Compare 123 Deaf Studies. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $38,651. Top programs: $56,883+.
The highest-earning Deaf Studies program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $7K earnings gap across 123 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
Wellesley College's Deaf Studies program leads with graduates earning $56,883, while the University of Hawaii at Hilo follows closely at $55,804. The average across all programs is $38,651, yet these top performers demonstrate that specialized programs can deliver strong outcomes regardless of overall institutional reputation.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Wellesley graduates borrow $10,000 and face just a 4.0% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. At Hawaii-Hilo, students face an 8.5% burden—still in the 'Good' range, proving that strong programs can remain accessible.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Wellesley CollegePrivate | $56,883 | 20 | $10,000 | Excellent | $38,825 | Challenging |
| #2 | $55,804 | 19 | $20,500 | Good | $20,688 | Challenging | |
| #3 | $55,761 | 31 | $26,000 | Good | $58,410 | High | |
| #4 | $54,840 | 118 | $13,000 | Excellent | $28,508 | Challenging | |
| #5 | $54,339 | 26 | $21,500 | Good | $25,294 | Challenging | |
| #6 | $54,012 | 13 | $18,000 | Excellent | $31,803 | Challenging | |
| #7 | Sonoma State UniversityPublic | $52,579 | 44 | $16,705 | Excellent | $27,986 | Challenging |
| #8 | Mount Holyoke CollegePrivate | $52,260 | 11 | $22,902 | Good | $31,129 | High |
| #9 | University Of FloridaPublic | $51,916 | 66 | $15,000 | Excellent | $18,837 | Manageable |
| #10 | Cuny Hunter CollegePublic | $51,744 | 35 | $11,000 | Excellent | $20,252 | Manageable |
| #11 | $51,688 | 17 | $26,814 | Manageable | $36,545 | High | |
| #12 | $51,490 | 343 | $14,000 | Excellent | $26,176 | Challenging | |
| #13 | $50,598 | 18 | $19,000 | Good | $35,200 | High | |
| #14 | Grinnell CollegePrivate | $50,359 | 14 | $17,500 | Good | $36,324 | High |
| #15 | $50,330 | 23 | $22,250 | Good | $28,000 | High | |
| #16 | Towson UniversityPublic | $50,084 | 43 | $18,718 | Good | $28,489 | High |
| #17 | $49,977 | 165 | $16,666 | Good | $28,682 | Challenging | |
| #18 | $49,933 | 72 | $14,615 | Excellent | $24,883 | Challenging | |
| #19 | $49,321 | 23 | $22,763 | Good | $26,243 | High | |
| #20 | $49,258 | 36 | $20,500 | Good | $26,632 | High | |
| #21 | Gallaudet UniversityPrivate | $48,417 | 17 | $18,000 | Good | $15,442 | Challenging |
| #22 | $48,260 | 108 | $15,371 | Good | $19,732 | Challenging | |
| #23 | Brandeis UniversityPrivate | $48,239 | 20 | $25,648 | Manageable | $35,451 | High |
| #24 | Cuny Brooklyn CollegePublic | $48,233 | 91 | $11,000 | Excellent | $17,273 | Manageable |
| #25 | $47,820 | 45 | $15,500 | Good | $24,257 | Challenging |
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 →
