2026 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in Missouri
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
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 Missouri
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
Ozarks Technical Community College earned the #1 spot for value among individualized studies schools in Missouri. Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $4,256 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $12,567 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Ozarks Technical Community College generally make around $26,787. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Central Missouri one of the best values for individualized studies. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,106 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $36,845 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,106 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cottey College earned it the #3 place for individualized studies. Set in the town of Nevada, Cottey College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,562. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $12,000. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hannibal Lagrange College earned it the #4 place for individualized studies. Hannibal Lagrange College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hannibal. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,880. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $21,705 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of Hannibal Lagrange College earn a median of $43,544 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Hannibal Lagrange College admits about 73% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Missouri Baptist University earned it the #5 place for individualized studies. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Missouri Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,122. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $29,154. Individualized Studies graduates of Missouri Baptist University earn a median of $35,595 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri Baptist University admits about 69% of applicants.
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.
