2026 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in North Carolina
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 47 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 North Carolina
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
Our analysis ranked Wilkes Community College the best value for a degree in individualized studies in North Carolina. Located in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,572, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. Students borrow a median of $7,250 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $25,681. Set against $7,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Durham Technical Community College earned it the #2 place for individualized studies. Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. Students from in state pay about $2,240 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,531. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $11,321 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of Durham Technical Community College earn a median of $23,876 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Fayetteville Technical Community College one of the best values for individualized studies. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,628, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $12,037. Individualized Studies graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $36,276 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,037 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Cleveland Community College one of the best values for individualized studies. Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Shelby. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,602, while out-of-state students pay about $8,746. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $7,131 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $23,055. That is a strong return on a $7,131 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Johnston Community College one of the best values for individualized studies. Located in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,756, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $5,812. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $25,872. Set against $5,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sampson Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Located in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,877 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,789. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $12,596. Individualized Studies graduates of Sampson Community College earn a median of $28,489 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wayne Community College earned the #7 position for value in individualized studies this year. Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Goldsboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,566, compared with $8,710 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $26,028. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
James Sprunt Community College landed the #8 spot for individualized studies value this year. James Sprunt Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Kenansville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,592, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,278 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from James Sprunt Community College generally make around $25,999. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Piedmont Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. South Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Polkton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,022, while out-of-state students pay about $6,630. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from South Piedmont Community College generally make around $10,513. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Martin Community College placed #10 among the best values for individualized studies. Martin Community College is a small public school located in the town of Williamston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,523, while out-of-state students pay about $8,667. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Martin Community College generally make around $42,820.
Craven Community College earned the #11 position for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the town of New Bern, Craven Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,022, compared with $6,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Craven Community College generally make around $28,745. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Vance Granville Community College earned the #12 position for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the town of Henderson, Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,944 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,552. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $14,833. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Vance Granville Community College generally make around $34,109. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nash Community College landed the #13 spot for individualized studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Rocky Mount, Nash Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,866, compared with $8,866 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,750 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Nash Community College generally make around $45,512. That is a strong return on a $12,750 median debt.
Halifax Community College placed #14 among the best values for individualized studies. Halifax Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Weldon. In-state tuition and fees average $2,608, while out-of-state students pay about $8,752. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Halifax Community College generally make around $70,982.
Surry Community College came in at #15 for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the rural area of Dobson, Surry Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,668, compared with $8,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $5,500. Individualized Studies graduates of Surry Community College earn a median of $24,635 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rowan Cabarrus Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salisbury. Students from in state pay about $2,064 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,672. Students borrow a median of $8,719 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $27,726. Set against $8,719 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tri County Community College came in at #17 for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the rural area of Murphy, Tri County Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,508, compared with $8,652 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Tri County Community College generally make around $23,979.
College Of The Albemarle landed the #18 spot for individualized studies value this year. Located in the town of Elizabeth City, College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,242, while out-of-state students pay about $7,652. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $7,481. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from College Of The Albemarle generally make around $28,261. Set against $7,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeastern Community College Whiteville ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Southeastern Community College Whiteville is a small public school located in the rural area of Whiteville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,600, while out-of-state students pay about $8,744. Students borrow a median of $10,188 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Southeastern Community College Whiteville earn a median of $65,328 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lenoir Community College came in at #20 for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the town of Kinston, Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,578, compared with $8,822 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $9,118. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $33,374. Set against $9,118 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Beaufort County Community College landed the #21 spot for individualized studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Washington, Beaufort County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,540, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $7,947. Individualized Studies graduates of Beaufort County Community College earn a median of $38,009 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,947 median debt.
Cape Fear Community College came in at #22 for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the city of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,748 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,892. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $8,734. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $30,056. That is a strong return on a $8,734 median debt.
Gaston College came in at #23 for value in individualized studies this year. Gaston College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $3,186 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,330. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $6,334 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Gaston College generally make around $26,838. That is a strong return on a $6,334 median debt.
Robeson Community College placed #24 among the best values for individualized studies. Located in the town of Lumberton, Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,604 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,748. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $9,949 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $25,714. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute earned the #25 position for value in individualized studies this year. Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Hudson. Students from in state pay about $2,528 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,528 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute earn a median of $24,195 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 46 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s individualized studies value ranking:
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. 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 · 47 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
