Best institutions to study Sign Language Interpretation and Translation
A program that prepares individuals to function as simultaneous interpreters of American Sign Language
115 U.S. institutions graduated 1,399 Sign Language Interpretation and Translation students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 16.1603, a specialization of American Sign Language (CIP 16.16), and leads most directly to the Interpreters and Translators occupation (BLS SOC 27-3091).
About Sign Language Interpretation and Translation programs
A program that prepares individuals to function as simultaneous interpreters of American Sign Language
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Sign Language Interpretation and Translation program focuses on preparing individuals to become skilled interpreters of American Sign Language (ASL). This program is ideal for those interested in facilitating communication between deaf and hearing individuals, ensuring that messages are conveyed accurately and effectively in various settings.
Students in this program will develop core skills in speaking, active listening, reading comprehension, and critical thinking. Coursework includes training in ethical practices, translation techniques, and the use of terminology relevant to various fields, such as legal and medical contexts.
Credentials awarded
What Sign Language Interpretation and Translation graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Associate's degree477 graduates / yr · 73 institutions34%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year377 graduates / yr · 36 institutions27%
- Bachelor's degree321 graduates / yr · 33 institutions23%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years154 graduates / yr · 20 institutions11%
- Master's degree63 graduates / yr · 5 institutions4.5%
- Award of less than 12 weeks4 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.3%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship3 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.2%
Graduates over time
Sign Language Interpretation and Translation completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,697 |
| 2013 | 1,687 |
| 2014 | 1,765 |
| 2015 | 1,858 |
| 2016 | 1,853 |
| 2017 | 1,805 |
| 2018 | 1,873 |
| 2019 | 1,880 |
| 2020 | 1,830 |
| 2021 | 1,767 |
| 2022 | 1,660 |
| 2023 | 1,394 |
| 2024 | 1,413 |
| 2025 | 1,399 |
Top 50 institutions for Sign Language Interpretation and Translation, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tarrant County College District Fort Worth, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 108 | 34% | — | — |
| 2 | Austin Community College District Austin, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 61 | 20% | — | $38,995 |
| 3 | Western Oregon University Monmouth, ORPublicBachelor'sMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 52 | 47% | — | $31,576 |
| 4 | University of North Florida Jacksonville, FLPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 45 | 69% | — | $32,695 |
| 5 | Northern Virginia Community College Annandale, VAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 36 | 33% | — | — |
| 6 | William Woods University Fulton, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 34 | 47% | $22,203 | $36,948 |
| 7 | Southwestern Illinois College Belleville, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 31 | 36% | — | — |
| 8 | Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 31 | 70% | $28,133 | $31,969 |
| 9 | Tyler Junior College Tyler, TXPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 29 | 27% | — | — |
| 10 | Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 28 | 50% | — | — |
| 11 | Eastern Iowa Community College District Davenport, IAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 26 | 45% | — | — |
| 12 | Sierra College Rocklin, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 25 | 42% | — | — |
| 13 | Johnson County Community College Overland Park, KSPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 25 | 31% | — | — |
| 14 | Community College of Baltimore County Baltimore, MDPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 25 | 19% | — | — |
| 15 | University of Arkansas at Little Rock Little Rock, ARPublicAssociate'sBachelor's | 23 | 42% | — | — |
| 16 | Lone Star College System The Woodlands, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 22 | 21% | — | — |
| 17 | J Sargeant Reynolds Community College Richmond, VAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 21 | 32% | — | — |
| 18 | San Antonio College San Antonio, TXPublicAssociate'sAward of less than 12 weeks | 20 | 26% | — | — |
| 19 | Wilson Community College Wilson, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 19 | 27% | — | — |
| 20 | College of DuPage Glen Ellyn, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 18 | 25% | — | — |
| 21 | South Texas College McAllen, TXPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 18 | 27% | — | — |
| 22 | Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania Bloomsburg, PAPublicBachelor's | 18 | 54% | — | $35,503 |
| 23 | University of Northern Colorado Greeley, COPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 17 | 51% | — | — |
| 24 | Antelope Valley Community College District Lancaster, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 16 | 34% | — | — |
| 25 | Gallaudet University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 16 | 47% | $14,382 | $37,235 |
| 26 | Valdosta State University Valdosta, GAPublicBachelor's | 16 | 42% | — | $37,692 |
