[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 36 schools to find the best return on investment 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.
Leading the list is Montgomery County Community College, our #1 best value for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching in Pennsylvania. Montgomery County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blue Bell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,690, compared with $17,250 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,250 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $20,885. That is a strong return on a $14,250 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Community College Of Philadelphia earned it the #2 place for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $4,632 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,744. 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. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a great value for students pursuing a degree in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching, landing the #3 spot this year. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $11,046, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,416 ten years after entry. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northampton County Area Community College earned it the #4 place for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Located in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,550 in tuition and fees, 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. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Northampton County Area Community College generally make around $26,956. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania one of the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Set in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,236, compared with $19,202 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 East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $35,557 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Saint Francis University came in at #6 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the rural area of Loretto, Saint Francis University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,388. Students borrow a median of $30,729 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 Saint Francis University generally make around $63,097. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Pennsylvania Western University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,436, while out-of-state students pay about $16,054. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,295 ten years after entry. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus landed the #8 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. In-state tuition and fees average $11,380, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $29,500 in student loans. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $47,217. That is a strong return on a $29,500 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
York College Pennsylvania earned the #9 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,588. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $27,000. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of York College Pennsylvania earn a median of $44,194 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. York College Pennsylvania admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Set in the suburb of Johnstown, University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,906, with out-of-state students paying around $26,780. 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 $36,248. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania came in at #11 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $22,952. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $27,000. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $45,145. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania landed the #12 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kutztown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,206, compared with $16,330 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $27,000. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $50,484 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania admits about 91% of applicants.
La Salle University landed the #13 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,800. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $25,462. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of La Salle University earn a median of $54,618 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Geneva College earned the #14 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the suburb of Beaver Falls, Geneva College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,450. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $24,250. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Geneva College earn a median of $33,818 early in their careers. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #15 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,775 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
La Roche College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Located in the suburb of Pittsburgh, La Roche College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,052 in tuition and fees. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $31,617 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from La Roche College generally make around $45,954. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Seton Hill University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Located in the suburb of Greensburg, Seton Hill University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,944. 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 Seton Hill University earn a median of $53,485 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Gannon University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Set in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,656. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $26,934 in student loans. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $44,313. That is a strong return on a $26,934 median debt. Gannon University admits about 74% of applicants.
Saint Vincent College came in at #19 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the suburb of Latrobe, Saint Vincent College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,396. 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 Saint Vincent College generally make around $44,278. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Shippensburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,570, with out-of-state students paying around $15,824. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $26,435. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $47,319. Set against $26,435 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Lancaster Bible College came in at #21 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the suburb of Lancaster, Lancaster Bible College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $29,990. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $26,775. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $24,449. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lancaster Bible College admits about 56% of applicants.
Misericordia University landed the #22 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Misericordia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,370. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $30,012 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Misericordia University earn a median of $42,793 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,012 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Robert Morris University earned the #23 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the suburb of Moon Township, Robert Morris University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $35,770. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $26,748 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Robert Morris University earn a median of $58,900 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,748 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Elizabethtown College came in at #24 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the suburb of Elizabethtown, Elizabethtown College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,950 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 Elizabethtown College generally make around $50,725. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Elizabethtown College admits about 78% of applicants.
Eastern University earned the #25 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Eastern University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Davids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,400. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $40,160. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Eastern University earn a median of $42,696 early in their careers. Set against $40,160 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
