[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 26 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
College Of The Mainland tops our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,310, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,928 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $40,788. 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. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $16,902. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brazosport College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,388, compared with $4,711 for out-of-state students. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Brazosport College earn a median of $32,746 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
Grayson College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching, landing the #4 spot this year. Grayson College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Denison. In-state tuition and fees average $3,000, with out-of-state students paying around $6,300. Students borrow a median of $11,627 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 Grayson College generally make around $42,487. 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 Austin Community College District, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $46,430. That is a strong return on a $17,785 median debt.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Set in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,148, while out-of-state students pay about $4,948. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $7,750. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Brownsville generally make around $30,343. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earned the #7 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,074, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Students borrow a median of $24,000 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 Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus generally make around $49,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus admits about 92% of applicants.
Collin County Community College District placed #8 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Set in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,014, compared with $6,064 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $9,125. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $42,177. Set against $9,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Vernon College earned the #9 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the town of Vernon, Vernon College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,720, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,513 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Vernon College earn a median of $45,097 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Central Texas College landed the #10 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Set in the town of Gainesville, North Central Texas College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,600, compared with $5,739 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,352 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $43,536. That is a strong return on a $16,352 median debt.
Hill College earned the #11 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the town of Hillsboro, Hill College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,862. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $12,302 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Hill College generally make around $39,212. Set against $12,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Howard College landed the #12 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Howard College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Big Spring. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,766, with out-of-state students paying around $6,716. Students borrow a median of $14,242 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Howard College earn a median of $41,039 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arizona State University earned the #13 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $20,375 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $55,876 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Navarro College came in at #14 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the town of Corsicana, Navarro College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,008, compared with $6,578 for out-of-state students. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $16,488 in student loans. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $32,872. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mcmurry University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Mcmurry University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,100. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Mcmurry University earn a median of $41,609 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Wayland Baptist University placed #16 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Set in the town of Plainview, Wayland Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,782. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $31,694 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Wayland Baptist University generally make around $38,397. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wayland Baptist University admits about 56% of applicants.
Trinity University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Set in the city of San Antonio, Trinity University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,676. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $23,314. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Trinity University generally make around $57,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 26% of applicants are accepted.
Letourneau University came in at #18 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Letourneau University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Longview. 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. That is a strong return on a $33,334 median debt. Letourneau University admits about 38% of applicants.
Lubbock Christian University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. 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. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lubbock Christian University admits about 73% of applicants.
Abilene Christian University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Located in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,200 in tuition and fees. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $27,209 in student loans. 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. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
