2027 Best Value Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor Schools in the Southeast 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 17 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor schools.
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2027 Best Value Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor Schools in the Southeast 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
Florida Atlantic University tops our 2027 list of the best value teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor graduates is $20,212. Early-career teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor graduates make about $49,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of Central Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor graduates is $21,620. Early-career teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor graduates make about $51,790. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% 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 Georgia, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $21,792 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 Georgia earn a median of $53,546 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #4 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 University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Students borrow a median of $22,444 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 University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $50,876. That is a strong return on a $22,444 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Old Dominion University one of the best values for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,001 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 $57,131. That is a strong return on a $26,001 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Kennesaw State University placed #6 among the best values for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. Students from in state pay about $5,808 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates carry a median of $27,004 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degree recipients from Kennesaw State University generally make around $53,824. That is a strong return on a $27,004 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Vanderbilt University landed the #7 spot for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor value this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 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 $77,997. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
Georgia State University came in at #8 for value in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,664, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates carry a median of $26,091 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degree recipients from Georgia State University generally make around $51,103. Set against $26,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas placed #9 among the best values for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Students borrow a median of $24,019 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 $52,555. Set against $24,019 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arkansas admits about 74% of applicants.
Trevecca Nazarene University landed the #10 spot for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor value this year. Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $31,300. Typical student debt for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor graduates is $24,962. Early-career teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor graduates make about $51,073. Set against $24,962 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Greensboro College placed #11 among the best values for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor. Greensboro College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Greensboro. Students from in state pay about $21,000 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $33,915 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 Greensboro College earn a median of $38,134 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham landed the #12 spot for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor value this year. University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public school located in the city of Birmingham. Students from in state pay about $9,098 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,562. Typical student debt for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor graduates is $26,162. Early-career teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor graduates make about $52,702. That is a strong return on a $26,162 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Asbury University placed #13 among the best values for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor. Set in the town of Wilmore, Asbury University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,640. Typical student debt for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor graduates is $28,104. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates of Asbury University earn a median of $50,086 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Asbury University admits about 63% of applicants.
Henderson State University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor schools. Set in the town of Arkadelphia, Henderson State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,244, with out-of-state students paying around $10,620. Typical student debt for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor graduates is $23,234. Soon after graduation, teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degree recipients from Henderson State University generally make around $40,131. Set against $23,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lipscomb University ranked #15 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 Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,572 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor graduates is $23,529. Soon after graduation, teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degree recipients from Lipscomb University generally make around $48,949. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Liberty University earned the #16 position for value in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,173. Typical student debt for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor graduates is $27,000. Early-career teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor graduates make about $34,876. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Nova Southeastern University earned the #17 position for value in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,700. Students borrow a median of $25,021 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 Nova Southeastern University earn a median of $70,595 early in their careers. Set against $25,021 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
