by our College Data Analytics Team
[Social Studies Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/social-studies-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong social studies education education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 4 schools to find the best return on investment for social studies education students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social studies education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Buena Vista University, our #1 best value for social studies education in Iowa. 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. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $29,008. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $44,780. That is a strong return on a $29,008 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Iowa one of the best values for social studies education. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $25,000. Social Studies Education graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $46,908 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
William Penn University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social studies education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Oskaloosa, William Penn University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $29,750 in tuition and fees. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $28,341 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of William Penn University earn a median of $39,727 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,341 median debt. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in social studies education will find it at Northwestern College Iowa, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Orange City, Northwestern College Iowa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $36,710. Students borrow a median of $25,415 to complete the social studies education program here. Social Studies Education graduates of Northwestern College Iowa earn a median of $54,845 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwestern College Iowa admits about 80% of applicants.
This list is compiled 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.