Curriculum and Instruction: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Curriculum and Instruction is a specialized academic field dedicated to the development, implementation, and assessment of educational content and teaching strategies across diverse learning environments. This program equips students with the analytical and practical skills needed to design effective, evidence-based curricula that support student achievement at all educational levels.
- Curriculum Theory: Explores foundational principles and philosophical frameworks that shape educational goals, content selection, and instructional approaches across different contexts.
- Curriculum Design and Planning: Focuses on systematic methods for structuring learning experiences, aligning objectives with standards, and sequencing content for optimal student engagement and mastery.
- Instructional Material Design and Evaluation: Involves the creation and critical assessment of educational resources, including textbooks, digital tools, and multimedia, to ensure relevance, accessibility, and pedagogical effectiveness.
- Curriculum Evaluation: Teaches techniques for measuring the impact and quality of curricular programs, using data-driven methods to inform revisions and improvements.
- Subject-Specific and Level-Appropriate Applications: Applies curriculum principles to real-world settings, addressing unique needs in K–12, higher education, vocational training, and specialized learning environments.
Curriculum and Instruction Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Curriculum and Instruction Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Curriculum and Instruction degrees, including Instructional Coordinators and Education Teachers, Postsecondary. 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 269,940 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Instructional Coordinators 25-9031 | $74,720 | $46,560 - $115,410 | 210,850 | $35.92 |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1081 | $72,090 | $38,650 - $126,450 | 59,090 | N/A |
Salary Comparison
Curriculum and Instruction Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $57,205 in Hawaii to $91,760 in California—a 60% difference. The highest-paying states include California, District of Columbia, and Connecticut. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 269,940 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 Curriculum and Instruction by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Curriculum and Instruction 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 Curriculum and Instruction is found at Western Governors University (WGU) (5,296 graduates), American College of Education (ACE) (922 graduates), Grand Canyon University (GCU) (604 graduates), Liberty University (569 graduates), and Augusta University (AU) (342 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 16,975 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 | Admissions | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Governors University (WGU) |
Master's
|
5,296 | N/A | Salt Lake City, Utah | Private | wgu.edu |
| American College of Education (ACE) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
922 | N/A | Indianapolis, Indiana | Private | ace.edu |
| Grand Canyon University (GCU) |
Master's
|
604 |
SAT: 1058-1175 ACT: 19-24 |
Phoenix, Arizona | Private | gcu.edu |
| Liberty University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
569 | N/A | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
| Augusta University (AU) |
Master's
|
342 |
SAT: 1020-1230 ACT: 19-26 |
Augusta, Georgia | Public | augusta.edu |
| University of Phoenix (UOPX) |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
267 | N/A | Phoenix, Arizona | Private | phoenix.edu |
| George Mason University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
261 |
SAT: 1140-1340 ACT: 25-30 |
Fairfax, Virginia | Public | www2.gmu.edu |
| Arizona State University |
Master's
|
255 | N/A | Scottsdale, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| National Louis University (NLU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
213 | N/A | Chicago, Illinois | Private | nl.edu |
| Louisiana State University (LSUS) |
Master's
|
204 |
SAT: 1000-1150 ACT: 19-24 |
Shreveport, Louisiana | Public | lsus.edu |
| Southeastern Oklahoma State University |
Master's
|
202 |
SAT: 960-1150 ACT: 18-23 |
Durant, Oklahoma | Public | se.edu |
| Fitchburg State University |
Master's
|
201 |
SAT: 1030-1220 ACT: 19-25 |
