[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 144 schools to find the best return on investment for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching students.
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.
University Of South Florida Main Campus tops our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $20,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $52,885. That is a strong return on a $20,995 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Florida came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $19,097. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $48,255. Set against $19,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 53%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Arkansas State University Beebe earned it the #3 place for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Arkansas State University Beebe is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Beebe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,336, compared with $5,232 for out-of-state students. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Arkansas State University Beebe generally make around $18,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes University Of North Georgia one of the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,444, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $49,402. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Murray State University one of the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $22,324. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $40,669. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Kentucky University placed #6 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. 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 Northern Kentucky University generally make around $41,224. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke placed #7 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Set in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,648, while out-of-state students pay about $7,648. 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 $40,578. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas State University Newport came in at #8 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Arkansas State University Newport is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Newport. Students from in state pay about $3,312 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,752. Students borrow a median of $10,925 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Arkansas State University Newport earn a median of $44,500 early in their careers. Set against $10,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #9 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $44,447. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Clayton State University came in at #10 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the suburb of Morrow, Clayton State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,180, compared with $16,532 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $35,088. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Clayton State University earn a median of $42,114 early in their careers. Set against $35,088 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Gordon State College came in at #11 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the town of Barnesville, Gordon State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,628, with out-of-state students paying around $10,948. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $23,073. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Gordon State College generally make around $41,011. That is a strong return on a $23,073 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas Fort Smith placed #12 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Located in the city of Fort Smith, University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,334, compared with $12,182 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,304 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 Arkansas Fort Smith generally make around $40,565. That is a strong return on a $20,304 median debt. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith admits about 80% of applicants.
Fayetteville State University came in at #13 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,353, compared with $8,353 for out-of-state students. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $30,087 in student loans. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $42,080. Set against $30,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Eastern Kentucky University earned the #14 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $26,725 in student loans. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $40,114. That is a strong return on a $26,725 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana State University Alexandria placed #15 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Louisiana State University Alexandria is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Alexandria. Students from in state pay about $7,050 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,725. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $24,656. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Louisiana State University Alexandria generally make around $47,702. That is a strong return on a $24,656 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Fairmont State University placed #16 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Set in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,708, compared with $18,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $26,447. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Fairmont State University earn a median of $46,594 early in their careers. Set against $26,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Ozarka College came in at #17 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the rural area of Melbourne, Ozarka College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,820, compared with $6,820 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $11,778. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $48,116. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arkansas State University Mountain Home placed #18 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Located in the town of Mountain Home, Arkansas State University Mountain Home is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,312, with out-of-state students paying around $4,776. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $18,097. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Arkansas State University Mountain Home generally make around $39,011. Set against $18,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #19 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $13,640. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $61,361. Set against $13,640 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Valdosta State University came in at #20 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $26,750. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Valdosta State University generally make around $48,722. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Valdosta State University admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of The Cumberlands landed the #21 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,875. Students borrow a median of $22,782 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 The Cumberlands generally make around $38,571. That is a strong return on a $22,782 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Western Kentucky University earned the #22 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $25,000. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $41,250 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Morehead State University earned the #23 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,024, compared with $14,980 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,292 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 Morehead State University generally make around $42,941. Set against $25,292 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Savannah State University landed the #24 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Savannah State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Savannah. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,750, compared with $19,043 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,576 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 Savannah State University generally make around $34,489. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of New Orleans ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. University Of New Orleans is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of New Orleans. In-state tuition and fees average $9,172, compared with $14,008 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,514 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $42,720. That is a strong return on a $24,514 median debt. University Of New Orleans admits about 74% of applicants.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value ranking:
Narrow Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Schools by State
More Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Rankings
View All Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Rankings >
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 · 144 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 75 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.
