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2026 Best Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor Schools in California

3 Colleges in the United States
217 Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor Degrees Awarded
$44,561 Avg Early-Career Salary

Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 22 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor in California

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor education in California.

Top Schools in Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor

1

California State University Los Angeles tops our 2026 ranking of the best teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. There were roughly 13 teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor students who graduated with this degree at California State University Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Graduates of the teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor program make about $48,403 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete this degree. Read more about the teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor program at California State University Los Angeles

2

Alliant International University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor, ranking #2. Set in the city of San Diego, Alliant International University is a moderately-sized private for-profit institution. There were roughly 97 teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor students who graduated with this degree at Alliant International University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor program make about $64,580 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,234. Read more about the teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor program at Alliant International University

3

A rank of #3 makes California State University San Bernardino one of the top schools 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. About 55% of students finish within six years. About 26 teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degrees were awarded at California State University San Bernardino in the most recent year. Students who receive their teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degree from California State University San Bernardino earn around $42,421 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,149 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor from California State University San Bernardino

4

University Of Southern California is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Southern California awarded about 50 teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $22,489. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. More information about a degree in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor from University Of Southern California

5
Biola University crest
Biola University
La Mirada, CA

Biola University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor, ranking #5. Located in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 13 teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor students who graduated with this degree at Biola University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degree from Biola University earn around $45,003 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,308. More information about a degree in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor from Biola University

6

Azusa Pacific University came in at #6 for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor this year. Set in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Azusa Pacific University graduates 62% of students within six years. Azusa Pacific University awarded about 18 teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degrees in the most recent data year. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates of Azusa Pacific University earn a median of $44,473 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,709. Read more about the teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor program at Azusa Pacific University

View All Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 22 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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