Best Bachelor's in English Language Arts Teacher Education Programs in 2026
The top 25 out of 299 programs reviewed from the IPEDS database, ranked on graduation rate, affordability, and more. CIP 13.1305.
English and language arts teacher education prepares you to teach reading, writing, literature, and communication, usually in middle and high school classrooms. The degree pairs strong grounding in literature, composition, and grammar with coursework in how adolescents learn and how to run a discussion-driven classroom. The ranking below covers accredited bachelor's programs that lead to a state teaching license, and the page lists graduation rates and published costs so you can compare programs side by side.

- In-state tuition typically runs from $4,997 to $50,900 a year, with a median near $21,064.
- 118 of 299 ranked programs sit at public universities, and 17 offer an online or hybrid option.
- Most lead to an initial state teaching license, which means supervised student teaching plus a licensure exam (37 of 52 US jurisdictions use the Praxis series).
- We rank on graduation rate first, then selectivity and affordability, all from federal IPEDS data.
- 1
Florida State University
98score- 86%Grad rate
- $4,640/yrIn-state tuition
- $19,084/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 24%Admit rate
- 32,720Undergrads
- 26Grads/yr
- 1340SAT mid
- Bachelor of Science in English Education
About the programFlorida State University's English Education program in the School of Teacher Education awards a Bachelor of Science and is a Florida state-approved educator preparation program that leads to eligibility for a Florida professional certificate in English, grades 6 to 12, with endorsements in ESOL and Reading. Students complete a minimum of 15 semester hours of English coursework at the 3000/4000 level and a 12-credit capstone internship in secondary English (LAE 4942). It runs as a three-year combined BS/MS pathway culminating in a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction. Earning a bachelor's degree in english language arts teacher education is a common route toward becoming one of Florida's secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageThe ranking rewards programs that graduate their students, stay at least somewhat selective, and keep tuition reasonable, so here is how this one measures up. Its strongest card is completion: a 86% graduation rate lands it in the top 2% of programs nationwide, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. Admissions are competitive, a 24% acceptance rate, which nudges it further up. Cost only helps its case: at $4,640 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results. That combination is what puts it in the top handful here.
- 2
University of South Florida
95score- 77%Grad rate
- $4,559/yrIn-state tuition
- $15,473/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 43%Admit rate
- 38,525Undergrads
- 28Grads/yr
- 1225SAT mid
- Bachelor of Science in English Education (ESOL and Reading Endorsements)
- On-campus
About the programUSF's Bachelor of Science in English Education is a joint effort of the College of Education and the College of Arts and Sciences, and that partnership shows in a curriculum that takes both subject and pedagogy seriously. Across roughly 69 upper-division credits on the Tampa campus, students deepen their grasp of language, literature, and adolescent literacy while learning how to teach it. Early field placements ease candidates into schools before a full-time final internship in partner secondary classrooms. Graduates qualify for Florida certification in English for grades 6-12 and add Reading and ESOL endorsements, a combination that broadens who they are prepared to teach. The College of Education's educator preparation programs are CAEP accredited, and the degree is delivered face-to-face. Earning a bachelor's degree in english language arts teacher education is a common route toward becoming one of Florida's secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageThree things decide where a program lands on this list: how many students finish, how selective it is, and what it costs. Start with the outcome that matters most, 77% of students graduate, top 7% among programs nationwide, which is the biggest reason it sits where it does. A 43% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $4,559 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results. Strong on the measures that matter most, it earns a place near the top.
- 3
University of Georgia
92score- 90%Grad rate
- $10,034/yrIn-state tuition
- $30,272/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 38%Admit rate
- 32,399Undergrads
- 13Grads/yr
- 1375SAT mid
- B.S.Ed. in English Education
- On-campus
About the programThe B.S.Ed. in English Education at UGA's Mary Frances Early College of Education is an initial certification program preparing candidates to teach middle and high school English/Language Arts. It uses a cohort model limited to about 25 students per year, interweaving sequenced pedagogy coursework with field placements across the 6-8 and 9-12 grade bands required by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. Coursework spans literature, writing, reading, and digital literacy. Graduates qualify for Georgia grades 6-12 certification. Delivery is on-campus. A Double Dawgs pathway allows completing a bachelor's and master's in five years. Earning a bachelor's degree in english language arts teacher education is a common route toward becoming one of Georgia's secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageThe ranking rewards programs that graduate their students, stay at least somewhat selective, and keep tuition reasonable, so here is how this one measures up. Its strongest card is completion: a 90% graduation rate lands it in the top 1% of programs nationwide, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. A 38% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $10,034 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results. Together, that is one of the strongest profiles on the page.
