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Cheapest Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language Colleges

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

CUNY Queens College delivers Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language training for just $3,830 net cost, making it the most accessible program among the 20 cheapest options nationwide. This reflects New York's massive ESL employment market, where public schools and adult education centers serve over 1.1 million English language learners across the five boroughs. The cost spectrum reveals a striking pattern, with most affordable programs concentrated in Puerto Rico, where Inter American University operates seven campuses with identical $5,580 tuition rates yet graduation outcomes ranging from 31.6% to 43.1%. Universidad Central de Bayamon follows closely at $4,285, though its 37.9% graduation rate trails Queens College's 60.2% completion success. The earnings data shows significant variation, from University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras graduates earning $15,922 annually to Pontifical Catholic University-Mayaguez alumni reaching $27,439. Texas and New York represent the mainland options, with UT Rio Grande Valley charging $6,500 net cost while maintaining an 87.7% acceptance rate that reflects growing demand for bilingual educators along the border region.
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 makes CUNY Queens College the cheapest option at $3,830?

Queens College benefits from New York's substantial state funding for CUNY schools, keeping costs low while maintaining quality. The $3,830 net price reflects generous financial aid packages that cover most of the $7,538 in-state tuition. With a 60.2% graduation rate, it outperforms many programs costing twice as much. The school serves one of the nation's most linguistically varied communities, providing real-world teaching experience.

How do Puerto Rico programs maintain such low tuition rates?

Most Puerto Rico institutions charge between $5,324 and $6,920 for in-state tuition due to local economic conditions and government subsidies. Inter American University's seven campuses all charge identical $5,580 tuition, though net costs vary from $7,382 to $8,964 based on financial aid distribution. The island's bilingual education needs create strong local demand for ESL instructors. However, graduation rates at these schools range widely from 31.6% to 46%.

Is there a connection between program cost and graduate earnings?

The data shows no clear correlation between program cost and graduate salaries in this field. University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras costs $6,507 but graduates earn only $15,922 annually. Meanwhile, Pontifical Catholic University-Mayaguez charges $8,264 but produces graduates earning $27,439. Earnings appear more influenced by local job markets and cost of living than program price. Most ESL teaching positions offer modest salaries regardless of preparation cost.

Where do acceptance rates indicate program competitiveness?

University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras shows the most selective admission at 51.59% acceptance, reflecting its status as the system's flagship campus. Several Inter American campuses accept only 33-47% of applicants, indicating competitive entry despite affordable tuition. Pontifical Catholic University-Mayaguez accepts 99.77% of applicants, essentially guaranteeing admission. Most programs accept 60-90% of applicants, suggesting moderate selectivity in this specialized field.

Does graduation rate vary significantly among these affordable programs?

Graduation rates span from 31.6% at Inter American-Metro to 60.2% at CUNY Queens College, a nearly 30-point difference. Most Puerto Rico programs cluster between 32-46% completion rates, well below mainland averages. UT Rio Grande Valley achieves 49.3% despite serving a border region with high first-generation college students. The pattern suggests that ultra-low cost doesn't guarantee retention, with support services playing a important role in student success.

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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.