[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 26 schools to find the best return on investment 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 Missouri Southern State University the best value for a degree in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching in Missouri. Set in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,600, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $21,850 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Missouri Southern State University generally make around $36,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri Southern State University admits about 97% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Missouri Kansas City earned it the #2 place for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $39,942. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Lincoln University Missouri one of the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Located in the city of Jefferson City, Lincoln University Missouri is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,796, with out-of-state students paying around $17,692. Students borrow a median of $30,259 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 Lincoln University Missouri generally make around $37,449. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southeast Missouri State University earned it the #4 place for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,903. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $22,995 in student loans. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $37,061 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,995 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Fayette. In-state tuition and fees average $7,500. Students borrow a median of $20,431 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $32,393. Set against $20,431 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies earned the #6 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,054. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $26,262. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies generally make around $33,880. Set against $26,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Missouri State University earned the #7 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,611, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $37,066. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Central Missouri landed the #8 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,199 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $38,947 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,199 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Park University came in at #9 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Parkville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,116. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $25,732 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Park University generally make around $52,616. That is a strong return on a $25,732 median debt.
Missouri State University Springfield earned the #10 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $37,907. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri Valley College landed the #11 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Set in the town of Marshall, Missouri Valley College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,700. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $27,892. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $44,318. That is a strong return on a $27,892 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #12 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Students borrow a median of $20,867 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $37,302 early in their careers. Set against $20,867 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
Fontbonne University landed the #13 spot for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching value this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Fontbonne University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,976. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $46,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Evangel University came in at #14 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $28,548 in tuition and fees. 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 $36,005. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Southwest Baptist University came in at #15 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the town of Bolivar, Southwest Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,566. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Southwest Baptist University earn a median of $27,348 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Hannibal Lagrange College came in at #16 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the town of Hannibal, Hannibal Lagrange College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,880. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $25,250. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates of Hannibal Lagrange College earn a median of $32,927 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Drury University came in at #17 for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Drury University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,745. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $26,262. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $31,726. That is a strong return on a $26,262 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences earned the #18 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,620. Students borrow a median of $20,431 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 Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences generally make around $32,393. That is a strong return on a $20,431 median debt. Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences admits about 57% of applicants.
Missouri Baptist University placed #19 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Missouri Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,122. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program here. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $38,068. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis placed #20 among the best values for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $27,166. Typical student debt for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates is $25,500. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Maryville University Of Saint Louis generally make around $67,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Westminster College Missouri earned the #21 position for value in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Located in the town of Fulton, Westminster College Missouri is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,214. Junior High/intermediate/middle School Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $25,335 in student loans. Early-career junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching graduates make about $37,667. That is a strong return on a $25,335 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
