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

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $77,537 early in their careers. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.

2

Cuny City College
New York, NY

A rank of #2 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $77,140 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.

3

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

A rank of #3 makes Cuny Queens College one of the best values for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,157 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 Cuny Queens College generally make around $62,511. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

4

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

Cuny Lehman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor graduates is $13,213. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $78,802 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,213 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.

5

Holy Family University
Philadelphia, PA

Students looking for strong value in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor will find it at Holy Family University, which ranked #5. Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $35,330 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor graduates is $26,562. Soon after graduation, teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degree recipients from Holy Family University generally make around $67,131. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of Delaware
Newark, DE

University Of Delaware earned the #6 position for value in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates carry a median of $24,861 in student loans. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $54,155 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.

7

Mercy College
Dobbs Ferry, NY

Mercy College came in at #7 for value in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor this year. Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry. In-state tuition and fees average $22,880. Students borrow a median of $28,304 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 Mercy College earn a median of $67,880 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

8

Suny At Fredonia
Fredonia, NY

Suny At Fredonia came in at #8 for value in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor this year. Located in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,831, with out-of-state students paying around $19,771. Typical student debt for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor graduates is $25,806. Soon after graduation, teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degree recipients from Suny At Fredonia generally make around $34,764. That is a strong return on a $25,806 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

9

Boricua College
New York, NY

Boricua College landed the #9 spot for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor value this year. Boricua College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,025. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degree recipients from Boricua College generally make around $65,755. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt.

10

Suny College At Brockport
Brockport, NY

Suny College At Brockport landed the #10 spot for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor value this year. Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Brockport. In-state tuition and fees average $8,752, with out-of-state students paying around $15,822. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates carry a median of $24,757 in student loans. Early-career teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor graduates make about $39,724. Set against $24,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.

11

Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor schools. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates carry a median of $20,537 in student loans. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $63,269 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,537 median debt. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.

12

Saint Josephs College New York
Brooklyn, NY

Saint Josephs College New York earned the #12 position for value in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Saint Josephs College New York is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,550. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates carry a median of $25,485 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degree recipients from Saint Josephs College New York generally make around $49,214. Set against $25,485 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

13

State University Of New York At New Paltz
New Paltz, NY

State University Of New York At New Paltz came in at #13 for value in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor this year. Set in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,572 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,822. Students borrow a median of $21,530 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 $79,209. That is a strong return on a $21,530 median debt. State University Of New York At New Paltz admits about 62% of applicants.

14

University Of Maryland Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD

University Of Maryland Baltimore County came in at #14 for value in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor this year. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,256, compared with $31,225 for out-of-state students. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates carry a median of $21,331 in student loans. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates of University Of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of $57,529 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland Baltimore County admits about 72% of applicants.

15

Suny College At Cortland
Cortland, NY

Suny College At Cortland earned the #15 position for value in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor this year. Set in the town of Cortland, Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,874, with out-of-state students paying around $18,784. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates carry a median of $25,369 in student loans. Early-career teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor graduates make about $38,709. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.

16

College Of Mount Saint Vincent
Bronx, NY

College Of Mount Saint Vincent placed #16 among the best values for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor. Set in the city of Bronx, College Of Mount Saint Vincent is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,540. Students borrow a median of $26,385 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 College Of Mount Saint Vincent generally make around $58,239. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. College Of Mount Saint Vincent admits about 85% of applicants.

17

Suny At Binghamton
Vestal, NY

Suny At Binghamton landed the #17 spot for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor value this year. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,567 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,447 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor graduates is $20,691. Early-career teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor graduates make about $51,766. That is a strong return on a $20,691 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.

18

Mcdaniel College
Westminster, MD

Mcdaniel College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor schools. Mcdaniel College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Westminster. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,081. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates carry a median of $23,247 in student loans. Early-career teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor graduates make about $54,904. That is a strong return on a $23,247 median debt. Mcdaniel College admits about 78% of applicants.

19

Rider University
Lawrenceville, NJ

Rider University came in at #19 for value in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor this year. Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. Students from in state pay about $41,120 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,241 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 $48,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.

20

The College Of New Jersey
Ewing, NJ

The College Of New Jersey placed #20 among the best values for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor. Located in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $19,632, while out-of-state students pay about $25,752. Typical student debt for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor graduates is $24,429. Early-career teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor graduates make about $56,617. Set against $24,429 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The College Of New Jersey admits about 62% of applicants.

21

Touro College
New York, NY

Touro College earned the #21 position for value in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor this year. Touro College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $20,052 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,285 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 $76,615. Set against $20,285 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Touro College admits about 61% of applicants.

22

St Johns University New York
Queens, NY

St Johns University New York landed the #22 spot for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor value this year. Set in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,529. Typical student debt for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor graduates is $25,521. Soon after graduation, teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degree recipients from St Johns University New York generally make around $78,026. Set against $25,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

23

Wilkes University
Wilkes-Barre, PA

Wilkes University placed #23 among the best values for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor. Located in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,496. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates carry a median of $26,601 in student loans. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates of Wilkes University earn a median of $62,713 early in their careers. Set against $26,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

24

Adelphi University
Garden City, NY

Adelphi University came in at #24 for value in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor this year. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $48,775 in tuition and fees. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates carry a median of $25,487 in student loans. Early-career teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor graduates make about $51,037. That is a strong return on a $25,487 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

25

University Of Rochester
Rochester, NY

University Of Rochester came in at #25 for value in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor this year. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,080. Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/esl Language Instructor graduates carry a median of $21,517 in student loans. Early-career teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor graduates make about $60,865. That is a strong return on a $21,517 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.