[Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/junior-high-intermediate-middle-school-education-and-teaching/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching students.
What’s on this page:
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 Arkansas State University Beebe the best value for a degree in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching in Arkansas. Arkansas State University Beebe is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Beebe. In-state tuition and fees average $3,336, compared with $5,232 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $7,000. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Arkansas State University Beebe earn a median of $18,025 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ozarka College earned it the #2 place for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Ozarka College is a small public school located in the rural area of Melbourne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,820, with out-of-state students paying around $6,820. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $11,778 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Ozarka College generally make around $48,116. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arkansas State University Mountain Home came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Arkansas State University Mountain Home is a small public school located in the town of Mountain Home. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,312, with out-of-state students paying around $4,776. Students borrow a median of $18,097 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $39,011. Set against $18,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arkansas State University Newport came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Set in the rural area of Newport, Arkansas State University Newport is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,312, compared with $4,752 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $10,925. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Arkansas State University Newport generally make around $44,500. Set against $10,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a great value for students pursuing a degree in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Fort Smith, University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,334, with out-of-state students paying around $12,182. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $20,304. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $40,565. That is a strong return on a $20,304 median debt. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton earned the #6 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the town of Morrilton, University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,648, while out-of-state students pay about $4,728. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $13,758 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton generally make around $47,729. That is a strong return on a $13,758 median debt. University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton admits about 100% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff came in at #7 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Pine Bluff. Students from in state pay about $9,375 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,955. Students borrow a median of $26,267 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 Arkansas At Pine Bluff generally make around $35,490. That is a strong return on a $26,267 median debt. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas Tech University earned the #8 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,674, compared with $14,668 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $24,351. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $37,244. Set against $24,351 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas State University Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,090, compared with $14,522 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $21,424. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,939 early in their careers. Set against $21,424 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas At Monticello landed the #10 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. University Of Arkansas At Monticello is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Monticello. Students from in state pay about $9,292 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,857. Students borrow a median of $15,611 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 Arkansas At Monticello generally make around $44,048. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Williams Baptist College came in at #11 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the rural area of Walnut Ridge, Williams Baptist College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,070. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $18,933. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Williams Baptist College generally make around $31,309. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus landed the #12 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Located in the town of Magnolia, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,960, with out-of-state students paying around $15,690. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $16,316 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Southern Arkansas University Main Campus earn a median of $41,193 early in their careers. Set against $16,316 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock landed the #13 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Located in the city of Little Rock, University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,911 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,721. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of University Of Arkansas At Little Rock earn a median of $41,714 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arkansas At Little Rock admits about 59% of applicants.
University Of Central Arkansas came in at #14 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the city of Conway, University Of Central Arkansas is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,523, with out-of-state students paying around $18,023. Students borrow a median of $25,250 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 Central Arkansas generally make around $42,660. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Arkansas admits about 90% of applicants.
Henderson State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Henderson State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Arkadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $8,244, compared with $10,620 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 Henderson State University earn a median of $40,627 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harding University placed #16 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Set in the town of Searcy, Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,962. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $27,639 in student loans. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $44,416. Set against $27,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Ouachita Baptist University placed #17 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Located in the town of Arkadelphia, Ouachita Baptist University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,500 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $27,000. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Ouachita Baptist University earn a median of $41,595 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
More Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Rankings
View All Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Rankings >
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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
