2026 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in the Southeast Region
[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 161 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value individualized studies schools.
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2026 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in individualized studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Individualized Studies Schools
Wilkes Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,572, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $7,250 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of Wilkes Community College earn a median of $25,681 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Durham Technical Community College earned it the #2 place for individualized studies. Located in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,240 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,531. Students borrow a median of $11,321 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Durham Technical Community College generally make around $23,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in individualized studies will find it at Fayetteville Technical Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,628 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $12,037. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $36,276. That is a strong return on a $12,037 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in individualized studies will find it at Southern Regional Technical College, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,007, compared with $5,575 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $9,086. Individualized Studies graduates of Southern Regional Technical College earn a median of $44,007 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,086 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Coastal Pines Technical College one of the best values for individualized studies. Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Waycross. In-state tuition and fees average $3,268, while out-of-state students pay about $5,836. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $5,812. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Coastal Pines Technical College generally make around $39,090. That is a strong return on a $5,812 median debt.
Atlanta Technical College came in at #6 for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,382, with out-of-state students paying around $5,950. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $17,655 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $35,441. Set against $17,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Johnston Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Located in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,756 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $5,812. Individualized Studies graduates of Johnston Community College earn a median of $25,872 early in their careers. Set against $5,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wayne Community College placed #8 among the best values for individualized studies. Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Goldsboro. In-state tuition and fees average $2,566, compared with $8,710 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Wayne Community College generally make around $26,028. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College placed #9 among the best values for individualized studies. Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rome. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $5,868. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $8,492. Individualized Studies graduates of Georgia Northwestern Technical College earn a median of $41,229 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cleveland Community College landed the #10 spot for individualized studies value this year. Located in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,602, while out-of-state students pay about $8,746. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $7,131 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of Cleveland Community College earn a median of $23,055 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,131 median debt.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College landed the #11 spot for individualized studies value this year. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Valdosta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,480, with out-of-state students paying around $6,048. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $10,864. Individualized Studies graduates of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College earn a median of $40,452 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,864 median debt.
Oconee Fall Line Technical College earned the #12 position for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the rural area of Sandersville, Oconee Fall Line Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,380, while out-of-state students pay about $5,948. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $12,718 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of Oconee Fall Line Technical College earn a median of $47,076 early in their careers. Set against $12,718 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Georgia Technical College placed #13 among the best values for individualized studies. West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,410, while out-of-state students pay about $5,978. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $12,651. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from West Georgia Technical College generally make around $39,922. Set against $12,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Patrick Henry Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Located in the rural area of Martinsville, Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,002, while out-of-state students pay about $11,440. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Patrick Henry Community College generally make around $21,360. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Virginia University At Parkersburg earned the #15 position for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the rural area of Parkersburg, West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,476, with out-of-state students paying around $9,424. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $15,084. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $33,159. Set against $15,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sampson Community College landed the #16 spot for individualized studies value this year. Set in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,877, while out-of-state students pay about $9,789. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $12,596 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of Sampson Community College earn a median of $28,489 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,596 median debt.
Chattahoochee Technical College landed the #17 spot for individualized studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $6,108. Students borrow a median of $9,616 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Chattahoochee Technical College earn a median of $44,673 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Piedmont Community College placed #18 among the best values for individualized studies. Located in the rural area of Polkton, South Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,022 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,630. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $7,500. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from South Piedmont Community College generally make around $10,513. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Craven Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Set in the town of New Bern, Craven Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,022 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $28,745. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New College Of Florida earned the #20 position for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the city of Sarasota, New College Of Florida is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,916, compared with $29,944 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $15,314 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of New College Of Florida earn a median of $20,395 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New College Of Florida admits about 73% of applicants.
Vance Granville Community College earned the #21 position for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the town of Henderson, Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,944, while out-of-state students pay about $6,552. Students borrow a median of $14,833 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $34,109. That is a strong return on a $14,833 median debt.
James Sprunt Community College came in at #22 for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the rural area of Kenansville, James Sprunt Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,592, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $11,278. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $25,999. That is a strong return on a $11,278 median debt.
Southern Crescent Technical College landed the #23 spot for individualized studies value this year. Set in the town of Griffin, Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,516, with out-of-state students paying around $6,084. Students borrow a median of $17,619 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Southern Crescent Technical College generally make around $45,062. Set against $17,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rowan Cabarrus Community College earned the #24 position for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,064 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,672. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $8,719 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Rowan Cabarrus Community College generally make around $27,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Surry Community College placed #25 among the best values for individualized studies. Surry Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Dobson. Students from in state pay about $2,668 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,812. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $5,500. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $24,635. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s individualized studies value ranking:
Narrow Individualized Studies Schools by State
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 161 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 51 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.
