2027 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 55 schools to find the best return on investment for social studies education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the social studies education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Social Studies Education Schools
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #1 spot for value among social studies education schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Oakland University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value social studies education schools. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $25,972. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $58,637. That is a strong return on a $25,972 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
A rank of #3 makes Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis one of the best values for social studies education. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value social studies education schools. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $11,889 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $40,734 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,889 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Indiana University Southeast one of the best values for social studies education. 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, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,981 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $43,463. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Southeast admits about 84% of applicants.
Indiana University Northwest ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value social studies education schools. Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gary. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Students borrow a median of $26,434 to complete the social studies education program here. 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.
Ferris State University placed #7 among the best values for social studies education. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Students borrow a median of $29,076 to complete the social studies education program here. 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.
Indiana State University earned the #8 position for value in social studies education this year. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. 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. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of St Francis landed the #9 spot for social studies education value this year. University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Joliet. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,110. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $25,695. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from University Of St Francis generally make around $59,586. Set against $25,695 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University South Bend came in at #10 for value in social studies education this year. Set in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $26,498 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Indiana University South Bend earn a median of $43,058 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,498 median debt. Indiana University South Bend admits about 84% of applicants.
Saginaw Valley State University landed the #11 spot for social studies education value this year. Set in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,930, with out-of-state students paying around $30,450. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $28,550. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $50,012. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Michigan Flint landed the #12 spot for social studies education value this year. Set in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,236, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the social studies education program here. Social Studies Education graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $43,077 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University came in at #13 for value in social studies education this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Students borrow a median of $24,998 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $49,745. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Dearborn earned the #14 position for value in social studies education this year. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $31,000. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $52,656. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
Albion College came in at #15 for value in social studies education this year. Albion College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Albion. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,950. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $26,047 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $43,301. Set against $26,047 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Albion College admits about 81% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value social studies education schools. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the social studies education program here. Social Studies Education graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $52,123 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Michigan University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value social studies education schools. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,322 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Northern Michigan University generally make around $48,767. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Michigan University admits about 84% of applicants.
Youngstown State University came in at #18 for value in social studies education this year. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $26,751. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $33,398. That is a strong return on a $26,751 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus landed the #19 spot for social studies education value this year. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $27,000. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $39,613. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University landed the #20 spot for social studies education value this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $48,382. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #21 spot for social studies education value this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the social studies education program here. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $49,282. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Cleveland State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value social studies education schools. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $26,336. Social Studies Education graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $51,122 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse landed the #23 spot for social studies education value this year. Set in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,070, while out-of-state students pay about $19,517. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse generally make around $50,002. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire landed the #24 spot for social studies education value this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,642 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,228 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,225 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $43,242. That is a strong return on a $25,225 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Grand Valley State University placed #25 among the best values for social studies education. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $30,750. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $50,179. Set against $30,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for social studies education this year:
Narrow Social Studies Education Schools by State
More Social Studies Education Rankings
View All Social Studies Education Rankings >
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 · 55 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 55 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.
