[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.
College Factual analyzed 21 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.
Our analysis ranked University Of Central Missouri the best value for a degree in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching in Missouri. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching will find it at Missouri Southern State University, which ranked #2. 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. Students borrow a median of $21,850 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 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.
Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Located in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Southeast Missouri State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,903. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $22,995. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $37,061. Set against $22,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies earned it the #5 place for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Located in the city of Springfield, Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies is a small private not-for-profit university. 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. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies generally make around $31,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harris Stowe State University landed the #6 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Harris Stowe State University is a small public school located in the city of Saint Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $7,008, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $32,394. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Harris Stowe State University earn a median of $31,173 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Missouri State University came in at #7 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. In-state tuition and fees average $10,611, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $37,066 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Missouri State University Springfield earned the #8 position 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, 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. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $37,907. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #9 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $20,867 in student loans. 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. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri Valley College landed the #10 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Missouri Valley College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Marshall. In-state tuition and fees average $23,700. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $27,892. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Missouri Valley College earn a median of $44,318 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,892 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Evangel University landed the #11 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $28,548. 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 $36,005. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Lincoln University Missouri placed #12 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Located in the city of Jefferson City, Lincoln University Missouri is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,796, while out-of-state students pay about $17,692. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $30,259. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Lincoln University Missouri earn a median of $37,449 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Drury University landed the #13 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Drury University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,745 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,262 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 Drury University generally make around $37,267. Set against $26,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Drury University admits about 58% of applicants.
Park University earned the #14 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,116. Students borrow a median of $25,732 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Park University earn a median of $36,667 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Baptist Bible College placed #15 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Set in the city of Springfield, Baptist Bible College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,950 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,641 ten years after entry.
Southwest Baptist University came in at #16 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,566. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Southwest Baptist University earn a median of $27,348 early in their careers. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,166. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $67,909. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences came in at #18 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $28,620. Students borrow a median of $20,431 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. 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. Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences admits about 57% of applicants.
Hannibal Lagrange College landed the #19 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Located in the town of Hannibal, Hannibal Lagrange College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $26,880 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $25,250. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Hannibal Lagrange College earn a median of $43,544 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Hannibal Lagrange College admits about 73% of applicants.
Westminster College Missouri came in at #20 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Westminster College Missouri is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Fulton. Students from in state pay about $35,214 in tuition and fees. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $25,335 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Westminster College Missouri earn a median of $37,667 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,335 median debt. Westminster College Missouri admits about 79% of applicants.
Missouri Baptist University earned the #21 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Missouri Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,122. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $27,000. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Missouri Baptist University earn a median of $38,068 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri Baptist University admits about 69% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
