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Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language Colleges Under $20,000

Programs with net price under $20,000. See our methodology.

CUNY Queens College stands out with a net cost of just $3,830 for Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language programs, making it nearly $2,500 cheaper than the next most affordable option. This dramatic price gap highlights the stark difference between public and private institutions in this field, where costs can climb to $8,964 at Inter American University locations. The 60.20% graduation rate at Queens College ranks among the strongest in this affordable tier. New York's position as a gateway for international business creates steady demand for language instructors, particularly in ESL programs serving the city's immigrant communities. Across all 15 programs under $20,000, graduation rates vary significantly from 31.60% to 60.20%, while earnings data from Puerto Rico institutions shows starting salaries ranging from $15,922 to $27,439. The geographic concentration in Puerto Rico reflects the territory's bilingual education requirements and tourism industry needs.
50
Programs
$3,830 – $17,816
Net Price Range
$26,519
Avg. Program Earnings
51.2%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,830 $7,538 60.2% 69.5%
2 $4,285 $5,986 37.9% 80.4%
3 $6,500 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
4 $6,507 $5,324 52.5% 51.6%
5 $7,382 $5,542 38.4% 67.8%
6 $7,569 $6,920 36.4%
7 $7,607 $5,542 38.7% 45.7%
8 $8,036 $5,580 35.4% 33.3%
9 $8,245 $5,580 43.1% 52.8%
10 $8,264 $6,238 42.1% 99.8%
11 $8,471 $8,050 46.0% 83.1%
12 $8,783 $5,580 33.0% 33.8%
13 $8,787 $5,580 32.9% 44.7%
14 $8,932 $5,580 39.4% 47.0%
15 $8,964 $5,580 31.6% 46.8%
16 $9,034 $5,580 42.7% 40.1%
17 $9,421 $6,238 39.2% 98.2%
18 $9,424 $6,110 42.1%
19 $10,082 $6,340 47.9% 94.7%
20 $10,888 $9,068 60.7%
21 $11,234 $8,991 51.2% 86.9%
22 $11,893 $19,920 39.8%
23 $12,093 $36,840 59.0% 84.1%
24 $12,188 $9,992 41.1% 92.3%
25 $12,904 $20,000 81.7% 100.0%
26 $12,932 $11,238 53.1% 93.1%
27 $13,091 $8,353 47.2% 96.1%
28 $13,181 $12,186 62.6% 72.8%
29 $13,485 $12,643 83.7% 47.5%
30 $13,884 $6,438 54.4% 34.2%
31 $14,487 $6,496 82.2% 66.7%
32 $14,609 $9,728 68.9% 95.0%
33 $14,714 $8,606 60.9% 84.5%
34 $14,760 $10,304 44.1% 91.6%
35 $14,761 $8,212 57.9% 88.5%
36 $15,133 $10,506 35.7% 80.3%
37 $15,725 $37,760 60.5% 93.5%
38 $15,745 $10,314 38.7% 54.9%
39 $16,177 $10,020 51.2% 86.3%
40 $16,284 $37,000 64.6% 58.4%
41 $16,378 $10,234 65.9% 70.6%
42 $16,456 $10,638 67.4% 91.1%
43 $16,514 $7,361 62.1% 92.3%
44 $17,084 $15,510 45.5% 83.2%
45 $17,231 $8,769 60.4% 82.6%
46 $17,424 $10,108 65.8% 78.6%
47 $17,430 $36,298 49.5% 96.3%
48 $17,566 $25,000 58.8% 69.1%
49 $17,760 $31,728 42.4%
50 $17,816 $10,336 54.6% 56.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the huge cost difference between CUNY Queens College and other programs?

CUNY Queens College costs $3,830 net compared to $4,285 at the next cheapest option, Universidad Central de Bayamon. This $455 difference reflects Queens College's status as a public institution in New York's CUNY system versus private nonprofit schools. The gap widens dramatically when comparing to Inter American University campuses, which average around $8,500 despite being located in Puerto Rico where living costs are generally lower.

How do graduation rates vary across these affordable programs?

Graduation rates span a 28.6 percentage point range, from 31.60% at Inter American University Metro to 60.20% at CUNY Queens College. Most Puerto Rico institutions cluster between 32-46%, while the mainland schools show stronger completion rates. Inter American University's multiple campuses demonstrate how location affects outcomes even within the same university system, with rates varying from 31.60% to 43.10%.

Where do most affordable Teaching English or French programs concentrate geographically?

Puerto Rico dominates this affordable tier with 13 of the 15 programs under $20,000. The University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras and multiple Inter American University campuses create a concentrated market across the island. Only CUNY Queens College in New York and UT Rio Grande Valley in Texas represent mainland options. This concentration reflects Puerto Rico's bilingual education mandate and the economic advantages of operating educational institutions there.

What earning potential exists for graduates from these programs?

Available earnings data from Puerto Rico institutions shows starting salaries from $15,922 to $27,439, representing a 72% pay difference. Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez leads at $27,439 despite its 42.10% graduation rate. University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras graduates earn $15,922 initially, though this may reflect entry-level positions in the public education system. The $11,517 earnings gap suggests significant variation in job placement and career trajectories.

Does acceptance rate indicate program selectivity or accessibility?

Acceptance rates range from 33.31% at Inter American University-Arecibo to 99.77% at Pontifical Catholic University-Mayaguez, showing dramatic differences in admission standards. CUNY Queens College accepts 69.48% of applicants while maintaining the highest graduation rate at 60.20%. The data suggests that moderate selectivity rather than open admission correlates with better student outcomes. Several Inter American campuses maintain similar acceptance rates around 45-50% despite varying graduation performance.

More Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language Rankings

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.