[Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/junior-high-intermediate-middle-school-education-and-teaching/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 373 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Collin County Community College District, our #1 best value for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching in the United States. Collin County Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of McKinney. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,014, while out-of-state students pay about $6,064. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $9,125. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Collin County Community College District earn a median of $42,177 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $17,785. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $46,430 early in their careers. Set against $17,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Mainland earned it the #3 place for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,310, while out-of-state students pay about $4,140. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $10,928. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $40,788. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Essex Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching, landing the #4 spot this year. Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Haverhill. Students from in state pay about $6,732 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,516. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $10,129. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Northern Essex Community College earn a median of $44,682 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,129 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching will find it at Grayson College, which ranked #5. Located in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,000 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,627 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Grayson College generally make around $42,487. That is a strong return on a $11,627 median debt.
Brazosport College landed the #6 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Located in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,388, while out-of-state students pay about $4,711. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Brazosport College generally make around $32,746. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
South Texas College landed the #7 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $16,902. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville came in at #8 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,148, with out-of-state students paying around $4,948. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $30,343. That is a strong return on a $7,750 median debt.
Arkansas State University Beebe came in at #9 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Arkansas State University Beebe is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Beebe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,336, while out-of-state students pay about $5,232. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Arkansas State University Beebe generally make around $18,025. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
North Central Texas College came in at #10 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the town of Gainesville, North Central Texas College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,600, compared with $5,739 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,352 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $43,536. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College earned the #11 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the suburb of Blue Ash, University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,106, with out-of-state students paying around $15,904. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $15,625. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College generally make around $29,867. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt.
University Of Cincinnati Clermont College earned the #12 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the suburb of Batavia, University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,639, compared with $13,871 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $15,625. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Clermont College generally make around $29,867. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt.
Montgomery County Community College earned the #13 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Montgomery County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blue Bell. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,690, compared with $17,250 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $14,250. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Montgomery County Community College generally make around $20,885. Set against $14,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Vernon College earned the #14 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the town of Vernon, Vernon College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,720, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $12,513. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $45,097. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Howard College landed the #15 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Located in the town of Big Spring, Howard College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,766, compared with $6,716 for out-of-state students. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $14,242 in student loans. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $41,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northampton County Area Community College landed the #16 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Northampton County Area Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Bethlehem. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $15,270. Students borrow a median of $13,796 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $26,956. Set against $13,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arkansas State University Newport ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Set in the rural area of Newport, Arkansas State University Newport is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,312, while out-of-state students pay about $4,752. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $10,925. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Arkansas State University Newport earn a median of $44,500 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,925 median debt.
Ozarka College placed #18 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Ozarka College is a small public school located in the rural area of Melbourne. In-state tuition and fees average $3,820, with out-of-state students paying around $6,820. Students borrow a median of $11,778 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $48,116. That is a strong return on a $11,778 median debt.
Hill College landed the #19 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Hill College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hillsboro. In-state tuition and fees average $2,862. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $12,302 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Hill College generally make around $39,212. Set against $12,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arkansas State University Mountain Home came in at #20 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the town of Mountain Home, Arkansas State University Mountain Home is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,312, compared with $4,776 for out-of-state students. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $18,097 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Arkansas State University Mountain Home generally make around $39,011. That is a strong return on a $18,097 median debt.
Community College Of Philadelphia ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $4,632, compared with $12,744 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Community College Of Philadelphia earn a median of $28,805 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt.
University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton earned the #22 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the town of Morrilton, University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,648, while out-of-state students pay about $4,728. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $13,758 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton earn a median of $47,729 early in their careers. Set against $13,758 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Navarro College earned the #23 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the town of Corsicana, Navarro College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,008, compared with $6,578 for out-of-state students. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $16,488 in student loans. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $32,872. Set against $16,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Georgia Military College Milledgeville placed #24 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Georgia Military College Milledgeville is a large public school located in the town of Milledgeville. Students from in state pay about $7,605 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,116 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Georgia Military College Milledgeville generally make around $21,591. Set against $11,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Granite State College came in at #25 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the city of Manchester, Granite State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,724 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,284. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $27,522 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Granite State College earn a median of $55,121 early in their careers. Set against $27,522 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching:
Explore the best-value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools at other degree levels:
View All Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 373 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
