by our College Data Analytics Team
[Social Studies Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/social-studies-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 16 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value social studies education schools.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social studies education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Holy Family University, our #1 best value for social studies education in Pennsylvania. 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. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $59,355. That is a strong return on a $26,562 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Pennsylvania Western University one of 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, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $28,263 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Pennsylvania Western University earn a median of $45,448 early in their careers. Set against $28,263 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
York College Pennsylvania came in at #3 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. Social Studies Education graduates of York College Pennsylvania earn a median of $48,624 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social studies education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $26,330 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $54,994 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Robert Morris University one of the best values for social studies education. Robert Morris University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moon Township. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,770. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $27,000. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $36,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg came in at #6 for value in social studies education this year. Located in the suburb of Middletown, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,972, with out-of-state students paying around $26,958. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $55,193. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Point Park University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value social studies education schools. Point Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students from in state pay about $39,570 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,323 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $40,759. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Point Park University admits about 97% of applicants.
Messiah College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value social studies education schools. Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $42,240. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $27,000. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $50,825. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Messiah College admits about 79% of applicants.
Elizabethtown College came in at #9 for value in social studies education this year. Set in the suburb of Elizabethtown, Elizabethtown College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,950. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Elizabethtown College generally make around $50,918. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value social studies education schools. Located in the suburb of Langhorne, Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,659. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $28,212. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $40,120. That is a strong return on a $28,212 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Wilkes University earned the #11 position for value in social studies education this year. Set in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,496. Students borrow a median of $26,601 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $59,372. That is a strong return on a $26,601 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Temple University placed #12 among the best values for social studies education. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $54,736. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pennsylvania placed #13 among the best values for social studies education. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $16,155. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $54,350. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
Arcadia University came in at #14 for value in social studies education this year. Located in the suburb of Glenside, Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $49,610 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,921 to complete the social studies education program here. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Arcadia University generally make around $60,164. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #15 for value in social studies education this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Students borrow a median of $26,176 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $41,795. Set against $26,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Duquesne University earned the #16 position for value in social studies education this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,986. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Duquesne University generally make around $47,897. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Duquesne University admits about 84% of applicants.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.