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

3 Colleges in the United States
$25,782 Avg Student Debt
$49,699 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Social Studies Education Badge [Social Studies Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/social-studies-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong social studies education education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 15 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 North Carolina

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social studies education, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Social Studies Education Schools

1

Leading the list is University Of North Carolina At Greensboro, our #1 best value for social studies education in North Carolina. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. 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. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earned it the #2 place for social studies education. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pembroke. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,648, while out-of-state students pay about $7,648. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $26,660 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earn a median of $45,285 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,660 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.

3

Students looking for strong value in social studies education will find it at Western Carolina University, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,630, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. 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. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

4

Students looking for strong value in social studies education will find it at East Carolina University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the social studies education program here. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $48,318. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

5
Mount Olive College crest
Mount Olive College
Mount Olive, NC

Students looking for strong value in social studies education will find it at Mount Olive College, which ranked #5. Mount Olive College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Mount Olive. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,366. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $26,889. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Mount Olive College generally make around $45,316. That is a strong return on a $26,889 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

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6
Campbell University crest
Campbell University
Buies Creek, NC

Campbell University came in at #6 for value in social studies education this year. Campbell University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Buies Creek. In-state tuition and fees average $41,600. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $23,641. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $54,629. That is a strong return on a $23,641 median debt. Campbell University admits about 87% of applicants.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 15 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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