by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 326 U.S. colleges awarded 5,444 degrees and certificates in Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 93% of graduates. College Factual ranks 114 schools in its 2027 Best Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $61,547 one year after completing, rising to $66,575 after four years.
Studying Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor covers Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor. A Program That Focuses On The Principles And Practice Of Teaching English To Students Who Are Not Proficient In English Or Who Do Not Speak, Read Or Write English, And That May Prepare Individuals To Function As Teachers And Administrators In Such Programs.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor is a widely-pursued major, with 5,444 degrees awarded annually. 326 colleges award teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degrees, an average of 17 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 492.
By level, the 5,444 awards include 22 certificates, 5 associate degrees, 267 bachelor’s degrees, 5,069 master’s degrees and 40 doctorates.
Women earned 83% of teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degrees and certificates in the latest year (4,524 of 5,444). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (2,522) and Hispanic or Latino (1,159), and international students earned 602.
College Factual ranks 114 schools in its 2027 Best Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor Schools ranking, including 8 for bachelor’s degrees and 69 for master’s degrees. It also ranks teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor schools within 30 states. In all, 326 colleges offer teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor credential is the master’s degree: 5,069 of the 5,444 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor call most for Instructing, Speaking and Learning Strategies, and for knowledge of Education and Training, English Language and Psychology, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Speech Clarity.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 22 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 5 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 267 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 5,069 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 40 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor, at 57.9%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 57.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 11.2% |
| Master’s degree | 10.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 7.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.1% |
| Some college courses | 3.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.6% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.7% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
6 occupations are related to Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor, with an average median salary of $77,027; the strongest outlook belongs to Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education, at 6.4% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Teacher, Montessori Teacher, Physical Fitness Teacher and Educator.
The occupation related to teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor with the most projected jobs is Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education, at 1,457,958.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | 1,457,958 | 2.6% |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | 1,058,186 | 6.4% |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 692,039 | -1.4% |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 571,954 | 1.8% |
| Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors | 217,050 | 0.9% |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | 84,106 | 4.9% |
Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor graduates earn a median $61,547 one year after completing their program, $66,575 after four years and $64,532 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $61,547 |
| 4 years | $66,575 |
| 5 years | $64,532 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor, with a median salary of $99,352.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | $99,352 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $83,105 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $77,927 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $75,366 |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $63,776 |
| Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors | $62,634 |
Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor has 1 similar major in the Education field; the largest is Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language, Other (39). Browse all Education majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language, Other | 39 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
