2026 Best Value Social Studies Education Master’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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong social studies education education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 306 schools to find the best return on investment for social studies education students.
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2026 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
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $12,000. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $73,962. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #2 place for social studies education. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $13,178 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $76,095 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,178 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #3 place for social studies education. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $75,530. That is a strong return on a $16,000 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #4 place for social studies education. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $73,336. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
University Of Florida came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $15,275. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $55,380. That is a strong return on a $15,275 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Cuny Lehman College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $80,081. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #7 spot for social studies education value this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. 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 $76,422 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the social studies education program here. Social Studies Education graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $71,315 early in their careers. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Suny College At Old Westbury earned the #9 position for value in social studies education this year. Located in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,372 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,842. Students borrow a median of $20,274 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $65,441. Set against $20,274 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Georgia earned the #10 position for value in social studies education this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $20,750. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $56,374. That is a strong return on a $20,750 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Utah State University came in at #11 for value in social studies education this year. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,757 to complete the social studies education program here. Social Studies Education graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $64,232 early in their careers. Set against $14,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Washington University landed the #12 spot for social studies education value this year. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a 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 $47,144 early in their careers. Set against $23,009 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Holy Family University landed the #13 spot for social studies education value this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,330. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $26,562. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Holy Family University generally make around $59,355. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #14 for value in social studies education this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $43,033. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
Rhode Island College earned the #15 position for value in social studies education this year. Located in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,300, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $29,659 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $57,458 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rhode Island College admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of The Cumberlands earned the #16 position for value in social studies education this year. University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamsburg. Students from in state pay about $9,875 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $22,868. Social Studies Education graduates of University Of The Cumberlands earn a median of $50,547 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,868 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington earned the #17 position for value in social studies education this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $52,123 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Mercy College came in at #18 for value in social studies education this year. Set in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $22,880. Students borrow a median of $28,304 to complete the social studies education program here. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Mercy College generally make around $72,491. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mercy College admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke came in at #19 for value in social studies education this year. Set in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,648, with out-of-state students paying around $7,648. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $26,660. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke generally make around $47,741. Set against $26,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke admits about 93% of applicants.
Oakland University placed #20 among the best values for social studies education. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans. 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.
Ball State University placed #21 among the best values for social studies education. 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, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $24,998 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $53,142 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,998 median debt. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Emporia State University came in at #22 for value in social studies education this year. Located in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,106 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,419 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Emporia State University generally make around $61,434. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Northeastern State University landed the #23 spot for social studies education value this year. Located in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,290 for out-of-state students. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $51,005. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Buffalo landed the #24 spot for social studies education value this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,533, compared with $19,653 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the social studies education program here. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $39,412. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
North Dakota State University Main Campus placed #25 among the best values for social studies education. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Students borrow a median of $25,485 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $46,970. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in social studies education:
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), 2026 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 · 306 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
