[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.
College Factual analyzed 11 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.
Our analysis ranked University Of South Carolina Aiken the best value for a degree in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching in South Carolina. Located in the suburb of Aiken, University Of South Carolina Aiken is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,760, while out-of-state students pay about $21,218. Students borrow a median of $24,776 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $38,667. That is a strong return on a $24,776 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Francis Marion University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Set in the rural area of Florence, Francis Marion University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,170 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,544 for out-of-state students. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $39,122. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Carolina Upstate earned it the #3 place for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Spartanburg. In-state tuition and fees average $11,588, compared with $23,090 for out-of-state students. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $27,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Upstate generally make around $40,081. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Coastal Carolina University 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 Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,640, while out-of-state students pay about $29,628. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Coastal Carolina University earn a median of $43,072 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Winthrop University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Rock Hill, Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,678, compared with $28,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $27,000. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Winthrop University earn a median of $44,482 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Winthrop University admits about 79% of applicants.
Lander University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Lander University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Greenwood. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,700, compared with $21,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $26,075. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Lander University earn a median of $43,532 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
College Of Charleston landed the #7 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Set in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,978, compared with $38,296 for out-of-state students. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $26,423 in student loans. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $44,347. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Bob Jones University earned the #8 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Bob Jones University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Greenville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,892. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $19,250 in student loans. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $34,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Charleston Southern University earned the #9 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the city of Charleston, Charleston Southern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $32,520 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Charleston Southern University generally make around $40,478. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Charleston Southern University admits about 96% of applicants.
Clemson University earned the #10 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,554 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Students borrow a median of $25,783 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 Clemson University generally make around $41,080. Set against $25,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of South Carolina Columbia placed #11 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,688, while out-of-state students pay about $36,298. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $43,172. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
