Best Schools for American Sign Language

American Sign Language graduates earn a median of $45,855 within four years of graduating, ranking #207 out of 283 tracked majors — 27% below the median across all fields. There are 24 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 485 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: Gallaudet University graduates earn $70,859 while Eastern Kentucky University graduates earn $36,755 — a $34,104 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap. Across all fields, though, which major you pick separates earnings more than which college does.

Early career salary growth is moderate: American Sign Language graduates see an average 9% increase between year 1 and year 2 post-graduation, reflecting career advancement and skill development in the first years after college.

Schools

$45,855

Avg. 2yr Earnings

#207

of 283 Majors

485

Graduates

Public vs Private: American Sign Language

Public (14 schools)

$44,402

avg. 2yr earnings

Private (10 schools)

$49,390

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $4,988 more in early earnings on average for American Sign Language graduates. Factor in tuition difference to calculate which offers better ROI.

American Sign Language by State

Top American Sign Language Schools by Graduate Earnings

Gallaudet University

Washington, DC · Private

$70,859

4yr Earnings

27 grads · small sample

2yr: $39,729 (25)

1yr: $40,225 (23)

Acceptance: 60.9%

Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania

Bloomsburg, PA · Public

$59,134

4yr Earnings

30 grads · small sample

1yr: $39,583 (28)

Acceptance: 94.8%

Lamar University

Beaumont, TX · Public

$54,319

4yr Earnings

26 grads · small sample

2yr: $41,565 (15)

1yr: $37,816 (18)

Acceptance: 85.7%

Madonna University

Livonia, MI · Private

$50,382

4yr Earnings

16 grads · small sample

1yr: $33,834 (17)

Acceptance: 92.9%

William Woods University

Fulton, MO · Private

Western Oregon University

Monmouth, OR · Public

$48,295

4yr Earnings

30 grads · small sample

2yr: $26,850 (27)

1yr: $27,834 (23)

Acceptance: 98.7%

Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA · Private

$48,109

4yr Earnings

20 grads · small sample

1yr: $35,141 (20)

Acceptance: 99.3%

Indiana University-Indianapolis

Indianapolis, IN · Public

$47,003

4yr Earnings

21 grads · small sample

1yr: $22,300 (23)

Acceptance: 81.4%

St Catherine University

Saint Paul, MN · Private

$45,973

4yr Earnings

18 grads · small sample

Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, IL · Private

Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester, NY · Private

Siena Heights University

Adrian, MI · Private

$44,933

4yr Earnings

26 grads · small sample

Keuka College

Keuka Park, NY · Private

$43,419

4yr Earnings

28 grads · small sample

1yr: $33,419 (18)

Acceptance: 93.9%

#14

Kent State University at Kent

Kent, OH · Public

$42,488

4yr Earnings

24 grads · small sample

1yr: $32,146 (19)

Acceptance: 86.7%

#15

University of North Florida

Jacksonville, FL · Public

$39,944

4yr Earnings

23 grads · small sample

Valdosta State University

Valdosta, GA · Public

$39,516

4yr Earnings

16 grads · small sample

University of New Hampshire-Main Campus

Durham, NH · Public

$38,282

4yr Earnings

16 grads · small sample

Acceptance: 86.9%

#18

University of New Hampshire at Manchester

Manchester, NH · Public

$38,282

4yr Earnings

16 grads · small sample

Acceptance: 87.3%

#19

Eastern Kentucky University

Richmond, KY · Public

$36,755

4yr Earnings

16 grads · small sample

University of Houston

Houston, TX · Public

Augustana University

Sioux Falls, SD · Private

Troy University

Troy, AL · Public

University of Louisville

Louisville, KY · Public

University of New Mexico-Main Campus

Albuquerque, NM · Public

$23,456

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 95.5%

Majors with Similar Earnings

Behavioral Sciences $31,475 Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other $31,451 Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General $31,384 Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management $31,327 Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other $31,287 Area Studies $31,099

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for American Sign Language?

Gallaudet University ranks #1 for American Sign Language with median graduate earnings of $70,859 within four years of graduating. There are 24 schools nationwide offering this major with tracked earnings data.

How much do American Sign Language graduates earn?

American Sign Language graduates earn an average of $45,855 within four years of graduating. This is 27% below the median across all majors. Earnings range from $36,755 to $70,859 depending on the school.

How hard is it to get into a top American Sign Language program?

The average acceptance rate across American Sign Language programs is 82.8%. The most selective program is at Augustana University with a 59.3% acceptance rate. Competitive programs value strong math/analytical skills and relevant coursework.

Is a public or private school better for American Sign Language?

Private American Sign Language programs average $49,390 in early earnings vs $44,402 at public schools. Private schools lead in earnings, but cost significantly more — calculate net price before deciding.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders, from the field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release — Scorecard publishes the two separately.

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