[Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/junior-high-intermediate-middle-school-education-and-teaching/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 20 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked College Of The Mainland the best value for a degree in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,310, while out-of-state students pay about $4,140. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $10,928. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of College Of The Mainland earn a median of $40,788 early in their careers. Set against $10,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes South Texas College one of the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $5,500. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $16,902 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville 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 Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,148, with out-of-state students paying around $4,948. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $30,343. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching will find it at Grayson College, which ranked #4. Located in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,000, with out-of-state students paying around $6,300. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $11,627 in student loans. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $42,487. Set against $11,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brazosport College earned it the #5 place for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Set in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,388, with out-of-state students paying around $4,711. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $6,625. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Brazosport College generally make around $32,746. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Portales. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,074, compared with $9,054 for out-of-state students. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earn a median of $49,087 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Austin Community College District earned the #7 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $17,785 in student loans. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $46,430. That is a strong return on a $17,785 median debt.
Howard College came in at #8 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the town of Big Spring, Howard College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,766, compared with $6,716 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,242 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $41,039. That is a strong return on a $14,242 median debt.
North Central Texas College came in at #9 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the town of Gainesville, North Central Texas College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,600, while out-of-state students pay about $5,739. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $16,352. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of North Central Texas College earn a median of $43,536 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Collin County Community College District landed the #10 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Located in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,014, compared with $6,064 for out-of-state students. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $9,125 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Collin County Community College District earn a median of $42,177 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,125 median debt.
Hill College came in at #11 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the town of Hillsboro, Hill College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,862. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $12,302 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Hill College earn a median of $39,212 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arizona State University landed the #12 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $20,375. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $55,876 early in their careers. Set against $20,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Mcmurry University earned the #13 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the city of Abilene, Mcmurry University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,100. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $29,750. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $41,609. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Wayland Baptist University placed #14 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Wayland Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Plainview. Students from in state pay about $23,782 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $31,694. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $38,397. Set against $31,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Austin College placed #15 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Austin College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sherman. Students from in state pay about $48,121 in tuition and fees. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $24,264 in student loans. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $58,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Austin College admits about 48% of applicants.
Trinity University placed #16 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Trinity University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,676. Students borrow a median of $23,314 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 Trinity University generally make around $57,496. Set against $23,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 26% of applicants are accepted.
Howard Payne University came in at #17 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the town of Brownwood, Howard Payne University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,982. Students borrow a median of $24,734 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Howard Payne University earn a median of $35,357 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,734 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Lubbock Christian University came in at #18 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Lubbock Christian University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lubbock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,540. Students borrow a median of $25,250 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 Lubbock Christian University generally make around $43,729. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Abilene Christian University came in at #19 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,200. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $27,209. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Abilene Christian University generally make around $50,486. Set against $27,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Letourneau University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Located in the city of Longview, Letourneau University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,160. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $33,334. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Letourneau University generally make around $53,569. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Narrow Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Schools by State
More Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Rankings
View All Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
