2027 Best Value Social Science Teacher Education Schools

[Social Science Teacher Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/social-science-teacher-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong social science teacher education education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 82 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value social science teacher education schools.
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Finding the Best Value Social Science Teacher Education School for You
The social science teacher education program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Social Science Teacher Education Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Learn more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Social Science Teacher 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.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
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2027 Best Value Social Science Teacher Education Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social science teacher education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Social Science Teacher Education Schools
For return on investment in social science teacher education, no school beat Cuny Queens College this year. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Typical student debt for social science teacher education graduates is $16,000. Social Science Teacher Education graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $41,847 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social science teacher education, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social science teacher education graduates is $20,375. Social Science Teacher Education graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $51,543 early in their careers. Set against $20,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Florida State University one of the best values for social science teacher education. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Social Science Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Social Science Teacher Education graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $54,079 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Florida Atlantic University one of the best values for social science teacher education. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for social science teacher education graduates is $27,516. Social Science Teacher Education graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $53,524 early in their careers. Set against $27,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Utah University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value social science teacher education schools. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Social Science Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social science teacher education degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $45,042. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
Saint Xavier University landed the #6 spot for social science teacher education value this year. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $38,945 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social science teacher education graduates is $27,194. Early-career social science teacher education graduates make about $46,835. Set against $27,194 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Weber State University earned the #7 position for value in social science teacher education this year. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Students borrow a median of $26,767 to complete the social science teacher education program here. Early-career social science teacher education graduates make about $53,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rhode Island College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value social science teacher education schools. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,300, with out-of-state students paying around $27,299. Social Science Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $29,659 in student loans. Early-career social science teacher education graduates make about $51,124. Set against $29,659 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rhode Island College admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #9 for value in social science teacher education this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Social Science Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social science teacher education degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Ferris State University came in at #10 for value in social science teacher education this year. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Social Science Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $29,076 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social science teacher education degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $54,608. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Western Governors University came in at #11 for value in social science teacher education this year. Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,658. Social Science Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $25,145 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social science teacher education degree recipients from Western Governors University generally make around $74,771. That is a strong return on a $25,145 median debt.
Valley City State University earned the #12 position for value in social science teacher education this year. Valley City State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Valley City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,580, with out-of-state students paying around $13,544. Typical student debt for social science teacher education graduates is $24,394. Early-career social science teacher education graduates make about $48,241. That is a strong return on a $24,394 median debt. Valley City State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Saginaw Valley State University placed #13 among the best values for social science teacher education. Set in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Social Science Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $28,550 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social science teacher education degree recipients from Saginaw Valley State University generally make around $50,021. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value social science teacher education schools. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Students borrow a median of $21,182 to complete the social science teacher education program here. Early-career social science teacher education graduates make about $46,566. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of North Georgia came in at #15 for value in social science teacher education this year. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,444 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Typical student debt for social science teacher education graduates is $21,439. Social Science Teacher Education graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $42,102 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,439 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Chadron State College earned the #16 position for value in social science teacher education this year. Located in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,294. Social Science Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $24,943 in student loans. Social Science Teacher Education graduates of Chadron State College earn a median of $46,824 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,943 median debt.
Mayville State University placed #17 among the best values for social science teacher education. Mayville State University is a small public school located in the rural area of Mayville. Students from in state pay about $7,979 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,237 for out-of-state students. Social Science Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $27,464 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social science teacher education degree recipients from Mayville State University generally make around $47,650. Set against $27,464 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Worcester State University came in at #18 for value in social science teacher education this year. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,786, with out-of-state students paying around $17,866. Students borrow a median of $24,451 to complete the social science teacher education program here. Social Science Teacher Education graduates of Worcester State University earn a median of $45,297 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,451 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University came in at #19 for value in social science teacher education this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,785, compared with $17,725 for out-of-state students. Social Science Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $26,824 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social science teacher education degree recipients from Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University generally make around $38,719. That is a strong return on a $26,824 median debt. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.
Peru State College landed the #20 spot for social science teacher education value this year. Set in the rural area of Peru, Peru State College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,433. Typical student debt for social science teacher education graduates is $26,254. Soon after graduation, social science teacher education degree recipients from Peru State College generally make around $40,993. That is a strong return on a $26,254 median debt.
Arkansas State University Main Campus landed the #21 spot for social science teacher education value this year. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Social Science Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $25,134 in student loans. Early-career social science teacher education graduates make about $45,716. That is a strong return on a $25,134 median debt. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
Truman State University placed #22 among the best values for social science teacher education. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,838, while out-of-state students pay about $18,566. Students borrow a median of $23,168 to complete the social science teacher education program here. Early-career social science teacher education graduates make about $39,321. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Minot State University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value social science teacher education schools. Set in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,702. Students borrow a median of $28,324 to complete the social science teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, social science teacher education degree recipients from Minot State University generally make around $44,973. That is a strong return on a $28,324 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
William Carey University landed the #24 spot for social science teacher education value this year. William Carey University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Hattiesburg. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Typical student debt for social science teacher education graduates is $25,524. Early-career social science teacher education graduates make about $46,292. That is a strong return on a $25,524 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Fitchburg State University placed #25 among the best values for social science teacher education. Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fitchburg. In-state tuition and fees average $11,346, while out-of-state students pay about $17,426. Social Science Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $25,840 in student loans. Social Science Teacher Education graduates of Fitchburg State University earn a median of $48,965 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fitchburg State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Social Science Teacher Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s social science teacher education value ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 82 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 82 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.