[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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 5 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching, balancing cost against outcomes.
University Of New Orleans earned the #1 spot for value among junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools in Louisiana. Located in the city of New Orleans, University Of New Orleans is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,172, compared with $14,008 for out-of-state students. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $24,514 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of University Of New Orleans earn a median of $42,720 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,514 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Mcneese 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. Set in the city of Lake Charles, Mcneese State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,489 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,989. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $42,694. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Southeastern Louisiana University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Located in the city of Hammond, Southeastern Louisiana University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,373, while out-of-state students pay about $20,851. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $26,013 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Southeastern Louisiana University generally make around $46,201. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a great value for students pursuing a degree in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Lafayette, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,418, while out-of-state students pay about $24,146. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $24,502. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from University Of Louisiana Lafayette generally make around $44,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northwestern State University Of Louisiana earned it the #5 place for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Set in the town of Natchitoches, Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,864, compared with $19,652 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $23,662. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $46,549. Set against $23,662 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
