2026 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in Massachusetts

[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 13 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value individualized studies schools.
What’s on this page:
ADVERTISEMENTS
Featured Individualized Studies Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
AA in Liberal Arts
Strengthen your communication and critical-thinking skills with this online associate in liberal arts degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
Learn More
BA in General Studies
Maximize your transfer credits and complete your bachelor's degree faster with this flexible online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
Learn More
2026 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in Massachusetts
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in individualized studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Individualized Studies Schools
Bristol Community College earned the #1 spot for value among individualized studies schools in Massachusetts. Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fall River. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,832, with out-of-state students paying around $10,776. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Bristol Community College generally make around $31,206. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes North Shore Community College one of the best values for individualized studies. Set in the suburb of Danvers, North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. 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.
Holyoke Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,932. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $8,995. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Holyoke Community College generally make around $25,779. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in individualized studies will find it at Harvard University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Students borrow a median of $20,126 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Westfield State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Located in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,179 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,259. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $35,004. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #6 among the best values for individualized studies. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,742 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $36,362 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,742 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Lesley University came in at #7 for value in individualized studies this year. Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Students from in state pay about $34,256 in tuition and fees. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $30,057 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $35,658. Set against $30,057 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lesley University admits about 97% of applicants.
Endicott College placed #8 among the best values for individualized studies. Set in the suburb of Beverly, Endicott College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,650. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $15,456 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Endicott College generally make around $45,277. Set against $15,456 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
More Individualized Studies Rankings
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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.