2026 Best Value Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor Schools in the Far Western Region

[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 52 schools to find the best return on investment 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 Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor Schools
Leading the list is California State University Los Angeles, our #1 best value for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor in the Far Western Region. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $14,430 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 $48,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University San Bernardino earned it the #2 place for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Students borrow a median of $15,149 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 $42,421. That is a strong return on a $15,149 median debt. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned it the #3 place for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Students borrow a median of $21,181 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 $50,039. That is a strong return on a $21,181 median debt. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
Eastern Washington University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor schools. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,586, while out-of-state students pay about $26,583. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates carry a median of $21,754 in student loans. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $47,144 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor will find it at University Of Hawaii At Manoa, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, compared with $34,218 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor graduates is $17,750. Soon after graduation, teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Manoa generally make around $48,181. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Portland State University earned the #6 position for value in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor this year. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Typical student debt for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor graduates is $26,475. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $47,717 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Hawaii earned the #7 position for value in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor this year. Set in the town of Laie, Brigham Young University Hawaii is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Brigham Young University Hawaii admits about 47% of applicants.
Oregon State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor schools. Oregon State University is a very large public school located in the city of Corvallis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. Students borrow a median of $24,043 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 $51,000. That is a strong return on a $24,043 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Western Oregon University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor schools. Located in the town of Monmouth, Western Oregon University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,514 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,169. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates carry a median of $24,166 in student loans. Early-career teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor graduates make about $39,436. Set against $24,166 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Oregon University admits about 98% of applicants.
Azusa Pacific University placed #10 among the best values for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor. Set in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,458 in tuition and fees. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates carry a median of $23,709 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University generally make around $44,473. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Azusa Pacific University admits about 88% of applicants.
Biola University came in at #11 for value in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor this year. Set in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,984. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates carry a median of $25,308 in student loans. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates of Biola University earn a median of $45,003 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,308 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern California placed #12 among the best values for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Early-career teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor graduates make about $22,489. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 10%.
City University Of Seattle landed the #13 spot for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor value this year. City University Of Seattle is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,929. Typical student debt for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor graduates is $18,000. Soon after graduation, teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degree recipients from City University Of Seattle generally make around $76,698. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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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 · 52 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.