2027 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools
[Social Studies Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/social-studies-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong social studies education education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 215 schools to find the best return on investment for social studies education students.
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Finding the Best Value Social Studies Education School for You
Where you study social studies education affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Social Studies Education Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
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2027 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social studies education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Social Studies Education Schools
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2027 list of the best value social studies education schools in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the social studies education program here. Social Studies Education graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $61,604 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value social studies education schools. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $13,178 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $61,164. That is a strong return on a $13,178 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social studies education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $67,212 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value social studies education schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $73,336. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value social studies education schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $15,275 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $51,476 early in their careers. Set against $15,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Lehman College landed the #6 spot for social studies education value this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $13,213. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $90,725. That is a strong return on a $13,213 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #7 for value in social studies education this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $59,182 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Itawamba Community College earned the #8 position for value in social studies education this year. Located in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,420, with out-of-state students paying around $5,820. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $10,942 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Itawamba Community College generally make around $40,832. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #9 for value in social studies education this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the social studies education program here. Social Studies Education graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $71,315 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Old Westbury landed the #10 spot for social studies education value this year. Located in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,372, while out-of-state students pay about $18,842. Students borrow a median of $20,274 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $65,441. Set against $20,274 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Casper College came in at #11 for value in social studies education this year. Set in the city of Casper, Casper College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,710. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $12,598 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Casper College earn a median of $49,729 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,598 median debt.
Oakland University came in at #12 for value in social studies education this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $58,637. Set against $25,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #13 position for value in social studies education this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $47,755. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #14 among the best values for social studies education. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $44,923. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #15 for value in social studies education this year. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $13,680. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $42,094. That is a strong return on a $13,680 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wyoming placed #16 among the best values for social studies education. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $18,500. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $49,587. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
Weber State University earned the #17 position for value in social studies education this year. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,767 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $50,600. That is a strong return on a $26,767 median debt.
University Of Georgia earned the #18 position for value in social studies education this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete the social studies education program here. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $61,081. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Indiana University Southeast came in at #19 for value in social studies education this year. Set in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $23,981 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $43,463. Set against $23,981 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Southeast admits about 84% of applicants.
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #20 for value in social studies education this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $11,889. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $40,734. Set against $11,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Worcester State University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value social studies education schools. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,786, compared with $17,866 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,451 to complete the social studies education program here. Social Studies Education graduates of Worcester State University earn a median of $45,297 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #22 spot for social studies education value this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $26,000. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $43,033. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Rhode Island College placed #23 among the best values for social studies education. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. In-state tuition and fees average $11,300, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $29,659 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Rhode Island College generally make around $45,088. Set against $29,659 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Northwest landed the #24 spot for social studies education value this year. Set in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $26,434. Social Studies Education graduates of Indiana University Northwest earn a median of $48,925 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #25 among the best values for social studies education. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $21,000. Social Studies Education graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $39,985 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in social studies education:
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Social Studies Education. Browse the parent area of study.
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 215 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 215 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.
