Best institutions to study Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching
A program that prepares individuals to teach students in the middle, intermediate or junior high grades, which may include grades four through nine by regulation.
273 U.S. institutions graduated 2,728 Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 13.1203, a specialization of Teacher Education and Professional Development (CIP 13.12), and leads most directly to the Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education occupation (BLS SOC 25-2022).
About Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching programs
A program that prepares individuals to teach students in the middle, intermediate or junior high grades, which may include grades four through nine by regulation.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching program prepares individuals to teach students in grades four through nine. This program is part of the broader field of Teacher Education and Professional Development, equipping future educators with the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive in middle school environments.
Students in this program will develop essential skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework typically covers subjects like education and training, psychology, and mathematics, ensuring a well-rounded foundation for teaching diverse student populations.
Credentials awarded
What Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree1,814 graduates / yr · 226 institutions67%
- Master's degree592 graduates / yr · 52 institutions22%
- Associate's degree233 graduates / yr · 20 institutions8.5%
- Post-master's certificate36 graduates / yr · 4 institutions1.3%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years23 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.8%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate15 graduates / yr · 7 institutions0.5%
- Doctor's degree - other8 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.3%
- Award of less than 12 weeks5 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.2%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 4,358 |
| 2013 | 4,415 |
| 2014 | 4,473 |
| 2015 | 4,111 |
| 2016 | 3,714 |
| 2017 | 3,535 |
| 2018 | 3,301 |
| 2019 | 3,188 |
| 2020 | 3,331 |
| 2021 | 3,371 |
| 2022 | 3,449 |
| 2023 | 2,900 |
| 2024 | 2,917 |
| 2025 | 2,728 |
Top 50 institutions for Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of the Cumberlands Williamsburg, KYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 92 | 50% | $11,672 | $35,470 |
| 2 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert.Master's | 71 | 65% | $28,911 | $31,136 |
| 3 | Mercer University Macon, GAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 65 | 70% | $22,641 | $39,715 |
| 4 | Georgia Southwestern State University Americus, GAPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 55 | 41% | — | $38,973 |
| 5 | Arkansas State University - Mountain Home Mountain Home, ARPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 53 | 44% | — | — |
| 6 | University of North Georgia Dahlonega, GAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 51 | 37% | — | $46,099 |
| 7 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicBachelor's | 49 | 75% | — | $39,607 |
| 8 | Kent State University at Kent Kent, OHPublicBachelor's | 46 | 64% | — | $33,040 |
| 9 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicBachelor's | 46 | 88% | — | $36,483 |
| 10 | Illinois State University Normal, ILPublicBachelor's | 42 | 65% | — | $44,898 |
| 11 | Fairmont State University Fairmont, WVPublicMaster's | 41 | 44% | — | — |
| 12 | Georgia College & State University Milledgeville, GAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 40 | 64% | — | $47,513 |
| 13 | Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Bowling Green, OHPublicBachelor's | 40 | 64% | — | $40,271 |
| 14 | Arkansas State University - Beebe Beebe, ARPublicAssociate's | 36 | 42% | — | $18,025 |
| 15 | Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 36 | 55% | — | $40,641 |
| 16 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 35 | 90% | — | $46,162 |
| 17 | Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OHPublicBachelor's | 35 | 80% | — | $39,155 |
| 18 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OHPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 33 | 65% | — | $34,983 |
| 19 | Howard College Big Spring, TXPublicAssociate's | 32 | 35% | — | — |
| 20 | McKendree University Lebanon, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 31 | 53% | $23,994 | $43,707 |
| 21 | University of Memphis Memphis, TNPublicBachelor's | 31 | 51% | — | $33,502 |
| 22 | Central Methodist University - College of Graduate and Extended Studies Fayette, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 31 | 0% | $14,535 | $32,393 |
| 23 | Brenau University Gainesville, GAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoralMaster'sBachelor's | 30 | 33% | $21,115 | $40,980 |
| 24 | Georgia State University Atlanta, GAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 28 | 53% | — | $46,903 |
| 25 | Tennessee Technological University Cookeville, TNPublicBachelor's | 28 | 58% | — | $39,034 |
| 26 | National Louis University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 27 | 30% | $18,904 | $40,484 |
| 27 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Champaign, ILPublicBachelor's | 25 | 85% | — | $48,038 |
| 28 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MOPublicBachelor's | 23 | 58% | — | $34,255 |
| 29 | Cleveland State University Cleveland, OHPublicBachelor's | 23 | 51% | — | $32,823 |
| 30 | Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GAPublicBachelor's | 23 | 52% | — | $46,077 |
| 31 | University of Arkansas Community College - Morrilton Morrilton, ARPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 22 | 42% | — | — |
| 32 | Murray State University Murray, KYPublicBachelor's | 22 | 61% | — | $36,871 |
| 33 | Arkansas State University - Newport Newport, ARPublicAssociate's | 22 | 46% | — | — |
| 34 | University of Arkansas at Little Rock Little Rock, ARPublicBachelor's | 21 | 42% | — | $38,936 |
