[Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/junior-high-intermediate-middle-school-education-and-teaching/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 71 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching students.
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.
Our analysis ranked University Of Illinois At Springfield the best value for a degree in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $24,925 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $44,458 early in their careers. Set against $24,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.
Saint Xavier University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $38,945 in tuition and fees. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $29,854 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $49,526. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Dominican University one of the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,828. Students borrow a median of $27,000 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 Dominican University generally make around $45,924. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Saginaw Valley State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Set in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of $50,012 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great value for students pursuing a degree in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $50,601 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University landed the #6 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $44,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Eastern Illinois University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $22,075. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $41,582 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Ohio University Zanesville Campus ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Ohio University Zanesville Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Zanesville. Students from in state pay about $6,362 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,444. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $23,050 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Ohio University Zanesville Campus earn a median of $34,983 early in their careers. Set against $23,050 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wayne State University earned the #9 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $55,469 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
National Louis University earned the #10 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,245. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $42,172 in student loans. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $47,995. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Western Illinois University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $25,133 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $47,352. Set against $25,133 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Chillicothe Campus ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Ohio University Chillicothe Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Chillicothe. Students from in state pay about $6,362 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,444 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $23,050. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Ohio University Chillicothe Campus generally make around $34,983. Set against $23,050 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ohio University Southern Campus earned the #13 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Ohio University Southern Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Ironton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,362, while out-of-state students pay about $9,444. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $23,050 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Ohio University Southern Campus earn a median of $34,983 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,050 median debt.
University Of St Francis ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Set in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,110. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $23,878 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from University Of St Francis generally make around $43,864. That is a strong return on a $23,878 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Northeastern Illinois University placed #15 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,383, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $15,612 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $51,301. That is a strong return on a $15,612 median debt. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
Youngstown State University landed the #16 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $29,500. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $33,735 early in their careers. Set against $29,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Cincinnati Clermont College earned the #17 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public school located in the suburb of Batavia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,639, with out-of-state students paying around $13,871. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $15,625. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $29,867. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ball State University came in at #18 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $24,655. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $48,051. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Wright State University Lake Campus placed #19 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Wright State University Lake Campus is a small public school located in the rural area of Celina. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,372, compared with $17,072 for out-of-state students. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $36,332. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt.
Ohio State University Lima Campus came in at #20 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the rural area of Lima, Ohio State University Lima Campus is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,488, compared with $36,266 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,432 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $36,483. That is a strong return on a $25,432 median debt.
Western Michigan University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $48,966. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
Cleveland State University earned the #22 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $39,226 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $35,368. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville earned the #24 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,644, compared with $17,603 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of University Of Wisconsin Platteville earn a median of $56,998 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Shawnee State University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Located in the town of Portsmouth, Shawnee State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,448, while out-of-state students pay about $16,032. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $25,233. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $42,878. That is a strong return on a $25,233 median debt.
These schools also delivered strong value for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year:
Narrow Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Schools by State
More Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Rankings
View All Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 71 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 71 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.
