Bilingual and Multicultural Education: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Bilingual and Multicultural Education prepares educators to lead in diverse learning environments by integrating language development, cultural responsiveness, and inclusive pedagogy. This program equips professionals with the expertise to design and implement curricula that honor linguistic diversity and support equitable academic outcomes for students from varied cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
- Bilingual Education Frameworks: Explores models and strategies for teaching in two or more languages, emphasizing cognitive, social, and academic development across language systems.
- Cultural Competence in Teaching: Focuses on understanding cultural identity, bias, and power dynamics to foster inclusive classrooms that validate students’ lived experiences.
- Language Acquisition Theories: Examines how individuals learn multiple languages, including second language development, language loss, and the role of heritage languages in education.
- Curriculum Development for Diverse Learners: Teaches the design of interdisciplinary, culturally relevant content that reflects the histories, values, and contributions of multilingual communities.
- Policy and Equity in Multilingual Education: Analyzes legislation, funding, and systemic barriers affecting language minority students and promotes advocacy for equitable educational practices.
- Assessment and Instructional Strategies: Covers methods for evaluating language proficiency and academic achievement while adapting instruction to meet the needs of emergent bilinguals and culturally diverse populations.
Bilingual and Multicultural Education Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Bilingual and Multicultural Education Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Bilingual and Multicultural Education degrees, including Education Teachers, Postsecondary 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 95,350 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 |
| 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 |
Bilingual and Multicultural Education Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $47,480 in Iowa to $91,280 in California—a 92% difference. The highest-paying states include California, New York, and District of Columbia. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 95,350 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 Multicultural Education by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 6 institutions offering Bilingual and 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 Bilingual and Multicultural Education is found at American College of Education (ACE) (284 graduates), Touro University (20 graduates), Grand Valley State University (GVSU) (9 graduates), Alverno College (6 graduates), and Appalachian State University (App State) (4 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 326 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
|
284 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Private | ace.edu |
| Touro University |
Postbac Cert.
|
20 | New York, New York | Private | touro.edu |
| Grand Valley State University (GVSU) |
Other Award
|
9 | Allendale, Michigan | Public | gvsu.edu |
| Alverno College |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Private | alverno.edu |
| Appalachian State University (App State) |
Postbac Cert.
|
4 | Boone, North Carolina | Public | appstate.edu |
| Texas Wesleyan University (TXWES) |
Master's
|
3 | Fort Worth, Texas | Private | txwes.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Bilingual and Multicultural Education programs
How much can I earn with a Bilingual and Multicultural Education degree?
Salaries for Bilingual and Multicultural Education graduates vary by role and location. Education Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $72,090 annually, while Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors earn around $59,950. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $91,280 compared to $47,480 in Iowa. Approximately 95,350 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 Multicultural Education programs?
Currently 6 accredited institutions offer Bilingual and Multicultural Education degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include American College of Education (ACE) (284 graduates), Touro University (20 graduates), and Grand Valley State University (GVSU) (9 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 Multicultural Education growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 196 in 2010 to 326 in 2023-24. This represents a 66% 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 Bilingual and Multicultural Education degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Education Teachers, Postsecondary, Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors, . Related occupations employ approximately 95,350 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.
Related Education Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Education field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
Physics Teacher Education
A program that prepares individuals to teach physics programs at various educational levels.
Spanish Language Teacher Education
A program that prepares individuals to teach Spanish language programs at various educational levels.
Speech Teacher Education
A program that prepares individuals to teach speech and language arts programs at various educational levels.
Latin Teacher Education
A program that prepares individuals to teach Latin at various grade levels.
School Library Media Specialist
A program that prepares individuals to serve as librarians and media specialists in elementary and secondary schools as well as special instructional centers.
Psychology Teacher Education
A program that prepares individuals to teach general psychology at the secondary school level.