TESOL at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Edinburg, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language
35 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
35
Optimistic
35
Base Case
46
Pessimistic
Earnings $25,048/yr (-29% vs median)
AI Risk High (31% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (279,900 openings/yr)
ROI 9.1x earnings multiple (4.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #5 of 6 Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language programs

Program Analysis

This program at UTRGV directly addresses a significant local need for educators skilled in supporting diverse student populations, particularly those learning English. Your career path here likely funnels into public K-12 school districts across the Rio Grande Valley, where a strong demand for bilingual and ESL-certified teachers ensures stable employment. However, teacher salaries in this region are often set by state and district pay scales, which can differ from national averages and larger metropolitan areas. While your initial earning potential might be more modest than some national comparisons, these are typically secure, public-sector roles with good benefits. Given the high AI risk and the specialized nature of the field, consider how you might leverage additional certifications or focus on in-demand specializations within the teaching profession to enhance your long-term career resilience. Your biggest advantage here will be the regional employer connections cultivated through UTRGV.

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 $351K $361K $360K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 8.9x 9.1x 9.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.4x 4.5x 4.5x
Probability of Field Employment 69% 64% 55%
DegreeOutlook Score 35 35 46

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$39,436
Out-of-state: $79,756 (4.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$26,000
34% less than sticker · See by income

About The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley accepts 85% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with 27,026 students enrolled in Edinburg, TX. 64% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity. The average net cost of $26,000 over four years represents a 34% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley →

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

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Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's TESOL program score?
This program scores 35/100 — on the lower end for TESOL. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
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 are TESOL earnings lower at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley?
Lower starting pay at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →