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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region

31 Colleges in the United States
1,834 Curriculum & Instruction Degrees Awarded
$55,429 Avg Early-Career Salary

Curriculum & Instruction degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 77 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for curriculum & instruction students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Curriculum & Instruction in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall curriculum & instruction education in the Great Lakes Region.

Top Schools in Curriculum & Instruction

1
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

No school ranked higher than Purdue University Main Campus this year for curriculum & instruction. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. About 83% of students finish within six years. About 149 curriculum & instruction degrees were awarded at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent year. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $57,521 early in their careers. Purdue University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans. More information about a degree in curriculum & instruction from Purdue University Main Campus

2
Viterbo University crest
Viterbo University
La Crosse, WI

Students looking for a strong curriculum & instruction program will find one at Viterbo University, which ranked #2. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of La Crosse. Viterbo University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 curriculum & instruction students who graduated with this degree at Viterbo University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Viterbo University generally make around $60,309. Viterbo University graduates carry a median of $29,107 in student loans. See the full curriculum & instruction program report for Viterbo University

3

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best curriculum & instruction schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 48 curriculum & instruction students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $57,461 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete this degree. Read more about the curriculum & instruction program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

4

Concordia University Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in curriculum & instruction, ranking #4. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 36%. About 146 curriculum & instruction degrees were awarded at Concordia University Chicago in the most recent year. Students who receive their curriculum & instruction degree from Concordia University Chicago earn around $67,571 in the first couple years of their career. Concordia University Chicago graduates carry a median of $26,956 in student loans. See the full curriculum & instruction program report for Concordia University Chicago

5

Olivet Nazarene University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best curriculum & instruction schools. Set in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Olivet Nazarene University graduates 61% of students within six years. About 42 curriculum & instruction degrees were awarded at Olivet Nazarene University in the most recent year. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Olivet Nazarene University earn a median of $62,530 early in their careers. Olivet Nazarene University graduates carry a median of $26,797 in student loans. More information about a degree in curriculum & instruction from Olivet Nazarene University

6

Loyola University Chicago placed #6 among the best curriculum & instruction schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 32 curriculum & instruction students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the curriculum & instruction program make about $58,568 in their early career. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. See the full curriculum & instruction program report for Loyola University Chicago

7

University Of St Francis landed the #7 spot for curriculum & instruction this year. University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Joliet. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. University Of St Francis awarded about 160 curriculum & instruction degrees in the most recent data year. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of St Francis earn a median of $66,085 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,695 to complete this degree. Read more about the curriculum & instruction program at University Of St Francis

8

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #8 among the best curriculum & instruction schools. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates 74% of students within six years. There were roughly 51 curriculum & instruction students who graduated with this degree at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their curriculum & instruction degree from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn around $62,381 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans. See the full curriculum & instruction program report for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

9

University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #9 position for curriculum & instruction this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. About 90% of students finish within six years. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 100 curriculum & instruction degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $60,420. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete this degree. Get the full curriculum & instruction details for University Of Wisconsin Madison

10
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best curriculum & instruction schools. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. About 81% of students finish within six years. About 63 curriculum & instruction degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their curriculum & instruction degree from Michigan State University earn around $63,979 in the first couple years of their career. Michigan State University graduates carry a median of $25,213 in student loans. Get the full curriculum & instruction details for Michigan State University

11

National Louis University landed the #11 spot for curriculum & instruction this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. National Louis University graduates 30% of students within six years. National Louis University awarded about 213 curriculum & instruction degrees in the most recent data year. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of National Louis University earn a median of $61,839 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $29,242 to complete this degree. See the full curriculum & instruction program report for National Louis University

12

Illinois State University placed #12 among the best curriculum & instruction schools. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 38 curriculum & instruction students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their curriculum & instruction degree from Illinois State University earn around $57,175 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,896 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in curriculum & instruction from Illinois State University