- 4
Auburn University
90score- 82%Grad rate
- $11,016/yrIn-state tuition
- $33,048/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 46%Admit rate
- 27,907Undergrads
- 15Grads/yr
- 1325SAT mid
- Bachelor of Science in English Language Arts Education
- On-campus
About the programAuburn University's Bachelor of Science in English Language Arts Education, a 125-credit on-campus degree, is built for future secondary teachers who want to bring literature and writing to grades 6 through 12. Its design weaves three strands together, English content that deepens subject knowledge, teaching methods that shape practice, and classroom field experiences sequenced across the program so candidates build confidence gradually. The whole path culminates in a senior-year Clinical Residency worth 11 credits, the full student-teaching placement where preparation meets a real classroom. Candidates must clear both Auburn and Alabama State Department of Education GPA requirements along the way. Graduates leave ready to teach secondary English, and many are also prepared to lead speech, theater, and student publication activities. Completion opens the door to Alabama Class B certification. As a bachelor's degree in english language arts teacher education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as secondary school teachers in Alabama.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageThree things decide where a program lands on this list: how many students finish, how selective it is, and what it costs. Start with the outcome that matters most, 82% of students graduate, top 3% among programs nationwide, which is the biggest reason it sits where it does. A 46% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $11,016 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results. Strong on the measures that matter most, it earns a place near the top.
- 5
Ohio State University-Main Campus
87score- 88%Grad rate
- $12,180/yrIn-state tuition
- $38,958/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 61%Admit rate
- 46,815Undergrads
- 31Grads/yr
- 1395SAT mid
- Integrated Language Arts/English Education, BSEd
- On-campus
About the programOhio State's Integrated Language Arts/English Education is a Bachelor of Science in Education offered by the College of Education and Human Ecology on the Columbus campus only. Candidates complete field experiences each year, placed primarily in Franklin County and Columbus City Schools, culminating in a one-semester senior-year student teaching experience. The program states that graduates receive Ohio teacher licensure for grades 7-12 in English/language arts upon completing program and state requirements. The college lists this program among its CAEP-accredited educator preparation programs. Delivery is on-campus. A bachelor's-level path in english language arts teacher education, it builds toward a career among secondary school teachers in Ohio.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageWe rank on the things that actually shape a teaching degree: whether students finish, how hard it is to get in, and the price of admission. Its strongest card is completion: a 88% graduation rate lands it in the top 1% of programs nationwide, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. A 61% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $12,180 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results. Strong on the measures that matter most, it earns a place near the top.
- 6
University of Connecticut
87score- 83%Grad rate
- $17,010/yrIn-state tuition
- $39,678/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 52%Admit rate
- 20,056Undergrads
- 14Grads/yr
- 1325SAT mid
- Bachelor of Science in Education (Secondary English Education)
- On-campus
About the programEnglish is a secondary education certification area within the Neag School's Integrated Bachelor's/Master's (IB/M) program at the Storrs campus. Students complete about two years of general education and English content study, apply in the sophomore year, then enter an upper-division major that combines subject-area courses with professional education and school-based clinical experiences over the junior and senior years, earning a bachelor's degree. A fifth graduate year and required licensure tests lead to the master's and Connecticut certification in English for grades 4-12. The provider is CAEP accredited. Delivered on campus. This bachelor's-level english language arts teacher education program prepares graduates for work as secondary school teachers in Connecticut.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageThree things decide where a program lands on this list: how many students finish, how selective it is, and what it costs. Start with the outcome that matters most, 83% of students graduate, top 3% among programs nationwide, which is the biggest reason it sits where it does. A 52% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $17,010 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results. On balance it is a well-rounded pick, which is what earns it a spot this high.
- 7
Brigham Young University
87score- 81%Grad rate
- $6,688/yrTuition (in or out of state)
- 68%Admit rate
- 32,952Undergrads
- 28Grads/yr
- 1365SAT mid
- English Teaching (BA)
About the programBrigham Young University's English Teaching (BA), housed in the College of Humanities, is a secondary teacher preparation major. Students study English language arts alongside methods coursework on teaching the subject to secondary students, begin with early field work in a secondary classroom, and complete a student teaching placement or teaching internship. The program meets Utah's educational requirements for a professional teaching license. Graduates of this english language arts teacher education program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageIts rank is built from three numbers: graduation rate, admission rate, and in-state tuition, in that order of weight. Its strongest card is completion: a 81% graduation rate lands it in the top 4% of programs nationwide, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. A 68% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $6,688 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results. No single weakness drags it down, and that consistency lands it in the upper tier.
- 8
State University of New York at New Paltz
83score- 72%Grad rate
- $7,070/yrIn-state tuition
- $17,320/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 62%Admit rate
- 6,862Undergrads
- 26Grads/yr
- 1255SAT mid
- Bachelor of Arts in Adolescence Education (English)
- On-campus
About the programSUNY New Paltz builds its Bachelor of Arts in Adolescence Education (English) on a substantial liberal-arts foundation, asking teacher candidates to complete at least 37 credits in English across subjects such as writing, literary theory, Shakespeare, and young adult literature before layering education coursework on top. That breadth in the discipline is matched by depth in the classroom, as candidates move through earlier fieldwork and a seminar into two full-time student teaching placements, one in grades 7-9 and another in grades 10-12. Delivered on campus, the program leads to New York State initial certification to teach English in grades 7-12. Its School of Education carries accreditation from the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation, a signal of reviewed quality across the preparation it offers. Graduates of this english language arts teacher education program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageIts place on the list comes down to outcomes, selectivity, and price, weighted in that order. Start with the outcome that matters most, 72% of students graduate, top 15% among programs nationwide, which is the biggest reason it sits where it does. A 62% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $7,070 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results. On balance it is a well-rounded pick, which is what earns it a spot this high.
