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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Social Studies Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools

109 Colleges in the United States
$25,152 Avg Student Debt
$55,941 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Social Studies Education Bachelor's Degree Badge [Social Studies Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/social-studies-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 306 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for social studies education students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social studies education, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Social Studies Education Schools

1
Cuny Hunter College crest
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. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $49,245. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.

2

Students looking for strong value in social studies education will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $13,178 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $46,233 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.

3

Cuny Queens College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social studies education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $16,000. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $58,894. That is a strong return on a $16,000 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

4
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

A rank of #4 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for social studies education. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $15,275. Social Studies Education graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $47,572 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

5

Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $14,688. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $41,942. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.

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University Of Wyoming placed #6 among the best values for social studies education. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $49,587. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.

7

Suny College At Old Westbury landed the #7 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. That is a strong return on a $20,274 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.

8
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus placed #8 among the best values for social studies education. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $19,500. Social Studies Education graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $44,923 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.

9

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #9 position for value in social studies education this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $47,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.

10

University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #10 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. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the social studies education program here. Social Studies Education graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.

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University Of Georgia landed the #11 spot for social studies education value this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $43,129. Set against $20,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.

12

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #12 position for value in social studies education this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

13

Brigham Young University Idaho earned the #13 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Students borrow a median of $13,680 to complete the social studies education program here. 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.

14

University Of Maryland College Park ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $20,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

15

Eastern Washington University landed the #15 spot for social studies education value this year. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,586 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,009 to complete the social studies education program here. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $41,914. Set against $23,009 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.

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Indiana University Southeast ranked #16 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, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $23,981 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $43,463. That is a strong return on a $23,981 median debt. Indiana University Southeast admits about 84% of applicants.

17

Weber State University placed #17 among the best values for social studies education. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Students borrow a median of $26,767 to complete the social studies education program here. Social Studies Education graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $53,920 early in their careers. Set against $26,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Utah State University placed #18 among the best values for social studies education. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $14,757 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $37,521 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,757 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #19 for value in social studies education this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $39,985. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

20

Indiana University Bloomington landed the #20 spot for social studies education value this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the social studies education program here. Social Studies Education graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $52,123 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

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Rhode Island College crest
Rhode Island College
Providence, RI

Rhode Island College came in at #21 for value in social studies education this year. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,300, with out-of-state students paying around $27,299. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $29,659. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $44,789. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.

22

Washburn University came in at #22 for value in social studies education this year. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,945, with out-of-state students paying around $20,949. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $21,175 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $50,955 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,175 median debt.

23

Western Carolina University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the social studies education program here. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $41,444. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Carolina University admits about 82% of applicants.

24

Northeastern State University came in at #24 for value in social studies education this year. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,810, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Northeastern State University generally make around $43,045. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

25

University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras earned the #25 position for value in social studies education this year. Set in the city of San Juan, University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,324 in tuition and fees. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras earn a median of $24,881 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras admits about 55% of applicants.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for social studies education this year:

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27
28
29
Arkansas Tech University crest
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR
30
31
Indiana State University crest
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN
32
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34
35
36
Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI
37
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42
43
Ferris State University crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI
44
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50
Suny At Fredonia crest
Suny At Fredonia
Fredonia, NY

Other Social Studies Education Degree Levels

Explore the best-value social studies education schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Social Studies Education
Associate's Degrees in Social Studies Education
Master's Degrees in Social Studies Education
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View All Social Studies Education Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 306 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 109 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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