English as a Second Language (ESL) Teaching: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries

Q: Which universities have the largest English as a Second Language (ESL) Teaching programs?

Currently 342 accredited institutions offer English as a Second Language (ESL) Teaching degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Western Governors University (WGU) (399 graduates), Brigham Young University (BYU–I), Idaho (373 graduates), and Grand Canyon University (GCU) (167 graduates).

Q: Is enrollment in English as a Second Language (ESL) Teaching growing or declining?

Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 6,070 in 2010 to a peak of 5,721 in 2020, before declining slightly to 5,071 in 2023-24. This represents a 16% decrease overall from 2010.

Q: What career paths are available with a English as a Second Language (ESL) Teaching degree?

This degree prepares you for roles such as Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education, Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education, and Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education. Related occupations employ approximately 3,681,970 professionals nationwide.

Program Overview

Designed for educators seeking to support linguistic and academic success in diverse learning environments, this program equips professionals with the expertise to teach English to non-native speakers across K–12 and adult education settings. It emphasizes evidence-based pedagogy, cultural responsiveness, and language acquisition theory to foster inclusive and effective instruction.

Second Language Acquisition Theory: Explores the cognitive, social, and psychological processes involved in learning a new language, focusing on stages of language development and individual learner differences.
Curriculum Design for ESL: Teaches how to develop and implement standards-aligned, context-sensitive lesson plans that integrate listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills across proficiency levels.
Assessment and Evaluation in ESL Contexts: Covers methods for diagnosing language proficiency, measuring progress, and using formative and summative assessments to guide instruction.
Cross-Cultural Communication and Identity: Examines the role of culture in language learning, promoting awareness of cultural diversity and strategies to support students’ linguistic and personal identity development.
Instructional Strategies for Diverse Learners: Focuses on differentiated teaching techniques, scaffolding, and multimodal approaches tailored to various language proficiencies and learning styles.
Language Policy and Advocacy: Investigates the impact of national and institutional language policies on ESL education and prepares educators to advocate for equitable access and support systems.

English as a Second Language (ESL) Teaching Graduate Trends (2010-2024)

5,071

Total Graduates (2023-2024)

342

Universities & Colleges

Career Pathways

Career & Salary Outlook Schools Offering This Program Related Programs

English as a Second Language (ESL) Teaching Career Pathways & Salary Outlook

The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with English as a Second Language (ESL) Teaching degrees, including Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education, Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education and Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 3,681,970 professionals.

National Average Salaries

Occupation	Median Salary	Salary Range	Total Employment	Hourly Rate
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 25-2031	$64,580	$47,330 - $104,670	1,072,540	N/A
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 25-2022	$62,970	$47,050 - $100,980	620,370	N/A
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education 25-2021	$62,340	$46,440 - $102,010	1,393,310	N/A
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education 25-2012	$61,430	$45,750 - $99,360	114,410	N/A
Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors 25-3011	$59,950	$39,750 - $95,750	36,260	$28.82
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education 25-2011	$37,120	$28,300 - $60,070	445,080	$17.85

Salary Comparison

Data Source: Salary and employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, May 2024 estimates, based on 6 related occupations. Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics.

*Salary Range Explanation: The salary range represents the 10th to 90th percentile, meaning 80% of workers in this occupation earn within this range. This excludes the lowest 10% and highest 10% of earners to provide a more realistic picture of typical compensation.

Important Disclaimer: Salary data represents national averages and varies by location, experience, employer, and market conditions. These statistics are estimates for general guidance and do not guarantee specific employment outcomes for graduates.

English as a Second Language (ESL) Teaching Salary Map by State

Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $44,150 in South Dakota to $86,858 in California—a 97% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Washington, and New York. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 3,681,970 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.

Average Salary Range:

Top Universities for English as a Second Language (ESL) Teaching by Graduate Enrollment

Below are the top 100 institutions offering English as a Second Language (ESL) Teaching programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in English as a Second Language (ESL) Teaching is found at Western Governors University (WGU) (399 graduates), Brigham Young University (BYU–I), Idaho (373 graduates), Grand Canyon University (GCU) (167 graduates), University of Nevada (UNLV), Las Vegas (111 graduates), and Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) (110 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 3,976 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.

