2027 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools in the The Plains States 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.
College Factual analyzed 26 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value social studies education schools.
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2027 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools in the The Plains States 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
Our analysis ranked North Dakota State University Main Campus the best value for a degree in social studies education in the The Plains States Region. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $25,485 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $46,970. Set against $25,485 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Saint Cloud State University one of the best values for social studies education. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. Students borrow a median of $30,795 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $43,279. Set against $30,795 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
A rank of #3 makes Bemidji State University one of the best values for social studies education. Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Bemidji. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,237. Students borrow a median of $23,389 to complete the social studies education program here. Social Studies Education graduates of Bemidji State University earn a median of $45,668 early in their careers. Set against $23,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bemidji State University admits about 56% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Washburn University earned it the #4 place for social studies education. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,945, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,175 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $50,955. That is a strong return on a $21,175 median debt.
Emporia State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social studies education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,106 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,419. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $52,694. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Northern State University came in at #6 for value in social studies education this year. Northern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Aberdeen. Students from in state pay about $8,845 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,947. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $26,143. Social Studies Education graduates of Northern State University earn a median of $45,824 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Southeast Missouri State University placed #7 among the best values for social studies education. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,903. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $21,748. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $34,206. That is a strong return on a $21,748 median debt. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Moorhead landed the #8 spot for social studies education value this year. Located in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,428. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Minnesota State University Moorhead earn a median of $44,850 early in their careers. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Nebraska Wesleyan University placed #9 among the best values for social studies education. Nebraska Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lincoln. In-state tuition and fees average $43,572. Students borrow a median of $27,667 to complete the social studies education program here. Social Studies Education graduates of Nebraska Wesleyan University earn a median of $52,199 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Nebraska Wesleyan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Metropolitan State University landed the #10 spot for social studies education value this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,840. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $27,984. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $46,490. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Concordia University Saint Paul earned the #11 position for value in social studies education this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $25,600. Students borrow a median of $29,026 to complete the social studies education program here. Social Studies Education graduates of Concordia University Saint Paul earn a median of $48,056 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Martin Luther College earned the #12 position for value in social studies education this year. Located in the town of New Ulm, Martin Luther College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,120. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $20,224 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Martin Luther College earn a median of $31,016 early in their careers. Set against $20,224 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Martin Luther College admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of North Dakota landed the #13 spot for social studies education value this year. University Of North Dakota is a large public school located in the city of Grand Forks. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,951, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $25,110. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $56,934. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Duluth ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value social studies education schools. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Duluth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,608, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $28,000. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $41,952. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #15 for value in social studies education this year. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Students borrow a median of $26,082 to complete the social studies education program here. Social Studies Education graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $53,463 early in their careers. Set against $26,082 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Buena Vista University came in at #16 for value in social studies education this year. Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Storm Lake. Students from in state pay about $41,798 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,008 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $44,780. That is a strong return on a $29,008 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Hamline University landed the #17 spot for social studies education value this year. Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,004. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $25,530. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Hamline University generally make around $48,679. Set against $25,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa placed #18 among the best values for social studies education. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the social studies education program here. Social Studies Education graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $46,908 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Gustavus Adolphus College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value social studies education schools. Located in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $56,076 in tuition and fees. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $26,197 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Gustavus Adolphus College earn a median of $47,250 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,197 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
St Olaf College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value social studies education schools. Located in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,760. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $47,807. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
William Penn University placed #21 among the best values for social studies education. Set in the town of Oskaloosa, William Penn University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,750. Students borrow a median of $28,341 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $39,727. That is a strong return on a $28,341 median debt. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia College At Moorhead ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value social studies education schools. Concordia College At Moorhead is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moorhead. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,170. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $48,164. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern College Iowa placed #23 among the best values for social studies education. Northwestern College Iowa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Orange City. In-state tuition and fees average $36,710. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $25,415 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Northwestern College Iowa earn a median of $54,845 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,415 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern College Minnesota came in at #24 for value in social studies education this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Northwestern College Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,920 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $27,000. Social Studies Education graduates of Northwestern College Minnesota earn a median of $40,191 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The College Of Saint Scholastica earned the #25 position for value in social studies education this year. Located in the city of Duluth, The College Of Saint Scholastica is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $41,778 in tuition and fees. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $26,755 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $60,474. Set against $26,755 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Rest of the Top 26 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
