Compare 23 American Sign Language. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $42,223. Top programs: $70,859+.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, American Sign Language tells a different story. Across 23 programs, earnings range from $26,353 to $70,859—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation. The $44K spread means where you study ASL matters far more than the prestige of the institution offering it.
Gallaudet University leads with ASL graduates earning $70,859—nearly $29K above runner-up Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania ($59,134) and well above the 23-program average of $42,223. Lamar University, a regional public in Beaumont, Texas, claims third at $54,319. Two of the top three programs are public universities, confirming that outcomes here aren't determined by private-school prestige. [Learn how to evaluate programs beyond school prestige →](https://collegeazimuth.com/blog/how-to-evaluate-programs)
Gallaudet's earnings lead is even more compelling when debt burden enters the picture. Graduates borrow $18,000 and face just a 5.1% payment burden—firmly in the 'Excellent' tier, where loan payments take a trivial share of discretionary income. For families factoring in parent loans, the combined $33,442 in debt produces a 10.1% family burden, rated 'Good.' That combination of top earnings and low debt burden is rare across any field.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Gallaudet UniversityPrivate | $70,859 | 19 | $18,000 | Excellent | $15,442 | Good |
| #2 | $59,134 | 18 | $26,000 | Good | $26,233 | Challenging | |
| #3 | Lamar UniversityPublic | $54,319 | 14 | $21,250 | Good | $11,359 | Manageable |
| #4 | Madonna UniversityPrivate | $50,382 | 9 | $23,000 | Good | $23,657 | Challenging |
| #5 | William Woods UniversityPrivate | $49,889 | 70 | $21,983 | Good | $13,469 | Challenging |
| #6 | $48,295 | 49 | $20,609 | Good | $23,014 | High | |
| #7 | Liberty UniversityPrivate | $48,109 | 6 | $24,500 | Manageable | $16,398 | Challenging |
| #8 | $47,003 | 16 | $20,000 | Good | $17,205 | Challenging | |
| #9 | St Catherine UniversityPrivate | $45,973 | 12 | $24,181 | Manageable | $21,883 | High |
| #10 | Columbia College ChicagoPrivate | $45,619 | 23 | $25,000 | Manageable | $55,700 | High |
| #11 | $45,330 | 39 | $26,778 | Manageable | $35,625 | High | |
| #12 | Siena Heights UniversityPrivate | $44,933 | 12 | $18,750 | Good | $17,192 | Challenging |
| #13 | $42,488 | 14 | $24,500 | Manageable | $21,394 | High | |
| #14 | $39,944 | 14 | $15,531 | Manageable | $13,835 | Challenging | |
| #15 | $39,516 | 16 | $24,779 | Challenging | $19,136 | High | |
| #16 | University Of HoustonPublic | $37,208 | 8 | — | — | — | — |
| #17 | $36,755 | 21 | $22,500 | Challenging | $14,685 | High | |
| #18 | Bethel UniversityPrivate | $35,783 | 5 | — | — | — | — |
| #19 | Augustana UniversityPrivate | $33,993 | 6 | — | — | — | — |
| #20 | Troy UniversityPublic | $26,353 | 8 | — | — | — | — |
| #21 | Georgia State UniversityPublic | $25,656 | 16 | — | — | — | — |
| #22 | $23,456 | 8 | — | — | — | — | |
| #23 | Idaho State UniversityPublic | $20,140 | 8 | — | — | — | — |
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 May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
