2026 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in Texas

[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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 Texas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in individualized studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Individualized Studies Schools
Leading the list is Texas A And M University Commerce, our #1 best value for individualized studies in Texas. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $28,933. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $54,201. Set against $28,933 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in individualized studies will find it at University Of St Thomas Texas, which ranked #2. University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,634. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $25,000. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $50,420. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #3 makes The University Of Texas At Austin one of the best values for individualized studies. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,052 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $69,994. That is a strong return on a $19,052 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Jacksonville College Main Campus earned it the #4 place for individualized studies. Set in the town of Jacksonville, Jacksonville College Main Campus is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,820. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,885.
A rank of #5 makes Wayland Baptist University one of the best values for individualized studies. Located in the town of Plainview, Wayland Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,782. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $24,258 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Wayland Baptist University generally make around $44,688. Set against $24,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wayland Baptist University admits about 56% of applicants.
Concordia University Texas ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Set in the city of Austin, Concordia University Texas is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $32,778 in tuition and fees. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $32,474 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $36,012. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Methodist University landed the #7 spot for individualized studies value this year. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,040. Students borrow a median of $20,712 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $57,967. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.