2027 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[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.
College Factual analyzed 59 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value social studies education schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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
For return on investment in social studies education, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Social Studies Education graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $61,604 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value social studies education schools. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in social studies education will find it at Cuny Queens College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $16,000. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $67,212. Set against $16,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. 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. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $13,389. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $73,336. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #5 place for social studies education. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. 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 $90,725. 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 earned the #6 position for value in social studies education this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
Suny College At Old Westbury placed #7 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, while out-of-state students pay about $18,842. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $20,274. Social Studies Education graduates of Suny College At Old Westbury earn a median of $65,441 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Old Westbury admits about 84% of applicants.
Mercy College landed the #8 spot for social studies education value this year. Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,880. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $28,304. Social Studies Education graduates of Mercy College earn a median of $72,491 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,304 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Delaware placed #9 among the best values for social studies education. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. 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 $54,155. That is a strong return on a $26,298 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Holy Family University placed #10 among the best values for social studies education. 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. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $26,562 in student loans. 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. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Oswego came in at #11 for value in social studies education this year. Located in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,825, with out-of-state students paying around $18,735. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $24,452 in student loans. 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. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Buffalo came in at #12 for value in social studies education this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,533, compared with $19,653 for out-of-state students. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $43,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.
Suny College At Potsdam earned the #13 position for value in social studies education this year. Set in the town of Potsdam, Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,768 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,678. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $27,000. Social Studies Education graduates of Suny College At Potsdam earn a median of $47,071 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Suny At Albany earned the #14 position for value in social studies education this year. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. Students from in state pay about $10,601 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $23,521. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $54,318. Set against $23,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Fredonia ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value social studies education schools. Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fredonia. Students from in state pay about $8,831 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,771. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $27,000. Social Studies Education graduates of Suny At Fredonia earn a median of $41,456 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Brockport came in at #16 for value in social studies education this year. Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Brockport. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,752, compared with $15,822 for out-of-state students. 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. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Stony Brook University came in at #17 for value in social studies education this year. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Students from in state pay about $10,931 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $20,537. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $64,011. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Niagara University earned the #18 position for value in social studies education this year. Located in the suburb of Niagara University, Niagara University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,345. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $26,208. Social Studies Education graduates of Niagara University earn a median of $45,836 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Suny At Geneseo placed #19 among the best values for social studies education. Set in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,999, compared with $19,569 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $23,000. Social Studies Education graduates of Suny At Geneseo earn a median of $42,778 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
State University Of New York At New Paltz landed the #20 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,822. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $24,293. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from State University Of New York At New Paltz generally make around $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.
York College Pennsylvania ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value social studies education schools. Set in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,588. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from York College Pennsylvania generally make around $48,624. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Pennsylvania Western University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value social studies education schools. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,436, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $28,263 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $45,448. That is a strong return on a $28,263 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Suny College At Oneonta ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value social studies education schools. Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oneonta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,831, compared with $19,781 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $19,032. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $46,329. Set against $19,032 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Josephs College New York came in at #24 for value in social studies education this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Saint Josephs College New York is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $36,550. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $26,944 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Saint Josephs College New York earn a median of $53,041 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,944 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Utica College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value social studies education schools. Set in the city of Utica, Utica College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $26,930. Students borrow a median of $27,237 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $53,602. That is a strong return on a $27,237 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in social studies education:
Narrow Social Studies Education Schools by State
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 · 59 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 59 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.
