2027 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools in Indiana
[Social Studies Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/social-studies-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools to find the best return on investment for social studies education students.
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2027 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools in Indiana
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
Leading the list is Indiana University Northwest, our #1 best value for social studies education in Indiana. Located in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $26,434 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Northwest admits about 73% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Ivy Tech Community College one of the best values for social studies education. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Students borrow a median of $11,889 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $40,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University Southeast is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social studies education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,981 to complete the social studies education program here. Social Studies Education graduates of Indiana University Southeast earn a median of $43,463 early in their careers. Set against $23,981 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Southeast admits about 84% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value social studies education schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $44,923. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value social studies education schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the social studies education program here. 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. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana State University landed the #6 spot for social studies education value this year. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $27,000. Social Studies Education graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $45,862 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Indiana University South Bend placed #7 among the best values for social studies education. Located in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $26,498 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Indiana University South Bend generally make around $43,058. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Ball State University came in at #8 for value in social studies education this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $49,745. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington placed #9 among the best values for social studies education. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $52,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
Bethel College Mishawaka ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value social studies education schools. Set in the city of Mishawaka, Bethel College Mishawaka is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,600. Students borrow a median of $31,824 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $47,387. That is a strong return on a $31,824 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Grace College And Theological Seminary landed the #11 spot for social studies education value this year. Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona Lake. In-state tuition and fees average $29,645. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $21,211 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $42,188. Set against $21,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grace College And Theological Seminary admits about 82% of applicants.
Taylor University earned the #12 position for value in social studies education this year. Located in the rural area of Upland, Taylor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,490. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the social studies education program here. Social Studies Education graduates of Taylor University earn a median of $44,028 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Anderson University Indiana came in at #13 for value in social studies education this year. Located in the city of Anderson, Anderson University Indiana is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,240. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $29,137 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Anderson University Indiana earn a median of $46,637 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,137 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Trine University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value social studies education schools. Set in the town of Angola, Trine University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,560. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $25,765 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $54,881. That is a strong return on a $25,765 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
More Social Studies Education Rankings
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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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
