2027 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for social studies education students.
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2027 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains 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 Brigham Young University Idaho, our #1 best value for social studies education in the Rocky Mountains Region. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. Students borrow a median of $13,680 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $42,094. Set against $13,680 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
Casper 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 Casper, Casper College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,710. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $12,598. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Casper College generally make around $49,729. That is a strong return on a $12,598 median debt.
Weber State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value social studies education schools. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Students borrow a median of $26,767 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $50,600. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wyoming earned it the #4 place for social studies education. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $49,587. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Utah State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social studies education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $14,757 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $50,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Northern Colorado came in at #6 for value in social studies education this year. University Of Northern Colorado is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. In-state tuition and fees average $11,901, with out-of-state students paying around $26,979. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $45,705. Set against $23,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Regis University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value social studies education schools. Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,140. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $31,773 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $72,028. Set against $31,773 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.