[Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/junior-high-intermediate-middle-school-education-and-teaching/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools to find the best return on investment for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching students.
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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.
Northern Essex Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools in Massachusetts. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $12,516. Students borrow a median of $10,129 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $44,682. That is a strong return on a $10,129 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Worcester State University one of the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,786 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $22,971 in student loans. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $42,313. Set against $22,971 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching will find it at Fitchburg State University, which ranked #3. Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fitchburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,346, with out-of-state students paying around $17,426. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $21,813. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Fitchburg State University earn a median of $48,965 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fitchburg State University admits about 87% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Westfield State University earned it the #4 place for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Westfield. In-state tuition and fees average $12,179, with out-of-state students paying around $18,259. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Westfield State University generally make around $46,645. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Set in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,612 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,567 for out-of-state students. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $27,106 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth generally make around $54,669. Set against $27,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Gordon College landed the #6 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Set in the rural area of Wenham, Gordon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $30,700 in tuition and fees. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $26,975 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Gordon College earn a median of $37,097 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
American International College came in at #7 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the city of Springfield, American International College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,230 in tuition and fees. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $30,390 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from American International College generally make around $59,475. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Lesley University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Located in the city of Cambridge, Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,256. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $17,918. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Lesley University earn a median of $48,287 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lesley University admits about 97% of applicants.
Merrimack College landed the #9 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of North Andover. In-state tuition and fees average $53,962. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $26,913 in student loans. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $50,506. That is a strong return on a $26,913 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