- 9
University of Vermont
82score- 79%Grad rate
- $16,280/yrIn-state tuition
- $42,724/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 65%Admit rate
- 12,276Undergrads
- 14Grads/yr
- 1365SAT mid
- Secondary Education (Grades 7-12) B.S.Ed., English concentration
- On-campus
About the programThe University of Vermont's Secondary Education B.S.Ed. with an English concentration is designed for future teachers who love their subject as much as teaching it, requiring a minimum of 120 credits that includes 36 credits of English content in areas such as literary studies, linguistics, and writing. The professional side unfolds in three deliberate phases, moving from introductory education courses to a teaching practicum bundled with curriculum and instruction coursework, and finally to a full-time, semester-long internship and capstone. That staged structure lets candidates deepen their content knowledge and their classroom skill in step with one another. Graduates earn a first endorsement in English for grades 7-12, demonstrating their readiness through a Vermont Licensure Portfolio and a state-approved content exam. Taught on campus, the program suits students who want a strong grounding in the discipline paired with a clear road into middle and high school teaching. As a bachelor's degree in english language arts teacher education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as secondary school teachers in Vermont.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageIts rank is built from three numbers: graduation rate, admission rate, and in-state tuition, in that order of weight. Its strongest card is completion: a 79% graduation rate lands it in the top 6% of programs nationwide, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. A 65% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $16,280 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results. No single weakness drags it down, and that consistency lands it in the upper tier.
- 10
SUNY College at Geneseo
81score- 71%Grad rate
- $7,070/yrIn-state tuition
- $17,640/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 66%Admit rate
- 3,881Undergrads
- 18Grads/yr
- 1265SAT mid
- English, Adolescence Education: English, B.A.
- On-campus
About the programSUNY Geneseo's Adolescence Education: English track pairs a B.A. in English with New York State initial teacher certification to teach English in grades 7-12. Candidates major in the content area while completing the education sequence, which requires 100 hours of field experience before student teaching, distributed across coursework blocks including a Foundations of Literacy course. The culminating Block IV places candidates in both middle school and high school student teaching settings. This initial-licensure degree is delivered on campus. As a bachelor's degree in english language arts teacher education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as secondary school teachers in New York.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageWe rank on the things that actually shape a teaching degree: whether students finish, how hard it is to get in, and the price of admission. Its strongest card is completion: a 71% graduation rate lands it in the top 17% of programs nationwide, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. A 66% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $7,070 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results. No single weakness drags it down, and that consistency lands it in the upper tier.
- 11
Boston University
80score- 89%Grad rate
- $66,670/yrTuition (in or out of state)
- 11%Admit rate
- 18,805Undergrads
- 3Grads/yr
- 1475SAT mid
- BS in English Education
- On-campus
About the programThe BS in English Education at Boston University's Wheelock College prepares teachers for English and language arts in grades 5-12. The 128-unit program is designed to meet requirements that enable BU to recommend students to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for an Initial Level license in English Education, grades 5-12, and can lead to licensure in states with Massachusetts reciprocity. It includes an 8-unit practicum (WED EN 507/508). Effective fall 2022 new applicants are admitted to the BS in Education and Human Development instead, and this named degree no longer accepts new students, though continuing students complete it. Graduates of this english language arts teacher education program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageIts place on the list comes down to outcomes, selectivity, and price, weighted in that order. Start with the outcome that matters most, 89% of students graduate, top 1% among programs nationwide, which is the biggest reason it sits where it does. It is genuinely selective too, admitting just 11% of applicants, a sign of a competitive, well-prepared cohort. The one drag is price, $66,670 in state, above the national median, so it earns its rank on outcomes rather than affordability. No single weakness drags it down, and that consistency lands it in the upper tier.
- 12
University of Delaware
79score- 81%Grad rate
- $14,600/yrIn-state tuition
- $39,190/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 71%Admit rate
- 20,026Undergrads
- 8Grads/yr
- 1280SAT mid
- English Education (secondary) major
- On-campus
About the programThe University of Delaware's English Education major prepares candidates to teach secondary English language arts and delivers them to initial Delaware licensure for grades 7-12, all within a four-year plan that skips the fifth year some universities require. Teaching starts early here, with candidates in front of students during their first year and graduating after at least five field experiences, and those who prefer can choose a year-long paid teacher residency in place of traditional student teaching. Coursework ranges across young adult literature, writing, linguistics, grammar, and literacy, giving future teachers both the content and the craft. A 4+1 dual-certification option adds Special Education or TESOL for students who want a second area of expertise. The major is based in the Department of English and its Center for Secondary Education and is delivered on campus. Earning a bachelor's degree in english language arts teacher education is a common route toward becoming one of Delaware's secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageWe rank on the things that actually shape a teaching degree: whether students finish, how hard it is to get in, and the price of admission. Its strongest card is completion: a 81% graduation rate lands it in the top 4% of programs nationwide, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. A 71% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $14,600 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results. No single weakness drags it down, and that consistency lands it in the upper tier.
