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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Social Studies Education Master’s Degree Schools

29 Colleges in the United States
779 Social Studies Education Degrees Awarded
$60,000 Avg Early-Career Salary

Social Studies Education is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 306 schools to find the best for social studies education students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Social Studies Education in the United States

Below are the best social studies education schools at the master’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.

Top Schools in Social Studies Education

1

Our analysis ranked University Of Washington Seattle Campus the best school in the country for a degree in social studies education. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 17 social studies education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $71,315. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social studies education from University Of Washington Seattle Campus

2
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

Students looking for a strong social studies education program will find one at University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #2. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 13 social studies education degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $54,350. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete this degree. Get the full social studies education details for University Of Pennsylvania

3
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in social studies education, landing the #3 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Stony Brook. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 26 social studies education degrees were awarded at Stony Brook University in the most recent year. Graduates of the social studies education program make about $64,011 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,537 to complete this degree. Get the full social studies education details for Stony Brook University

4

Rutgers University New Brunswick is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in social studies education, ranking #4. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates 84% of students within six years. Rutgers University New Brunswick awarded about 21 social studies education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social studies education program make about $61,146 in their early career. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates carry a median of $25,120 in student loans. More information about a degree in social studies education from Rutgers University New Brunswick

5
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best social studies education schools. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 16 social studies education degrees were awarded at Cuny Hunter College in the most recent year. Students who receive their social studies education degree from Cuny Hunter College earn around $73,962 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree. See the full social studies education program report for Cuny Hunter College

6

Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #6 position for social studies education this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 14 social studies education students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Brooklyn College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $76,095. Cuny Brooklyn College graduates carry a median of $13,178 in student loans. More information about a degree in social studies education from Cuny Brooklyn College

7

Cuny Queens College earned the #7 position for social studies education this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. Cuny Queens College awarded about 16 social studies education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social studies education program make about $75,530 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,000. Get the full social studies education details for Cuny Queens College

8
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best social studies education schools. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. Boston University awarded about 11 social studies education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social studies education degree from Boston University earn around $59,382 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,125. Read more about the social studies education program at Boston University

9

University Of Georgia came in at #9 for social studies education this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Georgia awarded about 19 social studies education degrees in the most recent data year. Social Studies Education graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $56,374 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social studies education from University Of Georgia

10

State University Of New York At New Paltz landed the #10 spot for social studies education this year. Set in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 20 social studies education students who graduated with this degree at State University Of New York At New Paltz in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social studies education program make about $63,621 in their early career. State University Of New York At New Paltz graduates carry a median of $24,293 in student loans. Read more about the social studies education program at State University Of New York At New Paltz

11

Suny At Binghamton placed #11 among the best social studies education schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Vestal. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. There were roughly 11 social studies education students who graduated with this degree at Suny At Binghamton in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social studies education program make about $55,319 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,691 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social studies education from Suny At Binghamton

12

Teachers College At Columbia University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best social studies education schools. Set in the city of New York, Teachers College At Columbia University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. There were roughly 28 social studies education students who graduated with this degree at Teachers College At Columbia University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social studies education program make about $71,195 in their early career. More information about a degree in social studies education from Teachers College At Columbia University

13

Suny College At Oneonta ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best social studies education schools. Located in the town of Oneonta, Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public university. Suny College At Oneonta graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 30 social studies education students who graduated with this degree at Suny College At Oneonta in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Suny College At Oneonta generally make around $55,882. Students borrow a median of $19,032 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social studies education from Suny College At Oneonta

14

Cuny Lehman College earned the #14 position for social studies education this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 social studies education degrees were awarded at Cuny Lehman College in the most recent year. Graduates of the social studies education program make about $80,081 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,213. Get the full social studies education details for Cuny Lehman College

15
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best social studies education schools. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 18 social studies education students who graduated with this degree at Temple University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $63,453. Temple University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Get the full social studies education details for Temple University

16

Manhattanville College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best social studies education schools. Located in the suburb of Purchase, Manhattanville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Manhattanville College awarded about 12 social studies education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social studies education degree from Manhattanville College earn around $65,945 in the first couple years of their career. Manhattanville College graduates carry a median of $25,372 in student loans. Get the full social studies education details for Manhattanville College

17

Suny College At Oswego placed #17 among the best social studies education schools. Set in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 social studies education degrees were awarded at Suny College At Oswego in the most recent year. Graduates of the social studies education program make about $59,429 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,452. Get the full social studies education details for Suny College At Oswego

18

Utah State University came in at #18 for social studies education this year. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. Utah State University awarded about 16 social studies education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social studies education program make about $64,232 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,757 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social studies education from Utah State University

19

Ball State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best social studies education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Muncie. About 62% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 31 social studies education students who graduated with this degree at Ball State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social studies education degree from Ball State University earn around $53,142 in the first couple years of their career. Ball State University graduates carry a median of $24,998 in student loans. Read more about the social studies education program at Ball State University

20

Suny College At Old Westbury earned the #20 position for social studies education this year. Set in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public institution. About 45% of students finish within six years. About 26 social studies education degrees were awarded at Suny College At Old Westbury in the most recent year. Students who receive their social studies education degree from Suny College At Old Westbury earn around $65,441 in the first couple years of their career. Suny College At Old Westbury graduates carry a median of $20,274 in student loans. Read more about the social studies education program at Suny College At Old Westbury

21

University At Buffalo earned the #21 position for social studies education this year. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. University At Buffalo graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 27 social studies education students who graduated with this degree at University At Buffalo in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $50,041. Typical student debt for the program is $22,232. More information about a degree in social studies education from University At Buffalo

22

Emporia State University landed the #22 spot for social studies education this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Emporia. Emporia State University graduates 56% of students within six years. About 19 social studies education degrees were awarded at Emporia State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their social studies education degree from Emporia State University earn around $61,434 in the first couple years of their career. Emporia State University graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Get the full social studies education details for Emporia State University

23
Suny At Albany crest
Suny At Albany
Albany, NY

Suny At Albany earned the #23 position for social studies education this year. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 social studies education students who graduated with this degree at Suny At Albany in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $54,318. Suny At Albany graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Get the full social studies education details for Suny At Albany

24
Rowan University crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best social studies education schools. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. Rowan University graduates 67% of students within six years. About 37 social studies education degrees were awarded at Rowan University in the most recent year. Social Studies Education graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $62,761 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social studies education from Rowan University

25

Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #25 position for social studies education this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. Cuny College Of Staten Island awarded about 16 social studies education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social studies education degree from Cuny College Of Staten Island earn around $76,422 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,688. More information about a degree in social studies education from Cuny College Of Staten Island

Rest of the Top 41 Social Studies Education Schools

These schools also placed among the best for social studies education this year:

26
27
28
Niagara University crest
Niagara University
Niagara University, NY
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI
36
37
38
39
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
40
41

Other Social Studies Education Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare Social Studies Education rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Social Studies Education
Associate's Degrees in Social Studies Education
Bachelor's Degrees in Social Studies Education
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View All Social Studies Education Rankings >

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 306 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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