2027 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools in Georgia

[Social Studies Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/social-studies-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 5 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 Georgia
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 Georgia Southwestern State University, our #1 best value for social studies education in Georgia. Located in the town of Americus, Georgia Southwestern State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,220, compared with $16,572 for out-of-state students. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $28,245 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Georgia Southwestern State University generally make around $52,428. Set against $28,245 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Columbus State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social studies education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,898, compared with $17,610 for out-of-state students. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $28,040 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Columbus State University earn a median of $51,154 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Georgia earned it the #3 place for social studies education. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. 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. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in social studies education will find it at Georgia State University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,664 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $28,687. 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. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Mercer 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 Macon, Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $31,565. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $32,463 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Mercer University generally make around $56,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mercer University admits about 69% of applicants.
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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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.