by our College Data Analytics Team
[Curriculum Instruction](/majors/education/curriculum-instruction/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the early-career earnings of their curriculum instruction graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose curriculum instruction graduates go on to earn the most.
Lipscomb University tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying curriculum instruction schools in Tennessee. Lipscomb University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Curriculum Instruction graduates of Lipscomb University earn a median of about $60,811 a year early in their careers.
Vanderbilt University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in curriculum instruction, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, curriculum instruction degree recipients from Vanderbilt University typically earn about $54,819 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Austin Peay State University earned it the #3 place for curriculum instruction. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a public institution. Curriculum Instruction graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of about $58,254 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Memphis one of the highest-paying schools for curriculum instruction. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a public institution. After graduating, curriculum instruction degree recipients from University Of Memphis typically earn about $52,652 annually.
A rank of #5 makes Middle Tennessee State University one of the highest-paying schools for curriculum instruction. Middle Tennessee State University is a public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Curriculum Instruction graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of about $51,115 a year early in their careers.
Lincoln Memorial University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying curriculum instruction schools. Located in the town of Harrogate, Lincoln Memorial University is a private not-for-profit institution. Curriculum Instruction graduates of Lincoln Memorial University earn a median of about $52,544 a year early in their careers.
Tennessee Technological University placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for curriculum instruction. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a public institution. Early-career curriculum instruction graduates from Tennessee Technological University make a median of around $48,554 per year.
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 · 7 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.