220 Best Public TESL Universities in the USA

Compare 746 programs at 220 universities in the USA — graduates, earnings, debt and costs from the federal record on every listing.

Programs 746 Universities 220 Scholarships 141

220 universities · ranked best first

how we rank

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan · Public University · Est. 1855

US #2 QS World #158 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $19,680/yr
Admission rate: 85%
Earnings (10yr): $67,253
Students: 40,922

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Iowa State University

Ames, Iowa · Public University · Est. 1858

US #17 QS World #481 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $18,589/yr
Admission rate: 89%
Earnings (10yr): $63,386
Students: 25,367

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University of Delaware

Newark, Delaware · Public University · Est. 1743

US #18 QS World #501 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $17,799/yr
Admission rate: 71%
Earnings (10yr): $72,950
Students: 19,071

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The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Knoxville, Tennessee · Public University · Est. 1794

US #19 QS World #501 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $18,976/yr
Admission rate: 42%
Earnings (10yr): $60,249
Students: 30,418

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University at Buffalo

Buffalo, New York · Public University · Est. 1846

US #21 QS World #521 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $20,995/yr
Admission rate: 74%
Earnings (10yr): $70,814
Students: 20,112

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University of Missouri-Columbia

Columbia, Missouri · Public University · Est. 1839

US #22 QS World #541 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $20,268/yr
Admission rate: 78%
Earnings (10yr): $63,403
Students: 23,929

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University of Kentucky

Lexington, Kentucky · Public University · Est. 1865

US #24 QS World #601 ROI C Admissions open

Net price: $18,851/yr
Admission rate: 93%
Earnings (10yr): $59,025
Students: 24,763

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University of Hawaii at Manoa

Honolulu, Hawaii · Public University · Est. 1907

US #26 QS World #601 ROI C Admissions open

Net price: $15,664/yr
Admission rate: 87%
Earnings (10yr): $57,624
Students: 15,029

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University of South Florida

Tampa, Florida · Public University · Est. 1956

US #27 QS World #601 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $9,812/yr
Admission rate: 43%
Earnings (10yr): $57,743
Students: 37,207

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Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Fort Collins, Colorado · Public University · Est. 1870

US #31 QS World #621 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $21,279/yr
Admission rate: 89%
Earnings (10yr): $60,543
Students: 25,538

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Temple University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · Public University · Est. 1884

US #32 QS World #631 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $28,198/yr
Admission rate: 80%
Earnings (10yr): $63,727
Students: 20,970

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University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Lincoln, Nebraska · Public University · Est. 1869

US #33 QS World #651 ROI C Admissions open

Net price: $17,747/yr
Admission rate: 87%
Earnings (10yr): $56,887
Students: 19,178

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University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus

Norman, Oklahoma · Public University · Est. 1890

US #34 QS World #701 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $15,300/yr
Admission rate: 77%
Earnings (10yr): $63,126
Students: 22,734

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University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota · Public University · Est. 1851

US #37 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $16,778/yr
Admission rate: 80%
Earnings (10yr): $69,020
Students: 31,855

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University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Seattle, Washington · Public University · Est. 1861

US #38 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $14,091/yr
Admission rate: 39%
Earnings (10yr): $78,466
Students: 31,942

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University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona · Public University · Est. 1885

US #39 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $16,674/yr
Admission rate: 86%
Earnings (10yr): $59,979
Students: 42,537

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Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

University Park, Pennsylvania · Public University · Est. 1855

US #40 ROI C Admissions open

Net price: $32,875/yr
Admission rate: 61%
Earnings (10yr): $63,435
Students: 42,284

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Arizona State University Campus Immersion

Tempe, Arizona · Public University · Est. 1885

US #41 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $14,967/yr
Admission rate: 90%
Earnings (10yr): $62,668
Students: 64,674

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University of Cincinnati-Main Campus

Cincinnati, Ohio · Public University · Est. 1819

US #42 ROI C Admissions open

Net price: $25,648/yr
Admission rate: 85%
Earnings (10yr): $54,810
Students: 29,882

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University of Wisconsin-Madison

Madison, Wisconsin · Public University · Est. 1848

US #44 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $17,354/yr
Admission rate: 45%
Earnings (10yr): $73,792
Students: 36,902

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University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania · Public University · Est. 1787

US #45 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $30,434/yr
Admission rate: 58%
Earnings (10yr): $66,125
Students: 20,370

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Ohio State University-Main Campus

Columbus, Ohio · Public University · Est. 1870

US #46 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $17,339/yr
Admission rate: 61%
Earnings (10yr): $60,409
Students: 45,638

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University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia · Public University · Est. 1785

US #49 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $13,936/yr
Admission rate: 38%
Earnings (10yr): $68,726
Students: 32,137

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University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas · Public University · Est. 1864

US #50 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $18,059/yr
Admission rate: 93%
Earnings (10yr): $61,945
Students: 21,217

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What this subject pays

Graduates of TESL programmes report a median $47,553 two years after finishing, across 61 programmes that publish the figure .

TESL pay by degree level →

Related subjects

Curriculum & Instruction Early Childhood Education Educational Leadership Physical Education Secondary Education Special Education Teacher Education

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Frequently asked questions

Which are the best universities for public TESL universities in the USA?

By our composite ranking, the top choices include Michigan State University, Iowa State University, University of Delaware. The full ranked list above shows each one's national rank, costs and admission data.

How much does it cost to study public TESL universities in the USA?

Costs vary widely by university: public institutions charge in-state residents far less than out-of-state and international students, and private universities set one price for everyone. Every listing above shows the published tuition and net price we hold from the federal College Scorecard, so you can compare like with like.

Can international students work while studying public TESL universities in the USA?

Yes, within the rules of the F-1 student visa: on-campus work during term, Curricular Practical Training tied to the program, and Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduating — with a longer extension for eligible STEM degrees.

About public TESL universities in the USA

This page lists public TESL universities in the USA held in our database, ordered by a composite score that combines QS World positions, our editorial star rating, academic breadth, internationalisation and student support — never paid placement. Program and cost figures come from the US Department of Education's College Scorecard. Use the filters to narrow by subject, level, university type or location; every combination has its own address you can bookmark or share.

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