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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the The Plains States Region

29 Colleges in the United States
1,806 Curriculum & Instruction Degrees Awarded
$55,757 Avg Early-Career Salary

Curriculum & Instruction degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 63 schools to find the best for curriculum & instruction students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Curriculum & Instruction in the The Plains States Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall curriculum & instruction education in the The Plains States Region.

Top Schools in Curriculum & Instruction

1

No school ranked higher than University Of Nebraska Medical Center this year for curriculum & instruction. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska Medical Center is a mid-sized public university. About 24 curriculum & instruction degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska Medical Center in the most recent year. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of Nebraska Medical Center earn a median of $85,223 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,905 to complete this degree. See the full curriculum & instruction program report for University Of Nebraska Medical Center

2
Drake University crest
Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Drake University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in curriculum & instruction, ranking #2. Located in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 30 curriculum & instruction degrees were awarded at Drake University in the most recent year. Students who receive their curriculum & instruction degree from Drake University earn around $58,730 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,273 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in curriculum & instruction from Drake University

3
Buena Vista University crest
Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, IA

A rank of #3 makes Buena Vista University one of the top schools for curriculum & instruction. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Storm Lake. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. Buena Vista University awarded about 80 curriculum & instruction degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the curriculum & instruction program make about $44,780 in their early career. Buena Vista University graduates carry a median of $29,317 in student loans. Read more about the curriculum & instruction program at Buena Vista University

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of St Thomas Minnesota one of the top schools for curriculum & instruction. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. About 17 curriculum & instruction degrees were awarded at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $54,441. Typical student debt for the program is $23,923. More information about a degree in curriculum & instruction from University Of St Thomas Minnesota

5
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, MO

Lindenwood University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in curriculum & instruction, ranking #5. Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Charles. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. There were roughly 19 curriculum & instruction students who graduated with this degree at Lindenwood University in the most recent data year. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Lindenwood University earn a median of $83,131 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $28,663 to complete this degree. Get the full curriculum & instruction details for Lindenwood University

6
Dordt College crest
Dordt College
Sioux Center, IA

Dordt College came in at #6 for curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the town of Sioux Center, Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. Dordt College awarded about 25 curriculum & instruction degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the curriculum & instruction program make about $54,926 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,812 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in curriculum & instruction from Dordt College

7

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #7 among the best curriculum & instruction schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Minneapolis. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 48 curriculum & instruction degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $62,695. Typical student debt for the program is $21,577. More information about a degree in curriculum & instruction from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

8

Minnesota State University Moorhead landed the #8 spot for curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 50 curriculum & instruction students who graduated with this degree at Minnesota State University Moorhead in the most recent data year. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Minnesota State University Moorhead earn a median of $57,408 early in their careers. Minnesota State University Moorhead graduates carry a median of $24,447 in student loans. More information about a degree in curriculum & instruction from Minnesota State University Moorhead

9

Concordia University Saint Paul ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best curriculum & instruction schools. Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Concordia University Saint Paul graduates 45% of students within six years. About 147 curriculum & instruction degrees were awarded at Concordia University Saint Paul in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Concordia University Saint Paul generally make around $54,835. Students borrow a median of $29,026 to complete this degree. Read more about the curriculum & instruction program at Concordia University Saint Paul

10

Saint Louis University Main Campus came in at #10 for curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 curriculum & instruction students who graduated with this degree at Saint Louis University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Saint Louis University Main Campus generally make around $65,599. Saint Louis University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $26,586 in student loans. More information about a degree in curriculum & instruction from Saint Louis University Main Campus

11

University Of North Dakota landed the #11 spot for curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of North Dakota awarded about 38 curriculum & instruction degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their curriculum & instruction degree from University Of North Dakota earn around $64,378 in the first couple years of their career. University Of North Dakota graduates carry a median of $25,110 in student loans. See the full curriculum & instruction program report for University Of North Dakota

12

University Of Nebraska At Kearney placed #12 among the best curriculum & instruction schools. Located in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public university. About 57% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 104 curriculum & instruction students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nebraska At Kearney in the most recent data year. Graduates of the curriculum & instruction program make about $54,750 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,173 to complete this degree. Read more about the curriculum & instruction program at University Of Nebraska At Kearney

