[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 35 schools to find the best return on investment 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.
Valley City State University tops our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,580 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,544. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $26,000. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $44,179. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Students looking for strong value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching will find it at Chadron State College, which ranked #2. Chadron State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Chadron. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,294. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $21,750. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Chadron State College earn a median of $40,320 early in their careers. Set against $21,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Missouri Southern State University earned it the #3 place for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Located in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,600, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $21,850. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Missouri Southern State University generally make around $36,345. That is a strong return on a $21,850 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Peru State College earned it the #4 place for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Located in the rural area of Peru, Peru State College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,433. Students borrow a median of $26,117 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $37,072. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Wichita State University one of the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $30,250 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $43,764 early in their careers. Set against $30,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Central Missouri earned the #6 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,050 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $24,199 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $38,947 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies placed #7 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $8,054 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,262 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $31,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wayne State College landed the #8 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wayne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,171. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $41,322. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt.
Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies came in at #9 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Fayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,500. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $20,431. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $32,393. That is a strong return on a $20,431 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #10 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $26,059. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $46,054 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Harris Stowe State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Harris Stowe State University is a small public school located in the city of Saint Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,008, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $32,394 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Harris Stowe State University earn a median of $31,173 early in their careers. Set against $32,394 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Missouri State University earned the #12 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,903. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $22,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $37,061. Set against $22,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Sinte Gleska University earned the #13 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Sinte Gleska University is a small public school located in the rural area of Mission. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,714. Graduates go on to earn a median of $20,948 ten years after entry.
Black Hills State University earned the #14 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the town of Spearfish, Black Hills State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,916, while out-of-state students pay about $12,018. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $26,312. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $42,789. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Missouri State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $26,000. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $37,066. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #16 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $26,500. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $37,907. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of North Dakota ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. University Of North Dakota is a large public school located in the city of Grand Forks. In-state tuition and fees average $10,951, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of $64,378 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $20,867. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $37,302. Set against $20,867 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
Missouri Valley College came in at #19 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the town of Marshall, Missouri Valley College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $23,700 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,892 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 Missouri Valley College generally make around $44,318. Set against $27,892 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri Valley College admits about 69% of applicants.
Evangel University placed #20 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Set in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $28,548. Students borrow a median of $27,000 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 Evangel University generally make around $36,005. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Evangel University admits about 72% of applicants.
Lincoln University Missouri ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Located in the city of Jefferson City, Lincoln University Missouri is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,796 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,692. Students borrow a median of $30,259 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 Lincoln University Missouri generally make around $37,449. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Upper Iowa University came in at #22 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $19,475. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $37,646 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Upper Iowa University earn a median of $51,441 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $37,646 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Drury University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Drury University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,745. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $26,262 in student loans. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $37,267. That is a strong return on a $26,262 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Park University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Located in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,116. Students borrow a median of $25,732 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $36,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwest Baptist University earned the #25 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Southwest Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Bolivar. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,566. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $27,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 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.
