Compare 24 Deaf Studies. programs in California. Average earnings: $41,637.
With top graduates earning $54,840, Deaf Studies stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $13K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
The data puts UC Berkeley first, with Deaf Studies graduates earning $54,840, well above the $41,637 average across California's 24 programs. USC follows closely at $54,012, but the real story is Sonoma State at $52,579—a regional public competing directly with prestigious privates while maintaining 95% acceptance.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. UC Berkeley graduates borrow $13,000 and face just a 5.5% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, making it the standout choice for affordability.
Highest program earnings: $54,840
Strong outcomes ($52,579) with 95% acceptance
5.5% payment burden | Excellent
19.0% family burden | Challenging
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $54,840 | 118 | $13,000 | Excellent | $28,508 | Challenging | |
| #2 | $54,012 | 13 | $18,000 | Excellent | $31,803 | Challenging | |
| #3 | Sonoma State UniversityPublic | $52,579 | 44 | $16,705 | Excellent | $27,986 | Challenging |
| #4 | $51,490 | 343 | $14,000 | Excellent | $26,176 | Challenging | |
| #5 | $49,977 | 165 | $16,666 | Good | $28,682 | Challenging | |
| #6 | $48,260 | 108 | $15,371 | Good | $19,732 | Challenging | |
| #7 | $47,820 | 45 | $15,500 | Good | $24,257 | Challenging | |
| #8 | $47,511 | 32 | $16,544 | Good | $15,738 | Challenging | |
| #9 | $46,911 | 177 | $13,000 | Excellent | $25,733 | Challenging | |
| #10 | $46,808 | 118 | $13,993 | Excellent | $26,465 | High | |
| #11 | $45,701 | 38 | $13,750 | Good | $16,538 | Challenging | |
| #12 | $45,590 | 101 | $15,000 | Good | $16,507 | Challenging | |
| #13 | $44,497 | 54 | $17,500 | Good | $18,275 | Challenging | |
| #14 | $44,473 | 21 | $16,000 | Good | $15,000 | Challenging | |
| #15 | $43,896 | 43 | $15,000 | Good | $22,665 | High | |
| #16 | $40,003 | 92 | $14,289 | Good | $15,177 | Challenging | |
| #17 | $39,004 | 260 | $13,872 | Good | $13,522 | Challenging | |
| #18 | Pepperdine UniversityPrivate | $31,781 | 12 | $23,510 | High | $41,309 | High |
| #19 | Stanford UniversityPrivate | $31,133 | 37 | $12,000 | Challenging | $38,333 | High |
| #20 | $30,844 | 18 | $18,000 | High | $18,257 | High | |
| #21 | $27,058 | 37 | $13,000 | High | $12,526 | High | |
| #22 | Loyola Marymount UniversityPrivate | $26,868 | 17 | $19,500 | High | $58,361 | High |
| #23 | $26,715 | 34 | $15,000 | High | $25,565 | High | |
| #24 | $21,508 | 38 | $14,505 | High | $12,050 | 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 →