| 35 | East Carolina University Greenville, NCPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 21 | 63% | — | $42,690 |
| 36 | Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania Bloomsburg, PAPublicBachelor's | 21 | 54% | — | $43,291 |
| 37 | Columbus State University Columbus, GAPublicMaster's | 20 | 42% | — | $41,780 |
| 38 | Appalachian State University Boone, NCPublicBachelor's | 20 | 75% | — | $41,144 |
| 39 | University of Akron Main Campus Akron, OHPublicBachelor's | 20 | 52% | — | $35,368 |
| 40 | West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, PAPublicBachelor's | 20 | 71% | — | — |
| 41 | Arkansas State University Jonesboro, ARPublicBachelor's | 18 | 55% | — | $36,847 |
| 42 | Thomas More University Crestview Hills, KYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 18 | 40% | $18,902 | $40,439 |
| 43 | Clemson University Clemson, SCPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 18 | 87% | — | $41,080 |
| 44 | Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MSPublicMaster's | 17 | 67% | — | $37,945 |
| 45 | Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau, MOPublicBachelor's | 17 | 58% | — | $33,760 |
| 46 | Adelphi University Garden City, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 17 | 67% | $27,326 | — |
| 47 | Pennsylvania Western University California, PAPublicBachelor's | 17 | 52% | — | $38,237 |
| 48 | Ozarka College Melbourne, ARPublicAssociate's | 16 | 47% | — | — |
| 49 | Northern Illinois University Dekalb, ILPublicBachelor's | 16 | 49% | — | $44,214 |
| 50 | Morehead State University Morehead, KYPublicBachelor's | 16 | 52% | — | $36,198 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Teacher Education and Professional Development field (CIP 13.12) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 30 states & territories
Where Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching graduates come from. Each state links to all Teacher Education and Professional Development programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-2022, Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program often pursue careers as middle school teachers, with an annual median wage of $62,970. The job outlook for this field indicates a decline of 2%, with approximately 40,500 annual openings, primarily requiring a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 13.1203
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Educationprimary SOC 25-2022 | $64,370 | -2.0% Decline | ~40,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education SOC 25-2031 | $72,040 | -1.6% Decline | ~66,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Education Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1081 | $75,350 | +2.1% About as fast as average | ~5,600 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
- Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
- Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
- Prepare, administer, and grade tests and assignments to evaluate students' progress.
- Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
- Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate these objectives to students.
Tools and technology used
Other Teacher Education and Professional Development specializations
The 13 other 6-digit CIP codes under Teacher Education and Professional Development (CIP 13.12).
- Elementary Education and TeachingCIP 13.120242,176 graduates / yr1,131 institutions
- Early Childhood Education and TeachingCIP 13.121033,622 graduates / yr910 institutions
- Secondary Education and TeachingCIP 13.120510,339 graduates / yr530 institutions
- Teacher EducationCIP 13.12069,066 graduates / yr279 institutions
- Teacher Education and Professional DevelopmentCIP 13.12996,107 graduates / yr191 institutions
- Kindergarten/CIP 13.1209
Preschool Education and Teaching 1,689 graduates / yr113 institutions - Adult and Continuing Education and TeachingCIP 13.1201942 graduates / yr67 institutions
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Educational MethodsCIP 13.1213398 graduates / yr21 institutions
- Montessori Teacher EducationCIP 13.1207282 graduates / yr16 institutions
- College/CIP 13.1214
Postsecondary/ University Teaching 95 graduates / yr16 institutions - Online Educator/CIP 13.1211
Online Teaching 59 graduates / yr17 institutions - International Teaching and LearningCIP 13.1212limited data34 graduates / yr1 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Waldorf/
Steiner Teacher Education13.1208
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
See all Teacher Education and Professional Development programs →
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, Associate's degree, or a Post-master's certificate.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in learning strategies, active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication.
What subjects will I teach?+
You may instruct subjects such as English, mathematics, and social studies.
What is the job outlook for middle school teachers?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 2%, with about 40,500 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching?+
Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching is CIP 13.1203 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Teacher Education and Professional Development (CIP 13.12). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to teach students in the middle, intermediate or junior high grades, which may include grades four through nine by regulation.
How many institutions offer Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching programs?+
273 U.S. institutions reported Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 30 states & territories, awarding 2,728 credentials in the year. That is 2.5% of all Teacher Education and Professional Development graduates.
How much do Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education occupation, which Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching most directly leads to, pays a median of $64,370 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Teacher Education and Professional Development field report median earnings of $40,053 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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