College Name	Award Levels	Graduates	Admissions	Location	Control	Website
Western Governors University (WGU)	Postbac Cert. Master's	399	N/A	Salt Lake City, Utah	Private	wgu.edu
Brigham Young University (BYU–I)	Other Award	373	SAT: 980-1200 ACT: 20-26	Rexburg, Idaho	Private	byui.edu
Grand Canyon University (GCU)	Postbac Cert. Master's	167	SAT: 1058-1175 ACT: 19-24	Phoenix, Arizona	Private	gcu.edu
University of Nevada (UNLV)	Postbac Cert. Master's	111	SAT: 980-1230 ACT: 18-24	Las Vegas, Nevada	Public	unlv.edu
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)	Master's	110	N/A	Manchester, New Hampshire	Private	snhu.edu
New York University (NYU)	Master's Post-Master's	98	SAT: 1480-1570 ACT: 33-35	New York, New York	Private	nyu.edu
Alliant International University	Doctorate (R) Other Award	97	N/A	San Diego, California	Private	alliant.edu
Liberty University	Bachelor's Master's Other Award	90	N/A	Lynchburg, Virginia	Private	liberty.edu
CUNY Hunter College	Postbac Cert. Master's Post-Master's	72	SAT: 1210-1470	New York, New York	Public	hunter.cuny.edu
Oregon State University (OSU)	Postbac Cert.	72	N/A	Corvallis, Oregon	Public	oregonstate.edu
University of Southern Maine (USM)	Postbac Cert. Master's Post-Master's	68	SAT: 995-1280 ACT: 23-26	Portland, Maine	Public	usm.maine.edu
CUNY Queens College	Bachelor's Postbac Cert. Master's Post-Master's	63	SAT: 1100-1320	Queens, New York	Public	qc.cuny.edu
University of Pennsylvania (Penn)	Master's	59	SAT: 1500-1570 ACT: 34-35	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	Private	upenn.edu
Touro University	Postbac Cert. Master's	56	SAT: 1275-1440 ACT: 28-33	New York, New York	Private	touro.edu
University of Southern California (USC)	Master's	50	SAT: 1440-1550 ACT: 32-35	Los Angeles, California	Private	usc.edu
Greensboro College	Master's	49	N/A	Greensboro, North Carolina	Private	greensboro.edu
Eastern Washington University (EWU)	Bachelor's Postbac Cert. Other Award	48	N/A	Cheney, Washington	Public	ewu.edu
Midland University	Postbac Cert.	46	SAT: 893-1110 ACT: 18-24	Fremont, Nebraska	Private	midlandu.edu
Lipscomb University	Postbac Cert. Master's	46	SAT: 1145-1350 ACT: 22-29	Nashville, Tennessee	Private	lipscomb.edu
CUNY City College (CCNY)	Postbac Cert. Master's	45	SAT: 1220-1460	New York, New York	Public	ccny.cuny.edu
University of Arkansas (U of A)	Postbac Cert. Master's	44	SAT: 1050-1220 ACT: 21-28	Fayetteville, Arkansas	Public	uark.edu
Goshen College	Bachelor's Other Award	44	SAT: 850-1133 ACT: 23-27	Goshen, Indiana	Private	goshen.edu
University of Maryland (UMBC)	Postbac Cert. Master's	43	SAT: 1220-1410 ACT: 23-30	Baltimore, Maryland	Public	umbc.edu
SUNY Brockport	Postbac Cert. Master's	43	SAT: 1070-1240 ACT: 18-26	Brockport, New York	Public	brockport.edu
University of Cincinnati (UC)	Certificate (1-2 yrs) Postbac Cert.	43	SAT: 1150-1360 ACT: 24-29	Cincinnati, Ohio	Public	uc.edu
St. John's University (SJU)	Master's Post-Master's	42	SAT: 1110-1320 ACT: 24-29	Queens, New York	Private	stjohns.edu
Georgia State University	Postbac Cert. Master's Doctorate (R) Other Award	39	SAT: 1040-1280 ACT: 19-26	Atlanta, Georgia	Public	gsu.edu
University of Hawaii (UHM)	Bachelor's Master's Doctorate (R)	39	SAT: 1020-1240 ACT: 20-27	Honolulu, Hawaii	Public	manoa.hawaii.edu
