2027 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools in Michigan
[Social Studies Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/social-studies-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 18 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value social studies education schools.
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2027 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools in Michigan
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
Oakland University earned the #1 spot for value among social studies education schools in Michigan. 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. Social Studies Education graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $58,637 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in social studies education will find it at Ferris State University, which ranked #2. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $29,076. Social Studies Education graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $44,977 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,076 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Flint is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social studies education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,236, while out-of-state students pay about $27,790. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $43,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in social studies education will find it at University Of Michigan Dearborn, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $52,656 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in social studies education will find it at Saginaw Valley State University, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $28,550 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Saginaw Valley State University generally make around $50,012. Set against $28,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Michigan University came in at #6 for value in social studies education this year. Located in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,322 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social studies education program here. Social Studies Education graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $48,767 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Albion College placed #7 among the best values for social studies education. Set in the town of Albion, Albion College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,950. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $26,047 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Albion College earn a median of $43,301 early in their careers. Set against $26,047 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Albion College admits about 81% of applicants.
Western Michigan University earned the #8 position for value in social studies education this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Grand Valley State University earned the #9 position for value in social studies education this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Students borrow a median of $30,750 to complete the social studies education program here. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $50,179. That is a strong return on a $30,750 median debt. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University came in at #10 for value in social studies education this year. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $46,732. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University came in at #11 for value in social studies education this year. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the social studies education program here. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $52,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Madonna University came in at #12 for value in social studies education this year. Set in the city of Livonia, Madonna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,440. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $26,896 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Madonna University earn a median of $56,984 early in their careers. Set against $26,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Spring Arbor University earned the #13 position for value in social studies education this year. Set in the rural area of Spring Arbor, Spring Arbor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,014. Students borrow a median of $28,360 to complete the social studies education program here. Social Studies Education graduates of Spring Arbor University earn a median of $48,316 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,360 median debt. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Cornerstone University came in at #14 for value in social studies education this year. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,000. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the social studies education program here. Social Studies Education graduates of Cornerstone University earn a median of $42,515 early in their careers. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Calvin College landed the #15 spot for social studies education value this year. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,350 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $26,022. Social Studies Education graduates of Calvin College earn a median of $42,737 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Calvin College admits about 71% of applicants.
Adrian College earned the #16 position for value in social studies education this year. Adrian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Adrian. Students from in state pay about $41,684 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $30,994. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $42,118. Set against $30,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Hope College landed the #17 spot for social studies education value this year. Located in the city of Holland, Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,484 in tuition and fees. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $45,137. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Concordia University Ann Arbor ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value social studies education schools. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, Concordia University Ann Arbor is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,410 in tuition and fees. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Concordia University Ann Arbor generally make around $42,845. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
More Social Studies Education Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
