by our College Data Analytics Team
[Social Studies Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/social-studies-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 25 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value social studies education schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the social studies education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Pennsylvania Western University tops our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools in Pennsylvania. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,436 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,295. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Holy Family University one of the best values for social studies education. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,330. Students borrow a median of $26,562 to complete the social studies education program here. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Holy Family University generally make around $59,355. That is a strong return on a $26,562 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in social studies education will find it at York College Pennsylvania, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,588. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $48,624. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. York College Pennsylvania admits about 74% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Geneva College one of the best values for social studies education. Set in the suburb of Beaver Falls, Geneva College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $33,450. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $26,396 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Geneva College earn a median of $46,645 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,396 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Point Park University one of the best values for social studies education. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Point Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,570. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $28,323. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Point Park University generally make around $40,759. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Point Park University admits about 97% of applicants.
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Elizabethtown College came in at #6 for value in social studies education this year. Elizabethtown College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elizabethtown. In-state tuition and fees average $37,950. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Elizabethtown College generally make around $50,918. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Messiah College landed the #7 spot for social studies education value this year. Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,240. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Messiah College generally make around $50,825. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Messiah College admits about 79% of applicants.
Wilkes University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. Set in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $43,496 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $26,601. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Wilkes University generally make around $59,372. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Temple University placed #9 among the best values for social studies education. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the social studies education program here. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $54,736. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne landed the #10 spot for social studies education value this year. Set in the suburb of Langhorne, Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,659. Students borrow a median of $28,212 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $40,120. That is a strong return on a $28,212 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #11 among the best values for social studies education. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,176 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $41,795. That is a strong return on a $26,176 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pennsylvania earned the #12 position for value in social studies education this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $54,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Duquesne University landed the #13 spot for social studies education value this year. Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,986. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $47,897. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.