2026 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools in the Southwest 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
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus tops our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $47,572 early in their careers. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in social studies education will find it at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, which ranked #2. Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alva. In-state tuition and fees average $5,970, while out-of-state students pay about $11,664. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $22,438. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $46,196. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Northeastern State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Tahlequah. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,810, compared with $17,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Northeastern State University generally make around $47,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northeastern State University admits about 100% of applicants.
Southern Nazarene University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social studies education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Bethany, Southern Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $31,190 in tuition and fees. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $29,684 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Southern Nazarene University generally make around $53,851. Set against $29,684 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hardin Simmons University earned it the #5 place for social studies education. Set in the city of Abilene, Hardin Simmons University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,960. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $27,709 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Hardin Simmons University earn a median of $48,334 early in their careers. Set against $27,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Lutheran University came in at #6 for value in social studies education this year. Set in the town of Seguin, Texas Lutheran University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,230 in tuition and fees. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Texas Lutheran University earn a median of $52,270 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Abilene Christian University earned the #7 position for value in social studies education this year. Set in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,200 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Abilene Christian University generally make around $51,360. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of Mary Hardin Baylor earned the #8 position for value in social studies education this year. Located in the suburb of Belton, University Of Mary Hardin Baylor is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,300 in tuition and fees. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $52,133. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Christian University came in at #9 for value in social studies education this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,740. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $57,665. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Baylor University came in at #10 for value in social studies education this year. Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. In-state tuition and fees average $58,100. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Baylor University earn a median of $53,201 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 51%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
[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.
