2026 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Our analysis ranked Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis the best value for a degree in social studies education in the Great Lakes Region. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $47,755. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.

2

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $44,923. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.

3

Indiana University Southeast
New Albany, IN

Indiana University Southeast came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. Set in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $23,981 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

4

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Bloomington earned it the #4 place for social studies education. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $52,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.

5

Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN

Indiana State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social studies education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,258 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $45,862. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

6

Indiana University South Bend
South Bend, IN

Indiana University South Bend landed the #6 spot for social studies education value this year. Set in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $26,498. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $43,058. That is a strong return on a $26,498 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.

7

Augustana College Illinois
Rock Island, IL

Augustana College Illinois ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rock Island. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,598. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social studies education program here. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Augustana College Illinois generally make around $45,145. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Augustana College Illinois admits about 63% of applicants.

8

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne landed the #8 spot for social studies education value this year. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public school located in the city of Fort Wayne. In-state tuition and fees average $9,532, while out-of-state students pay about $22,887. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $30,000. Social Studies Education graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earn a median of $49,424 early in their careers. Set against $30,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne admits about 84% of applicants.

9

University Of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

University Of Michigan Dearborn ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the social studies education program here. Social Studies Education graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $52,656 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.

10

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Ball State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $24,998 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $49,745 early in their careers. Set against $24,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

11

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University placed #11 among the best values for social studies education. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Students borrow a median of $25,972 to complete the social studies education program here. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $58,637. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.

12

Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH

Youngstown State University landed the #12 spot for social studies education value this year. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Students borrow a median of $26,751 to complete the social studies education program here. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $33,398. Set against $26,751 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.

13

Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University came in at #13 for value in social studies education this year. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $29,076. Social Studies Education graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $44,977 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.

14

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse
La Crosse, WI

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse landed the #14 spot for social studies education value this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,070 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,517. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse generally make around $50,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.

15

Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, MI

Saginaw Valley State University came in at #15 for value in social studies education this year. Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Center. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Students borrow a median of $28,550 to complete the social studies education program here. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Saginaw Valley State University generally make around $50,012. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

16

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $52,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.

17

University Of St Francis
Joliet, IL

University Of St Francis ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Joliet. In-state tuition and fees average $38,110. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $25,695 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from University Of St Francis generally make around $59,586. Set against $25,695 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

18

University Of Akron Main Campus
Akron, OH

University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #18 for value in social studies education this year. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $39,613. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.

19

University Of Michigan Flint
Flint, MI

University Of Michigan Flint earned the #19 position for value in social studies education this year. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. In-state tuition and fees average $14,236, while out-of-state students pay about $27,790. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $43,077. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.

20

Alverno College
Milwaukee, WI

Alverno College landed the #20 spot for social studies education value this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Alverno College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,086 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $34,425. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Alverno College generally make around $55,790. Set against $34,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Alverno College admits about 86% of applicants.

21

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire placed #21 among the best values for social studies education. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,642, with out-of-state students paying around $19,228. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $25,225. Social Studies Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $43,242 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,225 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.

22

Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH

Cleveland State University landed the #22 spot for social studies education value this year. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $26,336 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $51,122 early in their careers. Set against $26,336 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

23

Albion College
Albion, MI

Albion College earned the #23 position for value in social studies education this year. Set in the town of Albion, Albion College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,950. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $26,047. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Albion College generally make around $43,301. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.

24

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University earned the #24 position for value in social studies education this year. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $30,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $46,124. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

25

Northern Michigan University
Marquette, MI

Northern Michigan University placed #25 among the best values for social studies education. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,322 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,944 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social studies education program here. Social Studies Education graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $48,767 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.