[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 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.
Louisiana State University Alexandria tops our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools in Louisiana. Louisiana State University Alexandria is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Alexandria. In-state tuition and fees average $7,050, compared with $14,725 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of New Orleans one of the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Set in the city of New Orleans, University Of New Orleans is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,172, while out-of-state students pay about $14,008. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Nicholls State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Thibodaux, Nicholls State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,149, compared with $9,242 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $22,692. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $47,173. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Students looking for strong value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching will find it at Southeastern Louisiana University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Hammond, Southeastern Louisiana University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $26,013 median debt. Southeastern Louisiana University admits about 99% of applicants.
Louisiana Tech University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Set in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,125, with out-of-state students paying around $16,866. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $23,600. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $45,143. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Louisiana Tech University admits about 86% of applicants.
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana came in at #6 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the town of Natchitoches, Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,864, while out-of-state students pay about $19,652. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $23,662 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Northwestern State University Of Louisiana generally make around $46,549. Set against $23,662 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette placed #7 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public school located in the city of Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,418, compared with $24,146 for out-of-state students. 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.
Southern University And A And M College earned the #8 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Southern University And A And M College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. Students from in state pay about $9,922 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,272. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $33,288 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Southern University And A And M College earn a median of $45,304 early in their careers. Set against $33,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 35% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 3 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.
