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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in Maryland

14 Colleges in the United States
$12,487 Avg Student Debt
$49,355 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Individualized Studies Badge [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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for individualized studies students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in Maryland

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

Frederick Community College earned the #1 spot for value among individualized studies schools in Maryland. Located in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,849 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,042 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $8,935. Individualized Studies graduates of Frederick Community College earn a median of $22,067 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,935 median debt.

2

Carroll Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Set in the town of Westminster, Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,308 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,158 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Carroll Community College generally make around $23,320. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.

3
Chesapeake College crest
Chesapeake College
Wye Mills, MD

Students looking for strong value in individualized studies will find it at Chesapeake College, which ranked #3. Located in the rural area of Wye Mills, Chesapeake College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,274 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,768. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of Chesapeake College earn a median of $29,611 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Wor Wic Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in individualized studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Salisbury, Wor Wic Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $8,400. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Wor Wic Community College generally make around $30,763. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

The Community College Of Baltimore County came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,110 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,182. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $13,469. Individualized Studies graduates of The Community College Of Baltimore County earn a median of $27,852 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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6
Montgomery College crest
Montgomery College
Rockville, MD

Montgomery College came in at #6 for value in individualized studies this year. Montgomery College is a very large public school located in the city of Rockville. Students from in state pay about $5,394 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,250 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7
Garrett College crest
Garrett College
McHenry, MD

Garrett College came in at #7 for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the rural area of McHenry, Garrett College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,144, compared with $12,040 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $13,352 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Garrett College generally make around $13,943. That is a strong return on a $13,352 median debt.

8

Hagerstown Community College placed #8 among the best values for individualized studies. Set in the suburb of Hagerstown, Hagerstown Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,320, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $11,548 median debt.

9

College Of Southern Maryland came in at #9 for value in individualized studies this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,450. Students borrow a median of $9,456 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $29,862. Set against $9,456 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Harford Community College earned the #10 position for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the rural area of Bel Air, Harford Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,032, while out-of-state students pay about $8,832. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $10,227 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $26,448. Set against $10,227 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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11

Prince Georges Community College placed #11 among the best values for individualized studies. Prince Georges Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Largo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,034, with out-of-state students paying around $8,762. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $13,499 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $31,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Allegany College Of Maryland landed the #12 spot for individualized studies value this year. Allegany College Of Maryland is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Cumberland. Students from in state pay about $4,940 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Allegany College Of Maryland generally make around $27,637. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.

13

University Of Maryland University College earned the #13 position for value in individualized studies this year. University Of Maryland University College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Adelphi. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,136, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $14,375. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from University Of Maryland University College generally make around $37,634. Set against $14,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Anne Arundel Community College placed #14 among the best values for individualized studies. Located in the suburb of Arnold, Anne Arundel Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,322 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,522. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $25,826. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University placed #15 among the best values for individualized studies. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $21,241. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $50,370. Set against $21,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.

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16

Johns Hopkins University earned the #16 position for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $45,147. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.

17

College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland placed #17 among the best values for individualized studies. Located in the city of Baltimore, College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,360. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $28,000. Individualized Studies graduates of College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland earn a median of $48,819 early in their careers. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 19 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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