[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.
College Factual analyzed 42 schools to build this 2026 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.
For return on investment in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching, no school beat Chadron State College this year. 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. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $40,320. That is a strong return on a $21,750 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Missouri Kansas City earned it the #2 place for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Students borrow a median of $26,000 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 University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $39,942. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Missouri Southern State University one of the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Joplin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,600, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $21,850. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Missouri Southern State University earn a median of $36,345 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,850 median debt. Missouri Southern State University admits about 97% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Valley City State University one of the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Located in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,580, while out-of-state students pay about $13,544. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $44,179. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Peru State College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Set in the rural area of Peru, Peru State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,433. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $26,117 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Peru State College earn a median of $37,072 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,117 median debt.
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,059 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 University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $46,054. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Wichita State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,250 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 Wichita State University generally make around $43,764. That is a strong return on a $30,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Lincoln University Missouri ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Lincoln University Missouri is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Jefferson City. Students from in state pay about $9,796 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,692 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $30,259. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $37,449. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sinte Gleska University placed #9 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Sinte Gleska University is a small public school located in the rural area of Mission. Students from in state pay about $4,714 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $20,948 ten years after entry.
Southeast Missouri State University came in at #10 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,903. Students borrow a median of $22,995 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 Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $37,061. Set against $22,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Set in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,054. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $26,262. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies earn a median of $33,880 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,262 median debt.
Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies placed #13 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,500. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $20,431 in student loans. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $32,393. Set against $20,431 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Missouri State University came in at #14 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,611, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 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 Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $37,066. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Missouri earned the #15 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Students borrow a median of $24,199 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $38,947 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,199 median debt. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
Park University placed #16 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Parkville. Students from in state pay about $12,116 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $25,732. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Park University earn a median of $52,616 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $37,907 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Black Hills State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Set in the town of Spearfish, Black Hills State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,916, with out-of-state students paying around $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. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,867 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $37,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of North Dakota placed #20 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,951, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $27,000. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $64,378. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri Valley College landed the #21 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Located in the town of Marshall, Missouri Valley College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $23,700 in tuition and fees. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $27,892 in student loans. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $44,318. That is a strong return on a $27,892 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Evangel University landed the #22 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,548. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Evangel University earn a median of $36,005 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Fontbonne University placed #23 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Fontbonne University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,976. Students borrow a median of $26,000 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 Fontbonne University generally make around $46,039. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwest Baptist University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Located in the town of Bolivar, Southwest Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $30,566 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,250 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 Southwest Baptist University generally make around $27,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Hannibal Lagrange College earned the #25 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the town of Hannibal, Hannibal Lagrange College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,880. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $25,250. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Hannibal Lagrange College generally make around $32,927. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Hannibal Lagrange College admits about 73% of applicants.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value ranking:
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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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
