Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language at Messiah University

Messiah's ESL teaching credential produces first-year earnings that nearly double the national median—$49,362 versus $29,796—placing graduates in the 95th percentile nationally. That's an exceptional outcome for a certificate program. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) makes these numbers less reliable than larger programs, and the 60th percentile ranking within Pennsylvania suggests this strong performance might reflect Pennsylvania's generally higher earnings for ESL teachers rather than something unique to Messiah.

The debt picture looks manageable at $26,500, resulting in a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54—meaning graduates owe about half their first-year salary. This beats the typical student loan burden for teaching credentials. Still, that $26,500 is notable for a certificate program, which typically costs less than a full degree. With only six Pennsylvania schools offering this credential, you're looking at limited comparison points, and the statewide median exactly matches Messiah's numbers.

For families committed to ESL teaching, this program appears to deliver strong immediate returns, but verify recent employment outcomes given the small cohort size. The bigger question is whether a certificate makes sense versus a full teaching degree, which might offer more career flexibility if your child's interests shift.