2026 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in Virginia
[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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 26 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for individualized studies students.
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 Virginia
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 Patrick Henry Community College the best value for a degree in individualized studies in Virginia. 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, compared with $11,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $8,250. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Patrick Henry Community College generally make around $21,360. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in individualized studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,718. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $9,125. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College generally make around $27,924. That is a strong return on a $9,125 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in individualized studies will find it at Wytheville Community College, which ranked #3. Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wytheville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,007, while out-of-state students pay about $11,445. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $8,438. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Wytheville Community College generally make around $22,162. That is a strong return on a $8,438 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Shore Community College earned it the #4 place for individualized studies. Set in the rural area of Melfa, Eastern Shore Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,082, with out-of-state students paying around $11,520. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,418.
A rank of #5 makes Virginia Highlands Community College one of the best values for individualized studies. Located in the suburb of Abingdon, Virginia Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,022, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $16,365. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
John Tyler Community College earned the #6 position for value in individualized studies this year. John Tyler Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Chester. In-state tuition and fees average $5,082, compared with $11,520 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,055 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $25,346. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lord Fairfax Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Located in the rural area of Middletown, Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,072 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,510 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,865 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Lord Fairfax Community College generally make around $21,827. Set against $8,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rappahannock Community College earned the #8 position for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the rural area of Glenns, Rappahannock Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,102, while out-of-state students pay about $11,540. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $6,792 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $24,024. Set against $6,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Virginia Community College came in at #9 for value in individualized studies this year. Central Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lynchburg. Students from in state pay about $5,157 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,595. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $9,758 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of Central Virginia Community College earn a median of $19,009 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,758 median debt.
Virginia Western Community College landed the #10 spot for individualized studies value this year. Set in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,400 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,838. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $10,988. Individualized Studies graduates of Virginia Western Community College earn a median of $22,382 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,988 median debt.
New River Community College placed #11 among the best values for individualized studies. Located in the town of Dublin, New River Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,979, with out-of-state students paying around $11,417. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $10,600. Individualized Studies graduates of New River Community College earn a median of $25,746 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Paul D Camp Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Located in the town of Franklin, Paul D Camp Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $5,012 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,450 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,955 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Paul D Camp Community College generally make around $27,232. Set against $7,955 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southside Virginia Community College placed #13 among the best values for individualized studies. Set in the rural area of Alberta, Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,007, with out-of-state students paying around $11,445. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Southside Virginia Community College earn a median of $23,346 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Germanna Community College landed the #14 spot for individualized studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,257, compared with $11,648 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,227 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $26,563. Set against $8,227 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dabney S Lancaster Community College placed #15 among the best values for individualized studies. Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Clifton Forge. In-state tuition and fees average $5,022, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,293 ten years after entry.
Piedmont Virginia Community College earned the #16 position for value in individualized studies this year. Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,072, while out-of-state students pay about $11,510. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $9,325 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $29,027. Set against $9,325 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Thomas Nelson Community College landed the #17 spot for individualized studies value this year. Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Hampton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,088, while out-of-state students pay about $11,526. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $8,165. Individualized Studies graduates of Thomas Nelson Community College earn a median of $31,228 early in their careers. Set against $8,165 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Danville Community College placed #18 among the best values for individualized studies. Set in the town of Danville, Danville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,430. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $9,199. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Danville Community College generally make around $28,056. Set against $9,199 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tidewater Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Tidewater Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. In-state tuition and fees average $5,858, while out-of-state students pay about $12,296. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $12,971. Individualized Studies graduates of Tidewater Community College earn a median of $29,491 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mountain Empire Community College came in at #20 for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the town of Big Stone Gap, Mountain Empire Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,007 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,445 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $9,384. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $18,017. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Virginia Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,891, while out-of-state students pay about $12,410. Students borrow a median of $10,875 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $28,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave placed #22 among the best values for individualized studies. Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Weyers Cave. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, with out-of-state students paying around $12,084. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $8,625 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $24,029. Set against $8,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwest Virginia Community College placed #23 among the best values for individualized studies. Located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,075, with out-of-state students paying around $11,513. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Southwest Virginia Community College generally make around $23,756. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
George Mason University came in at #24 for value in individualized studies this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $41,398. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Mary Washington placed #25 among the best values for individualized studies. University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. Students from in state pay about $14,905 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,083. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $22,354 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from University Of Mary Washington generally make around $37,677. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Mary Washington admits about 80% of applicants.
More Individualized Studies Rankings
View All Individualized Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 26 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.