- 13
Texas Christian University
78score- 86%Grad rate
- $61,650/yrTuition (in or out of state)
- 44%Admit rate
- 11,049Undergrads
- 2Grads/yr
- 1245SAT mid
- Secondary Education, BSE - Language and Literacy
- On-campus
About the programTexas Christian University's Bachelor of Science in Education in Language and Literacy is a 120 hour program for future secondary teachers of English and language arts, reading, and TESOL in grades 7 through 12. Housed in the College of Education, it pairs solid content study with professional education coursework, so candidates develop both a command of their subject and the craft of teaching it. The design eases students into the classroom gradually, beginning with junior-year field experience and a professional practice seminar before the demands of full-time teaching. It then peaks in a senior capstone of either student teaching in a secondary school or advanced clinical teaching, giving candidates sustained time leading their own students. With the required field, clinical, and exam benchmarks met, graduates earn Texas teacher certification. As a bachelor's degree in english language arts teacher education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as secondary school teachers in Texas.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageWhere it lands is a story about completion first, then selectivity, then cost. Start with the outcome that matters most, 86% of students graduate, top 2% among programs nationwide, which is the biggest reason it sits where it does. A 44% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. The one drag is price, $61,650 in state, above the national median, so it earns its rank on outcomes rather than affordability. On balance it is a well-rounded pick, which is what earns it a spot this high.
- 14
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus
78score- 75%Grad rate
- $5,220/yrIn-state tuition
- $22,800/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 77%Admit rate
- 23,329Undergrads
- 10Grads/yr
- 1235SAT mid
- Language Arts Education, B.S.
- On-campus
About the programThe University of Oklahoma's Language Arts Education, B.S. is built for students who want to teach literature, writing, and speaking to middle and secondary learners, and its 120-hour plan carries at least 40 upper-division hours. Coursework braids English literature and writing together with education courses such as Grammar and Composition in Middle and Secondary School, so candidates deepen their own reading and writing even as they learn to teach it. Preparation runs through the Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education and moves toward Teaching Experiences in the Secondary School, a 10-credit student teaching placement, paired with a seminar in the final semester. Full certification then depends on passing the Certification Examinations for Oklahoma Educators and applying for a license. Classes are held on campus. A bachelor's-level path in english language arts teacher education, it builds toward a career among secondary school teachers in Oklahoma.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageThe ranking rewards programs that graduate their students, stay at least somewhat selective, and keep tuition reasonable, so here is how this one measures up. Its strongest card is completion: a 75% graduation rate lands it in the top 11% of programs nationwide, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. A 77% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $5,220 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results. No single weakness drags it down, and that consistency lands it in the upper tier.
- 15
Providence College
77score- 86%Grad rate
- $62,520/yrTuition (in or out of state)
- 51%Admit rate
- 4,236Undergrads
- 2Grads/yr
- 1320SAT mid
- Secondary Education in English Major
About the programProvidence College's Secondary Education in English major combines the English subject-area major with education coursework and prepares candidates to teach high school English. Before student teaching, majors complete four structured sequential field experiences across varied schools, with at least one placement in an urban school, followed by a full year working alongside a master teacher. All of the college's teacher education programs are approved by the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Interstate Certification Compact. Graduates of this english language arts teacher education program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageThree things decide where a program lands on this list: how many students finish, how selective it is, and what it costs. Start with the outcome that matters most, 86% of students graduate, top 2% among programs nationwide, which is the biggest reason it sits where it does. A 51% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. The one drag is price, $62,520 in state, above the national median, so it earns its rank on outcomes rather than affordability. On balance it is a well-rounded pick, which is what earns it a spot this high.
- 16
Grove City College
77score- 83%Grad rate
- $21,700/yrTuition (in or out of state)
- 72%Admit rate
- 2,341Undergrads
- 1Grads/yr
- 1265SAT mid
- B.A. in English with Secondary Education Certification
- On-campus
About the programGrove City College pairs a Bachelor of Arts in English with Secondary Education Certification, a combination designed for students who love literature and want to bring it into middle and high school classrooms. The academic side runs deep, with 36 credit hours spanning British, American, and classical literature, Shakespeare, and grammar, while a substantial professional education sequence of 49 credit hours develops the craft of teaching; students who wish to broaden their credential can add Communication certification with a few more credits. Rather than saving practice for the end, the program embeds field experience in every education course before candidates complete a full-semester student teaching placement in the fall or spring of senior year. Approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to offer secondary programs, it leads to certification for grades 7 through 12 and is delivered on campus. Earning a bachelor's degree in english language arts teacher education is a common route toward becoming one of Pennsylvania's secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageWe rank on the things that actually shape a teaching degree: whether students finish, how hard it is to get in, and the price of admission. Its strongest card is completion: a 83% graduation rate lands it in the top 3% of programs nationwide, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. A 72% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Tuition is middle of the road for programs nationwide at $21,700 in state, so cost neither helps nor hurts its standing.
