2027 Best Value Social Science Teacher Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Social Science Teacher Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/social-science-teacher-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong social science teacher education education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 22 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 The Plains States Region
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
Mayville State University tops our 2027 list of the best value social science teacher education schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the rural area of Mayville, Mayville State University is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,979, compared with $11,237 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,464 to complete the social science teacher education program here. Social Science Teacher Education graduates of Mayville State University earn a median of $47,650 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Valley City State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value social science teacher education schools. Located in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,580 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,544. Typical student debt for social science teacher education graduates is $24,394. Social Science Teacher Education graduates of Valley City State University earn a median of $48,241 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Chadron State College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value social science teacher education schools. Chadron State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Chadron. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Peru State College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value social science teacher education schools. Set in the rural area of Peru, Peru State College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,433. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Truman State University earned it the #5 place for social science teacher education. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,838, while out-of-state students pay about $18,566. Social Science Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $23,168 in student loans. Social Science Teacher Education graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $39,321 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,168 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Minot State University landed the #6 spot for social science teacher education value this year. 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. Typical student debt for social science teacher education graduates is $28,324. 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%.
Dickinson State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value social science teacher education schools. Located in the town of Dickinson, Dickinson State University is a small public university. 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. Social Science Teacher Education graduates of Dickinson State University earn a median of $44,841 early in their careers. Set against $27,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dickinson State University admits about 37% of applicants.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #8 for value in social science teacher education this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Typical student debt for social science teacher education graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, social science teacher education degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $52,307. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State College placed #9 among the best values for social science teacher education. Set in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,171 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,957 to complete the social science teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, social science teacher education degree recipients from Wayne State College generally make around $42,589. That is a strong return on a $25,957 median debt.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #10 position for value in social science teacher education this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the social science teacher education program here. Social Science Teacher Education graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $45,786 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
Northwest Missouri State University placed #11 among the best values for social science teacher education. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. In-state tuition and fees average $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $26,221 to complete the social science teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, social science teacher education degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $38,832. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Black Hills State University came in at #12 for value in social science teacher education this year. Set in the town of Spearfish, Black Hills State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,916 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,018. Students borrow a median of $26,820 to complete the social science teacher education program here. Social Science Teacher Education graduates of Black Hills State University earn a median of $42,789 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,820 median debt. Black Hills State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Winona State University earned the #13 position for value in social science teacher education this year. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,576, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,762 to complete the social science teacher education program here. Social Science Teacher Education graduates of Winona State University earn a median of $44,002 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mary earned the #14 position for value in social science teacher education this year. Located in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,356. Social Science Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $27,399 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social science teacher education degree recipients from University Of Mary generally make around $43,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Nebraska Wesleyan University came in at #15 for value in social science teacher education this year. Nebraska Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lincoln. In-state tuition and fees average $43,572. Typical student debt for social science teacher education graduates is $27,667. Social Science Teacher Education graduates of Nebraska Wesleyan University earn a median of $52,199 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,667 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Buena Vista University landed the #16 spot for social science teacher education value this year. Located in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $41,798 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social science teacher education graduates is $29,008. Early-career social science teacher education graduates make about $44,551. That is a strong return on a $29,008 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Evangel University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value social science teacher education schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,548. Social Science Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $30,175 in student loans. Social Science Teacher Education graduates of Evangel University earn a median of $34,872 early in their careers. Set against $30,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Upper Iowa University earned the #18 position for value in social science teacher education this year. Located in the rural area of Fayette, Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $19,475. Social Science Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social science teacher education degree recipients from Upper Iowa University generally make around $50,705. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Southwest Baptist University placed #19 among the best values for social science teacher education. Located in the town of Bolivar, Southwest Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $30,566. Typical student debt for social science teacher education graduates is $25,762. Soon after graduation, social science teacher education degree recipients from Southwest Baptist University generally make around $35,507. That is a strong return on a $25,762 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences came in at #20 for value in social science teacher education this year. Located in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,620. Students borrow a median of $24,633 to complete the social science teacher education program here. Social Science Teacher Education graduates of Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences earn a median of $47,538 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,633 median debt. Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences admits about 57% of applicants.
Saint Ambrose University earned the #21 position for value in social science teacher education this year. Located in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,658. Typical student debt for social science teacher education graduates is $27,528. Early-career social science teacher education graduates make about $57,252. Set against $27,528 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Bethany College Kansas placed #22 among the best values for social science teacher education. Set in the rural area of Lindsborg, Bethany College Kansas is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,000. Students borrow a median of $24,438 to complete the social science teacher education program here. Early-career social science teacher education graduates make about $29,106. That is a strong return on a $24,438 median debt. Bethany College Kansas admits about 56% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
