2026 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools in Minnesota
[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.
College Factual analyzed 19 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value social studies education schools.
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2026 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools in Minnesota
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 Bemidji State University, our #1 best value for social studies education in Minnesota. Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Bemidji. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Students looking for strong value in social studies education will find it at Saint Cloud State University, which ranked #2. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,795 to complete the social studies education program here. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $43,279. That is a strong return on a $30,795 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
A rank of #3 makes Concordia University Saint Paul one of the best values for social studies education. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,600. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $29,026. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $48,056. That is a strong return on a $29,026 median debt. Concordia University Saint Paul admits about 79% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Moorhead is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social studies education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,428. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $29,750. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $44,850. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Minnesota State University Moorhead admits about 59% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in social studies education will find it at University Of Minnesota Duluth, which ranked #5. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public school located in the city of Duluth. Students from in state pay about $14,608 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,134. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $28,000. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $41,952. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Minnesota State University Mankato placed #6 among the best values for social studies education. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $26,082 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $53,463. That is a strong return on a $26,082 median debt. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
Martin Luther College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. Located in the town of New Ulm, Martin Luther College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,120. Students borrow a median of $20,224 to complete the social studies education program here. Social Studies Education graduates of Martin Luther College earn a median of $31,016 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,224 median debt. Martin Luther College admits about 87% of applicants.
Hamline University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,004. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $25,530 in student loans. 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. Hamline University admits about 88% of applicants.
St Catherine University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,428 in tuition and fees. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $57,686. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
St Olaf College placed #10 among the best values for social studies education. Set in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. 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. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from St Olaf College generally make around $47,807. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
The College Of Saint Scholastica earned the #11 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,778. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $26,755. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from The College Of Saint Scholastica generally make around $60,474. That is a strong return on a $26,755 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Northwestern College Minnesota placed #12 among the best values for social studies education. Northwestern College Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Paul. In-state tuition and fees average $37,920. 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. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Northwestern College Minnesota admits about 94% of applicants.
Concordia College At Moorhead landed the #13 spot for social studies education value this year. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Concordia College At Moorhead is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $31,170 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Concordia College At Moorhead generally make around $48,164. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Concordia College At Moorhead admits about 63% of applicants.
Bethel University Minnesota landed the #14 spot for social studies education value this year. Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,226. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the social studies education program here. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Bethel University Minnesota generally make around $43,639. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota earned the #15 position for value in social studies education this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $54,398 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social studies education program here. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $65,183. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
More Social Studies Education Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
