[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 53 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #1 spot for value among junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $10,862 in student loans. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $48,574. That is a strong return on a $10,862 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Students looking for strong value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching will find it at Cuny Lehman College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $62,489 early in their careers. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Maryland College Park earned it the #3 place for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $19,500. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $53,054. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Suny Empire State College one of the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,648, with out-of-state students paying around $17,558. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $23,693. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $58,140. Set against $23,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montgomery County Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Located in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,690, while out-of-state students pay about $17,250. Students borrow a median of $14,250 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $20,885. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Philadelphia came in at #6 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,632, with out-of-state students paying around $12,744. Students borrow a median of $14,000 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 Community College Of Philadelphia generally make around $28,805. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Towson University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. Students from in state pay about $11,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $56,953. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Northampton County Area Community College earned the #8 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $15,270. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $13,796. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Northampton County Area Community College earn a median of $26,956 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,796 median debt.
Wilmington University came in at #9 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of New Castle. Students from in state pay about $12,630 in tuition and fees. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $57,142. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey earned the #10 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the suburb of Wayne. In-state tuition and fees average $15,704, while out-of-state students pay about $25,344. Students borrow a median of $24,671 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $46,981. That is a strong return on a $24,671 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania placed #11 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Set in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,236, with out-of-state students paying around $19,202. 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 East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $35,557 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 92% of applicants.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,046, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $52,416 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Delaware State University placed #13 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Delaware State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dover. In-state tuition and fees average $10,670, compared with $20,634 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $25,651. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $47,728. Set against $25,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 47%.
Pennsylvania Western University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,436, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,295 ten years after entry. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Francis University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Located in the rural area of Loretto, Saint Francis University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,388. Students borrow a median of $30,729 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 Saint Francis University generally make around $63,097. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Francis University admits about 77% of applicants.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #16 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Students borrow a median of $29,500 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 Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $47,217. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
York College Pennsylvania placed #17 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,588. 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 $44,194. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown landed the #18 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Johnstown. Students from in state pay about $14,906 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,780 for out-of-state students. 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 University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown earn a median of $36,248 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown admits about 95% of applicants.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earned the #19 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,128 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,952. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Millersville University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $45,145. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earned the #20 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kutztown. Students from in state pay about $11,206 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,330. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $27,000. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $50,484 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania admits about 91% of applicants.
La Salle University earned the #21 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,800 in tuition and fees. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $25,462 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from La Salle University generally make around $54,618. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. La Salle University admits about 97% of applicants.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #22 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,775 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Geneva College came in at #23 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the suburb of Beaver Falls, Geneva College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,450. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $24,250. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Geneva College generally make around $33,818. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
La Roche College came in at #24 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. La Roche College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Pittsburgh. Students from in state pay about $34,052 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $31,617. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of La Roche College earn a median of $45,954 early in their careers. Set against $31,617 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. La Roche College admits about 76% of applicants.
Seton Hill University earned the #25 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Seton Hill University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Greensburg. Students from in state pay about $42,944 in tuition and fees. 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 Seton Hill University earn a median of $53,485 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Seton Hill University admits about 80% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 53 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
