Compare 11 Deaf Studies. programs in Massachusetts. Average earnings: $43,545.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Deaf Studies tells a different story. Across 11 programs, earnings range from $26,896 to $56,883—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
Wellesley College's Deaf Studies program leads with graduates earning $56,883, followed closely by Wheaton College at $55,761. The $30K gap between top and bottom programs proves that specialized fields like Deaf Studies reward program selection over institutional prestige—outcomes vary dramatically even among similar liberal arts colleges.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Wellesley graduates borrow $10,000 and face just a 4% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. At Wheaton, students face a 10.7% burden but still maintain 'Good' affordability, showing that strong programs can deliver manageable debt loads.
| 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 | $55,761 | 31 | $26,000 | Good | $58,410 | High | |
| #3 | Mount Holyoke CollegePrivate | $52,260 | 11 | $22,902 | Good | $31,129 | High |
| #4 | $49,321 | 23 | $22,763 | Good | $26,243 | High | |
| #5 | Brandeis UniversityPrivate | $48,239 | 20 | $25,648 | Manageable | $35,451 | High |
| #6 | $44,656 | 20 | $21,974 | Manageable | $17,163 | High | |
| #7 | Smith CollegePrivate | $42,607 | 28 | $17,550 | Manageable | $30,366 | High |
| #8 | Amherst CollegePrivate | $40,120 | 20 | $13,740 | Good | $47,598 | High |
| #9 | Northeastern UniversityPrivate | $32,569 | 8 | $24,250 | High | $34,984 | High |
| #10 | Harvard UniversityPrivate | $29,685 | 25 | $14,000 | High | $28,000 | High |
| #11 | $26,896 | 6 | $22,457 | High | $18,544 | 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 →
