2027 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools in the Southeast 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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong social studies education education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 37 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for social studies education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools in the Southeast 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
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for social studies education in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $15,275 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $51,476 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Itawamba Community College earned it the #2 place for social studies education. Set in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,420, compared with $5,820 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,942 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $40,832. Set against $10,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value social studies education schools. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $26,000. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $43,033. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Southwestern State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social studies education, landing the #4 spot this year. Georgia Southwestern State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Americus. In-state tuition and fees average $5,220, while out-of-state students pay about $16,572. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $28,245 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Georgia Southwestern State University earn a median of $52,428 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,245 median debt. Georgia Southwestern State University admits about 75% of applicants.
Arkansas Tech University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social studies education, landing the #5 spot this year. Arkansas Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Russellville. In-state tuition and fees average $8,674, with out-of-state students paying around $14,668. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $24,000. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Arkansas Tech University generally make around $41,160. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #6 for value in social studies education this year. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the social studies education program here. Social Studies Education graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $39,985 early in their careers. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke landed the #7 spot for social studies education value this year. Located in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,648, with out-of-state students paying around $7,648. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $26,660 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $40,578. Set against $26,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia earned the #8 position for value in social studies education this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $20,750. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $61,081. That is a strong return on a $20,750 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Western Carolina University landed the #9 spot for social studies education value this year. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $41,444 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Western Carolina University admits about 82% of applicants.
Southeastern Louisiana University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value social studies education schools. Set in the city of Hammond, Southeastern Louisiana University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,373, compared with $20,851 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $25,250. Social Studies Education graduates of Southeastern Louisiana University earn a median of $47,684 early in their careers. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Columbus State University placed #11 among the best values for social studies education. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,898 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,610 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $28,040. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Columbus State University generally make around $51,154. That is a strong return on a $28,040 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Delta State University landed the #12 spot for social studies education value this year. Delta State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,605. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $22,500. Social Studies Education graduates of Delta State University earn a median of $32,898 early in their careers. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
William Carey University earned the #13 position for value in social studies education this year. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, William Carey University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Students borrow a median of $25,524 to complete the social studies education program here. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from William Carey University generally make around $46,292. Set against $25,524 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. William Carey University admits about 60% of applicants.
University Of The Cumberlands came in at #14 for value in social studies education this year. Located in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,875. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $22,868. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from University Of The Cumberlands generally make around $45,541. That is a strong return on a $22,868 median debt. University Of The Cumberlands admits about 99% of applicants.
East Carolina University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value social studies education schools. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $48,318. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
Coastal Carolina University came in at #16 for value in social studies education this year. Coastal Carolina University is a large public school located in the city of Conway. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,640, while out-of-state students pay about $29,628. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $27,174 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Coastal Carolina University earn a median of $38,272 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,174 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia State University placed #17 among the best values for social studies education. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,664, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Students borrow a median of $28,687 to complete the social studies education program here. Social Studies Education graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $57,563 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,687 median debt. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Winthrop University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value social studies education schools. Set in the city of Rock Hill, Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,678 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,676. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $27,000. Social Studies Education graduates of Winthrop University earn a median of $42,605 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Lindsey Wilson College earned the #19 position for value in social studies education this year. Lindsey Wilson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Columbia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,808. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $24,119. Social Studies Education graduates of Lindsey Wilson College earn a median of $37,808 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,119 median debt.
University Of Central Arkansas landed the #20 spot for social studies education value this year. University Of Central Arkansas is a large public school located in the city of Conway. In-state tuition and fees average $10,523, with out-of-state students paying around $18,023. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from University Of Central Arkansas generally make around $41,562. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of Central Arkansas admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Kentucky ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value social studies education schools. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Students borrow a median of $24,002 to complete the social studies education program here. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $42,057. That is a strong return on a $24,002 median debt. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
Mount Olive College came in at #22 for value in social studies education this year. Set in the rural area of Mount Olive, Mount Olive College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $27,366 in tuition and fees. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $26,889 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Mount Olive College generally make around $45,316. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Campbellsville University landed the #23 spot for social studies education value this year. Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Campbellsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,998. Students borrow a median of $24,148 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $43,474. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Maryville College came in at #24 for value in social studies education this year. Set in the suburb of Maryville, Maryville College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,284. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $26,428 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Maryville College earn a median of $42,971 early in their careers. Set against $26,428 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Bob Jones University landed the #25 spot for social studies education value this year. Bob Jones University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Greenville. In-state tuition and fees average $22,892. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $17,000. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Bob Jones University generally make around $36,109. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s social studies education value ranking:
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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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 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.
