individualized studies value this year. Bucks County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Newtown. In-state tuition and fees average $5,646, compared with $13,926 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $10,426 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $24,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Hagerstown Community College
Hagerstown, MD

Hagerstown Community College landed the #17 spot for individualized studies value this year. Hagerstown Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Hagerstown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $8,190. Students borrow a median of $11,548 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Hagerstown Community College earn a median of $25,177 early in their careers. Set against $11,548 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Suny Westchester Community College
Valhalla, NY

Suny Westchester Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Located in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,948, compared with $12,486 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,764 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Suny Westchester Community College generally make around $30,417. That is a strong return on a $8,764 median debt.

19

Rockland Community College
Suffern, NY

Rockland Community College landed the #19 spot for individualized studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Suffern, Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,862. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $8,390. Individualized Studies graduates of Rockland Community College earn a median of $21,840 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,390 median debt.

20

Genesee Community College
Batavia, NY

Genesee Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Set in the town of Batavia, Genesee Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,900 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,500 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $10,064 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $22,079. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

Dutchess Community College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Dutchess Community College placed #21 among the best values for individualized studies. Located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,670 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,670. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $22,095. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.

22

Garrett College
McHenry, MD

Garrett College landed the #22 spot for individualized studies value this year. Located in the rural area of McHenry, Garrett College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $4,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,040. Students borrow a median of $13,352 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Garrett College generally make around $13,943. Set against $13,352 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

Broome Community College
Binghamton, NY

Broome Community College earned the #23 position for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the suburb of Binghamton, Broome Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,624, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Broome Community College earn a median of $41,560 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.

24

College Of Southern Maryland
La Plata, MD

College Of Southern Maryland ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. College Of Southern Maryland is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of La Plata. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,200, compared with $9,450 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $9,456 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from College Of Southern Maryland generally make around $29,862. Set against $9,456 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

Cayuga County Community College
Auburn, NY

Cayuga County Community College placed #25 among the best values for individualized studies. Located in the town of Auburn, Cayuga County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,056 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,336. Median earnings reach $38,709 ten years out.