2026 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in Colorado
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 19 schools to find the best return on investment for individualized studies students.
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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 Colorado
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
Leading the list is Colorado Mountain College, our #1 best value for individualized studies in Colorado. Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Glenwood Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,616, compared with $12,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,541 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Colorado Mountain College generally make around $32,551. Set against $7,541 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Morgan Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in individualized studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Fort Morgan, Morgan Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,252, compared with $16,852 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $6,250. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Morgan Community College generally make around $70,412. That is a strong return on a $6,250 median debt.
Community College Of Aurora is a great value for students pursuing a degree in individualized studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Community College Of Aurora is a large public school located in the city of Aurora. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,470, with out-of-state students paying around $17,070. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $12,250. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $38,729. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Red Rocks Community College earned it the #4 place for individualized studies. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,859, while out-of-state students pay about $17,459. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $11,913 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $27,242. That is a strong return on a $11,913 median debt.
Aims Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in individualized studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,258, with out-of-state students paying around $11,786. Students borrow a median of $9,152 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $29,845. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Denver ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Located in the city of Denver, Community College Of Denver is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,058, with out-of-state students paying around $17,658. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $14,445 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Community College Of Denver generally make around $29,078. That is a strong return on a $14,445 median debt.
Pikes Peak Community College placed #7 among the best values for individualized studies. Pikes Peak Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Colorado Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $4,510, while out-of-state students pay about $17,110. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Pikes Peak Community College earn a median of $26,779 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Arapahoe Community College earned the #8 position for value in individualized studies this year. Arapahoe Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Littleton. Students from in state pay about $4,434 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,034. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $15,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Arapahoe Community College generally make around $38,592. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar Community College came in at #9 for value in individualized studies this year. Lamar Community College is a small public school located in the town of Lamar. In-state tuition and fees average $4,550, while out-of-state students pay about $7,260. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $9,300. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $25,669. Set against $9,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Front Range Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Located in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,663, with out-of-state students paying around $17,263. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $14,750. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $35,023. Set against $14,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pueblo Community College placed #11 among the best values for individualized studies. Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Pueblo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,049, while out-of-state students pay about $17,649. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $14,962. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Pueblo Community College generally make around $30,640. Set against $14,962 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trinidad State Junior College came in at #12 for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the town of Trinidad, Trinidad State Junior College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,608, compared with $7,318 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $9,995. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Trinidad State Junior College generally make around $30,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Colorado Northwestern Community College landed the #13 spot for individualized studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Rangely, Colorado Northwestern Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,594, with out-of-state students paying around $7,304. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $12,000. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $56,978. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Otero Junior College came in at #14 for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the town of La Junta, Otero Junior College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,270. Students borrow a median of $9,750 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $66,338. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Colorado State University Pueblo placed #15 among the best values for individualized studies. Set in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,720, with out-of-state students paying around $17,944. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of Colorado State University Pueblo earn a median of $38,502 early in their careers. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Northeastern Junior College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Located in the town of Sterling, Northeastern Junior College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $5,730 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,267. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Northeastern Junior College generally make around $24,287. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Adams State College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Located in the town of Alamosa, Adams State College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,824, with out-of-state students paying around $21,944. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $24,879. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Adams State College generally make around $39,546. That is a strong return on a $24,879 median debt.
Mesa State College landed the #18 spot for individualized studies value this year. Set in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,927, while out-of-state students pay about $25,124. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $23,485. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $37,298. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mesa State College admits about 82% of applicants.
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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