- 17
Miami University-Oxford
76score- 80%Grad rate
- $14,420/yrIn-state tuition
- $35,866/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 75%Admit rate
- 16,816Undergrads
- 15Grads/yr
- 1305SAT mid
- Bachelor of Science in Education, Integrated English Language Arts Education (Grades 7-12)
- On-campus
About the programMiami University's Integrated English Language Arts Education program leads to a Bachelor of Science in Education and prepares candidates to teach writing, language, and literature to students in grades 7-12. With 84 credit hours in the major, it gives students a real command of the discipline, and many extend that further by adding a double major in English. Field experience is a defining feature: fall and spring field-block courses place candidates in both urban and suburban or rural schools before a 15-week full-time internship takes over the final stretch. That variety of placements means graduates enter licensure having taught in genuinely different communities. Offered on campus at Oxford through the Department of Teaching, Curriculum, and Educational Inquiry, the four-year program is fully accredited by the Ohio Department of Education and CAEP. Earning a bachelor's degree in english language arts teacher education is a common route toward becoming one of Ohio's secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageWhere it lands is a story about completion first, then selectivity, then cost. Start with the outcome that matters most, 80% of students graduate, top 5% among programs nationwide, which is the biggest reason it sits where it does. A 75% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $14,420 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results.
- 18
Baylor University
76score- 80%Grad rate
- $58,100/yrTuition (in or out of state)
- 51%Admit rate
- 14,915Undergrads
- 2Grads/yr
- 1300SAT mid
- Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.), Secondary English, Language Arts, and Reading
- On-campus
About the programBaylor's Secondary English, Language Arts, and Reading program leads to a Bachelor of Science in Education with Texas certification to teach English at the secondary level, grades 7-12. Offered through the School of Education, the program builds classroom skills across seven semesters of hands-on field experience with increasing responsibility, culminating in full-time student teaching during the senior fall and spring semesters. Delivery is on campus in Waco. A bachelor's-level path in english language arts teacher education, it builds toward a career among secondary school teachers in Texas.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageThe ranking rewards programs that graduate their students, stay at least somewhat selective, and keep tuition reasonable, so here is how this one measures up. Its strongest card is completion: a 80% graduation rate lands it in the top 5% of programs nationwide, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. A 51% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. The one drag is price, $58,100 in state, above the national median, so it earns its rank on outcomes rather than affordability.
- 19
Pepperdine University
73score- 83%Grad rate
- $69,130/yrTuition (in or out of state)
- 63%Admit rate
- 3,553Undergrads
- 1Grads/yr
- 1370SAT mid
- Bachelor of Arts in English (Education emphasis / English Education)
- On-campus
About the programOffered through Seaver College, this Bachelor of Arts in English with an education emphasis is an integrated four-year program in which students earn the degree and a California Single Subject Teaching Credential in English simultaneously, preparing them to teach English at the middle or high school level. Candidates complete about 750 clinical hours in classrooms across the four years. Because the major is a state subject-matter-approved program, completing it waives the English CSET. The teacher education program is approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, which is state credential authorization rather than programmatic accreditation. Delivered on campus. As a bachelor's degree in english language arts teacher education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as secondary school teachers in California.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageThree things decide where a program lands on this list: how many students finish, how selective it is, and what it costs. Start with the outcome that matters most, 83% of students graduate, top 3% among programs nationwide, which is the biggest reason it sits where it does. A 63% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. The one drag is price, $69,130 in state, above the national median, so it earns its rank on outcomes rather than affordability.
- 20
Gustavus Adolphus College
72score- 77%Grad rate
- $55,446/yrTuition (in or out of state)
- 61%Admit rate
- 1,905Undergrads
- 2Grads/yr
- 27ACT mid
- Secondary Education, Communication Arts/Literature teaching major (English), Bachelor of Arts
- On-campus
About the programAt Gustavus Adolphus College, future English teachers prepare through the Communication Arts/Literature teaching major paired with the Secondary Education licensure program, a combination that keeps literary study and teaching preparation moving together. The content side ranges widely, taking in foundations, literary history and genres, multicultural literature, and composition, and candidates must hold a minimum GPA in the courses that count toward the teaching major. A full semester of student teaching serves as the culminating experience. The pathway is approved by the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board and leads to a 5-12 Communication Arts and Literature license, though that state approval is a program approval rather than a named programmatic accreditation. Instruction is delivered on campus. As a bachelor's degree in english language arts teacher education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as secondary school teachers in Minnesota.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageWhere it lands is a story about completion first, then selectivity, then cost. Start with the outcome that matters most, 77% of students graduate, top 7% among programs nationwide, which is the biggest reason it sits where it does. A 61% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. The one drag is price, $55,446 in state, above the national median, so it earns its rank on outcomes rather than affordability.
- 21
Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary
72score- 68%Grad rate
- $19,440/yrTuition (in or out of state)
- 68%Admit rate
- 551Undergrads
- 1Grads/yr
- 1090SAT mid
- Secondary English Education
- Hybrid
About the programFaith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary offers a Bachelor of Science in Secondary English Education, delivered mainly on campus with some online coursework. Students study the teaching of English and language arts and build instructional units they later use in student teaching and the classroom. The program prepares graduates to teach in both Christian and public schools and, through approval from the Iowa Department of Education, makes them eligible for Iowa teacher licensure. As a bachelor's degree in english language arts teacher education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as secondary school teachers in Iowa.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageWe rank on the things that actually shape a teaching degree: whether students finish, how hard it is to get in, and the price of admission. Its strongest card is completion: a 68% graduation rate lands it in the top 22% of programs nationwide, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. A 68% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $19,440 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results.
