2026 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in Tennessee
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 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.
AA in Liberal Arts
Strengthen your communication and critical-thinking skills with this online associate in liberal arts degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
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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.
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2026 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in individualized studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Individualized Studies Schools
For return on investment in individualized studies, no school beat Martin Methodist College this year. Martin Methodist College is a small public school located in the town of Pulaski. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,924. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $23,308. Individualized Studies graduates of Martin Methodist College earn a median of $40,832 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Cumberland University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in individualized studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lebanon. In-state tuition and fees average $27,840. Students borrow a median of $19,263 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $23,057. Set against $19,263 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Carson Newman College one of the best values for individualized studies. Carson Newman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Jefferson City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,700. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Carson Newman College earn a median of $48,797 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Union University one of the best values for individualized studies. Union University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Jackson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,398. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Union University generally make around $41,320. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
