Best institutions to study Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor
A program that focuses on the principles and practice of teaching English to students who are not proficient in English or who do not speak, read or write English, and that may prepare individuals to function as teachers and administrators in such programs.
325 U.S. institutions graduated 5,419 Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 13.1401, a specialization of Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language (CIP 13.14), and leads most directly to the Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors occupation (BLS SOC 25-3011).
About Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor programs
A program that focuses on the principles and practice of teaching English to students who are not proficient in English or who do not speak, read or write English, and that may prepare individuals to function as teachers and administrators in such programs.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor program focuses on equipping individuals with the principles and practices necessary for teaching English to non-proficient speakers. This program is designed for those who aspire to become educators and administrators in English language instruction, catering to diverse student needs and backgrounds.
Learn more about Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor →
Students in this program develop essential skills such as reading comprehension, active listening, and critical thinking. Coursework typically covers knowledge areas including English language, education and training methodologies, and effective instructional strategies tailored to meet the varying needs of learners.
Credentials awarded
What Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree2,888 graduates / yr · 174 institutions53%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year1,113 graduates / yr · 66 institutions21%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate877 graduates / yr · 120 institutions16%
- Bachelor's degree247 graduates / yr · 46 institutions4.6%
- Post-master's certificate186 graduates / yr · 27 institutions3.4%
- Award of less than 12 weeks41 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.8%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship40 graduates / yr · 6 institutions0.7%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years20 graduates / yr · 6 institutions0.4%
- Associate's degree5 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.1%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years2 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.0%
Graduates over time
Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 5,838 |
| 2013 | 5,431 |
| 2014 | 5,416 |
| 2015 | 5,555 |
| 2016 | 5,555 |
| 2017 | 5,423 |
| 2018 | 5,693 |
| 2019 | 5,354 |
| 2020 | 5,688 |
| 2021 | 5,734 |
| 2022 | 5,465 |
| 2023 | 5,005 |
| 2024 | 5,052 |
| 2025 | 5,419 |
Top 50 institutions for Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Western Governors University Salt Lake City, UTPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 492 | 46% | $11,580 | — |
| 2 | Brigham Young University - Idaho Rexburg, IDPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 411 | 55% | $6,760 | — |
| 3 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 212 | 43% | $21,535 | — |
| 4 | University of Nevada - Las Vegas Las Vegas, NVPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 126 | 51% | — | — |
| 5 | Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MIPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 108 | 58% | — | — |
| 6 | Alliant International University - San Diego San Diego, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearDoctoral | 92 | — | — | $64,580 |
| 7 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearMaster's | 89 | 65% | $28,911 | $34,876 |
| 8 | CUNY Queens College Queens, NYPublicMaster'sBachelor'sMaster's | 83 | 53% | — | $48,923 |
| 9 | Oregon State University Corvallis, ORPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 81 | 70% | — | — |
| 10 | University of Southern Maine Portland, MEPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 78 | 40% | — | — |
| 11 | Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NHPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 72 | 43% | $34,565 | — |
| 12 | New York University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 67 | 88% | $29,023 | — |
| 13 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 67 | 97% | $22,055 | — |
| 14 | Western Oregon University Monmouth, ORPublicPost-degree cert.Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearMaster's | 60 | 47% | — | — |
| 15 | Olivet Nazarene University Bourbonnais, ILPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Master's | 57 | 61% | $20,903 | — |
| 16 | William Rainey Harper College Palatine, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 54 | 48% | — | — |
| 17 | Midland University Fremont, NEPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 54 | 42% | $23,162 | — |
| 18 | Boricua College New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 54 | 81% | $14,705 | — |
| 19 | Greensboro College Greensboro, NCPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 53 | 46% | $19,549 | — |
| 20 | SUNY Brockport Brockport, NYPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 52 | 55% | — | — |
| 21 | Georgia State University Atlanta, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearMaster'sPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 51 | 53% | — | — |
| 22 | Touro University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 48 | 72% | $27,110 | — |
| 23 | CUNY City College New York, NYPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 47 | 57% | — | — |
| 24 | CUNY Hunter College New York, NYPublicMaster'sMaster's | 46 | 57% | — | — |
| 25 | Henderson State University Arkadelphia, ARPublicPost-degree cert. | 45 | 37% | — | — |
| 26 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 41 | 92% | $26,873 | — |
| 27 | State University of New York at Cortland Cortland, NYPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 41 | 68% | — | — |
| 28 | University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, ALPublicMaster'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 40 | 64% | — | — |
| 29 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicPost-degree cert.Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 39 | 75% | — | — |
| 30 | Hamline University Saint Paul, MNPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert.Award of less than 12 weeks | 36 | 60% | $20,981 | — |
