by our College Data Analytics Team
[Curriculum Instruction](/majors/education/curriculum-instruction/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The schools below stand out for the salaries their curriculum instruction graduates go on to command.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 100 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 Irvine earned the #1 spot for highest-paid curriculum instruction graduates in the United States. Set in the city of Irvine, Concordia University Irvine is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, curriculum instruction degree recipients from Concordia University Irvine typically earn about $101,506 annually.
Teachers College At Columbia University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in curriculum instruction, landing the #2 spot this year. Teachers College At Columbia University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Early-career curriculum instruction graduates from Teachers College At Columbia University make a median of around $84,701 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in curriculum instruction will find them at Washington State University, which ranked #3. Washington State University is a public school located in the town of Pullman. Students who complete the curriculum instruction program here go on to a median salary of roughly $78,468.
Strong graduate earnings at Vanguard University Of Southern California earned it the #4 place for curriculum instruction. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Vanguard University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. Curriculum Instruction graduates of Vanguard University Of Southern California earn a median of about $77,406 a year early in their careers.
Boston University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying curriculum instruction schools. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the curriculum instruction program here go on to a median salary of roughly $87,889.
City University Of Seattle earned the #6 position for curriculum instruction graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Seattle, City University Of Seattle is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, curriculum instruction degree recipients from City University Of Seattle typically earn about $78,998 annually.
Franklin University landed the #7 spot for curriculum instruction salaries this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Franklin University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the curriculum instruction program here go on to a median salary of roughly $72,613.
Mcdaniel College placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for curriculum instruction. Set in the town of Westminster, Mcdaniel College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career curriculum instruction graduates from Mcdaniel College make a median of around $79,147 per year.
Walden University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying curriculum instruction schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Walden University is a private for-profit institution. Curriculum Instruction graduates of Walden University earn a median of about $72,243 a year early in their careers.
Buena Vista University earned the #10 position for curriculum instruction graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a private not-for-profit institution. Curriculum Instruction graduates of Buena Vista University earn a median of about $69,503 a year early in their careers.
Fitchburg State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying curriculum instruction schools. Set in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a public institution. Early-career curriculum instruction graduates from Fitchburg State University make a median of around $77,836 per year.
Concordia University Chicago ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying curriculum instruction schools. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the curriculum instruction program here go on to a median salary of roughly $71,888.
Loyola University Baltimore landed the #13 spot for curriculum instruction salaries this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Loyola University Baltimore is a private not-for-profit institution. Curriculum Instruction graduates of Loyola University Baltimore earn a median of about $68,753 a year early in their careers.
Berry College came in at #14 for curriculum instruction graduate earnings this year. Berry College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mount Berry. Students who complete the curriculum instruction program here go on to a median salary of roughly $67,924.
Lewis University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying curriculum instruction schools. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a private not-for-profit institution. Curriculum Instruction graduates of Lewis University earn a median of about $67,197 a year early in their careers.
Portland State University placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for curriculum instruction. Portland State University is a public school located in the city of Portland. Curriculum Instruction graduates of Portland State University earn a median of about $69,569 a year early in their careers.
Hood College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying curriculum instruction schools. Located in the city of Frederick, Hood College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, curriculum instruction degree recipients from Hood College typically earn about $66,094 annually.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying curriculum instruction schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public institution. Early-career curriculum instruction graduates from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus make a median of around $70,982 per year.
University Of Toledo came in at #19 for curriculum instruction graduate earnings this year. University Of Toledo is a public school located in the city of Toledo. Students who complete the curriculum instruction program here go on to a median salary of roughly $65,505.
University Of St Francis came in at #20 for curriculum instruction graduate earnings this year. University Of St Francis is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Joliet. Early-career curriculum instruction graduates from University Of St Francis make a median of around $64,512 per year.
Utah Valley University placed #21 among the highest-paying schools for curriculum instruction. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a public institution. After graduating, curriculum instruction degree recipients from Utah Valley University typically earn about $65,419 annually.
Western Governors University placed #22 among the highest-paying schools for curriculum instruction. Western Governors University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. Early-career curriculum instruction graduates from Western Governors University make a median of around $67,901 per year.
University Of Houston landed the #23 spot for curriculum instruction salaries this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a public institution. Students who complete the curriculum instruction program here go on to a median salary of roughly $68,364.
University Of Maryland College Park placed #24 among the highest-paying schools for curriculum instruction. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. Students who complete the curriculum instruction program here go on to a median salary of roughly $67,719.
Olivet Nazarene University landed the #25 spot for curriculum instruction salaries this year. Olivet Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bourbonnais. Curriculum Instruction graduates of Olivet Nazarene University earn a median of about $66,903 a year early in their careers.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid curriculum instruction ranking:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare highest-paid Curriculum Instruction rankings across degree levels:
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their curriculum instruction graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 100 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.