2026 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

Metropolitan Community College Area
Omaha, NE

For return on investment in individualized studies, no school beat Metropolitan Community College Area this year. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,375, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Students borrow a median of $10,214 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $33,011 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,214 median debt.

2

Valley City State University
Valley City, ND

Students looking for strong value in individualized studies will find it at Valley City State University, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,580, while out-of-state students pay about $13,544. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $25,074 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Valley City State University generally make around $48,241. Set against $25,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

3

Ozarks Technical Community College
Springfield, MO

Ozarks Technical Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,256 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,040. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $12,567. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $26,787. That is a strong return on a $12,567 median debt.

4

University Of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA

A rank of #4 makes University Of Northern Iowa one of the best values for individualized studies. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $26,400 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $40,009 early in their careers. Set against $26,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.

5

University Of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, MO

Students looking for strong value in individualized studies will find it at University Of Central Missouri, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,050 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $27,106 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $36,845. Set against $27,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

6

Herzing University Minneapolis
St. Louis Park, MN

Herzing University Minneapolis ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Herzing University Minneapolis is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of St. Louis Park. In-state tuition and fees average $13,450. Students borrow a median of $32,120 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Herzing University Minneapolis earn a median of $44,766 early in their careers. Set against $32,120 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.

7

White Earth Tribal And Community College
Mahnomen, MN

White Earth Tribal And Community College landed the #7 spot for individualized studies value this year. White Earth Tribal And Community College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Mahnomen. In-state tuition and fees average $5,490. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $18,044.

8

Butler Community College
El Dorado, KS

Butler Community College landed the #8 spot for individualized studies value this year. Set in the town of El Dorado, Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,541 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,271. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Butler Community College generally make around $39,404. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.

9

Graceland University Lamoni
Lamoni, IA

Graceland University Lamoni earned the #9 position for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the rural area of Lamoni, Graceland University Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $19,848. Students borrow a median of $27,509 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Graceland University Lamoni earn a median of $63,443 early in their careers. Set against $27,509 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Graceland University Lamoni admits about 81% of applicants.

10

Cottey College
Nevada, MO

Cottey College earned the #10 position for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the town of Nevada, Cottey College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,562. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the individualized studies program here. Median earnings reach $35,422 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.

11

Dakota State University
Madison, SD

Dakota State University landed the #11 spot for individualized studies value this year. Set in the town of Madison, Dakota State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,654, while out-of-state students pay about $12,756. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $37,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Dakota State University generally make around $41,119. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dakota State University admits about 88% of applicants.

12

University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa landed the #12 spot for individualized studies value this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Students borrow a median of $25,269 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $40,791. That is a strong return on a $25,269 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.

13

Hannibal Lagrange College
Hannibal, MO

Hannibal Lagrange College came in at #13 for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the town of Hannibal, Hannibal Lagrange College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,880. Students borrow a median of $21,705 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Hannibal Lagrange College earn a median of $43,544 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,705 median debt. Hannibal Lagrange College admits about 73% of applicants.

14

Augsburg College
Minneapolis, MN

Augsburg College landed the #14 spot for individualized studies value this year. Augsburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,452. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $26,319 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $59,409. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

15

Missouri Baptist University
Saint Louis, MO

Missouri Baptist University earned the #15 position for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Missouri Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $33,122 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $29,154. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $35,595. Set against $29,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.

16

Crown College
Saint Bonifacius, MN

Crown College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Located in the rural area of Saint Bonifacius, Crown College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,410. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $29,537. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Crown College generally make around $42,695. That is a strong return on a $29,537 median debt. The acceptance rate is 23%.

17

University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN

University Of St Thomas Minnesota earned the #17 position for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $54,398. Students borrow a median of $4,500 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $14,747. Set against $4,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.