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

1

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Leading the list is Florida Atlantic University, our #1 school for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor. This very large public university is located in the city of Boca Raton. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 22 teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degrees were awarded at Florida Atlantic University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $49,340. Florida Atlantic University graduates carry a median of $20,212 in student loans. Read more about the teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor program at Florida Atlantic University

2

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

A rank of #2 makes Vanderbilt University one of the top schools for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 19 teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete this degree. Get the full teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor details for Vanderbilt University

3

University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

University Of Arkansas is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor, landing the #3 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Fayetteville. University Of Arkansas graduates 70% of students within six years. About 44 teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degrees were awarded at University Of Arkansas in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $52,555. University Of Arkansas graduates carry a median of $24,019 in student loans. More information about a degree in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor from University Of Arkansas

4

Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA

Students looking for a strong teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor program will find one at Old Dominion University, which ranked #4. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. There were roughly 14 teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor students who graduated with this degree at Old Dominion University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degree from Old Dominion University earn around $57,131 in the first couple years of their career. Old Dominion University graduates carry a median of $26,001 in student loans. Get the full teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor details for Old Dominion University

5

The University Of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL

A rank of #5 makes The University Of Alabama one of the top schools for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. The University Of Alabama awarded about 10 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 The University Of Alabama generally make around $50,740. Students borrow a median of $24,496 to complete this degree. Read more about the teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor program at The University Of Alabama

6

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida earned the #6 position for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. University Of Central Florida graduates 78% of students within six years. There were roughly 22 teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor students who graduated with this degree at University Of Central Florida in the most recent data year. Graduates of the teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor program make about $51,790 in their early career. University Of Central Florida graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. Read more about the teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor program at University Of Central Florida

7

Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN

Lipscomb University earned the #7 position for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. Lipscomb University graduates 72% of students within six years. About 46 teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degrees were awarded at Lipscomb University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degree recipients from Lipscomb University generally make around $48,949. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree. Get the full teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor details for Lipscomb University

8

Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nova Southeastern University landed the #8 spot for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degrees were awarded at Nova Southeastern University in the most recent year. Graduates of the teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor program make about $70,595 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,021. Read more about the teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor program at Nova Southeastern University

9

University Of Alabama At Birmingham
Birmingham, AL

University Of Alabama At Birmingham earned the #9 position for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor this year. Located in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. About 28 teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degrees were awarded at University Of Alabama At Birmingham in the most recent year. Graduates of the teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor program make about $52,702 in their early career. University Of Alabama At Birmingham graduates carry a median of $26,162 in student loans. More information about a degree in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor from University Of Alabama At Birmingham

10

Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University landed the #10 spot for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Liberty University graduates 67% of students within six years. Liberty University awarded about 90 teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor program make about $34,876 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor from Liberty University

11

Asbury University
Wilmore, KY

Asbury University placed #11 among the best teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Wilmore. Asbury University graduates 65% of students within six years. Asbury University awarded about 12 teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degree from Asbury University earn around $50,086 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,104. See the full teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor program report for Asbury University

12

Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA

Georgia State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. About 39 teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degrees were awarded at Georgia State University in the most recent year. 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. Students borrow a median of $26,091 to complete this degree. See the full teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor program report for Georgia State University

13

University Of Mississippi Main Campus
University, MS

University Of Mississippi Main Campus landed the #13 spot for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor this year. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degrees were awarded at University Of Mississippi Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degree from University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn around $50,876 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Mississippi Main Campus graduates carry a median of $22,444 in student loans. Read more about the teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor program at University Of Mississippi Main Campus

14

Greensboro College
Greensboro, NC

Greensboro College came in at #14 for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, Greensboro College is a small private not-for-profit university. Greensboro College graduates 46% of students within six years. About 49 teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degrees were awarded at Greensboro College in the most recent year. Students who receive their teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degree from Greensboro College earn around $38,134 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $33,915. Get the full teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor details for Greensboro College

15

Henderson State University
Arkadelphia, AR

Henderson State University placed #15 among the best teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor schools. Located in the town of Arkadelphia, Henderson State University is a mid-sized public university. About 37% of students finish within six years. About 32 teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degrees were awarded at Henderson State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor program make about $40,131 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,234 to complete this degree. Get the full teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor details for Henderson State University

16

Trevecca Nazarene University
Nashville, TN

Trevecca Nazarene University placed #16 among the best teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. About 53% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor students who graduated with this degree at Trevecca Nazarene University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor program make about $51,073 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,962. See the full teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor program report for Trevecca Nazarene University

17

Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA

Regent University placed #17 among the best teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor schools. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor students who graduated with this degree at Regent University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor program make about $48,250 in their early career. Regent University graduates carry a median of $29,451 in student loans. More information about a degree in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor from Regent University