13

Ball State University placed #13 among the best curriculum & instruction schools. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. Ball State University awarded about 22 curriculum & instruction degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their curriculum & instruction degree from Ball State University earn around $47,863 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,518 to complete this degree. Get the full curriculum & instruction details for Ball State University

14

Northern Illinois University came in at #14 for curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 26 curriculum & instruction students who graduated with this degree at Northern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the curriculum & instruction program make about $52,308 in their early career. Northern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $25,209 in student loans. More information about a degree in curriculum & instruction from Northern Illinois University

15

Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #15 for curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. Bowling Green State University Main Campus awarded about 88 curriculum & instruction degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their curriculum & instruction degree from Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn around $51,976 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,449 to complete this degree. Get the full curriculum & instruction details for Bowling Green State University Main Campus

16
Aurora University crest
Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University earned the #16 position for curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Aurora University awarded about 18 curriculum & instruction degrees in the most recent data year. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $51,483 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,507 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in curriculum & instruction from Aurora University

17

University Of Southern Indiana came in at #17 for curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Southern Indiana awarded about 12 curriculum & instruction degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their curriculum & instruction degree from University Of Southern Indiana earn around $47,216 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,999. More information about a degree in curriculum & instruction from University Of Southern Indiana

18

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earned the #18 position for curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh awarded about 20 curriculum & instruction degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the curriculum & instruction program make about $55,178 in their early career. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. Read more about the curriculum & instruction program at University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh

19

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #19 for curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee graduates 53% of students within six years. About 41 curriculum & instruction degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $57,584. Typical student debt for the program is $26,657. Get the full curriculum & instruction details for University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee

20

Grand Valley State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best curriculum & instruction schools. This very large public university is located in the town of Allendale. Grand Valley State University graduates 67% of students within six years. About 49 curriculum & instruction degrees were awarded at Grand Valley State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the curriculum & instruction program make about $53,419 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,378 to complete this degree. Get the full curriculum & instruction details for Grand Valley State University

21

Concordia University Wisconsin earned the #21 position for curriculum & instruction this year. Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mequon. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. Concordia University Wisconsin awarded about 43 curriculum & instruction degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their curriculum & instruction degree from Concordia University Wisconsin earn around $53,056 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,172 to complete this degree. Get the full curriculum & instruction details for Concordia University Wisconsin

22

Mckendree University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best curriculum & instruction schools. Located in the suburb of Lebanon, Mckendree University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 53% of students finish within six years. Mckendree University awarded about 19 curriculum & instruction degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their curriculum & instruction degree from Mckendree University earn around $65,396 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,362 to complete this degree. Get the full curriculum & instruction details for Mckendree University

23
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University came in at #23 for curriculum & instruction this year. This large public university is located in the town of Mount Pleasant. About 59% of students finish within six years. Central Michigan University awarded about 28 curriculum & instruction degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their curriculum & instruction degree from Central Michigan University earn around $57,102 in the first couple years of their career. Central Michigan University graduates carry a median of $27,857 in student loans. More information about a degree in curriculum & instruction from Central Michigan University

24

Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best curriculum & instruction schools. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Marion. About 11 curriculum & instruction degrees were awarded at Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global in the most recent year. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earn a median of $56,966 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $32,807 to complete this degree. Get the full curriculum & instruction details for Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global

25
Ashland University crest
Ashland University
Ashland, OH

Ashland University came in at #25 for curriculum & instruction this year. Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ashland. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Ashland University awarded about 29 curriculum & instruction degrees in the most recent data year. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Ashland University earn a median of $56,141 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,536 to complete this degree. Read more about the curriculum & instruction program at Ashland University

Rest of the Top 38 Curriculum & Instruction Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong curriculum & instruction education:

26
27
28
29
University Of Indianapolis crest
University Of Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN
30
31
32
33
Franklin University crest
Franklin University
Columbus, OH
34
35
Indiana State University crest
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN
36
Adrian College crest
Adrian College
Adrian, MI
37
38

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 77 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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