by our College Data Analytics Team
[Social Studies Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/social-studies-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 32 schools to find the best return on investment for social studies education students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the social studies education degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in social studies education, no school beat Washburn University this year. Washburn University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Topeka. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,945, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $21,175. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $50,955. Set against $21,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in social studies education will find it at Emporia State University, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,106, while out-of-state students pay about $15,419. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $52,694. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Emporia State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in social studies education will find it at North Dakota State University Main Campus, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,485 to complete the social studies education program here. Social Studies Education graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $46,970 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,485 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Saint Cloud State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $30,795 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $43,279. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in social studies education will find it at Southeast Missouri State University, which ranked #5. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,903. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $21,748 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $34,206. Set against $21,748 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
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Bemidji State University earned the #6 position for value in social studies education this year. Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Bemidji. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,237. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $23,389 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Bemidji State University generally make around $45,668. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Northern State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. Located in the town of Aberdeen, Northern State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,845, with out-of-state students paying around $11,947. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $26,143. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $45,824. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern State University admits about 93% of applicants.
Concordia University Saint Paul landed the #8 spot for social studies education value this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,600. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $29,026. Social Studies Education graduates of Concordia University Saint Paul earn a median of $48,056 early in their careers. Set against $29,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Minnesota State University Moorhead placed #9 among the best values for social studies education. Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Moorhead. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,428. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Minnesota State University Moorhead earn a median of $44,850 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Duluth landed the #10 spot for social studies education value this year. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,608, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $28,000. Social Studies Education graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $41,952 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Mankato placed #11 among the best values for social studies education. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $26,082 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $53,463. That is a strong return on a $26,082 median debt. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
Buena Vista University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. Located in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,798. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $29,008. Social Studies Education graduates of Buena Vista University earn a median of $44,780 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,008 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Dakota ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. University Of North Dakota is a large public school located in the city of Grand Forks. Students from in state pay about $10,951 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $25,110 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from University Of North Dakota generally make around $56,934. Set against $25,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Dakota admits about 77% of applicants.
Hamline University placed #14 among the best values for social studies education. Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Students from in state pay about $50,004 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $25,530. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Hamline University generally make around $48,679. That is a strong return on a $25,530 median debt. Hamline University admits about 88% of applicants.
Martin Luther College came in at #15 for value in social studies education this year. Martin Luther College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of New Ulm. In-state tuition and fees average $18,120. Students borrow a median of $20,224 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $31,016. Set against $20,224 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa placed #16 among the best values for social studies education. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the social studies education program here. Social Studies Education graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $46,908 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
St Catherine University placed #17 among the best values for social studies education. Located in the city of Saint Paul, St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,428. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the social studies education program here. Social Studies Education graduates of St Catherine University earn a median of $57,686 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. St Catherine University admits about 92% of applicants.
St Olaf College landed the #18 spot for social studies education value this year. St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. In-state tuition and fees average $59,760. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $27,000. Social Studies Education graduates of St Olaf College earn a median of $47,807 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Northwestern College Iowa earned the #19 position for value in social studies education this year. Northwestern College Iowa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Orange City. In-state tuition and fees average $36,710. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $25,415 in student loans. Social Studies Education graduates of Northwestern College Iowa earn a median of $54,845 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,415 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
William Penn University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value social studies education schools. Set in the town of Oskaloosa, William Penn University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,750. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $28,341. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $39,727. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
The College Of Saint Scholastica came in at #21 for value in social studies education this year. Located in the city of Duluth, The College Of Saint Scholastica is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,778. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $26,755 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $60,474. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern College Minnesota placed #22 among the best values for social studies education. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Northwestern College Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,920. Social Studies Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $40,191. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia College At Moorhead earned the #23 position for value in social studies education this year. Concordia College At Moorhead is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moorhead. Students from in state pay about $31,170 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $27,000. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $48,164. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Friends University came in at #24 for value in social studies education this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Friends University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,192. Typical student debt for social studies education graduates is $29,721. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $47,675. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Bethel University Minnesota placed #25 among the best values for social studies education. Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Paul. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,226. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $43,639. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bethel University Minnesota admits about 88% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for social studies education this year:
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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