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Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
71score- 66%Grad rate
- $7,716/yrIn-state tuition
- $11,574/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 71%Admit rate
- 6,835Undergrads
- 2Grads/yr
- 1085SAT mid
- Secondary Education - English (7-12)
- On-campus
About the programSlippery Rock University of Pennsylvania's Bachelor of Science in Education in Secondary Education, English (7-12) is built for aspiring English teachers who want serious depth in their discipline, requiring at least 120 credits with 90 in the major. Through the Secondary Education and Foundations of Education department, students layer a 9-credit writing specialization and 6 credits of language and linguistics onto their preparation, along with coursework in teaching English language learners and inclusive instruction. That emphasis signals a program attentive to the full range of learners a new teacher will meet. Field and student teaching placements are spread across western Pennsylvania, with an international option in Spain for those who want a broader vantage, and the sequence ends in 12 credits of student teaching in the final spring. Accredited by CAEP and the Pennsylvania Department of Education, completers who pass the required exams qualify for state certification. As a bachelor's degree in english language arts teacher education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as secondary school teachers in Pennsylvania.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageIts place on the list comes down to outcomes, selectivity, and price, weighted in that order. Start with the outcome that matters most, 66% of students graduate, top 27% among programs nationwide, which is the biggest reason it sits where it does. A 71% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $7,716 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results.
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Appalachian State University
70score- 75%Grad rate
- $4,242/yrIn-state tuition
- $21,875/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 90%Admit rate
- 19,560Undergrads
- 20Grads/yr
- 1200SAT mid
- Bachelor of Science in English, Secondary Education
- On-campus
About the programAppalachian State's Bachelor of Science in English, Secondary Education prepares candidates to teach English in high school classrooms across grades 9 through 12. The major weaves together literature, composition, and language study while giving attention to reading, speaking, media, and the instructional technology that shapes modern English teaching. Field experiences aligned with National Council of Teachers of English standards build toward student teaching, so candidates practice their craft in real classrooms throughout the program. Along the way they complete the edTPA performance assessment required for North Carolina licensure. Offered on campus in Boone and carrying CAEP accreditation, the program is one of the largest producers of secondary education graduates in the state. That scale reflects a well-established pathway into English teaching. This bachelor's-level english language arts teacher education program prepares graduates for work as secondary school teachers in North Carolina.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageThe ranking rewards programs that graduate their students, stay at least somewhat selective, and keep tuition reasonable, so here is how this one measures up. Its strongest card is completion: a 75% graduation rate lands it in the top 11% of programs nationwide, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. Admission is close to open access at 90%, so this is a program that bets on teaching students well rather than screening them out. Cost only helps its case: at $4,242 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results.
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Mercer University
70score- 70%Grad rate
- $31,265/yrTuition (in or out of state)
- 69%Admit rate
- 4,690Undergrads
- 2Grads/yr
- 1255SAT mid
- Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.) in Secondary Education, English content area
- On-campus
About the programMercer's Tift College of Education offers the B.S.Ed. in Secondary Education for residential undergraduates on the Macon campus, preparing candidates to teach adolescents in grades 6 through 12. English is one of the available content concentrations. Taught in a cohort model, the daytime program embeds field placements across diverse school and community settings. Candidates who complete the program and pass the required GaPSC-approved content pedagogy and GACE content assessments become eligible for Georgia Level 4 induction certification. The program is approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission for initial certification. Delivered on-campus. Graduates of this english language arts teacher education program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageWhere it lands is a story about completion first, then selectivity, then cost. Start with the outcome that matters most, 70% of students graduate, top 18% among programs nationwide, which is the biggest reason it sits where it does. A 69% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. The one drag is price, $31,265 in state, above the national median, so it earns its rank on outcomes rather than affordability.
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Anderson University
70score- 66%Grad rate
- $34,020/yrTuition (in or out of state)
- 55%Admit rate
- 3,683Undergrads
- 6Grads/yr
- 1190SAT mid
- Bachelor of Arts (BA), Secondary English Education (9-12)
- CAEP-accredited
- On-campus
About the programDesigned for future high school English teachers, Anderson University's Bachelor of Arts in Secondary English Education spans four years and 126 credits of seated study aimed squarely at grades 9-12. What distinguishes it is how tightly literature and language study are woven into the craft of teaching, so candidates move between English and speech coursework and professional preparation in educational psychology, assessment, classroom technology, and teaching in a diverse society. Rather than saving practice for the end, the program places candidates in local school classrooms each semester, building real experience alongside theory. The College of Education is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation, and the degree is designed to lead to initial licensure through the South Carolina State Department of Education, a credential that carries reciprocity in many states. Earning a bachelor's degree in english language arts teacher education is a common route toward becoming one of South Carolina's secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageThe ranking rewards programs that graduate their students, stay at least somewhat selective, and keep tuition reasonable, so here is how this one measures up. Its strongest card is completion: a 66% graduation rate lands it in the top 27% of programs nationwide, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. A 55% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. The one drag is price, $34,020 in state, above the national median, so it earns its rank on outcomes rather than affordability.
How we rank
Each program is scored 0 to 100 against the other programs in its specialty: graduation rate (50%), selectivity by admission rate (30%), and affordability by in-state tuition (20%). Scores are percentile-based within the specialty, so they compare like with like. A program missing a field gets the neutral median for it, so it is neither rewarded nor punished. Earnings are intentionally excluded: federal per-school earnings are not yet published for education programs, and the field-level salary figure is identical for every school, so ranking on it would be meaningless. To keep the overall list from being dominated by a single state's public-university system, it shows at most 2 programs per state; the value, affordability, graduation-rate, and selectivity pages rank every program without that limit.
