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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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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 is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their curriculum & instruction programs.

College Factual analyzed 77 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best curriculum & instruction schools.

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

Leading the list is Purdue University Main Campus, our #1 school for curriculum & instruction. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. About 83% of students finish within six years. Purdue University Main Campus awarded about 149 curriculum & instruction degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the curriculum & instruction program make about $57,521 in their early career. Purdue University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans. Read more about the curriculum & instruction program at Purdue University Main Campus

2
Viterbo University crest
Viterbo University
La Crosse, WI

A rank of #2 makes Viterbo University one of the top schools for curriculum & instruction. Located in the city of La Crosse, Viterbo University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Viterbo University graduates 68% of students within six years. Viterbo University awarded about 10 curriculum & instruction degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the curriculum & instruction program make about $60,309 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $29,107 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in curriculum & instruction from Viterbo University

3

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in curriculum & instruction, ranking #3. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 48 curriculum & instruction degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Graduates of the curriculum & instruction program make about $57,461 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,778. More information about a degree in curriculum & instruction from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

4

Concordia University Chicago is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in curriculum & instruction, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Concordia University Chicago graduates 36% of students within six years. Concordia University Chicago awarded about 146 curriculum & instruction degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their curriculum & instruction degree from Concordia University Chicago earn around $67,571 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,956. More information about a degree in curriculum & instruction from Concordia University Chicago

5

Olivet Nazarene University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in curriculum & instruction, ranking #5. Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bourbonnais. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 42 curriculum & instruction students who graduated with this degree at Olivet Nazarene University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the curriculum & instruction program make about $62,530 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,797. See the full curriculum & instruction program report for 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. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 32 curriculum & instruction degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Students who receive their curriculum & instruction degree from Loyola University Chicago earn around $58,568 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete this degree. Get the full curriculum & instruction details for Loyola University Chicago

7

University Of St Francis landed the #7 spot for curriculum & instruction this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Joliet. About 67% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 160 curriculum & instruction students who graduated with this degree at University Of St Francis in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from University Of St Francis generally make around $66,085. Typical student debt for the program is $25,695. See the full curriculum & instruction program report for University Of St Francis

8

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #8 position for curriculum & instruction this year. 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. About 51 curriculum & instruction degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent 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. More information about a degree in curriculum & instruction from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

9

University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #9 among the best curriculum & instruction schools. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 100 curriculum & instruction degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $60,420 early in their careers. 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 earned the #10 position for curriculum & instruction this year. This very large public university is located in the city of East Lansing. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. Michigan State University awarded about 63 curriculum & instruction degrees in the most recent data year. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $63,979 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,213 to complete this degree. See the full curriculum & instruction program report for Michigan State University

11

National Louis University came in at #11 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. Graduates of the curriculum & instruction program make about $61,839 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,242. Read more about the curriculum & instruction program at National Louis University

12

Illinois State University landed the #12 spot for curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Illinois State University awarded about 38 curriculum & instruction degrees in the most recent data year. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $57,175 early in their careers. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $21,896 in student loans. Get the full curriculum & instruction details for Illinois State University

13

Ball State University came in at #13 for curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 22 curriculum & instruction students who graduated with this degree at Ball State University in the most recent data year. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $47,863 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,518. See the full curriculum & instruction program report for Ball State University

14

Northern Illinois University landed the #14 spot for curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 26 curriculum & instruction degrees were awarded at Northern Illinois University in the most recent year. Students who receive their curriculum & instruction degree from Northern Illinois University earn around $52,308 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete this degree. Get the full curriculum & instruction details for Northern Illinois University

15

Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #15 for curriculum & instruction this year. This large public university is located in the town of Bowling Green. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 88 curriculum & instruction students who graduated with this degree at Bowling Green State University Main Campus 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. Bowling Green State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $25,449 in student loans. More information about a degree in curriculum & instruction from Bowling Green State University Main Campus

16
Aurora University crest
Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University landed the #16 spot for curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. About 18 curriculum & instruction degrees were awarded at Aurora University in the most recent year. Graduates of the curriculum & instruction program make about $51,483 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,507 to complete this degree. Get the full curriculum & instruction details for Aurora University

17

University Of Southern Indiana placed #17 among the best curriculum & instruction schools. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. University Of Southern Indiana graduates 48% of students within six years. About 12 curriculum & instruction degrees were awarded at University Of Southern Indiana in the most recent 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. University Of Southern Indiana graduates carry a median of $21,999 in student loans. Get the full curriculum & instruction details for University Of Southern Indiana

18

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh placed #18 among the best curriculum & instruction schools. This large public university is located in the city of Oshkosh. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 20 curriculum & instruction students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $55,178. Typical student debt for the program is $24,619. More information about a degree in curriculum & instruction from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh

19

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #19 for curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. About 41 curriculum & instruction degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee in the most recent year. Graduates of the curriculum & instruction program make about $57,584 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,657 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in curriculum & instruction from 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. About 67% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 49 curriculum & instruction students who graduated with this degree at Grand Valley State University in the most recent data year. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $53,419 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,378. Read more about the curriculum & instruction program at Grand Valley State University

21

Concordia University Wisconsin landed the #21 spot for curriculum & instruction this year. Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mequon. About 69% of students finish within six years. 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. Typical student debt for the program is $27,172. See the full curriculum & instruction program report for Concordia University Wisconsin

22

Mckendree University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best curriculum & instruction schools. Set in the suburb of Lebanon, Mckendree University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. About 19 curriculum & instruction degrees were awarded at Mckendree University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Mckendree University generally make around $65,396. Mckendree University graduates carry a median of $24,362 in student loans. See the full curriculum & instruction program report for Mckendree University

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

Central Michigan University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best curriculum & instruction schools. This large public university is located in the town of Mount Pleasant. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. Central Michigan University awarded about 28 curriculum & instruction degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $57,102. Typical student debt for the program is $27,857. Get the full curriculum & instruction details for Central Michigan University

24

Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best curriculum & instruction schools. This large private not-for-profit university is 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. Students who receive their curriculum & instruction degree from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earn around $56,966 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $32,807. Get the full curriculum & instruction details for Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global

25
Ashland University crest
Ashland University
Ashland, OH

Ashland University placed #25 among the best curriculum & instruction schools. Located in the town of Ashland, Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 60% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 29 curriculum & instruction students who graduated with this degree at Ashland University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the curriculum & instruction program make about $56,141 in their early career. Ashland University graduates carry a median of $24,536 in student loans. Read more about the curriculum & instruction program at Ashland University

Rest of the Top 38 Curriculum & Instruction Schools

These schools also placed among the best for curriculum & instruction this year:

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

This list is compiled 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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