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2026 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in the New England Region

6 Colleges in the United States
$18,505 Avg Student Debt
$56,739 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Individualized Studies Badge [Individualized Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/individualized-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong individualized studies education at a price that pays off.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 25 schools to find the best return on investment for individualized studies students.

What’s on this page:

2026 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in the New England Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in individualized studies, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Individualized Studies Schools

1

Our analysis ranked Community College Of Rhode Island the best value for a degree in individualized studies in the New England Region. Located in the city of Warwick, Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, compared with $14,834 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,997 to complete the individualized studies program here. 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.

2

A rank of #2 makes Bristol Community College one of the best values for individualized studies. Located in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,832 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,776. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $8,250. Individualized Studies graduates of Bristol Community College earn a median of $31,206 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Shore Community College earned it the #3 place for individualized studies. Located in the suburb of Danvers, North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,352 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,920. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of North Shore Community College earn a median of $33,353 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.

4
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Students looking for strong value in individualized studies will find it at Harvard University, which ranked #4. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $20,126 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $95,207. That is a strong return on a $20,126 median debt. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.

5

A rank of #5 makes Holyoke Community College one of the best values for individualized studies. Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Holyoke. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,988, compared with $10,932 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $8,995. Individualized Studies graduates of Holyoke Community College earn a median of $25,779 early in their careers. Set against $8,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Southern Maine Community College came in at #6 for value in individualized studies this year. Southern Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of South Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,156, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,250 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Southern Maine Community College earn a median of $41,328 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Westfield State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Westfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,179, with out-of-state students paying around $18,259. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $27,000. Individualized Studies graduates of Westfield State University earn a median of $35,004 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.

8

University Of Connecticut ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,044, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $58,784 early in their careers. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of Massachusetts Amherst earned the #9 position for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $25,742 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $36,362. Set against $25,742 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.

10

Thomas More College Of Liberal Arts earned the #10 position for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the suburb of Merrimack, Thomas More College Of Liberal Arts is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,400. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Thomas More College Of Liberal Arts generally make around $33,863. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11
Dartmouth College crest
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH

Dartmouth College came in at #11 for value in individualized studies this year. Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hanover. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,019. Students borrow a median of $16,989 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $81,992. Set against $16,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dartmouth College admits about 5% of applicants.

12
Lesley University crest
Lesley University
Cambridge, MA

Lesley University placed #12 among the best values for individualized studies. Located in the city of Cambridge, Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,256 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,057 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Lesley University earn a median of $35,658 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,057 median debt. Lesley University admits about 97% of applicants.

13

Southern New Hampshire University came in at #13 for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the suburb of Manchester, Southern New Hampshire University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,200. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $24,338 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of Southern New Hampshire University earn a median of $49,573 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern New Hampshire University admits about 100% of applicants.

14
Endicott College crest
Endicott College
Beverly, MA

Endicott College earned the #14 position for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the suburb of Beverly, Endicott College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,650. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $15,456. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $45,277. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

15
Landmark College crest
Landmark College
Putney, VT

Landmark College placed #15 among the best values for individualized studies. Located in the rural area of Putney, Landmark College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $66,540. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $23,375. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $29,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 49%.

View All Individualized Studies Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 25 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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