2026 Best Value Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor](/majors/education/teaching-french-foreign-language/english-as-a-second-or-foreign-language-esl-language-instructor/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 451 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor students.
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2026 Best Value Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor Schools
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras earned the #1 spot for value among teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor schools in the United States. University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public school located in the city of San Juan. In-state tuition and fees average $5,324. Typical student debt for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor graduates is $5,673. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates of University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras earn a median of $24,881 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,673 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Students looking for strong value in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor will find it at Eastern Washington University, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,586, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,754 to complete the teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor program here. Early-career teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor graduates make about $47,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Students looking for strong value in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor will find it at University Of Northern Iowa, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $41,267 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
A rank of #4 makes Brigham Young University Hawaii one of the best values for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor. Set in the town of Laie, Brigham Young University Hawaii is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates of Brigham Young University Hawaii earn a median of $41,461 early in their careers. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.
Liberty University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $34,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Other Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor rankings across degree levels:
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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 · 451 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