| 31 | Fordham University Bronx, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 36 | 82% | $38,931 | — |
| 32 | Bridgewater State University Bridgewater, MAPublicAward of less than 12 weeksMaster's | 34 | 53% | — | — |
| 33 | University of Delaware Newark, DEPublicMaster's | 33 | 81% | — | — |
| 34 | Washtenaw Community College Ann Arbor, MIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 32 | 33% | — | — |
| 35 | Lipscomb University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Master's | 32 | 72% | $24,309 | — |
| 36 | Goshen College Goshen, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 31 | 65% | $15,430 | — |
| 37 | University of Maryland - Baltimore County Baltimore, MDPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 31 | 70% | — | — |
| 38 | Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 28 | 80% | — | $38,002 |
| 39 | Wayne State University Detroit, MIPublicPost-degree cert. | 27 | 58% | — | — |
| 40 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 27 | 85% | — | $23,288 |
| 41 | University of Mount Saint Vincent Bronx, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 27 | 57% | $20,371 | — |
| 42 | Teachers College at Columbia University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 27 | — | — | — |
| 43 | University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HIPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 26 | 64% | — | — |
| 44 | St. John's University - New York Queens, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 26 | 66% | $27,359 | — |
| 45 | Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NYPublicMaster's | 26 | 76% | — | — |
| 46 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZPublicMaster's | 26 | 0% | — | — |
| 47 | Cambridge College Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 25 | 11% | — | — |
| 48 | Mercy University Dobbs Ferry, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 25 | 46% | $17,604 | — |
| 49 | Portland State University Portland, ORPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearMaster's | 25 | 53% | — | — |
| 50 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearMaster's | 24 | 68% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language field (CIP 13.14) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 50 states & territories
Where Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor graduates come from. Each state links to all Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-3011, Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors, and its national outlook.
Graduates can pursue careers as Adult Basic Education and ESL instructors, among other teaching roles. While the job outlook for this field is projected to decline by 13.7%, there are approximately 3,900 annual openings, with a median wage of $59,950. A typical educational requirement is a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 13.1401
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructorsprimary SOC 25-3011 | $61,540 | -13.7% Decline | ~3,900 | Bachelor's degree |
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education SOC 25-2021 | $63,970 | -2.0% Decline | ~91,000 | Bachelor's degree |
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education SOC 25-2031 | $72,040 | -1.6% Decline | ~66,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education SOC 25-2011 | $38,140 | +4.1% About as fast as average | ~65,500 | Associate's degree |
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education SOC 25-2022 | $64,370 | -2.0% Decline | ~40,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education SOC 25-2012 | $62,680 | -1.6% Decline | ~12,800 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Observe and evaluate students' work to determine progress and make suggestions for improvement.
- Observe students to determine qualifications, limitations, abilities, interests, and other individual characteristics.
- Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects and communicate those objectives to students.
- Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs, abilities, and interests.
- Prepare students for further education by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
- Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
Tools and technology used
Other Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language specializations
The 2 other 6-digit CIP codes under Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language (CIP 13.14).
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Teaching French as a Second or Foreign Language13.1402
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
See all Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language programs →
Common questions
What degrees are offered in this program?+
Degrees include a Master's degree, postbaccalaureate certificate, and an award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 325 colleges offering this program across the United States.
What skills will I gain from this program?+
You will gain skills in reading comprehension, active listening, speaking, and critical thinking.
What is the typical career path after graduation?+
Graduates typically work as ESL instructors or in related educational roles.
What is the CIP code for Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor?+
Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor is CIP 13.1401 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language (CIP 13.14). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the principles and practice of teaching English to students who are not proficient in English or who do not speak, read or write English, and that may prepare individuals to function as teachers and administrators in such programs.
How many institutions offer Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor programs?+
325 U.S. institutions reported Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 50 states & territories, awarding 5,419 credentials in the year. That is 99.3% of all Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language graduates.
How much do Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors occupation, which Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor most directly leads to, pays a median of $61,540 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language field report median earnings of $38,002 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license. This specialization accounts for nearly all Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language graduates, so its figures match the Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language program page.
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