[Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/junior-high-intermediate-middle-school-education-and-teaching/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching, balancing cost against outcomes.
Northern Essex Community College earned the #1 spot for value among junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools in Massachusetts. Located in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,732, compared with $12,516 for out-of-state students. 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.
A rank of #2 makes Worcester State University one of the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. Students from in state pay about $11,786 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $22,971. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Worcester State University generally make around $42,313. Set against $22,971 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Worcester State University admits about 88% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fitchburg State University earned it the #3 place for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Set in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,346, compared with $17,426 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,813 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 Fitchburg State University generally make around $48,965. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching will find it at Westfield State University, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,179 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,259. 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 Westfield State University earn a median of $46,645 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Westfield State University admits about 81% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earned it the #5 place for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $32,567. Students borrow a median of $27,106 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of $54,669 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,106 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
American International College landed the #6 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, American International College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,230. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $30,390 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of American International College earn a median of $59,475 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,390 median debt. American International College admits about 100% of applicants.
Gordon College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Gordon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Wenham. Students from in state pay about $30,700 in tuition and fees. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $26,975 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Gordon College earn a median of $37,097 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Gordon College admits about 69% of applicants.
Lesley University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Set in the city of Cambridge, Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,256. Students borrow a median of $17,918 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 Lesley University generally make around $44,692. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Merrimack College came in at #9 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching 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. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $50,506. That is a strong return on a $26,913 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
