2026 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools in Indiana

[Social Studies Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/social-studies-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong social studies education education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 18 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value social studies education schools.
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2026 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools in Indiana
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the social studies education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Social Studies Education Schools
Leading the list is Indiana University Southeast, our #1 best value for social studies education in Indiana. Set in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Social Studies Education graduates of Indiana University Southeast earn a median of $43,463 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,981 median debt. Indiana University Southeast admits about 84% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Students looking for strong value in social studies education will find it at Indiana University South Bend, which ranked #3. Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of South Bend. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,498 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $43,058. That is a strong return on a $26,498 median debt. Indiana University South Bend admits about 84% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in social studies education will find it at Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne, which ranked #4. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public school located in the city of Fort Wayne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,532, compared with $22,887 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,000 to complete the social studies education program here. Social Studies Education graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earn a median of $49,424 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
A rank of #5 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the best values for social studies education. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. 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. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Indiana State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. Students from in state pay about $10,258 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $45,862. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #7 spot for social studies education value this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $20,500. Social Studies Education graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $52,123 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
Ball State University landed the #8 spot for social studies education value this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $24,998. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $49,745. Set against $24,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Grace College And Theological Seminary earned the #9 position for value in social studies education this year. Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona Lake. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,645. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $21,211 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Grace College And Theological Seminary generally make around $42,188. That is a strong return on a $21,211 median debt. Grace College And Theological Seminary admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Evansville came in at #10 for value in social studies education this year. University Of Evansville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evansville. In-state tuition and fees average $44,172. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $25,234 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $59,618. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Taylor University placed #11 among the best values for social studies education. Set in the rural area of Upland, Taylor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,490 in tuition and fees. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Taylor University earn a median of $44,028 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Taylor University admits about 74% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.