by our College Data Analytics Team
[Curriculum Instruction](/majors/education/curriculum-instruction/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools to find where curriculum instruction graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose curriculum instruction graduates go on to earn the most.
Concordia University Chicago earned the #1 spot for highest-paid curriculum instruction graduates in Illinois. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, curriculum instruction degree recipients from Concordia University Chicago typically earn about $71,888 annually.
Lewis University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying curriculum instruction schools. Lewis University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. Early-career curriculum instruction graduates from Lewis University make a median of around $67,197 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of St Francis earned it the #3 place for curriculum instruction. Set in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, curriculum instruction degree recipients from University Of St Francis typically earn about $64,512 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Olivet Nazarene University earned it the #4 place for curriculum instruction. Located in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the curriculum instruction program here go on to a median salary of roughly $66,903.
National Louis University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying curriculum instruction schools. Located in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, curriculum instruction degree recipients from National Louis University typically earn about $65,604 annually.
Mckendree University placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for curriculum instruction. Mckendree University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lebanon. Curriculum Instruction graduates of Mckendree University earn a median of about $58,314 a year early in their careers.
Illinois State University placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for curriculum instruction. Illinois State University is a public school located in the suburb of Normal. Early-career curriculum instruction graduates from Illinois State University make a median of around $52,475 per year.
Eastern Illinois University placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for curriculum instruction. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a public institution. Early-career curriculum instruction graduates from Eastern Illinois University make a median of around $49,117 per year.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries curriculum instruction graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 8 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.