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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Schools in the The Plains States Region

25 Colleges in the United States
212 Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Degrees Awarded
$38,187 Avg Early-Career Salary

Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 42 schools to find the best for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching in the The Plains States Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching education in the The Plains States Region.

Top Schools in Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching

1

Leading the list is University Of Missouri Columbia, our #1 school for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 16 junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $37,302. Typical student debt for the program is $20,867. Read more about the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program at University Of Missouri Columbia

2
Morningside College crest
Morningside College
Sioux City, IA

Students looking for a strong junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program will find one at Morningside College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Sioux City, Morningside College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. About 12 junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degrees were awarded at Morningside College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Morningside College generally make around $48,478. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program report for Morningside College

3

University Of Central Missouri is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching, landing the #3 spot this year. This large public university is located in the town of Warrensburg. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 13 junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching students who graduated with this degree at University Of Central Missouri in the most recent data year. Students who receive their junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree from University Of Central Missouri earn around $38,947 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,199. Read more about the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program at University Of Central Missouri

4

Missouri State University Springfield is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching, ranking #4. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 105 junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching students who graduated with this degree at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent data year. Graduates of the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program make about $37,907 in their early career. Missouri State University Springfield graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Read more about the junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program at Missouri State University Springfield

5

Southeast Missouri State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 19 junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching students who graduated with this degree at Southeast Missouri State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $37,061. Students borrow a median of $22,995 to complete this degree. See the full junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program report for Southeast Missouri State University

6

Northwest Missouri State University earned the #6 position for junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching this year. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. Northwest Missouri State University graduates 54% of students within six years. About 11 junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degrees were awarded at Northwest Missouri State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree from Northwest Missouri State University earn around $37,066 in the first couple years of their career. Northwest Missouri State University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching from Northwest Missouri State University

7

Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies placed #7 among the best junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Fayette. About 23 junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degrees were awarded at Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies in the most recent year. Students who receive their junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree from Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies earn around $32,393 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,431 to complete this degree. See the full junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching program report for Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies

8

Missouri Southern State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching schools. Located in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public university. Roughly 40% of students complete a degree within six years here. Missouri Southern State University awarded about 13 junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching degree recipients from Missouri Southern State University generally make around $36,345. Students borrow a median of $21,850 to complete this degree. Get the full junior high/intermediate/middle school education & teaching details for Missouri Southern State University

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 42 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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