by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Bilingual & Multilingual Education explores Bilingual And Multilingual Education. A Program That Focuses On The Design And Provision Of Teaching And Other Educational Services To Bilingual/bicultural Children Or Adults, And/or The Design And Implementation Of Educational Programs Having The Goal Of Producing Bilingual/bicultural Individuals. Includes Preparation To Serve As Teachers And Administrators In Bilingual/bicultural Education Programs. Read on to learn the essential details every bilingual & multilingual education major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering bilingual & multilingual education programs.
Across the country, bilingual & multilingual education is a widely-pursued major, with 932 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Bilingual & Multilingual Education Schools ranking analyzes these 83 schools to determine the best overall colleges for bilingual & multilingual education students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of bilingual & multilingual education programs later in this article.
Coursework for Bilingual & Multilingual Education build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations bilingual & multilingual education graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a bilingual & multilingual education program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a bilingual & multilingual education major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several bilingual & multilingual education degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 1 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 2 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 88 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 828 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 4 |
People currently working in careers related to bilingual & multilingual education tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 42.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 23.5% |
| Master’s degree | 10.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 8.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 5.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.0% |
| Some college courses | 2.4% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.9% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.2% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.9% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in bilingual & multilingual education careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in bilingual & multilingual education prepares you for a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to bilingual & multilingual education.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to bilingual & multilingual education.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | 1,457,958 | 2.6% |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,441,246 | 2.4% |
| Teachers and Instructors, All Other | 1,154,676 | 1.9% |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | 1,058,186 | 6.4% |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 692,039 | -1.4% |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 571,954 | 1.8% |
| Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors | 217,050 | 0.9% |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | 84,106 | 4.9% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of bilingual & multilingual education graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $61,405 |
| 4 years | $62,672 |
| 5 years | $69,660 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for bilingual & multilingual education graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers bilingual & multilingual education grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | $99,352 |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $98,329 |
| Teachers and Instructors, All Other | $83,682 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $83,105 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $77,927 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $75,366 |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $63,776 |
| Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors | $62,634 |
With 83 different bilingual & multilingual education programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased bilingual & multilingual education school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in bilingual & multilingual education, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Multicultural Education | 329 |
| Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education, Other | 326 |
| Indian/Native American Education | 47 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
