2026 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Social Studies Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/social-studies-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 79 schools to find the best return on investment for social studies education students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social studies education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Social Studies Education Schools
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for social studies education in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $61,604. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for social studies education. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $13,178 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $61,164. Set against $13,178 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. 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. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Students borrow a median of $16,000 to complete the social studies education program here. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $67,212. That is a strong return on a $16,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social studies education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $13,389. Social Studies Education graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $73,336 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social studies education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,213 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $90,725. That is a strong return on a $13,213 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #6 position for value in social studies education this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $57,901. That is a strong return on a $20,836 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #7 among the best values for social studies education. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $14,688. Social Studies Education graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $59,182 early in their careers. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Suny College At Old Westbury placed #8 among the best values for social studies education. Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Old Westbury. Students from in state pay about $8,372 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,842 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,274 to complete the social studies education program here. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Suny College At Old Westbury generally make around $65,441. That is a strong return on a $20,274 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Holy Family University came in at #9 for value in social studies education this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,330 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,562 to complete the social studies education program here. Social Studies Education graduates of Holy Family University earn a median of $59,355 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
University Of Delaware came in at #10 for value in social studies education this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $26,298 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $49,041. That is a strong return on a $26,298 median debt. University Of Delaware admits about 71% of applicants.
Mercy College placed #11 among the best values for social studies education. Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry. Students from in state pay about $22,880 in tuition and fees. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $28,304 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $72,491. That is a strong return on a $28,304 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Stony Brook University earned the #12 position for value in social studies education this year. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $20,537 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $64,011 early in their careers. Set against $20,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Suny College At Potsdam landed the #13 spot for social studies education value this year. Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Potsdam. Students from in state pay about $8,768 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,678. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $27,000. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $47,071. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Oswego placed #14 among the best values for social studies education. Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oswego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,825, compared with $18,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $24,452. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Suny College At Oswego generally make around $49,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Oswego admits about 80% of applicants.
Suny College At Buffalo landed the #15 spot for social studies education value this year. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,533, with out-of-state students paying around $19,653. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $43,844. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Brockport earned the #16 position for value in social studies education this year. Located in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,752, with out-of-state students paying around $15,822. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Suny College At Brockport generally make around $44,431. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
State University Of New York At New Paltz landed the #17 spot for social studies education value this year. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of New Paltz. In-state tuition and fees average $8,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,822. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $24,293. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $51,668. That is a strong return on a $24,293 median debt. State University Of New York At New Paltz admits about 62% of applicants.
Suny At Fredonia ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. Located in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,831, while out-of-state students pay about $19,771. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $27,000. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $41,456. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Saint Josephs College New York ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. Saint Josephs College New York is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $36,550 in tuition and fees. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $26,944 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Saint Josephs College New York generally make around $53,041. Set against $26,944 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Geneseo landed the #20 spot for social studies education value this year. Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Geneseo. Students from in state pay about $8,999 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,569 for out-of-state students. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Suny At Geneseo earn a median of $42,778 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Oneonta ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. Located in the town of Oneonta, Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,831, while out-of-state students pay about $19,781. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $19,032. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Suny College At Oneonta generally make around $46,329. Set against $19,032 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Suny At Albany came in at #22 for value in social studies education this year. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,601, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $23,521. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $54,318. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Niagara University placed #23 among the best values for social studies education. Set in the suburb of Niagara University, Niagara University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,345. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $26,208 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Niagara University generally make around $45,836. That is a strong return on a $26,208 median debt. Niagara University admits about 87% of applicants.
Pennsylvania Western University placed #24 among the best values for social studies education. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,436, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,295 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
Suny College At Cortland landed the #25 spot for social studies education value this year. Set in the town of Cortland, Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,874, while out-of-state students pay about $18,784. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $25,837 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Suny College At Cortland earn a median of $50,309 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Cortland admits about 60% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for social studies education this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 79 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 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.
