Best institutions to study Multicultural Education
A program that focuses on the design, and implementation of instructional and advising services for culturally diverse learning populations.
41 U.S. institutions graduated 480 Multicultural Education students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 13.0202, a specialization of Bilingual (CIP 13.02), and leads most directly to the Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors occupation (BLS SOC 25-3011).
About Multicultural Education programs
A program that focuses on the design, and implementation of instructional and advising services for culturally diverse learning populations. Includes instruction in cultural diversity, at-risk populations, multilingual and ESL education, program and curriculum design, instructional technology, information resources, LEP and minority education strategies, counseling and communicating with multicultural populations, law and regulations, and applications to specific cultural groups, educational services, and research issues.
See also: 13.1401 - Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Multicultural Education (Bilingual) program focuses on designing and implementing instructional services for culturally diverse learning populations. It is ideal for individuals interested in addressing the educational needs of at-risk and multilingual students, providing them with the necessary support to succeed academically. This program equips educators with the skills to communicate effectively with multicultural populations and develop inclusive curricula.
Students in this program will gain knowledge in cultural diversity, multilingual education, and instructional technology. Core skills include reading comprehension, active listening, critical thinking, and adapting teaching methods to meet diverse student needs.
Credentials awarded
What Multicultural Education graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Postbaccalaureate certificate138 graduates / yr · 18 institutions29%
- Post-master's certificate128 graduates / yr · 1 institution27%
- Master's degree112 graduates / yr · 14 institutions23%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year62 graduates / yr · 6 institutions13%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship28 graduates / yr · 4 institutions5.8%
- Bachelor's degree7 graduates / yr · 4 institutions1.5%
- Award of less than 12 weeks5 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.0%
Graduates over time
Multicultural Education completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 141 |
| 2013 | 312 |
| 2014 | 258 |
| 2015 | 255 |
| 2016 | 193 |
| 2017 | 253 |
| 2018 | 205 |
| 2019 | 226 |
| 2020 | 346 |
| 2021 | 354 |
| 2022 | 400 |
| 2023 | 382 |
| 2024 | 329 |
| 2025 | 480 |
Top 41 institutions for Multicultural Education, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Davenport University Grand Rapids, MIPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster'sBachelor's | 142 | 57% | $22,126 | — |
| 2 | Northampton County Area Community College Bethlehem, PAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 37 | 24% | — | — |
| 3 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, COPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 27 | 74% | — | — |
| 4 | McDaniel College Westminster, MDPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 23 | 63% | $18,988 | $76,925 |
| 5 | University of Alaska Anchorage Anchorage, AKPublicPost-degree cert. | 22 | 30% | — | — |
| 6 | University of San Francisco San Francisco, CAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 21 | 70% | $37,121 | — |
| 7 | Coppin State University Baltimore, MDPublicPost-degree cert. | 17 | 26% | — | — |
| 8 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicPost-degree cert. | 14 | 90% | — | — |
| 9 | Concordia University - Saint Paul Saint Paul, MNPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 14 | 46% | $17,328 | — |
| 10 | State University of New York at New Paltz New Paltz, NYPublicMaster's | 13 | 72% | — | — |
| 11 | Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Kutztown, PAPublicMaster's | 12 | 54% | — | — |
| 12 | University of Idaho Moscow, IDPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 10 | 57% | — | — |
| 13 | University of Southern Maine Portland, MEPublicPost-degree cert. | 10 | 40% | — | — |
| 14 | Central New Mexico Community College Albuquerque, NMPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 9 | 31% | — | — |
| 15 | University of Southern Indiana Evansville, INPublicAward of less than 12 weeksPost-degree cert. | 8 | 48% | — | — |
| 16 | The College of Saint Scholastica Duluth, MNPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 8 | 71% | $21,150 | — |
| 17 | Biola University La Mirada, CAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 7 | 68% | $26,727 | — |
| 18 | Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GAPublicMaster's | 7 | 55% | — | — |
| 19 | Minnesota State University - Mankato Mankato, MNPublicPost-degree cert. | 7 | 54% | — | — |
| 20 | San Diego State University San Diego, CAPublicPost-degree cert. | 6 | 76% | — | — |
| 21 | University of Nevada - Reno Reno, NVPublicMaster's | 6 | 61% | — | — |
| 22 | Saint Michael's College Colchester, VTPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Master's | 6 | 73% | $25,029 | — |
| 23 | Claremont Graduate University Claremont, CAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 5 | — | — | — |
| 24 | University of Northern Colorado Greeley, COPublicMaster's | 5 | 51% | — | — |
| 25 | University of Missouri - St Louis Saint Louis, MOPublicPost-degree cert. | 5 | 57% | — | — |
