Bilingual and Multilingual Education: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Bilingual and Multilingual Education prepares scholars to lead transformative learning experiences in diverse linguistic environments. This program centers on developing expertise in designing, implementing, and evaluating educational initiatives that support bilingual and multilingual learners across age groups and cultural contexts.
- Language Acquisition Theories: Explores how individuals develop proficiency in multiple languages, including cognitive, social, and developmental factors influencing second and third language learning.
- Culturally Responsive Pedagogy: Focuses on instructional strategies that affirm students’ cultural identities and leverage their linguistic backgrounds as assets in the classroom.
- Bilingual Curriculum Development: Involves the design and adaptation of instructional materials and frameworks tailored to dual-language learning environments.
- Educational Policy and Advocacy: Examines legal, political, and institutional frameworks that shape bilingual education access, equity, and implementation across regions.
- Assessment in Multilingual Contexts: Addresses methods for evaluating student progress in both language proficiency and academic content knowledge without bias.
- Leadership in Bilingual Education: Prepares professionals to serve as administrators, coordinators, or instructional leaders in multilingual school programs and district-wide initiatives.
Bilingual and Multilingual Education Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Bilingual and Multilingual Education Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Bilingual and Multilingual Education degrees, including Education Teachers, Postsecondary, Teachers and Instructors, All Other and Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 3,866,070 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1081 | $72,090 | $38,650 - $126,450 | 59,090 | N/A |
| Teachers and Instructors, All Other 25-3099 | $64,690 | $33,280 - $116,690 | 125,010 | N/A |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 25-2031 | $64,580 | $47,330 - $104,670 | 1,072,540 | N/A |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 25-2022 | $62,970 | $47,050 - $100,980 | 620,370 | N/A |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education 25-2021 | $62,340 | $46,440 - $102,010 | 1,393,310 | N/A |
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education 25-2012 | $61,430 | $45,750 - $99,360 | 114,410 | N/A |
| Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors 25-3011 | $59,950 | $39,750 - $95,750 | 36,260 | $28.82 |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education 25-2011 | $37,120 | $28,300 - $60,070 | 445,080 | $17.85 |
Bilingual and Multilingual Education Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $50,153 in South Dakota to $86,965 in California—a 73% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Rhode Island, and Washington. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 3,866,070 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Bilingual and Multilingual Education by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 83 institutions offering Bilingual and Multilingual Education programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Bilingual and Multilingual Education is found at American College of Education (ACE) (141 graduates), Regis University (55 graduates), CUNY City College (CCNY) (55 graduates), Oregon State University (OSU) (39 graduates), and Roosevelt University (38 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 932 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American College of Education (ACE) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
141 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Private | ace.edu |
| Regis University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
55 | Denver, Colorado | Private | regis.edu |
| CUNY City College (CCNY) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
|
55 | New York, New York | Public | ccny.cuny.edu |
| Oregon State University (OSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
39 | Corvallis, Oregon | Public | oregonstate.edu |
| Roosevelt University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
38 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | roosevelt.edu |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus |
Master's
|
35 | Denver, Colorado | Public | ucdenver.edu |
| CUNY Queens College |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Post-Master's
|
32 | Queens, New York | Public | qc.cuny.edu |
| Rowan University |
Other Award
|
29 | Glassboro, New Jersey | Public | rowan.edu |
| Texas Woman's University (TWU) |
Master's
|
27 | Denton, Texas | Public | twu.edu |
| The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) |
Postbac Cert.
|
20 | Ewing, New Jersey | Public | tcnj.edu |
| Teachers College at Columbia University (TC) |
Master's
|
19 | New York, New York | Private | tc.columbia.edu |
| The University of Texas Permian Basin |
Master's
|
19 | Odessa, Texas | Public | utpb.edu |
| Adelphi University |
Post-Master's
|
17 | Garden City, New York | Private | adelphi.edu |
| Boise State University (BBU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
16 | Boise, Idaho | Public | boisestate.edu |
| University of Southern Indiana (USI) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Residency
|
16 | Evansville, Indiana | Public | usi.edu |
| The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) |
Master's
|
16 | Edinburg, Texas | Public | utrgv.edu |
| California State University (CSUSM) |
Master's
|
16 | San Marcos, California | Public | csusm.edu |
| Alder Graduate School of Education |
Master's
|
16 | Redwood City, California | Private | aldergse.edu |
| Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) |
Master's
|
15 | New Haven, Connecticut | Public | southernct.edu |
| CUNY Hunter College |
Post-Master's
|
14 | New York, New York | Public | hunter.cuny.edu |
| CUNY Lehman College |
Postbac Cert.
|
13 | Bronx, New York | Public | lehman.edu |
| Northern Arizona University (NAU) |
Master's
|
12 | Flagstaff, Arizona | Public | nau.edu |
| SUNY Old Westbury |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Old Westbury, New York | Public | oldwestbury.edu |
| Valdosta State University (VSU) |
Master's
|
11 | Valdosta, Georgia | Public | valdosta.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Master's
|
11 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| Texas Tech University (TTU) |
Master's
|
11 | Lubbock, Texas | Public | ttu.edu |
| Olivet Nazarene University (ONU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
10 | Bourbonnais, Illinois | Private | olivet.edu |
| CUNY Brooklyn College |
Postbac Cert.
