[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 30 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.
For return on investment in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching, no school beat University Of North Georgia this year. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,444, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $49,402 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
Clayton 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. Located in the suburb of Morrow, Clayton State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,532. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $35,088. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $42,114. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Gordon State College earned it the #3 place for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Gordon State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Barnesville. Students from in state pay about $3,628 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,948. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $23,073 in student loans. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $41,011. Set against $23,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Gordon State College admits about 86% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching will find it at Valdosta State University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,124, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $48,722. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Valdosta State University admits about 72% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Savannah State University earned it the #5 place for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Set in the city of Savannah, Savannah State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,750, with out-of-state students paying around $19,043. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $31,576. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $34,489. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Georgia earned the #6 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $18,229 in student loans. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $59,279. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Georgia Southwestern State University placed #7 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Georgia Southwestern State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Americus. In-state tuition and fees average $5,220, compared with $16,572 for out-of-state students. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $26,431 in student loans. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $50,897. That is a strong return on a $26,431 median debt. Georgia Southwestern State University admits about 75% of applicants.
Columbus State University came in at #8 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $5,898 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,610. Students borrow a median of $30,977 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Columbus State University earn a median of $55,147 early in their careers. Set against $30,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
College Of Coastal Georgia earned the #9 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. College Of Coastal Georgia is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Brunswick. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,616, compared with $10,936 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,125 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of College Of Coastal Georgia earn a median of $40,747 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,125 median debt. College Of Coastal Georgia admits about 98% of applicants.
Augusta University earned the #10 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,414 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,734. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $29,579. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $42,419. That is a strong return on a $29,579 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Georgia State University came in at #11 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,664, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. 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 Georgia State University generally make around $53,265. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Military College Milledgeville ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Set in the town of Milledgeville, Georgia Military College Milledgeville is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,605. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $11,116. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $21,591. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Albany State University came in at #13 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the city of Albany, Albany State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,656, compared with $17,008 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Albany State University generally make around $44,703. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Georgia Southern University earned the #14 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Georgia Southern University is a very large public school located in the town of Statesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022, with out-of-state students paying around $17,734. 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 Georgia Southern University generally make around $47,263. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Kennesaw State University earned the #15 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. Students from in state pay about $5,808 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. 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 Kennesaw State University generally make around $63,630. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Shorter University came in at #16 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the city of Rome, Shorter University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $24,630 in tuition and fees. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $26,568 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Shorter University generally make around $39,460. That is a strong return on a $26,568 median debt. Shorter University admits about 96% of applicants.
Georgia College And State University landed the #17 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Located in the town of Milledgeville, Georgia College And State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,186, with out-of-state students paying around $29,512. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Georgia College And State University earn a median of $50,511 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Emmanuel College Georgia placed #18 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Located in the rural area of Franklin Springs, Emmanuel College Georgia is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,500 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $30,093. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Thomas University came in at #19 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the town of Thomasville, Thomas University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $11,640 in tuition and fees. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Thomas University earn a median of $59,006 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Brenau University landed the #20 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Brenau University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $33,757 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $38,250 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $47,002. Set against $38,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Piedmont College landed the #21 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Located in the town of Demorest, Piedmont College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,700. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $30,026 in student loans. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $48,916. That is a strong return on a $30,026 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Berry College landed the #22 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Berry College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mount Berry. In-state tuition and fees average $41,486. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $43,376. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Truett Mcconnell College came in at #23 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Truett Mcconnell College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Cleveland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,792. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Truett Mcconnell College earn a median of $37,831 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Truett Mcconnell College admits about 78% of applicants.
Mercer University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Set in the city of Macon, Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $31,565. Students borrow a median of $47,750 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 Mercer University generally make around $53,846. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mercer University admits about 69% of applicants.
Covenant College came in at #25 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the suburb of Lookout Mountain, Covenant College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,040 in tuition and fees. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $23,700 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Covenant College generally make around $37,404. That is a strong return on a $23,700 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
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. 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 · 30 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.
