by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 428 U.S. colleges awarded 23,141 degrees and certificates in Curriculum & Instruction. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 91% of graduates. College Factual ranks 266 schools in its 2027 Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $58,713 one year after completing, rising to $65,760 after four years.
A major in Curriculum & Instruction explores Curriculum And Instruction. A Program That Focuses On The Curriculum And Related Instructional Processes And Tools, And That May Prepare Individuals To Serve As Professional Curriculum Specialists. Includes Instruction In Curriculum Theory, Curriculum Design And Planning, Instructional Material Design And Evaluation, Curriculum Evaluation, And Applications To Specific Subject Matter, Programs Or Educational Levels. Examples: [Effective Teaching].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., curriculum & instruction is a popular field of study, with 23,141 degrees awarded annually. 428 colleges award curriculum & instruction degrees, an average of 54 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 6,352.
By level, the 23,141 awards include 9 certificates, 14 bachelor’s degrees, 21,172 master’s degrees and 1,946 doctorates.
Women earned 82% of curriculum & instruction degrees and certificates in the latest year (18,926 of 23,141). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (14,836) and Hispanic or Latino (2,475), and international students earned 519.
College Factual ranks 266 schools in its 2027 Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools ranking, including 244 for master’s degrees and 50 for doctorates. It also ranks curriculum & instruction schools within 45 states. In all, 428 colleges offer curriculum & instruction programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common curriculum & instruction credential is the master’s degree: 21,172 of the 23,141 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to curriculum & instruction call most for Speaking, Learning Strategies and Reading Comprehension, and for knowledge of Education and Training, English Language and Administration and Management, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Speech Clarity.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a curriculum & instruction degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 9 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 14 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 21,172 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 1,946 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to curriculum & instruction, at 44.0%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 44.0% |
| Master’s degree | 35.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 13.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 5.6% |
| First professional degree | 2.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to Curriculum & Instruction, with an average median salary of $69,632; the strongest outlook belongs to Education Teachers, Postsecondary, at 2.4% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Teacher Support and Student Intervention Team Lead, Education Program Coordinator, Curriculum Specialist and Curriculum Facilitator.
The occupation related to curriculum & instruction with the most projected jobs is Instructional Coordinators, at 1,448,345.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Instructional Coordinators | 1,448,345 | -1.3% |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,441,246 | 2.4% |
Curriculum & Instruction graduates earn a median $58,713 one year after completing their program, $65,760 after four years and $63,105 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $58,713 |
| 4 years | $65,760 |
| 5 years | $63,105 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to curriculum & instruction, with a median salary of $98,329.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $98,329 |
| Instructional Coordinators | $40,936 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