Bridgewater State University (BSU)	Master's Residency	39	SAT: 1040-1230 ACT: 18-27	Bridgewater, Massachusetts	Public	bridgew.edu
Mercy University	Postbac Cert. Master's	37	N/A	Dobbs Ferry, New York	Private	mercy.edu
Hamline University	Postbac Cert. Master's	36	SAT: 1146-1393 ACT: 20-28	Saint Paul, Minnesota	Private	hamline.edu
Arizona State University	Master's	35	N/A	Scottsdale, Arizona	Public	asu.edu
University of Delaware (UD)	Master's	34	SAT: 1200-1360 ACT: 27-31	Newark, Delaware	Public	udel.edu
Dominican University	Master's	34	SAT: 934-1140 ACT: 17-22	River Forest, Illinois	Private	dom.edu
Stony Brook University (SBU)	Bachelor's Master's	34	SAT: 1320-1490 ACT: 28-33	Stony Brook, New York	Public	stonybrook.edu
Adelphi University	Master's Post-Master's	33	SAT: 1140-1310 ACT: 24-30	Garden City, New York	Private	adelphi.edu
Henderson State University (HSU)	Postbac Cert.	32	N/A	Arkadelphia, Arkansas	Public	hsu.edu
Western Oregon University (WOU)	Postbac Cert. Master's Other Award	32	SAT: 868-1108 ACT: 21-26	Monmouth, Oregon	Public	wou.edu
Western Michigan University (WMU)	Postbac Cert. Master's	31	SAT: 990-1220 ACT: 20-27	Kalamazoo, Michigan	Public	wmich.edu
The College of New Jersey (TCNJ)	Postbac Cert. Master's	30	SAT: 1140-1340 ACT: 25-31	Ewing, New Jersey	Public	tcnj.edu
Portland State University (PSU)	Master's Other Award	29	N/A	Portland, Oregon	Public	pdx.edu
University of Alabama (UAB)	Postbac Cert. Master's Post-Master's	28	SAT: 1130-1400 ACT: 22-30	Birmingham, Alabama	Public	uab.edu
Kent State University	Bachelor's Master's Other Award	28	SAT: 1000-1230 ACT: 18-25	Kent, Ohio	Public	kent.edu
Brigham Young University (BYUH)	Bachelor's	28	SAT: 985-1191 ACT: 21-25	Laie, Hawaii	Private	byuh.edu
California State University (CSUSB)	Postbac Cert. Master's	26	N/A	San Bernardino, California	Public	csusb.edu
Olivet Nazarene University (ONU)	Postbac Cert.	26	SAT: 960-1190 ACT: 18-28	Bourbonnais, Illinois	Private	olivet.edu
William Rainey Harper College	Other Award	26	N/A	Palatine, Illinois	Public	harpercollege.edu
Framingham State University (FSU)	Master's	23	SAT: 1070-1255	Framingham, Massachusetts	Public	framingham.edu
University of Central Florida (UCF)	Postbac Cert. Master's	22	SAT: 1190-1350 ACT: 25-29	Orlando, Florida	Public	ucf.edu
Florida Atlantic University (FAU)	Postbac Cert. Other Award	22	SAT: 1040-1210 ACT: 20-26	Boca Raton, Florida	Public	fau.edu
Cambridge College	Master's	22	N/A	Boston, Massachusetts	Private	cambridgecollege.edu
Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO)	Master's	22	SAT: 850-1030 ACT: 16-21	Cape Girardeau, Missouri	Public	semo.edu
Fordham University	Master's Post-Master's	22	SAT: 1330-1490 ACT: 30-33	Bronx, New York	Private	fordham.edu
University of Central Oklahoma (UCO)	Master's	22	ACT: 17-24	Edmond, Oklahoma	Public	uco.edu
University of Rhode Island (URI)	Master's	22	SAT: 1030-1270 ACT: 26-31	Kingston, Rhode Island	Public	web.uri.edu
University of Puerto Rico (UPR)	Bachelor's Master's	22	N/A	San Juan, Puerto Rico	Public	uprrp.edu
Indiana State University (ISU)	Postbac Cert. Master's Other Award	21	N/A	Terre Haute, Indiana	Public	indstate.edu
University of Minnesota (UMN)	Other Award	21	SAT: 1310-1480 ACT: 27-31	Minneapolis, Minnesota	Public	twin-cities.umn.edu
Holy Family University	Postbac Cert. Master's	21	SAT: 950-1130	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	Private	holyfamily.edu
