Second language tutor education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a second language tutor. Second language tutors usually study english, business, or psychology. 70% of second language tutors hold a bachelor's degree, and 13% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 1,672 real second language tutor resumes to see exactly what second language tutor education sections show.

The most common colleges for second language tutors are the Brigham Young University and the Brigham Young University.

There are also many online second language tutor courses to help get the education required to be a second language tutor.

There are certain second language tutor certifications that you should consider. These second language tutor certifications include Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) and Certificate to Teach English as a Foreign Language (CTEFL).

What education do you need to become a second language tutor?

What degree do you need to be a second language tutor?

The most common degree for second language tutors is bachelor's degree, with 70% of second language tutors earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 13% and master's degree degree at 10%.

Bachelor's, 70%

Master's, 13%

Associate, 10%

High School Diploma, 3%

Other Degrees, 4%

What should I major in to become a second language tutor?

You should major in english to become a second language tutor. 14% of second language tutors major in english. Other common majors for a second language tutor include business and psychology.

English, 14%

Business, 10%

Psychology, 9%

Linguistics, 7%

Other Majors, 60%

Most common colleges for second language tutors

Second language tutors often get their degrees at Brigham Young University, University of Maryland - College Park, and Pennsylvania State University. Here are the most common colleges for second language tutors in the US based on their resumes.

Second language tutor common college	Percentages
Brigham Young University	6.35%
University of Maryland - College Park	6.35%
Pennsylvania State University	6.35%
University of Delaware	6.35%
University of Florida	5.56%

Show more common second language tutor colleges

Best majors for second language tutors

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	English	14.5%
2	Business	9.6%
3	Psychology	9.3%
4	Linguistics	7.0%
5	Political Science	6.3%

Show more common second language tutor majors

Best colleges for second language tutors

The best colleges for second language tutors are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

A second language tutor with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for second language tutors. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become second language tutors.

1. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

4. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

5. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Enrollment

9,142

6. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

7. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,308

Enrollment

6,819

8. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

9. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$49,880

Enrollment

4,177

10. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

20 best online courses for second language tutors

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4.6

(3,607)

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4.4

(1,607)

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5. Learn German Language: German Course - Upper Intermediate

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(479)

Learn German Language with a Native Teacher. German speaking, German grammar, vocabulary: business, job, cv, interviews...

6. German Language B1 - Intermediate German

4.4

(1,231)

Learn German Language From A Native & Experienced German Teacher - Learn German Grammar and More!...

7. Speak English Like a Native: Troubleshooting Course for ESL

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12. ASL First 120 Basic Signs American Sign Language

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Learn, practice, review, and master 120 fundamental signs in American Sign Language (ASL)...

13. American Sign Language Basics

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14. German Language A1: Learn German For Beginners!

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Learn German Language From A Native & Experienced German Teacher - Learn German Grammar, Vocabulary, & Conversation!...

15. English Language Intermediate Masterclass: 10 Courses in 1!

4.8

(673)

English Language Course to Learn Intermediate English Language: English Speaking, Grammar, Vocabulary (10 Courses in 1!)...

16. TESOL Teacher Training: Second Language Acquisition (SLA)

4.4

(445)

Putting Theory Into Practice in the ESL/EFL Classroom...

17. Learn & Master Sign Language

4.6

(2,086)

American Sign Language...

18. Complete English Course: Learn English Language Beginners

4.3

(2,964)

Learn English for Beginners (A1->A2+) with a Native teacher: English Speaking, English Grammar, English Pronunciation...

19. Turkish language course - from beginner to fluent speaker!

4.5

(611)

Learn to write, speak and understand Turkish language quickly and easily!...

20. Learn German Language: Complete German Course - Beginners

4.4

(14,698)

Learn German with a Native Teacher. Complete Course - German for Beginners (A1,A2,A2+) German Grammar, German Vocabulary...

Top 10 most affordable universities for second language tutors

The most affordable schools for second language tutors are Baruch College of the City University of New York, california state university - bakersfield, and suny farmingdale.

If the best universities for second language tutors are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for second language tutors.

1. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

2. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

3. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

4. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

5. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

6. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

7. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

8. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

9. Minot State University

Minot, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$7,064

Cost of attendance

15,576

10. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for second language tutors

The hardest universities for second language tutors to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

Some great schools for second language tutors are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for second language tutors based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,497

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

4. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

5. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

6. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

7. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

8. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

9. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions rate

43%

SAT average

1,338

10. Brandeis University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions rate

31%

SAT average

1,398

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for second language tutors

The easiest schools for second language tutors to get into are Notre Dame de Namur University, oklahoma wesleyan university, and d'youville college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a second language tutor without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for second language tutors.

1. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

2. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

3. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

4. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

5. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

6. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

7. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

8. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

9. Curry College

Milton, MA • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,026

10. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

Average second language tutor salary by education level

Second language tutors with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $42,823 annually. With a Master's degree, second language tutors earn a median annual income of $41,267 compared to $39,412 for second language tutors with an Bachelor's degree.

Second language tutor education level	Second language tutor salary
Master's Degree	$41,267
High School Diploma or Less	$37,015
Bachelor's Degree	$39,412
Doctorate Degree	$42,823
Some College/ Associate Degree	$38,557

Second language tutor education FAQs

What is the best college for Second Language Tutors?

Have more questions? See all answers to common education, training, and library questions.

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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