[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 25 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill the best value for a degree in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching in North Carolina. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $13,640 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $61,361 early in their careers. Set against $13,640 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a great value for students pursuing a degree in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,648 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,648. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $40,578. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned it the #3 place for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $44,447 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 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 Western Carolina University, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,630, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $24,714 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $40,594. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Fayetteville State University one of the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fayetteville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,353, while out-of-state students pay about $8,353. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $30,087 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Fayetteville State University earn a median of $42,080 early in their careers. Set against $30,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #6 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $24,763 in student loans. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $45,528. That is a strong return on a $24,763 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
Appalachian State University landed the #7 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $41,144. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Appalachian State University admits about 90% of applicants.
East Carolina University landed the #8 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $23,625. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $45,356 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,625 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina Central University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,699, with out-of-state students paying around $19,735. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $31,880 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of North Carolina Central University earn a median of $46,773 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $44,877 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Catawba College landed the #11 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Catawba College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,300. Students borrow a median of $20,655 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Catawba College earn a median of $37,894 early in their careers. Set against $20,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. Students from in state pay about $7,277 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,152. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $20,130. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn a median of $42,535 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,130 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Wingate University earned the #13 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the suburb of Wingate, Wingate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,576. Students borrow a median of $25,925 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $40,130. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Lenoir Rhyne University earned the #14 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Lenoir Rhyne University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Hickory. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,900. 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 Lenoir Rhyne University earn a median of $42,723 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Barton College placed #15 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Located in the town of Wilson, Barton College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,000. Students borrow a median of $27,122 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 Barton College generally make around $41,251. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Campbell University came in at #16 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Campbell University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Buies Creek. Students from in state pay about $41,600 in tuition and fees. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Campbell University generally make around $41,994. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Campbell University admits about 87% of applicants.
Gardner Webb University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Set in the rural area of Boiling Springs, Gardner Webb University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,750. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Gardner Webb University earn a median of $39,850 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
High Point University came in at #18 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of High Point. In-state tuition and fees average $45,312. 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 $113,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. High Point University admits about 75% of applicants.
Elon University placed #19 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elon. In-state tuition and fees average $46,958. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Elon University generally make around $47,095. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
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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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
