[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.
To produce this 2027 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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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 Illinois. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, compared with $20,139 for out-of-state students. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $24,925 in student loans. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $44,458. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Saint Xavier University one of the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,945. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $29,854 in student loans. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $49,526. That is a strong return on a $29,854 median debt. Saint Xavier University admits about 84% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Dominican University earned it the #3 place 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. In-state tuition and fees average $38,828. 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 Dominican University earn a median of $45,924 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dominican University admits about 90% of applicants.
Eastern 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. 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. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $41,582. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
National Louis University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Set in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,245. Students borrow a median of $42,172 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 National Louis University generally make around $47,995. Set against $42,172 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. National Louis University admits about 95% of applicants.
Western Illinois University placed #6 among 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. Students borrow a median of $25,133 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 Western Illinois University generally make around $47,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Francis came in at #8 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,110. Students borrow a median of $23,878 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $43,864. That is a strong return on a $23,878 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $19,500. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $50,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern Illinois University came in at #10 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,383, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. Students borrow a median of $15,612 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $51,301 early in their careers. Set against $15,612 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
North Park University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Set in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,710 in tuition and fees. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $27,360 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from North Park University generally make around $46,168. That is a strong return on a $27,360 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Lewis University came in at #12 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,200. 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 Lewis University earn a median of $46,503 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lewis University admits about 71% of applicants.
Concordia University Chicago earned the #13 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,488. Students borrow a median of $23,250 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 Concordia University Chicago generally make around $51,004. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Concordia University Chicago admits about 93% of applicants.
Illinois State University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $44,898. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Blackburn College came in at #15 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. In-state tuition and fees average $28,149. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $25,255 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Blackburn College generally make around $33,739. Set against $25,255 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Trinity Christian College landed the #16 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Set in the suburb of Palos Heights, Trinity Christian College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,605. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Trinity Christian College earn a median of $45,968 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Trinity Christian College admits about 85% of applicants.
Greenville College earned the #17 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Greenville College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Greenville. In-state tuition and fees average $32,200. Students borrow a median of $22,103 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $36,911. Set against $22,103 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Roosevelt University earned the #18 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. Students from in state pay about $21,315 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Roosevelt University generally make around $56,418. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Rockford College landed the #19 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Rockford College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rockford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,780. 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 $38,867. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Bradley University landed the #20 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Set in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,160 in tuition and fees. 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 Bradley University generally make around $43,359. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Mckendree University placed #21 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Mckendree University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lebanon. 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. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $43,707. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University earned the #22 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $45,405. 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 Depaul University generally make around $49,111. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Loyola University Chicago ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $53,710. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $25,000. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $61,945. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
