Curriculum and Instructionat Iowa State University
Graduates earn $48,698/yr in their first year — about 23.0% above the national Curriculum and Instruction average. Base-case 10-year earnings $536K; scenarios range from $503K to $541K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Iowa State University
Iowa State's Curriculum and Instruction program stands out as one of only a few nationally, equipping you with a highly specialized skillset. This niche focus often leads to stronger career outcomes, as institutions and organizations actively seek experts who can design, implement, and evaluate effective learning experiences. Graduates typically find roles beyond traditional classroom teaching, working as instructional coordinators in K-12 districts, developing higher education curricula, or even in corporate training departments across the Midwest and nationally. Your expertise is critical for improving educational systems and training educators. While AI tools will undoubtedly reshape instructional design, the human element of understanding learning psychology and crafting engaging pedagogy remains paramount. Focus on developing strong leadership and adaptable design skills to thrive in this evolving field.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Iowa State University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Curriculum and Instruction
How Iowa State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Iowa State University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Iowa State University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Curriculum and Instruction at Iowa State University
How does Iowa State University's Curriculum and Instruction program score?
This program scores 48/100 — on the lower end for Curriculum and Instruction. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Curriculum and Instruction to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Curriculum and Instruction careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 49% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.