Fitchburg, Massachusetts | Public | fitchburgstate.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
195 |
SAT: 1140-1380 ACT: 25-31 |
College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| Florida State University (FSU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
186 |
SAT: 1240-1390 ACT: 27-31 |
Tallahassee, Florida | Public | fsu.edu |
| University of Virginia (UVA) |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
180 |
SAT: 1410-1530 ACT: 32-34 |
Charlottesville, Virginia | Public | virginia.edu |
| Emporia State University (ESU) |
Master's
|
178 | ACT: 18-24 | Emporia, Kansas | Public | emporia.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Master's
|
171 |
SAT: 990-1230 ACT: 18-26 |
Arlington, Texas | Public | uta.edu |
| University of Florida (UF) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
Doctorate (P)
|
169 |
SAT: 1300-1480 ACT: 28-33 |
Gainesville, Florida | Public | ufl.edu |
| University of the Cumberlands |
Master's
|
169 | N/A | Williamsburg, Kentucky | Private | ucumberlands.edu |
| University of St Francis (USF) |
Master's
|
160 |
SAT: 900-1170 ACT: 20-25 |
Joliet, Illinois | Private | stfrancis.edu |
| Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
151 |
SAT: 1000-1230 ACT: 19-26 |
Murfreesboro, Tennessee | Public | mtsu.edu |
| Purdue University (PU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
149 |
SAT: 1190-1460 ACT: 27-34 |
West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdue.edu |
| Concordia University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
147 | N/A | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | csp.edu |
| Concordia University (CUC) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
146 | N/A | River Forest, Illinois | Private | cuchicago.edu |
| University of Memphis (UofM) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
145 |
SAT: 905-1205 ACT: 17-24 |
Memphis, Tennessee | Public | memphis.edu |
| Lipscomb University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
139 |
SAT: 1145-1350 ACT: 22-29 |
Nashville, Tennessee | Private | lipscomb.edu |
| Baylor University |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
133 |
SAT: 1210-1400 ACT: 27-32 |
Waco, Texas | Private | baylor.edu |
| Tennessee Technological University (TTU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
129 |
SAT: 1020-1250 ACT: 20-27 |
Cookeville, Tennessee | Public | tntech.edu |
| Texas A & M International University (TAMIU) |
Master's
|
128 |
SAT: 920-1130 ACT: 16-20 |
Laredo, Texas | Public | tamiu.edu |
| University of Connecticut (UConn) |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
123 |
SAT: 1210-1420 ACT: 29-33 |
Storrs, Connecticut | Public | uconn.edu |
| Piedmont University |
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
120 |
SAT: 990-1170 ACT: 18-24 |
Demorest, Georgia | Private | piedmont.edu |
| Doane University |
Master's
|
113 | N/A | Crete, Nebraska | Private | doane.edu |
| University of Nevada (UNLV) |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
108 |
SAT: 980-1230 ACT: 18-24 |
Las Vegas, Nevada | Public | unlv.edu |
| Nova Southeastern University (NSU) |
Master's
|
107 |
SAT: 1050-1310 ACT: 21-28 |
Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Private | nova.edu |
| University of Missouri (Mizzou) |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
104 |
SAT: 1150-1330 ACT: 23-29 |
Columbia, Missouri | Public | missouri.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNK) |
Master's
|
104 |
SAT: 970-1150 ACT: 18-25 |
Kearney, Nebraska | Public | unk.edu |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
104 |
SAT: 1240-1420 ACT: 27-32 |
Blacksburg, Virginia | Public | vt.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
100 |
SAT: 1360-1510 ACT: 28-32 |
Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| Columbia International University (CIU) |
Master's
|
99 | N/A | Columbia, South Carolina | Private | ciu.edu |
| Arkansas State University (A-State) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
97 |
SAT: 1030-1180 ACT: 19-25 |
Jonesboro, Arkansas | Public | astate.edu |
| Northwest Missouri State University |
Master's
|
96 |
SAT: 970-1200 ACT: 18-23 |
Maryville, Missouri | Public | nwmissouri.edu |
| University of the Pacific (UOP) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
91 |
SAT: 1160-1420 ACT: 23-31 |
Stockton, California | Private | pacific.edu |
| Florida International University (FIU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
91 |
