TESOL
Quick Facts: TESOL Training
Where it's offered
TESOL programs are offered at 4 schools across 4 states. Most students attend a school within driving distance of home — use the state picker below to see programs near you.
Earnings expectations
Graduates earn approximately $32,776/year on average one year after completion, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. Pay scales with experience, certifications, and regional cost-of-living.
Apprenticeship pathways
There are no Department of Labor registered apprenticeship pathways currently mapped to TESOL, but related trades may have programs — check apprenticeship.gov directly.
Program quality benchmark
Across the 4 schools we analyze, the average TradeSchoolOutlook Score is 49/100. Higher-scoring programs combine strong graduate earnings, manageable cost, and strong job-market demand — see the leaderboard further down for the highest-rated options.
What TESOL Graduates Do
Your language skills will place you at the heart of a school community. As an elementary or secondary teacher, your day is a dynamic mix of leading lessons and providing targeted support. You might find yourself in a second-grade classroom using picture cards and songs to help a small group of students grasp new English vocabulary, or co-teaching a high school history class, adapting complex texts for emerging bilingual students. You’ll use smartboards, educational apps, and group projects to make learning accessible for everyone.
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Your career starts in the classroom, often with a mentor, where you’ll build your skills. Within a few years, you’ll gain autonomy and can advance on your district’s salary scale, especially with a master's degree. While overall growth is slow, consistent retirements create tens of thousands of openings annually, with preschool teaching being a notable growth area. Experienced educators can become specialists, like an ESL Coordinator for an entire district, significantly increasing their earning potential. AI tools may help draft lesson plans or quizzes, but the core work of managing a classroom and providing empathetic, real-time support remains fundamentally human.
You may also want to compare TESOL with Bilingual & Multicultural Education, Teacher Education, and Teaching Assistants on earnings and ROI.
Find TESOL Programs in Your State
Trade and community college programs are local decisions — most students pick a school within driving distance. TESOL is offered at 4 schools across 4 states. Click your state to see all trade programs offered locally.
Top TESOL Programs Nationally
For context, here are the highest-scoring TESOL programs in the country. Most students attend a school within 60 miles of home, so your state list above is usually more actionable — but these are the benchmarks others compete against.
4 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and career analysis.
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Augusta University Augusta, GA |
65 62–66 |
| 2 | Messiah University Mechanicsburg, PA |
61 57–62 |
| 3 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN |
48 43–50 |
| 4 | Kent State University at Kent Kent, OH |
48 43–50 |
Highest Earning TESOL Programs
Schools where TESOL graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.
| School | 1-Year Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Messiah University | $49,362/yr | 61 |
| Augusta University | $36,305/yr | 65 |
| University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | $23,288/yr | 48 |
| Kent State University at Kent | $22,149/yr | 48 |
Best ROI for TESOL
Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for TESOL.
| School | ROI Multiple | Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Augusta University | 43.7x | $36,305/yr | 65 |
| University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | 26.8x | $23,288/yr | 48 |
| Kent State University at Kent | 26.6x | $22,149/yr | 48 |
| Messiah University | 11.1x | $49,362/yr | 61 |
Related Majors
Explore similar fields of study.
Considering a 4-Year Degree?
Compare the trade route with a bachelor's degree. See how TESOL degree programs stack up on earnings and ROI.