Multicultural Education: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed to prepare educators and practitioners for effective leadership in diverse learning environments, this program centers on the development and delivery of inclusive, equitable educational experiences. It emphasizes the integration of cultural responsiveness, linguistic equity, and evidence-based strategies to support students from a wide range of backgrounds.
- Cultural diversity in education: Explores the historical, social, and political dimensions of cultural identity within educational settings, fostering awareness and inclusive pedagogical practices.
- At-risk populations in learning: Analyzes systemic challenges faced by marginalized student groups and identifies targeted interventions to improve academic outcomes and school engagement.
- Multilingual and ESL education: Focuses on language acquisition theories, second language development, and instructional methods tailored to English language learners.
- Program and curriculum design: Teaches how to create culturally relevant, standards-aligned curricula that reflect diverse perspectives and promote equitable access to knowledge.
- Instructional technology integration: Examines digital tools and platforms that enhance accessibility, engagement, and personalized learning across diverse classrooms.
- Information resources and equity: Investigates how access to educational materials and digital infrastructure impacts learning outcomes for underrepresented communities.
- LEP and minority education strategies: Addresses legal and pedagogical frameworks for serving limited English proficient and minority student populations with fidelity and cultural sensitivity.
- Counseling and communication across cultures: Develops skills for building trust, navigating cultural differences, and providing effective academic and emotional support to diverse learners.
- Education law and policy: Reviews federal and state regulations governing equity, inclusion, and civil rights in education, including Title VI and IDEA.
- Applied research and cultural contexts: Encourages inquiry into real-world educational challenges through case studies, community-based research, and analysis of specific cultural group needs.
Multicultural Education Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Multicultural Education Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Multicultural Education degrees, including Education Teachers, Postsecondary, Teachers and Instructors, All Other and Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors. 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 220,360 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 |
| 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 |
Multicultural Education Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $50,317 in Iowa to $90,523 in California—a 80% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Rhode Island, and District of Columbia. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 220,360 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 Multicultural Education by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 40 institutions offering Multicultural 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 Multicultural Education is found at Davenport University (36 graduates), McDaniel College (24 graduates), University of San Francisco (USF) (21 graduates), Northampton County Area Community College (NCC) (19 graduates), and University of Nevada (UNR), Reno (16 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 329 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Davenport University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
36 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Private | davenport.edu |
| McDaniel College |
Postbac Cert.
|
24 | Westminster, Maryland | Private | mcdaniel.edu |
| University of San Francisco (USF) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
21 | San Francisco, California | Private | usfca.edu |
| Northampton County Area Community College (NCC) |
Other Award
|
19 | Bethlehem, Pennsylvania | Public | northampton.edu |
| University of Nevada (UNR) |
Master's
|
16 | Reno, Nevada | Public | unr.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Concordia University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
15 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | csp.edu |
| Kansas State University (K‑State) |
Postbac Cert.
|
12 | Manhattan, Kansas | Public | k-state.edu |
| Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) |
Other Award
|
12 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Public | cnm.edu |
| University of Southern Indiana (USI) |
Postbac Cert.
Residency
|
11 | Evansville, Indiana | Public | usi.edu |
| Texas A&M University |
Master's
|
11 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | tamusa.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Postbac Cert.
|
9 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| The College of Saint Scholastica (CSS) |
Postbac Cert.
|
9 | Duluth, Minnesota | Private | css.edu |
| Harvard University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | harvard.edu |
| University of Missouri (Mizzou) |
Postbac Cert.
|
8 | Columbia, Missouri | Public | missouri.edu |
| University of Missouri-St Louis (UMSL) |
Postbac Cert.
|
8 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Public | umsl.edu |
| State University of New York |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
8 | New Paltz, New York | Public | newpaltz.edu |
| University of Northern Colorado (UNCO) |
Master's
|
7 | Greeley, Colorado | Public | unco.edu |
| Kutztown University of Pennsylvania (KU) |
Master's
|
7 | Kutztown, Pennsylvania | Public | kutztown.edu |
| Saint Michael's College (SMC) |
Postbac Cert.
|
7 | Colchester, Vermont | Private | smcvt.edu |
| University of Alaska (UAA) |
Postbac Cert.
|
6 | Anchorage, Alaska | Public | uaa.alaska.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Postbac Cert.
|
6 | Amherst, Massachusetts | Public | umass.edu |
| Biola University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | La Mirada, California | Private | biola.edu |
| Claremont Graduate University (CGU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
5 | Claremont, California | Private | cgu.edu |
| Walden University |
Postbac Cert.
|
5 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Private | waldenu.edu |
| University of Idaho (U of I) |
Other Award
|
5 | Moscow, Idaho | Public | uidaho.edu |
| Minnesota State University |
Postbac Cert.
|
5 | Mankato, Minnesota | Public | mnsu.edu |
| University of Colorado Boulder (CU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Boulder, Colorado | Public | colorado.edu |
| Florida Atlantic University (FAU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
4 | Boca Raton, Florida | Public | fau.edu |
| National University (NU) |
Master's
|
3 | San Diego, California | Private | nu.edu |
| Colorado Christian University (CCU) |
Master's
|
3 | Lakewood, Colorado | Private | ccu.edu |
| Georgia Southern University |
Master's
|
3 | Statesboro, Georgia | Public | georgiasouthern.edu |
| University of Kentucky (UK) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
| Winona State University (WSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Winona, Minnesota | Public | winona.edu |
| Ball State University (BSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Muncie, Indiana | Public | bsu.edu |
| University of Southern Maine (USM) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Portland, Maine | Public | usm.maine.edu |
| St Catherine University (St. Kate’s) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | stkate.edu |
| Saint Louis University (SLU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | slu.edu |
| University of North Dakota (UND) |
Other Award
|
1 | Grand Forks, North Dakota | Public | und.edu |
| Seattle University (Seattle U) |
Master's
|
1 | Seattle, Washington | Private | seattleu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Multicultural Education programs
How much can I earn with a Multicultural Education degree?
Salaries for Multicultural 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 $90,523 compared to $50,317 in Iowa. Approximately 220,360 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 Multicultural Education programs?
Currently 40 accredited institutions offer Multicultural Education degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Davenport University (36 graduates), McDaniel College (24 graduates), and University of San Francisco (USF) (21 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 Multicultural Education growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 79 in 2010 to a peak of 346 in 2020, before declining slightly to 329 in 2023-24. This represents a 316% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, 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 Multicultural Education degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Education Teachers, Postsecondary, Teachers and Instructors, All Other, and Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors. Related occupations employ approximately 220,360 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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