SAT: 1060-1250 ACT: 20-26 |
Miami, Florida | Public | fiu.edu |
| Peru State College |
Master's
|
91 | N/A | Peru, Nebraska | Public | peru.edu |
| University of Houston (UH) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
91 |
SAT: 1150-1330 ACT: 23-28 |
Houston, Texas | Public | uh.edu |
| University of Denver (DU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
90 |
SAT: 1240-1410 ACT: 29-32 |
Denver, Colorado | Private | du.edu |
| University of South Florida (USF) |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
90 |
SAT: 1140-1330 ACT: 24-29 |
Tampa, Florida | Public | usf.edu |
| Bowling Green State University (BGSU) |
Master's
Other Award
|
88 |
SAT: 1020-1230 ACT: 20-26 |
Bowling Green, Ohio | Public | bgsu.edu |
| The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
86 |
SAT: 910-1110 ACT: 16-22 |
Edinburg, Texas | Public | utrgv.edu |
| University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) |
Master's
|
85 |
SAT: 1020-1210 ACT: 21-29 |
University, Mississippi | Public | olemiss.edu |
| Spalding University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
84 |
SAT: 853-1103 ACT: 16-22 |
Louisville, Kentucky | Private | spalding.edu |
| Wayne State College (WSC) |
Master's
|
83 | N/A | Wayne, Nebraska | Public | wsc.edu |
| Buena Vista University (BVU) |
Master's
|
80 | ACT: 18-25 | Storm Lake, Iowa | Private | bvu.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
79 |
SAT: 1400-1520 ACT: 32-34 |
Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| Texas Tech University (TTU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
79 |
SAT: 1090-1270 ACT: 22-28 |
Lubbock, Texas | Public | ttu.edu |
| City University of Seattle (CityU) |
Master's
|
79 | N/A | Seattle, Washington | Private | cityu.edu |
| University of West Florida (UWF) |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
71 |
SAT: 1020-1230 ACT: 20-27 |
Pensacola, Florida | Public | uwf.edu |
| Boston College (BC) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
71 |
SAT: 1430-1540 ACT: 33-34 |
Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts | Private | bc.edu |
| Capella University |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
71 | N/A | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Private | capella.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMCP) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
70 |
SAT: 1370-1520 ACT: 32-35 |
College Park, Maryland | Public | umd.edu |
| McDaniel College |
Master's
|
70 | N/A | Westminster, Maryland | Private | mcdaniel.edu |
| Youngstown State University (YSU) |
Master's
|
70 |
SAT: 940-1210 ACT: 17-24 |
Youngstown, Ohio | Public | ysu.edu |
| University of Hawaii (UHM) |
Master's
|
67 |
SAT: 1020-1240 ACT: 20-27 |
Honolulu, Hawaii | Public | manoa.hawaii.edu |
| Sam Houston State University (SHSU) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
67 |
SAT: 940-1140 ACT: 19-25 |
Huntsville, Texas | Public | shsu.edu |
| Eastern University |
Master's
|
66 | N/A | Saint Davids, Pennsylvania | Private | eastern.edu |
| Concordia University (CUI) |
Master's
|
64 | N/A | Irvine, California | Private | cui.edu |
| Thomas University (TU) |
Master's
|
64 |
SAT: 970-1110 ACT: 18-23 |
Thomasville, Georgia | Private | thomasu.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Master's
|
64 |
SAT: 940-1170 ACT: 18-24 |
Commerce, Texas | Public | tamuc.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
63 |
SAT: 1150-1350 ACT: 26-31 |
East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| Mississippi College (MC) |
Master's
|
62 | ACT: 19-26 | Clinton, Mississippi | Private | mc.edu |
| Concordia University-Nebraska |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
62 |
SAT: 1040-1235 ACT: 19-26 |
Seward, Nebraska | Private | cune.edu |
| University of Louisiana (ULM) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
61 |
SAT: 1050-1350 ACT: 19-24 |
Monroe, Louisiana | Public | ulm.edu |
| Empire State University |
Master's
|
58 | N/A | Saratoga Springs, New York | Public | sunyempire.edu |
| Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
56 |
SAT: 1006-1220 ACT: 19-24 |
Harrogate, Tennessee | Private | lmunet.edu |
| University of Kansas (KU) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
55 |
SAT: 1050-1290 ACT: 21-27 |
Lawrence, Kansas | Public | ku.edu |
| SUNY Buffalo State University |
Master's
|
52 | SAT: 960-1190 | Buffalo, New York | Public | suny.buffalostate.edu |
| Teachers College at Columbia University (TC) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
