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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools in Ohio

9 Colleges in the United States
$26,204 Avg Student Debt
$52,486 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Social Studies Education Badge [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 22 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value social studies education schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools in Ohio

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

1

Leading the list is Youngstown State University, our #1 best value for social studies education in Ohio. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Students borrow a median of $26,751 to complete the social studies education program here. Social Studies Education graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $33,398 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,751 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Akron Main Campus earned it the #2 place for social studies education. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social studies education program here. Social Studies Education graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $39,613 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cleveland State University earned it the #3 place for social studies education. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.

4

Kent State University At Kent came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $47,727. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

5

Students looking for strong value in social studies education will find it at Heidelberg University, which ranked #5. Heidelberg University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Tiffin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,600. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $42,334. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Heidelberg University admits about 86% of applicants.

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6

Mount Vernon Nazarene University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. Located in the town of Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,193. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Mount Vernon Nazarene University generally make around $32,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.

7
Ashland University crest
Ashland University
Ashland, OH

Ashland University earned the #7 position for value in social studies education this year. Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ashland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,210. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $44,979. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

8
Capital University crest
Capital University
Columbus, OH

Capital University came in at #8 for value in social studies education this year. Capital University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $43,234. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $32,597. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Capital University admits about 70% of applicants.

9

The University Of Findlay came in at #9 for value in social studies education this year. Set in the town of Findlay, The University Of Findlay is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,164 in tuition and fees. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $25,759 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of The University Of Findlay earn a median of $57,676 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.

10
Cedarville University crest
Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH

Cedarville University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. Located in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,150. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $21,000. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $38,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

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11

Ohio Northern University landed the #11 spot for social studies education value this year. Ohio Northern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ada. In-state tuition and fees average $39,600. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $26,661 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $56,878. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.

12

Baldwin Wallace College landed the #12 spot for social studies education value this year. Set in the suburb of Berea, Baldwin Wallace College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,832 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $27,000. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $46,668. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Baldwin Wallace College admits about 76% of applicants.

13

Miami University Oxford landed the #13 spot for social studies education value this year. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,519, compared with $38,965 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,560 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $46,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Miami University Oxford admits about 75% of applicants.

14

University Of Rio Grande placed #14 among the best values for social studies education. Located in the rural area of Rio Grande, University Of Rio Grande is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $20,560 in tuition and fees. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $27,044 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $46,611. Set against $27,044 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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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 · 22 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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