2027 Best Value Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor Schools in the Middle Atlantic 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 31 schools to find the best return on investment for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor in the Middle Atlantic Region. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor program here. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $77,537 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Cuny City College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Students borrow a median of $13,389 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 $77,140. Set against $13,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Queens College one of the best values for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor program here. Soon after graduation, teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $62,511. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island is a great value for students pursuing a degree in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor, landing the #4 spot this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $77,066. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
Mercy College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor schools. Located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,880. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates carry a median of $28,304 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degree recipients from Mercy College generally make around $67,880. That is a strong return on a $28,304 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County placed #6 among the best values for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,256, while out-of-state students pay about $31,225. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates carry a median of $21,331 in student loans. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates of University Of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of $57,529 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,331 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Delaware landed the #7 spot for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor value this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates carry a median of $24,861 in student loans. Early-career teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor graduates make about $54,155. That is a strong return on a $24,861 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Brockport came in at #8 for value in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor this year. Set in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,752 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,822. Typical student debt for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor graduates is $24,757. Early-career teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor graduates make about $39,724. Set against $24,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Brockport admits about 71% of applicants.
Boricua College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor schools. Boricua College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $13,025. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor program here. Soon after graduation, teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degree recipients from Boricua College generally make around $65,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stony Brook University placed #10 among the best values for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Students borrow a median of $20,537 to complete the teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor program here. Soon after graduation, teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $63,269. That is a strong return on a $20,537 median debt. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Suny At Fredonia ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor schools. Located in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,831, with out-of-state students paying around $19,771. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates carry a median of $25,806 in student loans. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates of Suny At Fredonia earn a median of $34,764 early in their careers. Set against $25,806 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Josephs College New York earned the #12 position for value in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Saint Josephs College New York is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,550. Students borrow a median of $25,485 to complete the teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor program here. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates of Saint Josephs College New York earn a median of $49,214 early in their careers. Set against $25,485 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Josephs College New York admits about 72% of applicants.
Suny At Binghamton ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor schools. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,567, compared with $30,447 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,691 to complete the teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor program here. Soon after graduation, teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degree recipients from Suny At Binghamton generally make around $51,766. Set against $20,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
University At Buffalo earned the #14 position for value in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Students borrow a median of $22,232 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 $52,403. Set against $22,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
College Of Mount Saint Vincent earned the #15 position for value in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor this year. Set in the city of Bronx, College Of Mount Saint Vincent is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,540. Students borrow a median of $26,385 to complete the teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor program here. Soon after graduation, teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degree recipients from College Of Mount Saint Vincent generally make around $58,239. That is a strong return on a $26,385 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Mcdaniel College landed the #16 spot for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor value this year. Set in the town of Westminster, Mcdaniel College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,081. Typical student debt for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor graduates is $23,247. Early-career teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor graduates make about $54,904. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Cortland came in at #17 for value in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor this year. Located in the town of Cortland, Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,874, with out-of-state students paying around $18,784. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates carry a median of $25,369 in student loans. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates of Suny College At Cortland earn a median of $38,709 early in their careers. Set against $25,369 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Molloy College came in at #18 for value in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor this year. Molloy College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rockville Centre. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,790. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates carry a median of $27,420 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degree recipients from Molloy College generally make around $66,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Molloy College admits about 82% of applicants.
Rider University came in at #19 for value in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor this year. Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,120. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates carry a median of $26,241 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degree recipients from Rider University generally make around $48,601. That is a strong return on a $26,241 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
The College Of New Jersey earned the #20 position for value in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor this year. Set in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,632, with out-of-state students paying around $25,752. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates carry a median of $24,429 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degree recipients from The College Of New Jersey generally make around $56,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The College Of New Jersey admits about 62% of applicants.
Eastern University landed the #21 spot for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor value this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Davids, Eastern University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,400. Typical student debt for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor graduates is $28,584. Soon after graduation, teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degree recipients from Eastern University generally make around $50,474. That is a strong return on a $28,584 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Wilkes University landed the #22 spot for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor value this year. Located in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $43,496 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor graduates is $26,601. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates of Wilkes University earn a median of $62,713 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,601 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Pennsylvania placed #23 among the best values for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete the teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor program here. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $99,682 early in their careers. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
University Of Rochester earned the #24 position for value in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor this year. University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rochester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,080. Typical student debt for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor graduates is $21,517. Soon after graduation, teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degree recipients from University Of Rochester generally make around $60,865. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Touro College came in at #25 for value in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor this year. Set in the city of New York, Touro College is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,052. Students borrow a median of $20,285 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 $76,615. That is a strong return on a $20,285 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.