Salem State University (SSU)	Master's	20	SAT: 990-1160	Salem, Massachusetts	Public	salemstate.edu
Concordia University-Nebraska	Bachelor's Postbac Cert. Master's	20	SAT: 1040-1235 ACT: 19-26	Seward, Nebraska	Private	cune.edu
Binghamton University	Master's Post-Master's	20	SAT: 1320-1490 ACT: 29-34	Vestal, New York	Public	binghamton.edu
SUNY	Master's Post-Master's	20	SAT: 1060-1290 ACT: 21-28	Fredonia, New York	Public	fredonia.edu
Hawaii Pacific University (HPU)	Bachelor's Postbac Cert. Master's Other Award	19	SAT: 1068-1280 ACT: 21-29	Honolulu, Hawaii	Private	hpu.edu
College of Lake County (CLC)	Certificate (1-2 yrs) Other Award	19	N/A	Grayslake, Illinois	Public	clcillinois.edu
University of Massachusetts	Other Award	19	SAT: 1300-1480 ACT: 29-33	Amherst, Massachusetts	Public	umass.edu
Merrimack College	Master's	19	N/A	North Andover, Massachusetts	Private	merrimack.edu
Boricua College	Master's	19	N/A	New York, New York	Private	boricuacollege.edu
Vanderbilt University (VU)	Master's	19	SAT: 1510-1560 ACT: 34-35	Nashville, Tennessee	Private	vanderbilt.edu
Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU)	Master's Other Award	18	N/A	Tempe, Arizona	Public	asu.edu
Azusa Pacific University (APU)	Master's	18	SAT: 994-1314 ACT: 18-26	Azusa, California	Private	apu.edu
Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU)	Master's	18	N/A	Chicago, Illinois	Public	neiu.edu
Boston University (BU)	Master's	18	SAT: 1400-1520 ACT: 32-34	Boston, Massachusetts	Private	bu.edu
CUNY Lehman College	Master's Post-Master's	18	SAT: 860-1220	Bronx, New York	Public	lehman.edu
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (SRU)	Postbac Cert. Master's	18	SAT: 980-1190 ACT: 19-25	Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania	Public	sru.edu
Rhode Island College (RIC)	Master's	18	SAT: 860-1160	Providence, Rhode Island	Public	ric.edu
University of Northern Iowa (UNI)	Bachelor's Master's	17	SAT: 860-1210 ACT: 20-26	Cedar Falls, Iowa	Public	uni.edu
State University of New York	Master's Post-Master's	17	SAT: 1170-1340 ACT: 24-29	New Paltz, New York	Public	newpaltz.edu
Teachers College at Columbia University (TC)	Master's	17	N/A	New York, New York	Private	tc.columbia.edu
Wilkes University	Master's	17	SAT: 1023-1270 ACT: 20-29	Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania	Private	wilkes.edu
University of Utah (U of U)	Postbac Cert. Other Award	17	SAT: 1180-1398 ACT: 22-29	Salt Lake City, Utah	Public	utah.edu
Wheaton College	Master's	16	SAT: 1260-1440 ACT: 27-32	Wheaton, Illinois	Private	wheaton.edu
Nova Southeastern University (NSU)	Master's	15	SAT: 1050-1310 ACT: 21-28	Fort Lauderdale, Florida	Private	nova.edu
Pace University	Master's Post-Master's	15	SAT: 1130-1328 ACT: 24-29	New York, New York	Private	pace.edu
Saint Cloud State University (SCSU)	Postbac Cert. Master's Other Award	14	SAT: 970-1280 ACT: 18-25	Saint Cloud, Minnesota	Public	stcloudstate.edu
University of Nebraska (UNO)	Postbac Cert.	14	ACT: 18-26	Omaha, Nebraska	Public	unomaha.edu
University of Mount Saint Vincent (UMSV)	Master's	14	SAT: 920-1200	Bronx, New York	Private	mountsaintvincent.edu
University of Rochester	Master's Other Award	14	SAT: 1400-1540 ACT: 31-34	Rochester, New York	Private	rochester.edu
State University of New York	Bachelor's Master's	14	N/A	Cortland, New York	Public	www2.cortland.edu
