[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 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 23 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching, balancing cost against outcomes.
University Of Illinois At Springfield tops our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools in Illinois. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $24,925. 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.
A rank of #2 makes Western Illinois University one of the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $25,133. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $47,352. That is a strong return on a $25,133 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Students looking for strong value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching will find it at Northern Illinois University, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Students borrow a median of $25,250 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 Northern Illinois University generally make around $44,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Northeastern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching, landing the #4 spot this year. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $12,383, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $15,612. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $51,301. Set against $15,612 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Saint Xavier University one of the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,945. Students borrow a median of $29,854 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $49,526 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Illinois University came in at #6 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Students borrow a median of $22,075 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $41,582. That is a strong return on a $22,075 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #7 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Dominican University earned the #8 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,828 in tuition and fees. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Dominican University generally make around $45,924. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
National Louis University placed #9 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $13,245 in tuition and fees. 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. That is a strong return on a $42,172 median debt. National Louis University admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of St Francis came in at #10 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Joliet. In-state tuition and fees average $38,110. Students borrow a median of $23,878 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 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%.
Concordia University Chicago came in at #11 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,488. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $23,250. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $51,004. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Trinity Christian College placed #12 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Trinity Christian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Palos Heights. Students from in state pay about $20,605 in tuition and fees. 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 Trinity Christian College earn a median of $45,968 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Illinois State University came in at #13 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $22,500. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $44,898. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Lewis University landed the #14 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,200. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Lewis University earn a median of $46,503 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Roosevelt University earned the #15 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,315. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $25,000. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Roosevelt University earn a median of $56,418 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Greenville College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Greenville College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Greenville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,200. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $22,103 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Greenville College earn a median of $36,911 early in their careers. Set against $22,103 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Blackburn College earned the #17 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Blackburn College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Carlinville. Students from in state pay about $28,149 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $25,255. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $33,739. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Bradley University earned the #18 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,160. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $43,359. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bradley University admits about 77% of applicants.
Mckendree University placed #19 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Located in the suburb of Lebanon, Mckendree University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,740. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Mckendree University generally make around $43,707. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mckendree University admits about 72% of applicants.
Depaul University placed #20 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,405. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $27,000. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $49,111 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
Loyola University Chicago placed #21 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,710. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $61,945. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
