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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor Schools in Illinois

5 Colleges in the United States
139 Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor Degrees Awarded
$48,725 Avg Early-Career Salary

Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 20 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degrees they offer, see the list below.

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

1

Wheaton College Illinois is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Wheaton College Illinois awarded about 16 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 Wheaton College Illinois generally make around $43,654. Typical student debt for the program is $23,292. See the full teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor program report for Wheaton College Illinois

2

Olivet Nazarene University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of 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 suburb of Bourbonnais. About 61% of students finish within six years. Olivet Nazarene University awarded about 26 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 Olivet Nazarene University earn a median of $59,061 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,797 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor from Olivet Nazarene University

3

A rank of #3 makes Northeastern Illinois University one of the top schools for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. About 22% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 18 teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degree from Northeastern Illinois University earn around $49,254 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,600 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor from Northeastern Illinois University

4
Dominican University crest
Dominican University
River Forest, IL

Dominican University 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. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of River Forest. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 34 teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degrees were awarded at Dominican University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degree recipients from Dominican University generally make around $45,546. Typical student debt for the program is $26,236. Get the full teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor details for Dominican University

5
Harper College crest
Harper College
Palatine, IL

A rank of #5 makes Harper College one of the top schools for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Palatine. About 26 teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degrees were awarded at Harper College in the most recent year. Students who receive their teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor degree from Harper College earn around $44,523 in the first couple years of their career. Harper College graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Get the full teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor details for Harper College

6

College Of Lake County came in at #6 for teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor this year. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. College Of Lake County awarded about 19 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 College Of Lake County earn a median of $50,314 early in their careers. College Of Lake County graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Get the full teaching english as a second or foreign language/esl language instructor details for College Of Lake County

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 20 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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