Best colleges for American Sign Language
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for American Sign Language by graduate earnings are Gallaudet University ($37,235), William Woods University ($36,948) and University of North Florida ($32,695), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Gallaudet University (Washington, DC): $37,235, 55 graduates a year
- William Woods University (Fulton, MO): $36,948, 35 graduates a year
- University of North Florida (Jacksonville, FL): $32,695, 45 graduates a year
- Rochester Institute of Technology (Rochester, NY): $31,969, 31 graduates a year
- Western Oregon University (Monmouth, OR): $31,576, 52 graduates a year
Compare 183 U.S. colleges offering American Sign Language by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 44 states.
American Sign Language programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $33,300 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 16.16 and the Interpreters and Translators occupation (BLS SOC).
About American Sign Language programs
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 comprehensive understanding of sign languages and their cultural significance. It is ideal for those looking to engage with diverse communities and enhance their communication skills.
Students in the ASL program will develop core skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework typically covers the linguistics of ASL, translation techniques, and the ethical considerations involved in interpretation, preparing graduates for various roles within the field.
Top 19 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. 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 | Gallaudet University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $37,235 | 55 | 47% | $14,382 | $30,500 |
| 2 | William Woods University Fulton, MO Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $36,948 | 35 | 47% | $22,203 | $25,287 |
| 3 | University of North Florida Jacksonville, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $32,695 | 45 | 69% | — | — |
| 4 | Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $31,969 | 31 | 70% | $28,133 | $26,870 |
| 5 | Western Oregon University Monmouth, OR Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,576 | 52 | 47% | — | $22,950 |
| 6 | Utah Valley University Orem, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,618 | 81 | 45% | — | $16,763 |
| 7 | Siena Heights University Adrian, MI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $42,890 | 5 | 39% | $17,015 | $22,753 |
| 8 | Valdosta State University Valdosta, GA Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $37,692 | 16 | 42% | — | — |
| 9 | Bethel University Mishawaka, IN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $35,783 | 9 | 53% | $19,676 | — |
| 10 | Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania Bloomsburg, PA Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $35,503 | 18 | 54% | — | $27,000 |
| 11 | Troy University Troy, AL Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $35,336 | 11 | 50% | — | $20,500 |
| 12 | Kent State University at Kent Kent, OH Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $33,929 | 9 | 64% | — | $30,000 |
| 13 | Columbia College Chicago Chicago, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $33,775 | 16 | 52% | $28,087 | $28,818 |
| 14 | University of New Mexico Albuquerque, NM Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $33,300 | 13 | 55% | — | $25,062 |
| 15 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $32,117 | 11 | 65% | $28,911 | — |
| 16 | Keuka College Keuka Park, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $30,294 | 12 | 58% | $24,177 | $26,000 |
| 17 | Madonna University Livonia, MI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $30,013 | 9 | 60% | $16,904 | — |
| 18 | St Catherine University Saint Paul, MN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $28,787 | 4 | 61% | $21,042 | $27,000 |
| 19 | Lamar University Beaumont, TX Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $27,330 | 10 | 37% | — | $24,262 |
Top 2 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Temple University Philadelphia, PA Public · Certificate | $20,761 | 37 | 75% | — | $27,000 |
| 2 | Austin Community College District Austin, TX Public · Certificate | $38,995 | 61 | 20% | — | $8,999 |
Specializations within American Sign Language
4 of the 4 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 16.16 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Sign Language Interpretation and TranslationCIP 16.16031,399 graduates / yr115 institutions43 states
- American Sign Language (ASL)CIP 16.16011,050 graduates / yr100 institutions27 states
- Linguistics of ASL and Other Sign LanguagesCIP 16.1602limited data6 graduates / yr2 institutions2 states
- American Sign LanguageCIP 16.1699limited data5 graduates / yr2 institutions1 states
Offered across 44 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3091, Interpreters and Translators, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the American Sign Language program can pursue careers in sign language interpretation and translation, with an outlook of 1.7% growth and approximately 6,900 annual job openings. The median wage for these positions is around $59,440, and a typical education requirement is a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for American Sign Language
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 16.16.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 16.16 (American Sign Language) maps to 4 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 25-1124 | Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1199 | Postsecondary Teachers, All Other |
| 25-2031 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education |
| 27-3091 | Interpreters and Translatorsprimary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in American Sign Language programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Follow ethical codes that protect the confidentiality of information.
- Translate messages simultaneously or consecutively into specified languages, orally or by using hand signs, maintaining message content, context, and style as much as possible.
- Listen to speakers' statements to determine meanings and to prepare translations, using electronic listening systems as necessary.
- Compile terminology and information to be used in translations, including technical terms such as those for legal or medical material.
- Refer to reference materials, such as dictionaries, lexicons, encyclopedias, and computerized terminology banks, as needed to ensure translation accuracy.
- Check translations of technical terms and terminology to ensure that they are accurate and remain consistent throughout translation revisions.
Common questions
What is American Sign Language?+
American Sign Language is a visual language used by the Deaf community, incorporating hand signs, facial expressions, and body language.
What skills will I learn in this program?+
You will learn skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication in both ASL and English.
What career opportunities are available after graduation?+
Graduates can work as sign language interpreters or translators, among other roles in the field.
What is the job outlook for ASL graduates?+
The job outlook shows a growth rate of 1.7% with about 6,900 annual openings.
How much do American Sign Language graduates earn?+
American Sign Language graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $33,300, College Scorecard (2019); the Interpreters and Translators occupation pays about $66,360 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for American Sign Language?+
American Sign Language maps to CIP 16.16 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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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