2026 Best Value Social Science Teacher Education Schools in the Southeast Region

1

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Leading the list is Florida Atlantic University, our #1 best value for social science teacher education in the Southeast Region. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $27,516 to complete the social science teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, social science teacher education degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $53,524. Set against $27,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.

2

Itawamba Community College
Fulton, MS

Students looking for strong value in social science teacher education will find it at Itawamba Community College, which ranked #2. Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Fulton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,420, compared with $5,820 for out-of-state students. Social Science Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $10,942 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social science teacher education degree recipients from Itawamba Community College generally make around $40,832. That is a strong return on a $10,942 median debt.

3

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

Students looking for strong value in social science teacher education will find it at University Of South Florida Main Campus, which ranked #3. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Social Science Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $20,375 in student loans. Early-career social science teacher education graduates make about $51,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

4

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State University earned it the #4 place for social science teacher education. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. 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. The acceptance rate is 24%.

5

Arkansas State University Main Campus
Jonesboro, AR

A rank of #5 makes Arkansas State University Main Campus one of 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Social Science Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $25,134 in student loans. Early-career social science teacher education graduates make about $45,716. Set against $25,134 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.

6

Columbus State University
Columbus, GA

Columbus State University earned the #6 position for value in social science teacher education this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,898, with out-of-state students paying around $17,610. Students borrow a median of $28,040 to complete the social science teacher education program here. Early-career social science teacher education graduates make about $51,154. That is a strong return on a $28,040 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

7

Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University placed #7 among the best values for social science teacher education. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,785, compared with $17,725 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,824 to complete the social science teacher education program here. Early-career social science teacher education graduates make about $38,719. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 21%.

8

William Carey University
Hattiesburg, MS

William Carey University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value social science teacher education schools. William Carey University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Hattiesburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Students borrow a median of $25,524 to complete the social science teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, social science teacher education degree recipients from William Carey University generally make around $46,292. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

9

Henderson State University
Arkadelphia, AR

Henderson State University came in at #9 for value in social science teacher education this year. Henderson State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Arkadelphia. Students from in state pay about $8,244 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,620. Social Science Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social science teacher education degree recipients from Henderson State University generally make around $38,106. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

The University Of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN

The University Of Tennessee earned the #10 position for value in social science teacher education this year. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social science teacher education graduates is $22,859. Social Science Teacher Education graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $49,826 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

11

Jackson State University
Jackson, MS

Jackson State University landed the #11 spot for social science teacher education value this year. Set in the city of Jackson, Jackson State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,965 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,965 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social science teacher education graduates is $28,875. Early-career social science teacher education graduates make about $36,845. Set against $28,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.

12

Mississippi College
Clinton, MS

Mississippi College placed #12 among the best values for social science teacher education. Set in the suburb of Clinton, Mississippi College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,500. Social Science Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Social Science Teacher Education graduates of Mississippi College earn a median of $47,611 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.

13

Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University placed #13 among the best values for social science teacher education. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,890, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Social Science Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $23,600 in student loans. Early-career social science teacher education graduates make about $60,823. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.

14

Florida Southern College
Lakeland, FL

Florida Southern College placed #14 among the best values for social science teacher education. Florida Southern College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lakeland. Students from in state pay about $44,040 in tuition and fees. Social Science Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career social science teacher education graduates make about $46,418. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

15

Southeastern University
Lakeland, FL

Southeastern University landed the #15 spot for social science teacher education value this year. Located in the city of Lakeland, Southeastern University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,950. Typical student debt for social science teacher education graduates is $26,000. Early-career social science teacher education graduates make about $47,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 53%.