Best colleges for American Sign Language in Illinois
Ranked by graduate earnings
Southwestern Illinois College, Columbia College Chicago and Moraine Valley Community College award the most American Sign Language degrees and certificates in Illinois: 31, 16 and 10 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 7 Illinois colleges offer American Sign Language and award 101 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The American Sign Language (ASL) program focuses on the study and use of ASL as a primary mode of communication within the Deaf community. Designed for students interested in linguistics and communication, this program offers a…
Top institution, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia College Chicago Chicago Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $33,775 | 16 | 52% | $28,087 | $28,818 |
Colleges awarding the most American Sign Language degrees in Illinois
Top 6 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southwestern Illinois College Belleville Public | 31 | Not reported |
| 2 | Columbia College Chicago Chicago Private not-for-profit | 16 | $33,775 |
| 3 | Moraine Valley Community College Palos Hills Public | 10 | Not reported |
| 4 | John A Logan College Carterville Public | 6 | Not reported |
| 5 | Illinois Central College East Peoria Public | 5 | Not reported |
| 6 | Waubonsee Community College Sugar Grove Public | 1 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 1 Illinois colleges offering American Sign Language
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| College of DuPage | Glen Ellyn | Public | 32 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Interpreters and Translators (SOC 27-3091).
Top skills
What Interpreters and Translators earn in Illinois
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing American Sign Language programs in Illinois.
Which Illinois colleges award the most American Sign Language degrees?+
Southwestern Illinois College (31 graduates a year), Columbia College Chicago (16 graduates a year) and Moraine Valley Community College (10 graduates a year) award the most American Sign Language degrees and certificates in Illinois, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 7 Illinois colleges offer American Sign Language.
How much do Interpreters and Translators earn in Illinois?+
The average annual wage for Interpreters and Translators in Illinois is $58,650 (median $55,290), across about 1,510 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the American Sign Language program?+
The American Sign Language (ASL) program focuses on the study and use of ASL as a primary mode of communication within the Deaf community. Designed for students interested in linguistics and communication, this program offers a…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop speaking, active listening, reading comprehension, writing, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Interpreters and Translators?+
The national job outlook is about +1.7% growth with around 6,900 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
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.
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