Social Studies Education degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their social studies education programs.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 306 schools to find the best for social studies education students.
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Choosing a Great Social Studies Education School
Where you study social studies education matters for your future. That is why we built our Best Social Studies Education Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Social Studies Education School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Social Studies Education Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
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ADBLOCK #171
Best Schools for Social Studies Education in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the social studies education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked University Of Washington Seattle Campus the best school in the country for a degree in social studies education. This very large public university is located in the city of Seattle. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. About 17 social studies education degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $71,315. Typical student debt for the program is $16,481.
Get the full social studies education details for University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of Pennsylvania is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in social studies education, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 13 social studies education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $54,350. Typical student debt for the program is $16,155.
Read more about the social studies education program at University Of Pennsylvania
Stony Brook University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in social studies education, ranking #3. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. Stony Brook University awarded about 26 social studies education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social studies education degree from Stony Brook University earn around $64,011 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,537 to complete this degree.
Read more about the social studies education program at Stony Brook University
Students looking for a strong social studies education program will find one at Purdue University Main Campus, which ranked #4. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Purdue University Main Campus graduates 83% of students within six years. About 25 social studies education degrees were awarded at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their social studies education degree from Purdue University Main Campus earn around $44,923 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the social studies education program at Purdue University Main Campus
Rutgers University New Brunswick is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in social studies education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Rutgers University New Brunswick awarded about 21 social studies education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $61,146. Typical student debt for the program is $25,120.
See the full social studies education program report for Rutgers University New Brunswick
Cuny Hunter College came in at #6 for social studies education this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 30 social studies education degrees were awarded at Cuny Hunter College in the most recent year. Graduates of the social studies education program make about $61,604 in their early career. Cuny Hunter College graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans.
Get the full social studies education details for Cuny Hunter College
Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #7 position for social studies education this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Cuny Brooklyn College graduates 54% of students within six years. Cuny Brooklyn College awarded about 27 social studies education degrees in the most recent data year. Social Studies Education graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $61,164 early in their careers. Cuny Brooklyn College graduates carry a median of $13,178 in student loans.
See the full social studies education program report for Cuny Brooklyn College
Cuny Queens College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best social studies education schools. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. Cuny Queens College awarded about 55 social studies education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $67,212. Typical student debt for the program is $16,000.
More information about a degree in social studies education from Cuny Queens College
University Of Georgia landed the #9 spot for social studies education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Athens. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 41 social studies education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social studies education program make about $61,081 in their early career. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans.
See the full social studies education program report for University Of Georgia
Boston University placed #10 among the best social studies education schools. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 social studies education students who graduated with this degree at Boston University in the most recent data year. Social Studies Education graduates of Boston University earn a median of $67,277 early in their careers. Boston University graduates carry a median of $25,125 in student loans.
See the full social studies education program report for Boston University
State University Of New York At New Paltz placed #11 among the best social studies education schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of New Paltz. State University Of New York At New Paltz graduates 72% of students within six years. State University Of New York At New Paltz awarded about 43 social studies education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from State University Of New York At New Paltz generally make around $51,668. State University Of New York At New Paltz graduates carry a median of $24,293 in student loans.
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Suny At Binghamton landed the #12 spot for social studies education this year. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 social studies education degrees were awarded at Suny At Binghamton in the most recent year. Social Studies Education graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $55,319 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,691.
See the full social studies education program report for Suny At Binghamton
University Of Wyoming landed the #13 spot for social studies education this year. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. University Of Wyoming awarded about 14 social studies education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social studies education program make about $49,587 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full social studies education details for University Of Wyoming
Suny College At Oneonta came in at #14 for social studies education this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Oneonta. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 30 social studies education degrees were awarded at Suny College At Oneonta in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Suny College At Oneonta generally make around $46,329. Typical student debt for the program is $19,032.
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St Johns University New York came in at #15 for social studies education this year. Located in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 social studies education degrees were awarded at St Johns University New York in the most recent year. Graduates of the social studies education program make about $52,645 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
More information about a degree in social studies education from St Johns University New York
Rowan University placed #16 among the best social studies education schools. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. Rowan University graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 37 social studies education students who graduated with this degree at Rowan University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social studies education program make about $56,365 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full social studies education program report for Rowan University
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #17 spot for social studies education this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Norman. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 social studies education degrees were awarded at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus in the most recent year. Social Studies Education graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $47,572 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree.
See the full social studies education program report for University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Teachers College At Columbia University came in at #18 for social studies education this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. About 31 social studies education degrees were awarded at Teachers College At Columbia University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Teachers College At Columbia University generally make around $82,636.
Read more about the social studies education program at Teachers College At Columbia University
Temple University came in at #19 for social studies education this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Temple University awarded about 18 social studies education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $54,736. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
See the full social studies education program report for Temple University
Ball State University landed the #20 spot for social studies education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Muncie. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 31 social studies education students who graduated with this degree at Ball State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $49,745. Ball State University graduates carry a median of $24,998 in student loans.
See the full social studies education program report for Ball State University
Suny College At Cortland ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best social studies education schools. Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Cortland. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Suny College At Cortland awarded about 41 social studies education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social studies education program make about $50,309 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,837.
Read more about the social studies education program at Suny College At Cortland
University Of Vermont came in at #22 for social studies education this year. Located in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. University Of Vermont awarded about 14 social studies education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social studies education degree from University Of Vermont earn around $41,099 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Vermont graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans.
Get the full social studies education details for University Of Vermont
Eastern Washington University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best social studies education schools. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. About 17 social studies education degrees were awarded at Eastern Washington University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $41,914. Eastern Washington University graduates carry a median of $23,009 in student loans.
Get the full social studies education details for Eastern Washington University
Cuny Lehman College placed #24 among the best social studies education schools. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. Cuny Lehman College awarded about 12 social studies education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social studies education program make about $90,725 in their early career. Cuny Lehman College graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans.
More information about a degree in social studies education from Cuny Lehman College
Manhattanville College placed #25 among the best social studies education schools. Manhattanville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Purchase. About 58% of students finish within six years. About 12 social studies education degrees were awarded at Manhattanville College in the most recent year. Students who receive their social studies education degree from Manhattanville College earn around $65,945 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,372.
Get the full social studies education details for Manhattanville College
Rest of the Top 50 Social Studies Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong social studies education education:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 306 schools evaluated.
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).
