2026 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in social studies education in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $61,604. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.

2

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social studies education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,178 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $61,164. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.

3

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #3 place for social studies education. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $16,000. Social Studies Education graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $67,212 early in their careers. Set against $16,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.

4

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Students looking for strong value in social studies education will find it at Cuny City College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $73,336 early in their careers. Set against $13,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.

5

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Students looking for strong value in social studies education will find it at University Of Florida, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $15,275. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $51,476. Set against $15,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

6

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

Cuny Lehman College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $90,725 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,213 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.

7

Cuny College Of Staten Island
Staten Island, NY

Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #7 among the best values for social studies education. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $59,182. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

8

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $71,315 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of Wyoming
Laramie, WY

University Of Wyoming came in at #9 for value in social studies education this year. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $49,587. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.

10

Suny College At Old Westbury
Old Westbury, NY

Suny College At Old Westbury landed the #10 spot for social studies education value this year. Set in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,372, with out-of-state students paying around $18,842. Students borrow a median of $20,274 to complete the social studies education program here. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Suny College At Old Westbury generally make around $65,441. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Old Westbury admits about 84% of applicants.

11

Itawamba Community College
Fulton, MS

Itawamba Community College came in at #11 for value in social studies education this year. Located in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,420 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,820. Students borrow a median of $10,942 to complete the social studies education program here. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Itawamba Community College generally make around $40,832. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus landed the #12 spot for social studies education value this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $44,923. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.

13

Casper College
Casper, WY

Casper College earned the #13 position for value in social studies education this year. Set in the city of Casper, Casper College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,710. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $12,598 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Casper College generally make around $49,729. That is a strong return on a $12,598 median debt.

14

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #14 for value in social studies education this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $26,000. Social Studies Education graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $47,755 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.

15

Brigham Young University Idaho
Rexburg, ID

Brigham Young University Idaho earned the #15 position for value in social studies education this year. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $13,680. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $42,094. Set against $13,680 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.

16

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $61,081 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.

17

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park placed #17 among the best values for social studies education. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete the social studies education program here. Social Studies Education graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $57,901 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.

18

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #18 among the best values for social studies education. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $43,033. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.

19

Eastern Washington University
Cheney, WA

Eastern Washington University came in at #19 for value in social studies education this year. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,586 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $23,009. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $41,914. That is a strong return on a $23,009 median debt. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.

20

Indiana University Southeast
New Albany, IN

Indiana University Southeast ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of New Albany. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $23,981. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $43,463. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Southeast admits about 84% of applicants.

21

Weber State University
Ogden, UT

Weber State University came in at #21 for value in social studies education this year. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Students borrow a median of $26,767 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $53,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

Utah State University
Logan, UT

Utah State University landed the #22 spot for social studies education value this year. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $14,757. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $50,877. That is a strong return on a $14,757 median debt. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.

23

Holy Family University
Philadelphia, PA

Holy Family University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $35,330. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $26,562. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Holy Family University generally make around $59,355. That is a strong return on a $26,562 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.

24

University Of Mississippi Main Campus
University, MS

University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #24 among the best values for social studies education. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the social studies education program here. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $39,985. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.

25

Washburn University
Topeka, KS

Washburn University placed #25 among the best values for social studies education. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,945 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $21,175. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Washburn University generally make around $50,955. That is a strong return on a $21,175 median debt.