Curriculum and Instruction Colleges Under $20,000

The University of Texas at Austin stands out among affordable Curriculum and Instruction programs with an 87.60% graduation rate despite accepting only 31% of applicants. Most programs on this list maintain much higher acceptance rates, with Wichita State University welcoming 94.85% of applicants at just $13,776 net cost. Public schools dominate this affordable tier, with only Capella University representing private education at $18,305. The field connects directly to America's teaching shortage, where curriculum specialists earn median salaries around $40,000 and work closely with state education departments to develop learning standards. Regional differences appear in both costs and outcomes, from Wisconsin-La Crosse's strong 71.20% graduation rate to Buffalo State's more accessible 36% completion rate.

Programs

$13,776 – $19,678

Net Price Range

$39,792

Avg. Program Earnings

56.9%

Avg. Graduation Rate

10 Curriculum and Instruction Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Wichita State University Wichita, Kansas	$13,776	$9,322	51.4%	94.9%
2	SUNY Buffalo State University Buffalo, New York	$14,229	$8,486	36.0%	86.0%
3	University of Akron Main Campus Akron, Ohio	$14,981	$12,799	48.2%	82.9%
4	University of Wisconsin-La Crosse La Crosse, Wisconsin	$15,374	$9,651	71.2%	74.3%
5	Mississippi State University Mississippi State, Mississippi	$15,501	$9,815	62.9%	75.2%
6	Iowa State University Ames, Iowa	$18,165	$10,497	75.5%	90.2%
7	Western Oregon University Monmouth, Oregon	$18,290	$11,025	44.8%	83.4%
8	Capella University Minneapolis, Minnesota	$18,305	$14,436	33.3%
9	Keene State College Keene, New Hampshire	$19,164	$14,710	58.4%	89.5%
10	The University of Texas at Austin Austin, Texas	$19,678	$11,678	87.6%	31.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the wide graduation rate gap between these affordable programs?

Texas at Austin achieves 87.60% graduation rates while Buffalo State graduates 36% of students, reflecting different student selectivity and support systems. More selective programs like Texas (31% acceptance rate) typically see higher completion rates than open-access schools like Wichita State (94.85% acceptance rate).

How do earnings compare between the most and least expensive programs?

Wisconsin-La Crosse graduates earn $40,628 despite costing $15,374, while Wichita State graduates earn $38,956 at just $13,776 net cost. The $1,598 cost difference yields only $1,672 more in annual earnings, suggesting strong value at the lower price point.

Is private education represented among affordable Curriculum and Instruction programs?

Only Capella University represents private education at $18,305 net cost with a 33.30% graduation rate. The remaining nine programs are public institutions ranging from $13,776 to $19,678, showing public education's cost advantage in this field.

Where do graduation rates perform strongest relative to acceptance rates?

Mississippi State University balances accessibility with outcomes, accepting 75.19% of applicants while graduating 62.90% of students. Iowa State shows similar strength with 90.22% acceptance and 75.50% graduation rates, indicating effective student support systems.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.