[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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 18 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools.
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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.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill tops our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools in North Carolina. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,640 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $61,361 early in their careers. Set against $13,640 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a great value for students pursuing a degree in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pembroke. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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 $45,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of North Carolina At Greensboro one of the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $44,447. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Fayetteville State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,353, with out-of-state students paying around $8,353. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $30,087 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Fayetteville State University earn a median of $42,080 early in their careers. Set against $30,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Western Carolina University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $24,714 in student loans. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $40,594. Set against $24,714 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #6 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $24,763. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $45,528. That is a strong return on a $24,763 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
North Carolina Central University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Set in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,699, with out-of-state students paying around $19,735. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $31,880 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of North Carolina Central University earn a median of $42,873 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
East Carolina University landed the #8 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $23,625. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $45,356. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Appalachian State University earned the #9 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $41,144. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #10 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $21,500. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $44,877 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Gardner Webb University came in at #11 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the rural area of Boiling Springs, Gardner Webb University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,750 in tuition and fees. 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 Gardner Webb University generally make around $39,850. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Catawba College earned the #12 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Catawba College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Salisbury. In-state tuition and fees average $34,300. Students borrow a median of $20,655 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $37,894. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington landed the #13 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. In-state tuition and fees average $7,277, while out-of-state students pay about $24,152. Students borrow a median of $20,130 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 North Carolina At Wilmington generally make around $42,535. Set against $20,130 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington admits about 64% of applicants.
Lenoir Rhyne University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Set in the city of Hickory, Lenoir Rhyne University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,900. 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 Lenoir Rhyne University generally make around $42,723. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Wingate University earned the #15 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the suburb of Wingate, Wingate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,576. Students borrow a median of $25,925 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Wingate University earn a median of $40,130 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,925 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Campbell University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Located in the town of Buies Creek, Campbell University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,600. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Campbell University generally make around $41,994. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Campbell University admits about 87% of applicants.
High Point University came in at #17 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of High Point. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,312. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $24,500. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from High Point University generally make around $113,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Elon University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Located in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $46,958. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Elon University earn a median of $47,095 early in their careers. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