|
10 | Brooklyn, New York | Public | brooklyn.cuny.edu |
| SUNY Oneonta |
Post-Master's
|
10 | Oneonta, New York | Public | suny.oneonta.edu |
| Fordham University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
9 | Bronx, New York | Private | fordham.edu |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR) |
Master's
|
9 | Aguadilla, Puerto Rico | Private | aguadilla.inter.edu |
| University of Northern Colorado (UNCO) |
Master's
|
8 | Greeley, Colorado | Public | unco.edu |
| Mercy University |
Postbac Cert.
|
8 | Dobbs Ferry, New York | Private | mercy.edu |
| Hofstra University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
7 | Hempstead, New York | Private | hofstra.edu |
| Texas A & M International University (TAMIU) |
Master's
|
7 | Laredo, Texas | Public | tamiu.edu |
| The University of Texas (UTSA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
7 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | utsa.edu |
| Texas Wesleyan University (TXWES) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Fort Worth, Texas | Private | txwes.edu |
| Western Washington University (WWU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Bellingham, Washington | Public | wwu.edu |
| William Paterson University of New Jersey |
Postbac Cert.
|
6 | Wayne, New Jersey | Public | wpunj.edu |
| Dominican University |
Master's
|
5 | River Forest, Illinois | Private | dom.edu |
| Salish Kootenai College (SKC) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
5 | Pablo, Montana | Public | skc.edu |
| Bank Street College of Education |
Master's
|
5 | New York, New York | Private | bankstreet.edu |
| Touro University |
Postbac Cert.
|
5 | New York, New York | Private | touro.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Kingsville, Texas | Public | tamuk.edu |
| Purdue University (PU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
5 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdue.edu |
| Nevada State University (NSU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Henderson, Nevada | Public | nsc.edu |
| Texas A&M University |
Master's
|
5 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | tamusa.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Postbac Cert.
|
4 | Amherst, Massachusetts | Public | umass.edu |
| Manhattanville College |
Post-Master's
|
4 | Purchase, New York | Private | mville.edu |
| St. John's University (SJU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
4 | Queens, New York | Private | stjohns.edu |
| Stony Brook University (SBU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
4 | Stony Brook, New York | Public | stonybrook.edu |
| Dine College |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Tsaile, Arizona | Public | dinecollege.edu |
| University of Connecticut (UConn) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Storrs, Connecticut | Public | uconn.edu |
| Loyola University Chicago (LUC) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | luc.edu |
| Bridgewater State University (BSU) |
Residency
|
3 | Bridgewater, Massachusetts | Public | bridgew.edu |
| Western New Mexico University (WNMU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Silver City, New Mexico | Public | wnmu.edu |
| St. Joseph's University (SJNY) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Brooklyn, New York | Private | sjny.edu |
| SUNY Buffalo State University |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Buffalo, New York | Public | suny.buffalostate.edu |
| The University of Findlay (UF) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Findlay, Ohio | Private | findlay.edu |
| Houston Christian University (HCU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Houston, Texas | Private | hc.edu |
| Southern Methodist University (SMU) |
Master's
|
3 | Dallas, Texas | Private | smu.edu |
| Arizona State University |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Scottsdale, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| San Diego State University (SDSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | San Diego, California | Public | sdsu.edu |
| DePaul University |
Master's
|
2 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | depaul.edu |
| New Mexico State University (NMSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Las Cruces, New Mexico | Public | nmsu.edu |
| College of Staten Island CUNY (CSI) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Staten Island, New York | Public | csi.cuny.edu |
| Long Island University (LIU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Brookville, New York | Private | liu.edu |
| Monroe College |
Other Award
|
2 | Bronx, New York | Private | monroecollege.edu |
| University at Buffalo (UB) |
Postbac Cert.
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Buffalo, New York | Public | buffalo.edu |
| SUNY Brockport |
Post-Master's
|
2 | Brockport, New York | Public | brockport.edu |
| Saint Joseph's University (SJU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | sju.edu |
| Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | San Antonio, Texas | Private | ollusa.edu |
| Texas Christian University (TCU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Fort Worth, Texas | Private | tcu.edu |
| University of Wisconsin (UWO) |
Other Award
|
2 | Oshkosh, Wisconsin | Public | uwosh.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Other Award
|
1 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Chicago State University (CSU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Chicago, Illinois | Public | csu.edu |
| Moraine Valley Community College (MVCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Palos Hills, Illinois | Public | morainevalley.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| Rutgers University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Newark, New Jersey | Public | newark.rutgers.edu |
| New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Las Vegas, New Mexico | Public | nmhu.edu |
| Pace University |
Post-Master's
|
1 | New York, New York | Private | pace.edu |
| Texas State University (TXST) |
Master's
|
1 | San Marcos, Texas | Public | txst.edu |
| Washington State University (WSU) |
Other Award
|
1 | Pullman, Washington | Public | wsu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Bilingual and Multilingual Education programs
How much can I earn with a Bilingual and Multilingual Education degree?
Salaries for Bilingual and Multilingual Education graduates vary by role and location. Education Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $72,090 annually, while Teachers and Instructors, All Other earn around $64,690. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $86,965 compared to $50,153 in South Dakota. Approximately 3,866,070 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Bilingual and Multilingual Education programs?
Currently 83 accredited institutions offer Bilingual and Multilingual Education degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include American College of Education (ACE) (141 graduates), Regis University (55 graduates), and CUNY City College (CCNY) (55 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Bilingual and Multilingual Education growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 1,891 in 2010 to a peak of 1,152 in 2020, before declining slightly to 932 in 2023-24. This represents a 51% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Bilingual and Multilingual Education degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Education Teachers, Postsecondary, Teachers and Instructors, All Other, and Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education. Related occupations employ approximately 3,866,070 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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