American Sign Language programs
CIP 1616 · Foreign Languages & Linguistics · ranked by median earnings four years after completion
21 institutions report graduate earnings for American Sign Language programs (College Scorecard, 2024-25). Across them the median is $46,488 four years after completion, with a typical debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47× and 81% of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold. Indicatively, 3 of the 22 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 | Indiana University-IndianapolisIN · Bachelor's | $47,003 n=21 | — | $22,000 | 0.47× | Above +26% | — |
| 12 | St Catherine UniversityMN · Bachelor's | $45,973 n=18 | 81% 5yr | $27,000 | 0.59× | Above +15% | Clears 2/2 |
| 13 | Columbia College ChicagoIL · Bachelor's | $45,619 n=48 | 74% 5yr | $26,000 | 0.57× | Above +21% | Clears 2/2 |
| 14 | Rochester Institute of TechnologyNY · Bachelor's | $45,330 n=42 | 81% 5yr | $24,584 | 0.54× | Above +19% | Clears 2/2 |
| 15 | Siena Heights UniversityMI · Bachelor's | $44,933 n=26 | 71% 1yr | $16,730 | 0.37× | Above +28% | — |
| 16 | Keuka CollegeNY · Bachelor's | $43,419 n=28 | — | $23,250 | 0.54× | Above +14% | — |
| 17 | Kent State University at KentOH · Bachelor's | $42,488 n=24 | — | $29,390 | 0.69× | Above +15% | — |
| 18 | University of North FloridaFL · Bachelor's | $39,944 n=23 | — | $14,750 | 0.37× | Above +18% | Clears 2/2 |
| 19 | Valdosta State UniversityGA · Bachelor's | $39,516 n=16 | — | — | — | Above +12% | — |
| 20 | University of New Hampshire at ManchesterNH · Bachelor's | $38,282 n=16 | — | — | — | Below -14% | — |
| 21 | University of New Hampshire-Main CampusNH · Bachelor's | $38,282 n=16 | — | — | — | Below -14% | — |
| 22 | Eastern Kentucky UniversityKY · Bachelor's | $36,755 n=16 | — | $26,000 | 0.71× | Above +6% | Below 1/2 |
% > 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.
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, 3 of the 22 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.
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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.