2027 Best Value Social Studies Education Bachelor’s Degree 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 171 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for social studies education students.
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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
Leading the list is Cuny Brooklyn College, our #1 best value for social studies education in the United States. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $13,178. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $46,233. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in social studies education will find it at Cuny Hunter College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $49,245. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Queens College one of the best values for social studies education. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $16,000. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $58,894. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for social studies education. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $15,275 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $47,572. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny College Of Staten Island earned it the #5 place for social studies education. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. 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 $41,942 early in their careers. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Old Westbury came in at #6 for value in social studies education this year. Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Old Westbury. In-state tuition and fees average $8,372, compared with $18,842 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $20,274. 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.
Oakland University earned the #7 position for value in social studies education this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $25,972. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $58,637. Set against $25,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #8 position for value in social studies education this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $26,000. Social Studies Education graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $47,755 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Georgia ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value social studies education schools. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $20,750. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $43,129. Set against $20,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #10 position for value in social studies education this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $44,923 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #11 for value in social studies education this year. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $13,680. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $42,094. Set against $13,680 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Wyoming landed the #12 spot for social studies education value this year. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $49,587. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Weber State University earned the #13 position for value in social studies education this year. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #14 among the best values for social studies education. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public school located in the city of Greensboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $43,033. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Indiana University Southeast earned the #15 position for value in social studies education this year. Located in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $23,981. Social Studies Education graduates of Indiana University Southeast earn a median of $43,463 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Rhode Island College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value social studies education schools. 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 studies education graduates is $29,659. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $45,088. Set against $29,659 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Northwest came in at #17 for value in social studies education this year. Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gary. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $26,434 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $48,925. That is a strong return on a $26,434 median debt. Indiana University Northwest admits about 73% of applicants.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #18 among the best values for social studies education. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $39,985. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana State University landed the #19 spot for social studies education value this year. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $45,862. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Eastern Washington University earned the #20 position for value in social studies education this year. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,586, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $23,009. Social Studies Education graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $41,914 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,009 median debt. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
Suny College At Buffalo placed #21 among the best values for social studies education. Set in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,533, compared with $19,653 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $25,000. Social Studies Education graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $34,646 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Ferris State University landed the #22 spot for social studies education value this year. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $29,076 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $44,977. That is a strong return on a $29,076 median debt. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Western Carolina University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value social studies education schools. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,630, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $41,444. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Northwestern Oklahoma State University placed #24 among the best values for social studies education. Located in the town of Alva, Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,970, while out-of-state students pay about $11,664. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $21,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Northwestern Oklahoma State University generally make around $44,406. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University earned the #25 position for value in social studies education this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Students borrow a median of $24,998 to complete the social studies education program here. Social Studies Education graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $46,347 early in their careers. Set against $24,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for social studies education this year:
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
The ranking above is published 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 · 171 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 171 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.