| 27 | Columbia College Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 16 | 52% | $28,087 | $33,775 |
| 28 | Ocean County College Toms River, NJPublicAssociate's | 16 | 42% | — | — |
| 29 | Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Cincinnati, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 16 | 16% | — | — |
| 30 | Columbus State Community College Columbus, OHPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 16 | 28% | — | — |
| 31 | Solano Community College Fairfield, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 15 | 36% | — | — |
| 32 | El Paso Community College El Paso, TXPublicAssociate's | 15 | 24% | — | — |
| 33 | American River College Sacramento, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 14 | 37% | — | — |
| 34 | Riverside City College Riverside, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 14 | 37% | — | — |
| 35 | Hinds Community College Raymond, MSPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 14 | 43% | — | — |
| 36 | Western Piedmont Community College Morganton, NCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 14 | 49% | — | — |
| 37 | El Camino Community College District Torrance, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 13 | 42% | — | — |
| 38 | Idaho State University Pocatello, IDPublicBachelor'sAssociate's | 13 | 39% | — | — |
| 39 | University of New Mexico - Main Campus Albuquerque, NMPublicBachelor's | 13 | 55% | — | $33,300 |
| 40 | University of Akron Main Campus Akron, OHPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 13 | 52% | — | — |
| 41 | Del Mar College Corpus Christi, TXPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 12 | 11% | — | — |
| 42 | Houston City College Houston, TXPublicAssociate's | 12 | 17% | — | — |
| 43 | Troy University Troy, ALPublicBachelor's | 11 | 50% | — | $35,336 |
| 44 | Mt San Antonio College Walnut, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 11 | 45% | — | — |
| 45 | Palomar College San Marcos, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 11 | 38% | — | — |
| 46 | Saddleback College Mission Viejo, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 11 | 48% | — | — |
| 47 | San Diego Mesa College San Diego, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 11 | 35% | — | — |
| 48 | Tidewater Community College Norfolk, VAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 11 | 32% | — | — |
| 49 | Saint Paul College Saint Paul, MNPublicAssociate's | 10 | 40% | — | — |
| 50 | Central Piedmont Community College Charlotte, NCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 10 | 31% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader American Sign Language field (CIP 16.16) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 43 states & territories
Where Sign Language Interpretation and Translation graduates come from. Each state links to all American Sign Language programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3091, Interpreters and Translators, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Sign Language Interpretation and Translation program often pursue careers as interpreters and translators. The job outlook indicates little or no change in the field, with approximately 6,900 annual openings and a median wage of $59,440. A bachelor's degree is typically required for these positions.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 16.1603
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Interpreters and Translatorsprimary SOC 27-3091 | $60,170 | +1.7% Little or no change | ~6,900 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Sign Language Interpretation and Translation programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
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.
Tools and technology used
Other American Sign Language specializations
The 3 other 6-digit CIP codes under American Sign Language (CIP 16.16).
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn an Associate's degree, a Bachelor's degree, or an Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in speaking, active listening, critical thinking, and translation techniques.
What is the job outlook for interpreters?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 6,900 annual openings.
What is the median wage for interpreters?+
The median wage for interpreters and translators is $59,440.
What is the CIP code for Sign Language Interpretation and Translation?+
Sign Language Interpretation and Translation is CIP 16.1603 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within American Sign Language (CIP 16.16). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to function as simultaneous interpreters of American Sign Language
How many institutions offer Sign Language Interpretation and Translation programs?+
115 U.S. institutions reported Sign Language Interpretation and Translation graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 43 states & territories, awarding 1,399 credentials in the year. That is 56.9% of all American Sign Language graduates.
How much do Sign Language Interpretation and Translation graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Interpreters and Translators occupation, which Sign Language Interpretation and Translation most directly leads to, pays a median of $60,170 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader American Sign Language field report median earnings of $33,929 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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