2027 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools in the New England Region
[Social Studies Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/social-studies-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for social studies education students.
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2027 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools in the New England Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social studies education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Social Studies Education Schools
Worcester State University tops our 2027 list of the best value social studies education schools in the New England Region. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $24,451. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $45,297. That is a strong return on a $24,451 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Rhode Island College one of the best values for social studies education. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,300, with out-of-state students paying around $27,299. Students borrow a median of $29,659 to complete the social studies education program here. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Rhode Island College generally make around $45,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rhode Island College admits about 92% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Maine earned it the #3 place for social studies education. University Of Maine is a large public school located in the suburb of Orono. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,326, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social studies education program here. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $47,975. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Vermont is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social studies education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $19,058 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $45,502. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from University Of Vermont generally make around $41,099. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Vermont admits about 65% of applicants.
Boston University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value social studies education schools. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Students borrow a median of $25,125 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $67,277. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Plymouth State University placed #6 among the best values for social studies education. Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Plymouth. In-state tuition and fees average $14,626, while out-of-state students pay about $25,566. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Plymouth State University generally make around $44,487. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Brown University landed the #7 spot for social studies education value this year. Brown University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,312. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $13,025 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $54,632. Set against $13,025 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Lesley University placed #8 among the best values for social studies education. Located in the city of Cambridge, Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,256 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,818 to complete the social studies education program here. Social Studies Education graduates of Lesley University earn a median of $48,287 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,818 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Merrimack College landed the #9 spot for social studies education value this year. Located in the suburb of North Andover, Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,962. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $26,913 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Merrimack College generally make around $50,506. Set against $26,913 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Sacred Heart University placed #10 among the best values for social studies education. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Sacred Heart University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $50,404 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,831 to complete the social studies education program here. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Sacred Heart University generally make around $62,864. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Providence College landed the #11 spot for social studies education value this year. Providence College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. In-state tuition and fees average $63,550. Students borrow a median of $26,833 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $53,208. That is a strong return on a $26,833 median debt. The acceptance rate is 51%.
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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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
