[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 17 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.
Arkansas State University Newport tops our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools in Arkansas. Arkansas State University Newport is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Newport. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,312, compared with $4,752 for out-of-state students. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $10,925 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Arkansas State University Newport generally make around $44,500. That is a strong return on a $10,925 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching will find it at Ozarka College, which ranked #2. Ozarka College is a small public school located in the rural area of Melbourne. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,820, with out-of-state students paying around $6,820. Students borrow a median of $11,778 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $48,116. Set against $11,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton is a great value for students pursuing a degree in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Morrilton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,648, while out-of-state students pay about $4,728. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $13,758. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton earn a median of $47,729 early in their careers. Set against $13,758 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton admits about 100% of applicants.
Arkansas State University Mountain Home is a great value for students pursuing a degree in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching, landing the #4 spot this year. Arkansas State University Mountain Home is a small public school located in the town of Mountain Home. Students from in state pay about $3,312 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,776. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $18,097 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Arkansas State University Mountain Home generally make around $39,011. That is a strong return on a $18,097 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Arkansas Fort Smith earned it the #5 place for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Set in the city of Fort Smith, University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,334, while out-of-state students pay about $12,182. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $20,304. 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. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas State University Beebe earned the #6 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Arkansas State University Beebe is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Beebe. In-state tuition and fees average $3,336, with out-of-state students paying around $5,232. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $7,000. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Arkansas State University Beebe generally make around $18,025. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
Arkansas State University Main Campus came in at #7 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $21,424 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $41,939. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas Tech University came in at #8 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,674, while out-of-state students pay about $14,668. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $24,351 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Arkansas Tech University earn a median of $37,244 early in their careers. Set against $24,351 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff landed the #9 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Located in the town of Pine Bluff, University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,375, with out-of-state students paying around $17,955. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $26,267 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff earn a median of $35,490 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 41%.
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus earned the #10 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the town of Magnolia, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,960 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,690. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $16,316 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Southern Arkansas University Main Campus generally make around $41,193. That is a strong return on a $16,316 median debt. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas At Monticello ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Set in the town of Monticello, University Of Arkansas At Monticello is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,292, with out-of-state students paying around $14,857. Students borrow a median of $15,611 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $41,278. That is a strong return on a $15,611 median debt.
Williams Baptist College earned the #12 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Williams Baptist College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Walnut Ridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,070. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $18,933 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Williams Baptist College earn a median of $31,309 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,933 median debt. Williams Baptist College admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of Central Arkansas ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Located in the city of Conway, University Of Central Arkansas is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,523, while out-of-state students pay about $18,023. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $42,660. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Arkansas admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock placed #14 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a large public school located in the city of Little Rock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,911, with out-of-state students paying around $22,721. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $22,500. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $41,714. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Harding University came in at #15 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the town of Searcy, Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,962. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $27,639 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Harding University generally make around $44,416. Set against $27,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Ouachita Baptist University came in at #16 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the town of Arkadelphia, Ouachita Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,500. 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 $41,595. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Henderson State University came in at #17 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the town of Arkadelphia, Henderson State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,244 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,620 for out-of-state students. 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 $40,627. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
