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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Social Studies Education Schools in the The Plains States Region

18 Colleges in the United States
100 Social Studies Education Degrees Awarded
$45,345 Avg Early-Career Salary

Social Studies Education is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their social studies education programs.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 32 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 The Plains States Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall social studies education education in the The Plains States Region.

Top Schools in Social Studies Education

1

No school ranked higher than North Dakota State University Main Campus this year for social studies education. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. North Dakota State University Main Campus graduates 64% of students within six years. North Dakota State University Main Campus awarded about 15 social studies education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $46,970. Typical student debt for the program is $25,485. Read more about the social studies education program at North Dakota State University Main Campus

2

A rank of #2 makes Minnesota State University Mankato one of the top schools for social studies education. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Minnesota State University Mankato awarded about 11 social studies education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social studies education degree from Minnesota State University Mankato earn around $53,463 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,082 to complete this degree. Get the full social studies education details for Minnesota State University Mankato

3

Emporia State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best social studies education schools. Located in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. There were roughly 19 social studies education students who graduated with this degree at Emporia State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social studies education degree recipients from Emporia State University generally make around $52,694. Typical student debt for the program is $22,500. Read more about the social studies education program at Emporia State University

4

University Of Minnesota Duluth is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in social studies education, ranking #4. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public university. University Of Minnesota Duluth graduates 65% of students within six years. About 15 social studies education degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Duluth in the most recent year. Social Studies Education graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $41,952 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $28,000. See the full social studies education program report for University Of Minnesota Duluth

5

A rank of #5 makes Minnesota State University Moorhead one of the top schools for social studies education. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. About 13 social studies education degrees were awarded at Minnesota State University Moorhead in the most recent year. Students who receive their social studies education degree from Minnesota State University Moorhead earn around $44,850 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,750. More information about a degree in social studies education from Minnesota State University Moorhead

6

Southeast Missouri State University earned the #6 position for social studies education this year. This large public university is located in the city of Cape Girardeau. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 15 social studies education students who graduated with this degree at Southeast Missouri State University in the most recent data year. Social Studies Education graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $34,206 early in their careers. Southeast Missouri State University graduates carry a median of $21,748 in student loans. Get the full social studies education details for Southeast Missouri State University

7

Saint Cloud State University earned the #7 position for social studies education this year. This large public university is located in the city of Saint Cloud. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. Saint Cloud State University awarded about 12 social studies education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social studies education program make about $43,279 in their early career. Saint Cloud State University graduates carry a median of $30,795 in student loans. Read more about the social studies education program at Saint Cloud State University

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Notes and References

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 · 32 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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