Old Dominion University (ODU)	Certificate (1-2 yrs) Postbac Cert.	14	SAT: 1110-1290 ACT: 22-27	Norfolk, Virginia	Public	odu.edu
University of Arizona	Postbac Cert. Master's Other Award	13	SAT: 1160-1420 ACT: 21-30	Tucson, Arizona	Public	arizona.edu
Biola University	Postbac Cert. Master's	13	SAT: 1130-1360 ACT: 24-30	La Mirada, California	Private	biola.edu
California State University	Master's	13	N/A	Los Angeles, California	Public	calstatela.edu
Molloy College	Bachelor's Master's	13	SAT: 1080-1310 ACT: 24-29	Rockville Centre, New York	Private	molloy.edu
The University of Texas (UTSA)	Bachelor's Master's	13	SAT: 1000-1200 ACT: 19-26	San Antonio, Texas	Public	utsa.edu
Buena Vista University (BVU)	Master's	12	ACT: 18-25	Storm Lake, Iowa	Private	bvu.edu
Asbury University	Master's	12	N/A	Wilmore, Kentucky	Private	asbury.edu
Missouri State University	Postbac Cert.	12	SAT: 990-1220 ACT: 19-25	Springfield, Missouri	Public	missouristate.edu
East Carolina University (ECU)	Postbac Cert. Other Award	12	SAT: 1050-1200 ACT: 20-26	Greenville, North Carolina	Public	ecu.edu
Ohio Dominican University (ODU)	Master's	12	ACT: 20-28	Columbus, Ohio	Private	ohiodominican.edu

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about English as a Second Language (ESL) Teaching programs

How much can I earn with a English as a Second Language (ESL) Teaching degree?

Salaries for English as a Second Language (ESL) Teaching graduates vary by role and location. Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education earn a median of $64,580 annually, while Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education earn around $62,970. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $86,858 compared to $44,150 in South Dakota. Approximately 3,681,970 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.

Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.

Which universities have the largest English as a Second Language (ESL) Teaching programs?

Currently 342 accredited institutions offer English as a Second Language (ESL) Teaching degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Western Governors University (WGU) (399 graduates), Brigham Young University (BYU–I), Idaho (373 graduates), and Grand Canyon University (GCU) (167 graduates).

Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.

Is enrollment in English as a Second Language (ESL) Teaching growing or declining?

Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 6,070 in 2010 to a peak of 5,721 in 2020, before declining slightly to 5,071 in 2023-24. This represents a 16% decrease overall from 2010.

The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.

Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.

What career paths are available with a English as a Second Language (ESL) Teaching degree?

This degree prepares you for roles such as Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education, Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education, and Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education. Related occupations employ approximately 3,681,970 professionals nationwide.

Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.

Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.

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