[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 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.
Leading the list is Christian Brothers University, our #1 best value for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching in Tennessee. Located in the city of Memphis, Christian Brothers University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,420. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $32,416 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Christian Brothers University generally make around $51,040. That is a strong return on a $32,416 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee Technological University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,376, with out-of-state students paying around $15,576. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $14,566. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $39,034. Set against $14,566 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Students looking for strong value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching will find it at University Of Memphis, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $28,439. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $33,502. Set against $28,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching will find it at The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga, which ranked #4. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public school located in the city of Chattanooga. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,448, compared with $18,512 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $22,517. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $44,879 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,517 median debt. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.
Lee University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,790. Students borrow a median of $23,832 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 Lee University generally make around $46,351. That is a strong return on a $23,832 median debt. Lee University admits about 70% of applicants.
Carson Newman College landed the #6 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Set in the suburb of Jefferson City, Carson Newman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,700. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $48,797. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Freed Hardeman University came in at #7 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Henderson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,620. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Freed Hardeman University generally make around $40,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Johnson University earned the #8 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Johnson University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Knoxville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,122. Students borrow a median of $23,819 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 Johnson University generally make around $34,290. Set against $23,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Johnson University admits about 65% of applicants.
Lipscomb University earned the #9 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,572. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $16,563. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Lipscomb University earn a median of $48,949 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,563 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
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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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
