2027 Best Value Social Science Teacher Education Bachelor’s Degree 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 73 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for social science teacher education students.
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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
Leading the list is Cuny Queens College, our #1 best value for social science teacher education in the United States. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $16,000 to complete the social science teacher education program here. Social Science Teacher Education graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $41,847 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,000 median debt. 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. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, 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 $47,698 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,375 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Florida State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social science teacher education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Social Science Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early-career social science teacher education graduates make about $50,610. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida Atlantic University earned it the #4 place for social science teacher education. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Social Science Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $27,516 in student loans. Early-career social science teacher education graduates make about $53,524. That is a strong return on a $27,516 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Southern Utah University one of the best values for social science teacher education. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Social Science Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Early-career social science teacher education graduates make about $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. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,945 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,194 to complete the social science teacher education program here. Social Science Teacher Education graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $46,835 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,194 median debt. Saint Xavier University admits about 84% of applicants.
Weber State University came in at #7 for value in social science teacher education this year. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Typical student debt for social science teacher education graduates is $26,767. Early-career social science teacher education graduates make about $53,920. That is a strong return on a $26,767 median debt.
Rhode Island College landed the #8 spot for social science teacher education value this year. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,300 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. Typical student debt for social science teacher education graduates is $29,659. Social Science Teacher Education graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $44,789 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Ferris State University earned the #9 position for value in social science teacher education this year. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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.
Valley City State University landed the #10 spot for social science teacher education value this year. Valley City State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Valley City. Students from in state pay about $8,580 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,544. Typical student debt for social science teacher education graduates is $26,041. Early-career social science teacher education graduates make about $48,241. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Saginaw Valley State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value social science teacher education schools. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Typical student debt for social science teacher education graduates is $28,550. Early-career social science teacher education graduates make about $43,585. Set against $28,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #12 for value in social science teacher education this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Typical student debt for social science teacher education graduates is $21,182. 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.
Chadron State College placed #13 among the best values for social science teacher education. Chadron State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Chadron. In-state tuition and fees average $8,294. Students borrow a median of $24,943 to complete the social science teacher education program here. Early-career social science teacher education graduates make about $46,824. That is a strong return on a $24,943 median debt.
Mayville State University earned the #14 position for value in social science teacher education this year. Set in the rural area of Mayville, Mayville State University is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,979, 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.
Western Governors University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value social science teacher education schools. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,658. Students borrow a median of $25,145 to complete the social science teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, social science teacher education degree recipients from Western Governors University generally make around $74,771. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arkansas State University Main Campus came in at #16 for value in social science teacher education this year. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. Students from in state pay about $8,090 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,522 for out-of-state students. Social Science Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $25,134 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social science teacher education degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $41,530. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University earned the #17 position for value in social science teacher education this year. Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $5,785 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,725. Typical student debt for social science teacher education graduates is $26,824. Early-career social science teacher education graduates make about $38,719. That is a strong return on a $26,824 median debt. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.
Peru State College placed #18 among the best values for social science teacher education. Located in the rural area of Peru, Peru State College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $8,433 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,254 to complete the social science teacher education program here. Early-career social science teacher education graduates make about $40,993. That is a strong return on a $26,254 median debt.
William Carey University came in at #19 for value in social science teacher education this year. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, William Carey University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. William Carey University admits about 60% of applicants.
Minot State University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value social science teacher education schools. Minot State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Minot. Students from in state pay about $8,702 in tuition and fees. Social Science Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $28,324 in student loans. Social Science Teacher Education graduates of Minot State University earn a median of $44,973 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,324 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Youngstown State University placed #21 among the best values for social science teacher education. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Students borrow a median of $26,751 to complete the social science teacher education program here. Social Science Teacher Education graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $49,025 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Delaware State University earned the #22 position for value in social science teacher education this year. Delaware State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dover. Students from in state pay about $10,670 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,634. Social Science Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $26,333 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social science teacher education degree recipients from Delaware State University generally make around $41,572. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 47%.
Dickinson State University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value social science teacher education schools. Set in the town of Dickinson, Dickinson State University is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,118 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,266 to complete the social science teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, social science teacher education degree recipients from Dickinson State University generally make around $44,841. Set against $27,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 37%.
Fitchburg State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value social science teacher education schools. Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fitchburg. Students from in state pay about $11,346 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $25,840 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Columbus State University came in at #25 for value in social science teacher education this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,898, while out-of-state students pay about $17,610. Social Science Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $28,040 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social science teacher education degree recipients from Columbus State University generally make around $51,154. Set against $28,040 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
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:
Other Social Science Teacher Education Degree Levels
Explore the best-value social science teacher education schools at other degree levels:
View All Social Science Teacher Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 73 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 73 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.
