2026 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools in the Southeast Region

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

For return on investment in social studies education, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,275 to complete the social studies education program here. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $51,476. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

2

Itawamba Community College
Fulton, MS

A rank of #2 makes Itawamba Community College one of the best values for social studies education. Located in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,420, compared with $5,820 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $10,942. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $40,832. Set against $10,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

A rank of #3 makes University Of North Carolina At Greensboro one of the best values for social studies education. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the social studies education program here. Social Studies Education graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $43,033 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.

4

University Of Mississippi Main Campus
University, MS

Students looking for strong value in social studies education will find it at University Of Mississippi Main Campus, which ranked #4. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the social studies education program here. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $39,985. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $61,081. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.

6

University Of The Cumberlands
Williamsburg, KY

University Of The Cumberlands earned the #6 position for value in social studies education this year. Set in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,875. Students borrow a median of $22,868 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $45,541. That is a strong return on a $22,868 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.

7

Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC

Western Carolina University landed the #7 spot for social studies education value this year. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $25,500. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $41,444. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Carolina University admits about 82% of applicants.

8

University Of North Carolina At Pembroke
Pembroke, NC

University Of North Carolina At Pembroke landed the #8 spot for social studies education value this year. Set in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,648, compared with $7,648 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $26,660. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke generally make around $45,285. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke admits about 93% of applicants.

9

Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR

Arkansas Tech University came in at #9 for value in social studies education this year. Arkansas Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Russellville. Students from in state pay about $8,674 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,668. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the social studies education program here. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Arkansas Tech University generally make around $41,160. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arkansas Tech University admits about 96% of applicants.

10

Southeastern Louisiana University
Hammond, LA

Southeastern Louisiana University earned the #10 position for value in social studies education this year. Set in the city of Hammond, Southeastern Louisiana University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,373 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,851. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $25,250. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Southeastern Louisiana University generally make around $47,684. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.

11

Columbus State University
Columbus, GA

Columbus State University came in at #11 for value in social studies education this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,898, with out-of-state students paying around $17,610. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $28,040. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Columbus State University generally make around $51,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.

12

Delta State University
Cleveland, MS

Delta State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. Set in the town of Cleveland, Delta State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,605. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Delta State University earn a median of $32,898 early in their careers. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

13

East Carolina University
Greenville, NC

East Carolina University earned the #13 position for value in social studies education this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $48,318. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

14

Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA

Georgia State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,664, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $28,687 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Georgia State University generally make around $57,563. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.

15

University Of Kentucky
Lexington, KY

University Of Kentucky placed #15 among the best values for social studies education. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $24,002 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $42,057. Set against $24,002 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

16

William Carey University
Hattiesburg, MS

William Carey University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. William Carey University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Hattiesburg. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $25,524 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from William Carey University generally make around $46,292. Set against $25,524 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.

17

University Of Central Arkansas
Conway, AR

University Of Central Arkansas came in at #17 for value in social studies education this year. University Of Central Arkansas is a large public school located in the city of Conway. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,523, compared with $18,023 for out-of-state students. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of University Of Central Arkansas earn a median of $41,562 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

18

Campbellsville University
Campbellsville, KY

Campbellsville University came in at #18 for value in social studies education this year. Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Campbellsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,998. Students borrow a median of $24,148 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $43,474. Set against $24,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

19

Mount Olive College
Mount Olive, NC

Mount Olive College landed the #19 spot for social studies education value this year. Mount Olive College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Mount Olive. In-state tuition and fees average $27,366. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $26,889. Social Studies Education graduates of Mount Olive College earn a median of $45,316 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,889 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.

20

Harding University
Searcy, AR

Harding University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. Set in the town of Searcy, Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,962. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social studies education program here. Social Studies Education graduates of Harding University earn a median of $40,489 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Harding University admits about 70% of applicants.

21

Bob Jones University
Greenville, SC

Bob Jones University earned the #21 position for value in social studies education this year. Bob Jones University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Greenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,892. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $17,000. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $36,109. Set against $17,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

North Greenville University
Tigerville, SC

North Greenville University earned the #22 position for value in social studies education this year. Located in the rural area of Tigerville, North Greenville University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,800. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $19,271 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $43,644. Set against $19,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Greenville University admits about 67% of applicants.

23

Mississippi College
Clinton, MS

Mississippi College came in at #23 for value in social studies education this year. Set in the suburb of Clinton, Mississippi College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $23,500 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $39,558. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.

24

Maryville College
Maryville, TN

Maryville College landed the #24 spot for social studies education value this year. Maryville College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Maryville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,284. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $26,428 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Maryville College earn a median of $42,971 early in their careers. Set against $26,428 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.

25

Huntingdon College
Montgomery, AL

Huntingdon College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. Located in the city of Montgomery, Huntingdon College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $29,070 in tuition and fees. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $28,252 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Huntingdon College generally make around $33,649. Set against $28,252 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.