[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools to find the best return on investment 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.
Northern Essex Community College earned the #1 spot for value among junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools in the New England Region. Set in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,732, with out-of-state students paying around $12,516. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $10,129 in student loans. 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.
Worcester State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching, landing the #2 spot this year. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. In-state tuition and fees average $11,786, compared with $17,866 for out-of-state students. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $22,971 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Worcester State University earn a median of $42,313 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching will find it at Rhode Island College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,300, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $27,973 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $42,119 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rhode Island College admits about 92% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Granite State College earned it the #4 place for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. 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. Students borrow a median of $26,770 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $54,169. That is a strong return on a $26,770 median debt.
Fitchburg State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Located in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,346, while out-of-state students pay about $17,426. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $21,813. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Fitchburg State University earn a median of $48,965 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. Fitchburg State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Westfield State University placed #6 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Set in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,179, while out-of-state students pay about $18,259. 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 $46,645. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Vermont ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Located in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $19,058 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $45,502. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $41,720. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth landed the #8 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of North Dartmouth. In-state tuition and fees average $15,612, while out-of-state students pay about $32,567. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $27,106 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth generally make around $54,669. Set against $27,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
American International College placed #9 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. American International College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $44,230 in tuition and fees. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $30,390 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from American International College generally make around $59,475. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Gordon College placed #10 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Located in the rural area of Wenham, Gordon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $30,700 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,975 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $37,097. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Rivier College came in at #11 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Rivier College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashua. In-state tuition and fees average $39,488. 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 Rivier College earn a median of $60,796 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Lesley University landed the #12 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,256. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $17,918 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Lesley University generally make around $44,692. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Champlain College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Located in the city of Burlington, Champlain College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $47,850. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $27,000. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Champlain College earn a median of $58,490 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Merrimack College landed the #14 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of North Andover. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,962. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $26,913. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Merrimack College earn a median of $50,506 early in their careers. Set against $26,913 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
