Social Studies Education programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their social studies education programs.
College Factual analyzed 68 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best social studies education schools.
The school you choose for social studies education can shape your career. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Social Studies Education rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Social Studies Education Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in social studies education. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. About 13 social studies education degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Social Studies Education graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $71,315 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,481.
More information about a degree in social studies education from University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Purdue University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in social studies education, landing the #2 spot this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 22 social studies education students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social studies education program make about $44,923 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500.
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University Of Pennsylvania is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in social studies education, ranking #3. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. About 10 social studies education degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Students who receive their social studies education degree from University Of Pennsylvania earn around $54,350 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans.
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A rank of #4 makes Rutgers University New Brunswick one of the top schools for social studies education. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. About 84% of students finish within six years. Rutgers University New Brunswick awarded about 11 social studies education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social studies education degree from Rutgers University New Brunswick earn around $61,146 in the first couple years of their career. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates carry a median of $25,120 in student loans.
See the full social studies education program report for Rutgers University New Brunswick
Students looking for a strong social studies education program will find one at Stony Brook University, which ranked #5. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Stony Brook University graduates 76% of students within six years. Stony Brook University awarded about 29 social studies education degrees in the most recent data year. Social Studies Education graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $64,011 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,537 to complete this degree.
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Cuny Hunter College came in at #6 for social studies education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of New York. Cuny Hunter College graduates 57% of students within six years. About 28 social studies education degrees were awarded at Cuny Hunter College in the most recent year. Students who receive their social studies education degree from Cuny Hunter College earn around $61,604 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000.
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Cuny Brooklyn College placed #7 among the best social studies education schools. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Cuny Brooklyn College awarded about 33 social studies education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social studies education program make about $61,164 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,178 to complete this degree.
See the full social studies education program report for Cuny Brooklyn College
Siena College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best social studies education schools. Located in the suburb of Loudonville, Siena College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 social studies education students who graduated with this degree at Siena College in the most recent data year. Social Studies Education graduates of Siena College earn a median of $44,535 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,656 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in social studies education from Siena College
Cuny Queens College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best social studies education schools. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. Cuny Queens College graduates 53% of students within six years. About 46 social studies education degrees were awarded at Cuny Queens College in the most recent year. Graduates of the social studies education program make about $67,212 in their early career. Cuny Queens College graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans.
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Hofstra University earned the #10 position for social studies education this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Hempstead. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Hofstra University awarded about 13 social studies education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Hofstra University generally make around $52,451. Students borrow a median of $23,517 to complete this degree.
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University Of Georgia ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best social studies education schools. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 53 social studies education degrees were awarded at University Of Georgia in the most recent year. Social Studies Education graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $61,081 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in social studies education from University Of Georgia
University Of Wyoming earned the #12 position for social studies education this year. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wyoming awarded about 15 social studies education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social studies education program make about $49,587 in their early career. University Of Wyoming graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans.
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St Johns University New York placed #13 among the best social studies education schools. Located in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. St Johns University New York awarded about 14 social studies education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from St Johns University New York generally make around $52,645. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
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Cuny City College earned the #14 position for social studies education this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 social studies education students who graduated with this degree at Cuny City College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social studies education program make about $73,336 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete this degree.
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Suny At Binghamton earned the #15 position for social studies education this year. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. About 82% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 social studies education students who graduated with this degree at Suny At Binghamton in the most recent data year. Social Studies Education graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $55,319 early in their careers. Suny At Binghamton graduates carry a median of $20,691 in student loans.
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State University Of New York At New Paltz came in at #16 for social studies education this year. Set in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. About 40 social studies education degrees were awarded at State University Of New York At New Paltz in the most recent year. Graduates of the social studies education program make about $51,668 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,293 to complete this degree.
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Suny College At Oneonta landed the #17 spot for social studies education this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Oneonta. About 69% of students finish within six years. Suny College At Oneonta awarded about 28 social studies education degrees in the most recent data year. Social Studies Education graduates of Suny College At Oneonta earn a median of $46,329 early in their careers. Suny College At Oneonta graduates carry a median of $19,032 in student loans.
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Rowan University earned the #18 position for social studies education this year. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. About 18 social studies education degrees were awarded at Rowan University in the most recent year. Students who receive their social studies education degree from Rowan University earn around $56,365 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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Teachers College At Columbia University came in at #19 for social studies education this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. There were roughly 36 social studies education students who graduated with this degree at Teachers College At Columbia University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social studies education program make about $82,636 in their early career.
More information about a degree in social studies education from Teachers College At Columbia University
Suny College At Cortland placed #20 among the best social studies education schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Cortland. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 31 social studies education degrees were awarded at Suny College At Cortland in the most recent year. Social Studies Education graduates of Suny College At Cortland earn a median of $50,309 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,837.
More information about a degree in social studies education from Suny College At Cortland
Temple University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best social studies education schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 22 social studies education students who graduated with this degree at Temple University in the most recent data year. Social Studies Education graduates of Temple University earn a median of $54,736 early in their careers. Temple University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
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University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best social studies education schools. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 social studies education degrees were awarded at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $47,572. Typical student debt for the program is $25,500.
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Ball State University placed #23 among the best social studies education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Muncie. About 62% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 20 social studies education students who graduated with this degree at Ball State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $49,745. Students borrow a median of $24,998 to complete this degree.
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University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #24 position for social studies education this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus awarded about 11 social studies education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $41,795. Students borrow a median of $26,176 to complete this degree.
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University Of Vermont ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best social studies education schools. University Of Vermont is a large public school located in the city of Burlington. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. There were roughly 11 social studies education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Vermont in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from University Of Vermont generally make around $41,099. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
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Rest of the Top 50 Social Studies Education Schools
These schools also placed among the best for social studies education this year:
Social Studies Education Related Rankings by Major
Social Studies Education is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 68 schools evaluated.
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).
