Compare 7 American Sign Language. programs in the Midwest. Average earnings: $37,531.
With top graduates earning $46,312, American Sign Language stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $8K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
St Catherine University's American Sign Language program leads with graduates earning $46,312, well above the $37,531 average across 7 Midwest programs. Columbia College Chicago follows at $43,072, while William Woods University rounds out the top three at $38,193—demonstrating that specialized programs drive outcomes regardless of overall institutional rankings.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. St Catherine University graduates borrow $24,181 and face just a 14% payment burden, landing in the 'Manageable' category. While Columbia College Chicago offers strong earnings, its $80,700 family debt burden shows why program-level financial planning matters.
Highest program earnings: $46,312
Strong outcomes with 94% acceptance
14.0% payment burden | Manageable
28.5% family burden | High burden - payment over 25% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | St Catherine UniversityPrivate | $46,312 | 14 | $24,181 | Manageable | $21,883 | High |
| #2 | Columbia College ChicagoPrivate | $43,072 | 15 | $25,000 | Manageable | $55,700 | High |
| #3 | William Woods UniversityPrivate | $38,193 | 42 | $21,983 | Challenging | $13,469 | High |
| #4 | Siena Heights UniversityPrivate | $37,208 | 21 | $18,750 | Manageable | $17,192 | High |
| #5 | Augustana UniversityPrivate | $33,993 | 14 | $25,000 | High | $23,546 | High |
| #6 | $33,929 | 22 | $24,500 | High | $21,394 | High | |
| #7 | Madonna UniversityPrivate | $30,013 | 16 | $23,000 | High | $23,657 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