- Graduation rate: 50%
- Selectivity (admission rate): 30%
- Affordability (in-state tuition): 20%
What careers can you get with a bachelor's in English Language Arts Teacher Education?
Graduates most often go on to work as secondary school teachers. Nationally, the median wage for that occupation is $72,040, with most earning between $48,780 and $107,600, and roughly 1,065,210 people employed across the United States, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Teachers of this subject are reported within this grade-level occupation; the Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish a separate wage series for it.
Read the full guide on how to become a secondary school teacher, or see secondary school teachers pay by state →
Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 25-2031), and BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Wages are national and not school-specific.
Secondary School Teachers Salary by State in 2026
Median annual wage for secondary school teachers, by state. Highest is Washington at $102,670, lowest is Oklahoma at $48,710.
| State | Median wage |
|---|---|
| Washington | $102,670 |
| California | $101,370 |
| New York | $97,070 |
| Massachusetts | $95,260 |
| Rhode Island | $92,610 |
| District of Columbia | $82,750 |
| New Jersey | $82,200 |
| Connecticut | $80,970 |
| Illinois | $79,990 |
| Alaska | $79,650 |
| Oregon | $79,570 |
| Ohio | $78,800 |
| Pennsylvania | $78,800 |
| Maryland | $78,670 |
| Delaware | $77,960 |
| New Hampshire | $77,060 |
| Minnesota | $76,460 |
| Utah | $76,330 |
| Vermont | $76,220 |
| New Mexico | $75,900 |
| Georgia | $75,480 |
| Hawaii | $74,310 |
| Colorado | $72,900 |
| Virginia | $72,170 |
| Michigan | $66,030 |
| Nevada | $65,520 |
| Maine | $64,880 |
| Texas | $63,590 |
| Nebraska | $63,450 |
| Wisconsin | $62,870 |
| Guam | $62,860 |
| Wyoming | $62,690 |
| South Carolina | $62,580 |
| Alabama | $61,990 |
| Indiana | $61,880 |
| Tennessee | $61,860 |
| Idaho | $61,690 |
| Kentucky | $61,560 |
| North Dakota | $61,210 |
| Iowa | $61,200 |
| Montana | $60,990 |
| Florida | $60,410 |
| Kansas | $59,920 |
| Louisiana | $59,850 |
| Arkansas | $59,660 |
| Virgin Islands | $59,520 |
| Missouri | $59,240 |
| Puerto Rico | $59,100 |
| Arizona | $58,360 |
| North Carolina | $57,650 |
| West Virginia | $56,610 |
| South Dakota | $51,050 |
| Mississippi | $50,980 |
| Oklahoma | $48,710 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
How much a bachelor's in English Language Arts Teacher Education program costs
Published in-state tuition across the 299 ranked bachelor's programs typically runs from $4,997 to $50,900 a year, with a median near $21,064. Most of that spread is public versus private: public universities charge state residents the least, while private colleges set a single sticker price that applies to everyone. 118 of the 299 programs here are public, which is usually where the lowest in-state numbers come from.
Sticker price is rarely what a student pays. Grants and scholarships lower the net cost, and future teachers have aid written specifically for them: the federal TEACH Grant provides up to $4,000 a year to students who agree to teach a high-need subject in a low-income school, and many states add service scholarships and loan-forgiveness programs for people who commit to the classroom. Two costs to watch are out-of-state tuition, which at public schools often runs two to three times the resident rate, and mandatory fees and living expenses, which the tuition figure leaves out entirely.
What none of this changes is the paycheck at the end. The median wage for secondary school teachers is $72,040 regardless of where the degree was earned, so two graduates can reach the same salary having paid very different tuition to get there. That is exactly why affordability, essentially graduation rate per tuition dollar, is one of the factors we weight rather than an afterthought.
Sources: tuition and program data from IPEDS; the TEACH Grant from Federal Student Aid; wages from BLS OEWS.
How to get licensed to teach with a bachelor's in English Language Arts Teacher Education
A bachelor's in English Language Arts Teacher Education program prepares you academically, but teaching in a public school also requires a license issued by the state where you work. Every state runs its own credential, yet the path rhymes almost everywhere. You complete a state-approved preparation program, log supervised field experience that builds to a full term of student teaching, and pass one or more licensure exams, then apply to the state with a background check and, in most places, complete a mentored first year before the license becomes fully clear and renewable.
The exams are where states differ most. 37 of the 52 US jurisdictions use ETS's Praxis series to test basic skills and subject knowledge; the rest run their own, such as California's CBEST and CSET or New York's NYSTCE. A growing number also require a performance assessment like edTPA, in which candidates submit video and written evidence from their own student teaching. The grade-band and subject endorsements on your license, elementary versus a specific secondary subject, are set by the tests you pass and the program you complete.
Because the specifics are decided state by state, where you plan to teach matters as much as where you study. Licenses do not transfer automatically, though most states honor an out-of-state credential through interstate reciprocity, usually with some added coursework or testing. Check your target state's department of education for its exact requirements before you enroll.
