2026 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools in Kansas
[Social Studies Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/social-studies-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong social studies education education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 3 schools to find the best return on investment for social studies education students.
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2026 Best Value Social Studies Education Schools in Kansas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social studies education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Social Studies Education Schools
Leading the list is Washburn University, our #1 best value for social studies education in Kansas. Washburn University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Topeka. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,945, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,175 to complete the social studies education program here. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Washburn University generally make around $50,955. Set against $21,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Emporia State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social studies education, landing the #2 spot this year. Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. Students from in state pay about $7,106 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,419 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in social studies education will find it at Friends University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Wichita, Friends University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,192. Students borrow a median of $29,721 to complete the social studies education program here. Early-career social studies education graduates make about $47,675. Set against $29,721 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Friends University admits about 55% of applicants.
More Social Studies Education Rankings
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Notes and References
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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
