by our College Data Analytics Team
[Teaching English or French](/majors/education/teaching-french-foreign-language/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 75 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for teaching english or french students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in teaching english or french, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Harper College, our #1 best value for teaching english or french in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,894, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teaching english or french graduates is $10,963. Early-career teaching english or french graduates make about $44,523. That is a strong return on a $10,963 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes College Of Lake County one of the best values for teaching english or french. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,788, compared with $14,400 for out-of-state students. Teaching English Or French graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Early-career teaching english or french graduates make about $50,314. That is a strong return on a $9,785 median debt.
Northeastern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in teaching english or french, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,383, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. Students borrow a median of $17,600 to complete the teaching english or french program here. Early-career teaching english or french graduates make about $49,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in teaching english or french will find it at Indiana State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,258 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,582 to complete the teaching english or french program here. Early-career teaching english or french graduates make about $53,952. Set against $25,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Dominican University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in teaching english or french, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,828 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for teaching english or french graduates is $26,236. Teaching English Or French graduates of Dominican University earn a median of $45,546 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
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Goshen College came in at #6 for value in teaching english or french this year. Set in the city of Goshen, Goshen College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,890. Teaching English Or French graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career teaching english or french graduates make about $71,791. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #7 spot for teaching english or french value this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical student debt for teaching english or french graduates is $21,813. Early-career teaching english or french graduates make about $59,877. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University placed #8 among the best values for teaching english or french. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teaching english or french graduates is $27,981. Early-career teaching english or french graduates make about $59,481. Set against $27,981 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent landed the #9 spot for teaching english or french value this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Students borrow a median of $27,423 to complete the teaching english or french program here. Soon after graduation, teaching english or french degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $22,149. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Ohio Dominican University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value teaching english or french schools. Ohio Dominican University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,720. Students borrow a median of $28,166 to complete the teaching english or french program here. Soon after graduation, teaching english or french degree recipients from Ohio Dominican University generally make around $59,666. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Olivet Nazarene University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value teaching english or french schools. Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bourbonnais. In-state tuition and fees average $38,900. Typical student debt for teaching english or french graduates is $26,797. Soon after graduation, teaching english or french degree recipients from Olivet Nazarene University generally make around $59,061. That is a strong return on a $26,797 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #12 position for value in teaching english or french this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Teaching English Or French graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans. Early-career teaching english or french graduates make about $58,659. Set against $23,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Wheaton College Illinois landed the #13 spot for teaching english or french value this year. Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,546. Typical student debt for teaching english or french graduates is $23,292. Soon after graduation, teaching english or french degree recipients from Wheaton College Illinois generally make around $43,654. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 75 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.