TESOL at CUNY Queens College

Queens, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language
72 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
72
Optimistic
72
Base Case
74
Pessimistic
Earnings $48,923/yr (40% vs median)
AI Risk High (31% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (279,900 openings/yr)
ROI 20.2x earnings multiple (9.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #1 of 6 Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to TESOL graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $617K $609K $572K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 20.5x 20.2x 19.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 10.0x 9.8x 9.2x
Probability of Field Employment 69% 64% 55%
DegreeOutlook Score 72 72 74

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$30,152
Out-of-state: $61,952 (9.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$15,320
49% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$63,945
31% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $48,923 per year, TESOL graduates from CUNY Queens College significantly outpace the $35,062 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

The 20.2x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 31% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

With only 6 programs offering TESOL nationally, this is a niche field. CUNY Queens College ranks #1 among them.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $48,923 to $63,945 shows 31% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About CUNY Queens College

CUNY Queens College accepts 69% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, enrolling 13,060 students in Queens, NY. With 48% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum. After financial aid, the average student pays $15,320 over four years — 49% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at CUNY Queens College →

Top Career Paths

Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education $64,580/yr
Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education $62,970/yr
Elementary school teachers, except special education $62,340/yr
View all 6 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

TESOL at Other Schools

Other Majors at CUNY Queens College

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does CUNY Queens College's TESOL program score?
A score of 72/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. CUNY Queens College's TESOL graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is TESOL to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' TESOL careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 31% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does CUNY Queens College rank so high for TESOL?
The #1 ranking out of 6 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →