[Social Science Teacher Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/social-science-teacher-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 127 schools to find the best return on investment for social science teacher education students.
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Finding the Best Value Social Science Teacher Education School for You
The social science teacher education program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Social Science Teacher Education Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Social Science Teacher Education Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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Our analysis ranked Cuny Queens College the best value for a degree in social science teacher education in the United States. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for social science teacher education graduates is $16,000. Early-career social science teacher education graduates make about $41,847. That is a strong return on a $16,000 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of South Florida Main Campus one of the best values for social science teacher education. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $20,375 to complete the social science teacher education program here. Social Science Teacher Education graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $51,543 early in their careers. Set against $20,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State University earned it the #3 place for social science teacher education. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the social science teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, social science teacher education degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $54,079. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social science teacher education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social science teacher education graduates is $27,516. Social Science Teacher Education graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $53,524 early in their careers. Set against $27,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Students looking for strong value in social science teacher education will find it at Itawamba Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,420 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,820. Typical student debt for social science teacher education graduates is $10,942. Early-career social science teacher education graduates make about $40,832. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Governors University came in at #6 for value in social science teacher education this year. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,658. Social Science Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $25,145 in student loans. Social Science Teacher Education graduates of Western Governors University earn a median of $51,888 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,145 median debt.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #7 for value in social science teacher education this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the social science teacher education program here. Social Science Teacher Education graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Utah University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value social science teacher education schools. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the social science teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, social science teacher education degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $45,042. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Weber State University landed the #9 spot for social science teacher education value this year. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Social Science Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $26,767 in student loans. Social Science Teacher Education graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $50,600 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Millikin University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value social science teacher education schools. Set in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $26,792. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social science teacher education program here. Social Science Teacher Education graduates of Millikin University earn a median of $58,852 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Millikin University admits about 67% of applicants.
Saint Xavier University earned the #11 position for value in social science teacher education this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,945. Students borrow a median of $27,194 to complete the social science teacher education program here. Social Science Teacher Education graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $46,835 early in their careers. Set against $27,194 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Xavier University admits about 84% of applicants.
Rhode Island College placed #12 among the best values for social science teacher education. Located in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,300 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. Students borrow a median of $29,659 to complete the social science teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, social science teacher education degree recipients from Rhode Island College generally make around $51,124. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Truman State University earned the #13 position for value in social science teacher education this year. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,838, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social science teacher education graduates is $23,168. Soon after graduation, social science teacher education degree recipients from Truman State University generally make around $39,321. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Central Washington University earned the #14 position for value in social science teacher education this year. Set in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,417, while out-of-state students pay about $27,526. Typical student debt for social science teacher education graduates is $23,377. Soon after graduation, social science teacher education degree recipients from Central Washington University generally make around $44,178. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
Chadron State College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value social science teacher education schools. Chadron State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Chadron. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,294. Social Science Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $24,943 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social science teacher education degree recipients from Chadron State College generally make around $46,824. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Peru State College placed #16 among the best values for social science teacher education. Peru State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Peru. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,433. Students borrow a median of $26,254 to complete the social science teacher education program here. Social Science Teacher Education graduates of Peru State College earn a median of $40,993 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,254 median debt.
Brigham Young University Provo landed the #17 spot for social science teacher education value this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Social Science Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $9,117 in student loans. Early-career social science teacher education graduates make about $47,153. Set against $9,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
Youngstown State University placed #18 among the best values for social science teacher education. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Students borrow a median of $26,751 to complete the social science teacher education program here. Social Science Teacher Education graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $49,025 early in their careers. Set against $26,751 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Valley City State University came in at #19 for value in social science teacher education this year. Located in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,580 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,544. Typical student debt for social science teacher education graduates is $24,394. Social Science Teacher Education graduates of Valley City State University earn a median of $51,170 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Valley City State University admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point placed #20 among the best values for social science teacher education. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Social Science Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $25,719 in student loans. Social Science Teacher Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $40,005 early in their careers. Set against $25,719 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Minot State University placed #21 among the best values for social science teacher education. Set in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,702. Typical student debt for social science teacher education graduates is $28,324. Early-career social science teacher education graduates make about $44,973. Set against $28,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Minot State University admits about 65% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Hawaii ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value social science teacher education schools. Brigham Young University Hawaii is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Laie. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, social science teacher education degree recipients from Brigham Young University Hawaii generally make around $41,461. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas State University Main Campus placed #23 among the best values for social science teacher education. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,090 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Students borrow a median of $25,134 to complete the social science teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, social science teacher education degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $45,716. That is a strong return on a $25,134 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Columbus State University placed #24 among the best values for social science teacher education. Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $5,898 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,610. Social Science Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $28,040 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social science teacher education degree recipients from Columbus State University generally make around $51,154. That is a strong return on a $28,040 median debt. Columbus State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Ferris State University came in at #25 for value in social science teacher education this year. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Students borrow a median of $29,076 to complete the social science teacher education program here. Early-career social science teacher education graduates make about $54,608. That is a strong return on a $29,076 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Social Science Teacher Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s social science teacher education value ranking:
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Social Science Teacher Education Related Rankings by Major
Social Science Teacher Education is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
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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 · 127 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 56 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).
[Social Science Teacher Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/social-science-teacher-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
