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2026 Best Value Social Studies Education Associate’s Degree Schools

[Social Studies Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/social-studies-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

College Factual analyzed 306 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value social studies education schools.

What’s on this page:

• Best Value Associate’s Degree Social Studies Education Schools
• Other Degree Levels

2026 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

1

Itawamba Community College
Fulton, MS

$3,420 In-State Tuition & Fees

$10,942 Avg Student Debt

$32,912 Median Earnings (10yr)

Itawamba Community College earned the #1 spot for value among social studies education schools in the United States. Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Fulton. In-state tuition and fees average $3,420, while out-of-state students pay about $5,820. Students borrow a median of $10,942 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $40,832. Set against $10,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Casper College
Casper, WY

$4,410 In-State Tuition & Fees

$12,598 Avg Student Debt

$40,935 Median Earnings (10yr)

A rank of #2 makes Casper College one of the best values for social studies education. Casper College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Casper. In-state tuition and fees average $4,410, with out-of-state students paying around $10,710. Students borrow a median of $12,598 to complete the social studies education program here. Social Studies Education graduates of Casper College earn a median of $49,729 early in their careers. Set against $12,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

Other Social Studies Education Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Social Studies Education rankings across degree levels:

View All Social Studies Education Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 306 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.