52 | N/A | New York, New York | Private | tc.columbia.edu |
| Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) |
Master's
|
52 |
SAT: 1040-1210 ACT: 20-25 |
Fort Myers, Florida | Public | fgcu.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
51 |
SAT: 1150-1360 ACT: 24-29 |
Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| Wilkes University |
Master's
|
51 |
SAT: 1023-1270 ACT: 20-29 |
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania | Private | wilkes.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Master's
|
51 |
SAT: 1100-1340 ACT: 18-30 |
University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | worldcampus.psu.edu |
| Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
50 | ACT: 19-24 | Moorhead, Minnesota | Public | mnstate.edu |
| Tarleton State University (TSU) |
Master's
|
50 |
SAT: 960-1150 ACT: 19-24 |
Stephenville, Texas | Public | tarleton.edu |
| Grand Valley State University (GVSU) |
Master's
|
49 |
SAT: 940-1190 ACT: 21-28 |
Allendale, Michigan | Public | gvsu.edu |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
48 |
SAT: 1270-1510 ACT: 29-34 |
Champaign, Illinois | Public | illinois.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
48 |
SAT: 1310-1480 ACT: 27-31 |
Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| University of Colorado Boulder (CU) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
47 |
SAT: 1230-1420 ACT: 28-33 |
Boulder, Colorado | Public | colorado.edu |
| University of Indianapolis (UIndy) |
Master's
|
47 | N/A | Indianapolis, Indiana | Private | uindy.edu |
| Merrimack College |
Master's
|
46 | N/A | North Andover, Massachusetts | Private | merrimack.edu |
| The University of Texas (UTEP) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
46 |
SAT: 870-1090 ACT: 17-23 |
El Paso, Texas | Public | utep.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Master's
|
45 |
SAT: 1180-1350 ACT: 26-30 |
Lowell, Massachusetts | Public | uml.edu |
| Oklahoma State University (OSU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
45 |
SAT: 1030-1240 ACT: 20-27 |
Stillwater, Oklahoma | Public | okstate.edu |
| Kennesaw State University (KSU) |
Master's
|
45 |
SAT: 1020-1220 ACT: 19-25 |
Kennesaw, Georgia | Public | kennesaw.edu |
| Eastern Illinois University (EIU) |
Master's
|
44 | SAT: 890-1110 | Charleston, Illinois | Public | eiu.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
43 | N/A | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| Concordia University-Wisconsin (CUW) |
Master's
|
43 | ACT: 22-29 | Mequon, Wisconsin | Private | cuw.edu |
| Olivet Nazarene University (ONU) |
Master's
|
42 |
SAT: 960-1190 ACT: 18-28 |
Bourbonnais, Illinois | Private | olivet.edu |
| University of San Diego (USD) |
Master's
|
41 | N/A | San Diego, California | Private | sandiego.edu |
| Kansas State University (K‑State) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
41 |
SAT: 1040-1260 ACT: 20-27 |
Manhattan, Kansas | Public | k-state.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Master's
|
41 |
SAT: 1010-1220 ACT: 19-25 |
Tyler, Texas | Public | uttyler.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Curriculum and Instruction programs
How much can I earn with a Curriculum and Instruction degree?
Salaries for Curriculum and Instruction graduates vary by role and location. Instructional Coordinators earn a median of $74,720 annually, while Education Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $72,090. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $91,760 compared to $57,205 in Hawaii. Approximately 269,940 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 Curriculum and Instruction programs?
Currently 418 accredited institutions offer Curriculum and Instruction degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Western Governors University (WGU) (5,296 graduates), American College of Education (ACE) (922 graduates), and Grand Canyon University (GCU) (604 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 Curriculum and Instruction growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 21,778 in 2010 to 21,331 in 2023-24. This represents a 2% 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 Curriculum and Instruction degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Instructional Coordinators, Education Teachers, Postsecondary, . Related occupations employ approximately 269,940 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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