2026 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools in Michigan

1

University Of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

University Of Michigan Dearborn tops our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools in Michigan. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the social studies education program here. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $52,656. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

2

Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ferris State University earned it the #2 place for social studies education. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $29,076 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $44,977. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.

3

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Students looking for strong value in social studies education will find it at Oakland University, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $58,637. Set against $25,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.

4

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $52,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.

5

Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, MI

Saginaw Valley State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social studies education, landing the #5 spot 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. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $28,550 in student loans. 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%.

6

University Of Michigan Flint
Flint, MI

University Of Michigan Flint ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. Located in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,236, compared with $27,790 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.

7

Albion College
Albion, MI

Albion College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. Located in the town of Albion, Albion College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $56,950 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,047 to complete the social studies education program here. Social Studies Education graduates of Albion College earn a median of $43,301 early in their careers. Set against $26,047 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

8

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University landed the #8 spot for social studies education value this year. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. Students from in state pay about $15,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $30,750 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $46,124. Set against $30,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.

9

Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI

Eastern Michigan University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $46,732 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.

10

Northern Michigan University
Marquette, MI

Northern Michigan University earned the #10 position for value in social studies education this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $48,767. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

11

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University placed #11 among the best values for social studies education. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $29,000. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $48,382. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

12

Spring Arbor University
Spring Arbor, MI

Spring Arbor University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. Set in the rural area of Spring Arbor, Spring Arbor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,014. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $28,360 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Spring Arbor University generally make around $48,316. Set against $28,360 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.

13

Adrian College
Adrian, MI

Adrian College placed #13 among the best values for social studies education. Set in the town of Adrian, Adrian College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $41,684. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $30,994 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Adrian College earn a median of $42,118 early in their careers. Set against $30,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

14

Cornerstone University
Grand Rapids, MI

Cornerstone University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,000. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Cornerstone University generally make around $42,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

15

Calvin College
Grand Rapids, MI

Calvin College came in at #15 for value in social studies education this year. Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. Students from in state pay about $39,350 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $26,022. Social Studies Education graduates of Calvin College earn a median of $42,737 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,022 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

16

Hope College
Holland, MI

Hope College placed #16 among the best values for social studies education. Located in the city of Holland, Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,484. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $45,137. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.