| 26 | Texas A&M University - San Antonio San Antonio, TXPublicMaster's | 5 | 40% | — | — |
| 27 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KSPublicPost-degree cert. | 4 | 71% | — | — |
| 28 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 4 | 98% | $15,013 | — |
| 29 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst Amherst, MAPublicPost-degree cert. | 4 | 83% | — | — |
| 30 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicBachelor's | 3 | 68% | — | — |
| 31 | National University San Diego, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 43% | $31,817 | — |
| 32 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KYPublicPost-degree cert.Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 71% | — | — |
| 33 | University of North Dakota Grand Forks, NDPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 60% | — | — |
| 34 | University of California - Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CAPublicBachelor's | 2 | 75% | — | — |
| 35 | Murray State University Murray, KYPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 61% | — | — |
| 36 | Walden University Minneapolis, MNPrivate for-profitPost-degree cert. | 1 | — | — | — |
| 37 | Colorado Christian University Lakewood, COPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 64% | $23,447 | — |
| 38 | Toccoa Falls College Toccoa Falls, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 44% | $20,410 | — |
| 39 | Rockford University Rockford, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 47% | $23,077 | — |
| 40 | University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MOPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 75% | — | — |
| 41 | Saint Louis University Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 1 | 80% | $24,886 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Bilingual field (CIP 13.02) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 23 states
Where Multicultural Education graduates come from. Each state links to all Bilingual programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-3011, Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Multicultural Education program can pursue careers as Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and ESL instructors, among other roles. While the job outlook indicates a decline of 13.7%, there are approximately 3,900 annual openings, with a median wage of $59,950 for related positions requiring at least a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 13.0202
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructorsprimary SOC 25-3011 | $61,540 | -13.7% Decline | ~3,900 | Bachelor's degree |
Teachers and Instructors, All Other SOC 25-3099 | $66,140 | -0.1% Little or no change | ~18,000 | Bachelor's degree |
Education Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1081 | $75,350 | +2.1% About as fast as average | ~5,600 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Multicultural Education programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Observe and evaluate students' work to determine progress and make suggestions for improvement.
- Observe students to determine qualifications, limitations, abilities, interests, and other individual characteristics.
- Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects and communicate those objectives to students.
- Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs, abilities, and interests.
- Prepare students for further education by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
- Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
Tools and technology used
Other Bilingual specializations
The 3 other 6-digit CIP codes under Bilingual (CIP 13.02).
Common questions
What is the focus of the Multicultural Education program?+
The program focuses on instructional design and implementation for culturally diverse learning populations.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in reading comprehension, active listening, critical thinking, and adapting teaching methods.
What careers can I pursue after completing this program?+
You can work as an Adult Basic Education instructor, ESL instructor, or in other educational roles.
What is the job outlook for careers in this field?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 13.7%, but there are about 3,900 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Multicultural Education?+
Multicultural Education is CIP 13.0202 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Bilingual (CIP 13.02). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the design, and implementation of instructional and advising services for culturally diverse learning populations. Includes instruction in cultural diversity, at-risk populations, multilingual and ESL education, program and curriculum design, instructional technology, information resources, LEP and minority education strategies, counseling and communicating with multicultural populations, law and regulations, and applications to specific cultural groups, educational services, and research issues.
How many institutions offer Multicultural Education programs?+
41 U.S. institutions reported Multicultural Education graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 23 states, awarding 480 credentials in the year. That is 25.7% of all Bilingual graduates.
How much do Multicultural Education graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors occupation, which Multicultural Education most directly leads to, pays a median of $61,540 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Bilingual field report median earnings of $76,925 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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