2027 Best Value Social Science Teacher Education Schools in Illinois
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 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 Illinois
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
Saint Xavier University tops our 2027 list of the best value social science teacher education schools in Illinois. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,945. Social Science Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $27,194 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social science teacher education degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $46,835. That is a strong return on a $27,194 median debt. Saint Xavier University admits about 84% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Southern Illinois University Carbondale one of the best values for social science teacher education. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Students borrow a median of $21,182 to complete the social science teacher education program here. Social Science Teacher Education graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $46,566 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Concordia University Chicago one of the best values for social science teacher education. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,488. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social science teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, social science teacher education degree recipients from Concordia University Chicago generally make around $51,796. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Concordia University Chicago admits about 93% of applicants.
Olivet Nazarene University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social science teacher education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,900. Typical student debt for social science teacher education graduates is $27,000. Early-career social science teacher education graduates make about $51,475. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in social science teacher education will find it at Millikin University, which ranked #5. Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Decatur. Students from in state pay about $26,792 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social science teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, social science teacher education degree recipients from Millikin University generally make around $43,936. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Elmhurst College placed #6 among the best values for social science teacher education. Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elmhurst. In-state tuition and fees average $42,955. Typical student debt for social science teacher education graduates is $27,000. Social Science Teacher Education graduates of Elmhurst College earn a median of $46,789 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University came in at #7 for value in social science teacher education this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,405 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social science teacher education graduates is $26,910. Soon after graduation, social science teacher education degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $52,130. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
More Social Science Teacher Education Rankings
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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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
