2027 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools in Ohio
[Social Studies Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/social-studies-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong social studies education education at a price that pays off.
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 Ohio
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social studies education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Social Studies Education Schools
Our analysis ranked Youngstown State University the best value for a degree in social studies education in Ohio. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $26,751. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $33,398. That is a strong return on a $26,751 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in social studies education will find it at Ohio State University Main Campus, which ranked #2. 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, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. 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. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value social studies education schools. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, 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. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Students looking for strong value in social studies education will find it at Cleveland State University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $26,336 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $51,122. That is a strong return on a $26,336 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Walsh University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social studies education, landing the #5 spot this year. Walsh University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of North Canton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,030. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $27,000. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $38,609. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Kent State University At Kent came in at #6 for value in social studies education this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $47,727. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Ashland University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value social studies education schools. Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ashland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,210. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Ashland University generally make around $44,979. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ashland University admits about 76% of applicants.
Capital University landed the #8 spot for social studies education value this year. Located in the suburb of Columbus, Capital University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $43,234. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Capital University generally make around $32,597. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University placed #9 among the best values for social studies education. Set in the town of Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,193. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Mount Vernon Nazarene University generally make around $32,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mount Vernon Nazarene University admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Rio Grande ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value social studies education schools. Set in the rural area of Rio Grande, University Of Rio Grande is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,560. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $27,044 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from University Of Rio Grande generally make around $46,611. Set against $27,044 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cedarville University came in at #11 for value in social studies education this year. Set in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,150. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $38,378. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. Cedarville University admits about 65% of applicants.
The University Of Findlay came in at #12 for value in social studies education this year. Set in the town of Findlay, The University Of Findlay is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,164. Students borrow a median of $25,759 to complete the social studies education program here. Social Studies Education graduates of The University Of Findlay earn a median of $57,676 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Baldwin Wallace College placed #13 among the best values for social studies education. Set in the suburb of Berea, Baldwin Wallace College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,832 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $27,000. Social Studies Education graduates of Baldwin Wallace College earn a median of $46,668 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Miami University Oxford earned the #14 position for value in social studies education this year. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,519 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,965. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $24,560. Social Studies Education graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $46,681 early in their careers. Set against $24,560 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
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.
