[Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/junior-high-intermediate-middle-school-education-and-teaching/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 18 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.
College Of The Mainland tops our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools in Texas. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,310 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $10,928 in student loans. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $40,788. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Texas College earned it the #2 place for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. 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.
A rank of #3 makes The University Of Texas At Brownsville one of the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public school located in the city of Brownsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. That is a strong return on a $7,750 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Grayson College earned it the #4 place for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Grayson College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Denison. 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. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Grayson College earn a median of $42,487 early in their careers. Set against $11,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching will find it at Brazosport College, which ranked #5. Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Lake Jackson. Students from in state pay about $2,388 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,711 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,625 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 Brazosport College generally make around $32,746. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,785 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $46,430 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,785 median debt.
Howard College placed #7 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Located in the town of Big Spring, Howard College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Central Texas College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Located in the town of Gainesville, North Central Texas College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,600 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,739. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $16,352 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from North Central Texas College generally make around $43,536. That is a strong return on a $16,352 median debt.
Collin County Community College District placed #9 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Collin County Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of McKinney. Students from in state pay about $2,014 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,064. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $9,125. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Collin County Community College District generally make around $42,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hill College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Set in the town of Hillsboro, Hill College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,862. Students borrow a median of $12,302 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 Hill College generally make around $39,212. Set against $12,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mcmurry University landed the #11 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Located in the city of Abilene, Mcmurry University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $32,100 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Mcmurry University earn a median of $41,609 early in their careers. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Wayland Baptist University placed #12 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. In-state tuition and fees average $23,782. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $31,694. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Wayland Baptist University earn a median of $38,397 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,694 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Austin College landed the #13 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Set in the city of Sherman, Austin College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,121. Students borrow a median of $24,264 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 Austin College generally make around $58,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Trinity University came in at #14 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, Trinity University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,676 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $23,314. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $57,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Trinity University admits about 26% of applicants.
Howard Payne University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Set in the town of Brownwood, Howard Payne University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,982. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $24,734. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $35,357. Set against $24,734 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Lubbock Christian University ranked #16 on our 2027 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,540. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $25,250. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Lubbock Christian University earn a median of $43,729 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lubbock Christian University admits about 73% of applicants.
Abilene Christian University landed the #17 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. In-state tuition and fees average $44,200. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $27,209. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Abilene Christian University earn a median of $50,486 early in their careers. Set against $27,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Letourneau University placed #18 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Located in the city of Longview, Letourneau University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