13

Emporia State University earned the #13 position for curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. About 56% of students finish within six years. Emporia State University awarded about 178 curriculum & instruction degrees in the most recent data year. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Emporia State University earn a median of $53,656 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,131 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in curriculum & instruction from Emporia State University

14

Wayne State College came in at #14 for curriculum & instruction this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Wayne. About 52% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 83 curriculum & instruction students who graduated with this degree at Wayne State College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Wayne State College generally make around $53,346. Students borrow a median of $22,974 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in curriculum & instruction from Wayne State College

15
St Catherine University crest
St Catherine University
Saint Paul, MN

St Catherine University landed the #15 spot for curriculum & instruction this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Paul. About 61% of students finish within six years. St Catherine University awarded about 10 curriculum & instruction degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from St Catherine University generally make around $60,427. Typical student debt for the program is $29,883. More information about a degree in curriculum & instruction from St Catherine University

16

University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #16 for curriculum & instruction this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 104 curriculum & instruction students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent data year. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $54,270 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,818. More information about a degree in curriculum & instruction from University Of Missouri Columbia

17

Kansas State University came in at #17 for curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. Kansas State University awarded about 41 curriculum & instruction degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the curriculum & instruction program make about $51,909 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,546. Read more about the curriculum & instruction program at Kansas State University

18

Doane College Crete ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best curriculum & instruction schools. Located in the town of Crete, Doane College Crete is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. There were roughly 113 curriculum & instruction students who graduated with this degree at Doane College Crete in the most recent data year. Graduates of the curriculum & instruction program make about $53,053 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $28,802 to complete this degree. Read more about the curriculum & instruction program at Doane College Crete

19

Chadron State College landed the #19 spot for curriculum & instruction this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Chadron. About 50% of students finish within six years. About 17 curriculum & instruction degrees were awarded at Chadron State College in the most recent year. Graduates of the curriculum & instruction program make about $60,127 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,912 to complete this degree. See the full curriculum & instruction program report for Chadron State College

20

University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #20 among the best curriculum & instruction schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Lincoln. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 24 curriculum & instruction degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska Lincoln in the most recent year. Students who receive their curriculum & instruction degree from University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn around $51,473 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates carry a median of $22,386 in student loans. See the full curriculum & instruction program report for University Of Nebraska Lincoln

21

Concordia University Seward placed #21 among the best curriculum & instruction schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Seward. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. Concordia University Seward awarded about 62 curriculum & instruction degrees in the most recent data year. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Concordia University Seward earn a median of $57,304 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,726. More information about a degree in curriculum & instruction from Concordia University Seward

22
Walden University crest
Walden University
Minneapolis, MN

Walden University came in at #22 for curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Walden University is a very large private for-profit university. About 31 curriculum & instruction degrees were awarded at Walden University in the most recent year. Students who receive their curriculum & instruction degree from Walden University earn around $66,310 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $49,361 to complete this degree. Read more about the curriculum & instruction program at Walden University

23
Jamestown College crest
Jamestown College
Jamestown, ND

Jamestown College placed #23 among the best curriculum & instruction schools. Set in the town of Jamestown, Jamestown College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 24 curriculum & instruction students who graduated with this degree at Jamestown College in the most recent data year. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Jamestown College earn a median of $56,836 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the curriculum & instruction program at Jamestown College

24
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN

Capella University landed the #24 spot for curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit university. Capella University graduates 20% of students within six years. Capella University awarded about 71 curriculum & instruction degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their curriculum & instruction degree from Capella University earn around $67,984 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $35,998. Read more about the curriculum & instruction program at Capella University

25
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas came in at #25 for curriculum & instruction this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. University Of Kansas graduates 69% of students within six years. About 55 curriculum & instruction degrees were awarded at University Of Kansas in the most recent year. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $55,595 early in their careers. University Of Kansas graduates carry a median of $23,608 in student loans. Read more about the curriculum & instruction program at University Of Kansas

Rest of the Top 36 Curriculum & Instruction Schools

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

26
27
28
29
30
31
Evangel University crest
Evangel University
Springfield, MO
32
Friends University crest
Friends University
Wichita, KS
33
34
35
Avila University crest
Avila University
Kansas City, MO
36

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 63 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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