by our College Data Analytics Team
[Curriculum & Instruction](/majors/education/curriculum-instruction/curriculum-and-instruction/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for curriculum & instruction students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the curriculum & instruction degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Peru State College the best value for a degree in curriculum & instruction in Nebraska. Set in the rural area of Peru, Peru State College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,433. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $26,254 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $53,549. That is a strong return on a $26,254 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Chadron State College one of the best values for curriculum & instruction. Chadron State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Chadron. In-state tuition and fees average $8,294. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $22,912 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $60,127. That is a strong return on a $22,912 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in curriculum & instruction will find it at Wayne State College, which ranked #3. Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wayne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,171. Students borrow a median of $22,974 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Wayne State College earn a median of $53,346 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Nebraska At Kearney one of the best values for curriculum & instruction. Set in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,564, compared with $16,484 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,173 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Kearney generally make around $54,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in curriculum & instruction will find it at University Of Nebraska Lincoln, which ranked #5. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $22,386. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $51,473. Set against $22,386 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
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Concordia University Seward ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Concordia University Seward is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Seward. In-state tuition and fees average $40,640. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $26,726. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $57,304. Set against $26,726 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Doane College Crete landed the #7 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Doane College Crete is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Crete. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,985. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $28,802. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Doane College Crete generally make around $53,053. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.