[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 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.
Our analysis ranked Christian Brothers University the best value for a degree in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching in Tennessee. Christian Brothers University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,420. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $32,416. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Christian Brothers University earn a median of $51,040 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,416 median debt. Christian Brothers University admits about 87% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Students borrow a median of $22,517 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Memphis one of the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Students borrow a median of $28,439 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $33,502. Set against $28,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Tennessee Technological University earned it the #4 place for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. Students from in state pay about $11,376 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,576. Students borrow a median of $14,566 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $39,034. That is a strong return on a $14,566 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Students looking for strong value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching will find it at Carson Newman College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Jefferson City, Carson Newman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,700. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $26,500. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Carson Newman College earn a median of $48,797 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Carson Newman College admits about 90% of applicants.
Freed Hardeman University landed the #6 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Set in the town of Henderson, Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $25,620 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $23,125. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Freed Hardeman University earn a median of $40,936 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,125 median debt. Freed Hardeman University admits about 60% of applicants.
Johnson University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Located in the rural area of Knoxville, Johnson University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,122. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $23,819. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $34,290. That is a strong return on a $23,819 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Lee University earned the #8 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,790. Students borrow a median of $23,832 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $46,351. Set against $23,832 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lee University admits about 70% of applicants.
Lipscomb University came in at #9 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,572. Students borrow a median of $16,563 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 Lipscomb University generally make around $48,949. That is a strong return on a $16,563 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 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.
