2026 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools in New York
[Social Studies Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/social-studies-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 47 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value social studies education schools.
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2026 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools in New York
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 Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in social studies education in New York. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $61,604. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social studies education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $13,178. Social Studies Education graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $61,164 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. 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%.
Students looking for strong value in social studies education will find it at Cuny City College, which ranked #4. 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. 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. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Students looking for strong value in social studies education will find it at Cuny Lehman College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $13,213. Social Studies Education graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $90,725 early in their careers. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #6 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $14,688. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $59,182. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Old Westbury landed the #7 spot for social studies education value this year. Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Old Westbury. In-state tuition and fees average $8,372, with out-of-state students paying around $18,842. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $20,274 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Suny College At Old Westbury generally make around $65,441. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Mercy College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. Located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $22,880 in tuition and fees. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Buffalo landed the #9 spot for social studies education value this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public institution. 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. Social Studies Education graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $43,844 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.
Suny College At Potsdam placed #10 among the best values for social studies education. Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Potsdam. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,768, while out-of-state students pay about $18,678. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Suny College At Potsdam earn a median of $47,071 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Potsdam admits about 78% of applicants.
Suny College At Oswego earned the #11 position for value in social studies education this year. Located in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,825, while out-of-state students pay about $18,735. 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. That is a strong return on a $24,452 median debt. Suny College At Oswego admits about 80% of applicants.
Suny At Fredonia landed the #12 spot for social studies education value this year. Set in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,831, compared with $19,771 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Brockport came in at #13 for value in social studies education this year. Located in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,752, with out-of-state students paying around $15,822. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the social studies education program here. Social Studies Education graduates of Suny College At Brockport earn a median of $44,431 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Suny College At Brockport admits about 71% of applicants.
Stony Brook University earned the #14 position for value in social studies education this year. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $20,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Saint Josephs College New York came in at #15 for value in social studies education this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Saint Josephs College New York is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,550. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $26,944. 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. Saint Josephs College New York admits about 72% of applicants.
Suny At Geneseo ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. Set in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,999 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,569. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $42,778. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Geneseo admits about 66% of applicants.
State University Of New York At New Paltz earned the #17 position for value in social studies education this year. Set in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,822. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $24,293 in student loans. 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.
Suny At Albany ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,601 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $23,521. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $54,318. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Oneonta landed the #19 spot for social studies education value this year. Located in the town of Oneonta, Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,831 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,781. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $19,032 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $46,329. That is a strong return on a $19,032 median debt. Suny College At Oneonta admits about 70% of applicants.
Niagara University landed the #20 spot for social studies education value this year. Niagara University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Niagara University. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,345. Students borrow a median of $26,208 to complete the social studies education program here. Social Studies Education graduates of Niagara University earn a median of $45,836 early in their careers. Set against $26,208 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Niagara University admits about 87% of applicants.
Suny College At Cortland placed #21 among the best values for social studies education. Set in the town of Cortland, Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,874, while out-of-state students pay about $18,784. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $25,837. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $50,309. Set against $25,837 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Binghamton ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. Students from in state pay about $10,567 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,447 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $20,691. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $55,319. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Binghamton admits about 39% of applicants.
University At Buffalo landed the #23 spot for social studies education value this year. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $22,232. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $50,041. Set against $22,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
St Francis College came in at #24 for value in social studies education this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, St Francis College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,775. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $24,966 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of St Francis College earn a median of $40,678 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,966 median debt.
Utica College placed #25 among the best values for social studies education. Set in the city of Utica, Utica College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,930. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $27,237. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $53,602. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Rest of the Top 40 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for social studies education this year:
More Social Studies Education Rankings
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 · 47 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