Sources: licensure requirements from each state's department of education; the Praxis series from ETS; edTPA; programmatic standards from CAEP.
How does accreditation work in 2026 for a bachelor's in English Language Arts Teacher Education?
Two different things get called accreditation, and only one of them gets you licensed. Institutional accreditation comes first: a regional accreditor such as SACSCOC, the Higher Learning Commission, or the Middle States Commission reviews the whole university, and it is what lets credits transfer and federal financial aid flow. Any college worth considering has it, but on its own it says nothing specific about the quality of the education program.
Program, or programmatic, accreditation is the education-specific layer. The national accreditor is CAEP, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, formed in 2013 when the two older bodies, NCATE and TEAC, merged; AAQEP is a newer alternative that a growing number of programs have adopted. A CAEP or AAQEP seal signals that the preparation program has been reviewed against national standards for clinical practice, content knowledge, and candidate outcomes.
The credential that actually licenses you, though, is state program approval. A state only allows its approved programs to recommend graduates for certification, so approval, not a national seal, is what turns your degree into a license, and it is also what makes interstate reciprocity possible. Plenty of strong programs carry state approval without a separate national accreditor, which is common and not a red flag. When you compare options, confirm two things: that the school is regionally accredited, and that the specific program is approved by the state where you intend to teach.
Programmatic accreditor: CAEP. State approval is granted by each state's department of education.
Ways to earn your bachelor's in English Language Arts Teacher Education
A traditional four-year, on-campus bachelor's is the most common route into teaching, and for good reason: the degree leans on in-person field placements that build to a full term of student teaching. That said, 17 of the 299 ranked programs advertise an online or hybrid option, which can suit paraprofessionals and career-changers already working in schools; the clinical hours still take place in a real classroom near you.
You do not have to start at a four-year school. Many students spend their first two years at a community college, earn an associate's, and transfer in, which trims the cost of the early coursework, and statewide articulation agreements often guarantee the credits apply. If you already hold a bachelor's in another field, you can usually skip a second degree entirely and enter through an alternative-certification program or a master's-with-licensure route built for career-changers.
Whatever the format, the non-negotiable is supervised clinical practice. Every licensure-track program includes a student-teaching placement, and some now pair it with a paid, year-long residency alongside a mentor teacher, an increasingly common model that eases the unpaid-semester crunch traditional student teaching can create.
Sources: online and program counts from IPEDS; alternative-certification pathways per the US Department of Education.
How to become an English/language arts teacher
You move from a bachelor's degree through student teaching and state licensure into your own secondary classroom.
- 1
Earn a bachelor's in English/language arts education program
Complete a four-year degree that combines literature, writing, and linguistics with methods courses on teaching reading and composition to middle and high school students.
- 2
Complete a state-approved preparation program
English education degrees are usually structured as approved teacher-preparation programs that include supervised student teaching in a secondary classroom.
- 3
Pass the required licensure exams
Most states require an English content test plus general teaching exams, commonly from the Praxis series or a state equivalent. The exact exams and passing scores vary by state.
- 4
Apply for your state teaching license
Submit transcripts, test scores, and your program endorsement to the state, and clear fingerprinting and a background check to receive your credential.
- 5
Complete a mentored first year
Many states require a mentored induction or provisional period before you move to a standard license. The specifics differ from state to state.
Requirements summarized from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook and each state's department of education. Exact requirements vary by state.
Frequently asked questions about a Bachelor's in English Language Arts Teacher Education
Do you need a bachelor's in English education to teach English?
You typically need a bachelor's degree in English or language arts education to teach English, from a state-approved program that includes student teaching. That is what qualifies you for the secondary teaching license public schools require.
How long does a bachelor's in English education take to become an English teacher?
Becoming an English teacher takes about four years for the bachelor's degree, with a student teaching semester near the end. Some students who major in English first and add licensure later take additional time to finish the education requirements.
What do English teachers earn with a bachelor's in English education in 2026?
English and language arts teachers earn pay set on the district teacher salary schedule alongside their peers at the same grade level. The BLS median annual wage for Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education is $72,040, and pay depends on state, district, and years of experience.
Do you need a license with a bachelor's in English education to teach in public school?
Yes, you need a license to teach English in public school, since public K-12 schools require a state teaching license with an English or language arts endorsement. Private schools sometimes hire without full licensure, and the specifics for both vary by state.
Can you earn a bachelor's in English education online?
You can earn much of an English education degree online, since the literature and writing coursework adapts well to online study, but student teaching and clinical hours must be completed in person in a school. Hybrid programs are common, so confirm they can place you near where you live.
Is a bachelor's in English education worth it?
An English education degree is worth it if you want to teach, since it is a direct route into a licensed, stable profession where English positions exist in nearly every school. The strong writing and analysis skills also carry over to editing, curriculum work, tutoring, and graduate study if you later change direction.
Answers draw on IPEDS, the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, and each state's department of education.
Data sources for our Bachelor's in English Language Arts Teacher Education ranking
- Program counts, tuition, graduation and admission rates: IPEDS, US Department of Education.
- Wages and employment outlook: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics and the Occupational Outlook Handbook.
- Program accreditation: CAEP; state licensure requirements from each state's department of education.
- Program descriptions: each school's official catalog and program pages.