[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.
College Factual analyzed 15 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 Northern Essex Community College this year. Located in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,732, compared with $12,516 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,129 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 Northern Essex Community College generally make around $44,682. Set against $10,129 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rhode Island College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,300, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. Students borrow a median of $27,973 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $45,088 early in their careers. Set against $27,973 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rhode Island College admits about 92% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching will find it at Worcester State University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. Students borrow a median of $22,971 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Worcester State University earn a median of $42,313 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fitchburg State University earned it the #4 place for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Located in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,346, compared with $17,426 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,813 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 Fitchburg State University generally make around $48,965. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Granite State College one of the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Set in the city of Manchester, Granite State College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,724, with out-of-state students paying around $9,284. Students borrow a median of $27,522 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Granite State College earn a median of $55,121 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,522 median debt.
Westfield State University placed #6 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Located in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,179, while out-of-state students pay about $18,259. 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 $46,645. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth placed #7 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,612, while out-of-state students pay about $32,567. Students borrow a median of $27,106 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of $54,669 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,106 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Vermont ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Set in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,058, with out-of-state students paying around $45,502. Students borrow a median of $23,250 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 University Of Vermont generally make around $41,720. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Gordon College placed #9 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Located in the rural area of Wenham, Gordon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,700. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $26,975 in student loans. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $37,097. That is a strong return on a $26,975 median debt. Gordon College admits about 69% of applicants.
American International College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Set in the city of Springfield, American International College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,230. Students borrow a median of $30,390 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $59,475. Set against $30,390 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. American International College admits about 100% of applicants.
Lesley University earned the #11 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,256. Students borrow a median of $17,918 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Lesley University earn a median of $48,287 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,918 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Champlain College came in at #12 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the city of Burlington, Champlain College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,850. 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 Champlain College generally make around $58,490. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Merrimack College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Set in the suburb of North Andover, Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,962 in tuition and fees. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $26,913 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Merrimack College generally make around $50,506. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Merrimack College admits about 70% of applicants.
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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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
