American Sign Language programs
CIP 1616 · Foreign Languages & Linguistics · ranked by median earnings four years after completion
31 institutions report graduate earnings for American Sign Language programs (College Scorecard, 2024-25). Across them the median is $44,933 four years after completion, with a typical debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47× and 74% of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold. Indicatively, 8 of the 33 programs with both earnings and a benchmark fall below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026); the rest clear it.
| # | Institution | Earn 4yr | % > threshold | Median debt | Debt/earn | Earnings premium | 2 of 3 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gallaudet UniversityDC · Master's | $78,197 n=44 | 88% 5yr | $29,470 | 0.38× | Below -9% | Below 2/2 |
| 2 | Gallaudet UniversityDC · Bachelor's | $70,859 n=27 | 88% 5yr | $23,500 | 0.33× | Above +96% | Clears 2/2 |
| 3 | University of Northern ColoradoCO · Master's | $68,341 n=23 | 89% 1yr | $27,599 | 0.40× | Above +1% | – |
| 4 | Temple UniversityPA · UG cert | $66,762 n=34 | – | $26,000 | 0.39× | Above +77% | – |
| 5 | Commonwealth University of PennsylvaniaPA · Bachelor's | $59,134 n=30 | – | $27,000 | 0.46× | Above +57% | – |
| 6 | Lamar UniversityTX · Bachelor's | $54,319 n=26 | – | $22,856 | 0.42× | Above +52% | – |
| 7 | Madonna UniversityMI · Bachelor's | $50,382 n=16 | – | $26,472 | 0.53× | Above +44% | – |
| 8 | William Woods UniversityMO · Bachelor's | $49,889 n=48 | 69% 5yr | $18,197 | 0.36× | Above +39% | Clears 2/2 |
| 9 | Western Oregon UniversityOR · Bachelor's | $48,295 n=30 | 53% 1yr | $23,500 | 0.49× | Above +32% | Clears 2/2 |
| 10 | Liberty UniversityVA · Bachelor's | $48,109 n=20 | – | $26,250 | 0.55× | Above +26% | – |
| 11 | Saint Louis Community CollegeMO · Associate | $47,106 n=16 | – | – | – | Above +32% | – |
| 12 | Indiana University-IndianapolisIN · Bachelor's | $47,003 n=21 | – | $22,000 | 0.47× | Above +26% | – |
| 13 | Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma CityOK · Associate | $46,629 n=17 | – | – | – | Above +32% | – |
| 14 | St Catherine UniversityMN · Bachelor's | $45,973 n=18 | 81% 5yr | $27,000 | 0.59× | Above +15% | Clears 2/2 |
| 15 | Columbia College ChicagoIL · Bachelor's | $45,619 n=48 | 74% 5yr | $26,000 | 0.57× | Above +21% | Clears 2/2 |
| 16 | Rochester Institute of TechnologyNY · Bachelor's | $45,330 n=42 | 81% 5yr | $24,584 | 0.54× | Above +19% | Clears 2/2 |
| 17 | Siena Heights UniversityMI · Bachelor's | $44,933 n=26 | 71% 1yr | $16,730 | 0.37× | Above +28% | – |
| 18 | Columbus State Community CollegeOH · Associate | $43,647 n=17 | – | – | – | Above +19% | – |
| 19 | Keuka CollegeNY · Bachelor's | $43,419 n=28 | – | $23,250 | 0.54× | Above +14% | – |
| 20 | Kent State University at KentOH · Bachelor's | $42,488 n=24 | – | $29,390 | 0.69× | Above +15% | – |
| 21 | Saint Louis Community CollegeMO · UG cert | $42,255 n=19 | – | – | – | Above +18% | – |
| 22 | Austin Community College DistrictTX · UG cert | $40,131 n=40 | – | $10,127 | 0.25× | Above +12% | Below 1/2 |
| 23 | University of North FloridaFL · Bachelor's | $39,944 n=23 | – | $14,750 | 0.37× | Above +18% | Clears 2/2 |
| 24 | Valdosta State UniversityGA · Bachelor's | $39,516 n=16 | – | – | – | Above +12% | – |
| 25 | Oakland Community CollegeMI · Associate | $39,402 n=18 | – | – | – | Above +12% | – |
| 26 | University of New Hampshire at ManchesterNH · Bachelor's | $38,282 n=16 | – | – | – | Below -14% | – |
| 27 | University of New Hampshire-Main CampusNH · Bachelor's | $38,282 n=16 | – | – | – | Below -14% | – |
| 28 | Eastern Kentucky UniversityKY · Bachelor's | $36,755 n=16 | – | $26,000 | 0.71× | Above +6% | Below 1/2 |
| 29 | Phoenix CollegeAZ · UG cert | $34,959 n=20 | – | – | – | Below -5% | Below 2/2 |
| 30 | Saint Paul CollegeMN · Associate | $34,519 n=25 | – | $16,500 | 0.48× | Below -14% | Below 2/2 |
| 31 | Utah Valley UniversityUT · Bachelor's | $28,583 n=33 | 49% | $16,385 | 0.57× | Below -28% | Below 2/2 |
| 32 | Tarrant County College DistrictTX · UG cert | $26,284 n=31 | 71% 5yr | $6,000 | 0.23× | Below -26% | Below 2/2 |
| 33 | South Texas CollegeTX · Associate | $22,261 n=18 | – | – | – | Below -38% | – |
% > threshold is ED's own share of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold, taken from the best available measurement window (4-, 5- or 1-year) pooled across all nine College Scorecard Field-of-Study releases; a chip marks any figure not on the 4-year window. Earnings premium compares median earnings four years out to the U.S. Census ACS median for a high-school graduate (undergraduate credentials) or bachelor's-degree holder (graduate credentials) in the institution's state. 2 of 3 yrs flags programs below that benchmark in two of the latest three reported cohort-years, the statutory trigger under the 2025 federal earnings-premium test (effective July 1, 2026). Indicative estimates; the Department of Education's official determination may differ. Figures lag the current year by 2–3 years.
| State | Median earn 4yr | Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri | $47,106 | 3 |
| Michigan | $44,933 | 3 |
| Texas | $33,208 | 4 |
States with at least 3 reporting American Sign Language programs, by median graduate earnings.
Which colleges have the highest-paying American Sign Language programs?
By median earnings four years after completion, the highest-paying American Sign Language programs in this dataset are Gallaudet University ($78,197), Gallaudet University ($70,859), University of Northern Colorado ($68,341). Earnings reflect College Scorecard field-of-study data (2024-25) and vary by credential level and location.
Are American Sign Language programs at risk under the federal earnings-premium test?
Indicatively, 8 of the 33 American Sign Language programs with both earnings and a state/national benchmark have median graduate earnings below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026), under which a program can lose Title IV eligibility if its graduates earn less than a typical worker without the credential for 2 of 3 years. This estimate uses College Scorecard earnings vs U.S. Census ACS medians; the Department of Education's official determination uses its own cohort definition and may differ.
Track American Sign Language programs across your peer set
We build tailored dashboards, the fields, institutions and risk signals your enrollment or program-review team cares about, kept current. Tell us what you'd want to watch.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study, 2014–15 through 2022–23 cohorts plus the most-recent snapshot (2024-25); threshold pass-rates pooled across all nine releases. Earnings-premium benchmarks from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS). Compiled by Ibex Insights. See the methodology.