Rankings › Social Sciences & Humanities
College Rankings
Best American Sign Language Schools
All 20 U.S. colleges offering an undergraduate American Sign Language degree, ranked by early-career earnings and return on investment — using each school's real, aid-adjusted net price rather than sticker tuition.
Is American Sign Language worth it?
It is a reliable, steady career path, provided you do not overpay for your degree. The demand for qualified, certified interpreters is constant—driven by accessibility laws and a chronic national shortage of professionals—but salaries in this field are solid rather than spectacular. Because earnings for interpreters are relatively flat across the board, the return-on-investment math heavily favors low-cost public universities and regional colleges over expensive private institutions. If you can get your interpreting credentials and pass your certification exams without taking on massive student debt, the degree pays for itself very quickly.
| # | School | State | Median earnings | Net price / yr | 10-yr net ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Valdosta State University | GA | $37,692 | $10,945† | +$333K |
| 2 | Siena Heights University | MI | $42,890 | $17,124 | +$360K |
| 3 | University of North Florida | FL | $32,695 | $10,154† | +$286K |
| 4 | Gallaudet University | DC | $37,235 | $15,845 | +$309K |
| 5 | Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania | PA | $35,503 | $15,699† | +$292K |
| 6 | Bethel University | IN | $35,783 | $18,610 | +$283K |
| 7 | Troy University | AL | $35,336 | $16,527† | +$287K |
| 8 | Utah Valley University | UT | $27,618 | $6,376† | +$251K |
| 9 | University of New Mexico-Main Campus | NM | $33,300 | $15,489† | +$271K |
| 10 | Western Oregon University | OR | $31,576 | $17,237† | +$247K |
| 11 | Kent State University at Kent | OH | $33,929 | $20,787† | +$256K |
| 12 | St Catherine University | MN | $28,787 | $19,764 | +$209K |
| 13 | Lamar University | TX | $27,330 | $9,366† | +$236K |
| 14 | William Woods University | MO | $36,948 | $26,569 | +$263K |
| 15 | Columbia College Chicago | IL | $33,775 | $26,598 | +$231K |
| 16 | Liberty University | VA | $32,117 | $29,357 | +$204K |
| 17 | Madonna University | MI | $30,013 | $17,755 | +$229K |
| 18 | Keuka College | NY | $30,294 | $24,338 | +$206K |
| 19 | Rochester Institute of Technology | NY | $31,969 | $34,906 | +$180K |
| 20 | Georgia State University | GA | $25,656 | $15,931† | +$193K |
Top 10 programs by 10-year net ROI
Why these schools rank where they do
Valdosta State University takes the top spot by perfectly balancing affordability with a highly practical curriculum. Its ASL/English Interpreting program is housed within the College of Education, creating a seamless, well-established pipeline into school districts across the Southeast that are desperate for educational interpreters. Siena Heights and the University of North Florida follow closely behind for the exact same reason: they offer rigorous, credential-focused training at a highly accessible price point.
But the most fascinating story in this data is the placement of the field's two undisputed academic heavyweights: Gallaudet University and the Rochester Institute of Technology (home to the National Technical Institute for the Deaf). Gallaudet, the global epicenter of Deaf culture and education, posts excellent graduate outcomes and lands comfortably at number four, proving its immersive environment translates to real-world career stability. Meanwhile, RIT offers one of the most prestigious interpreting programs in the country but sinks to number nineteen. The culprit is not a lack of employer demand—RIT grads are heavily recruited—but rather the steep tuition of a private technical university, which severely eats into the long-term financial return of a standard interpreter's salary.
What is American Sign Language?
American Sign Language majors do not just learn a language; they master the complex cognitive gymnastics of simultaneous translation between English and ASL. Graduates work as interpreters in hospitals, courtrooms, corporate boardrooms, and classrooms, acting as the vital communication bridge between Deaf and hearing communities.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be fluent in ASL before I declare the major?
Most programs do not require total fluency on day one, but they do expect a strong foundational understanding. You will typically take foundational language courses in your first year, but you will almost certainly need to pass an ASL proficiency evaluation before being formally admitted into the upper-level interpreting coursework.
What is the difference between Deaf Studies and ASL Interpreting?
Deaf Studies is an interdisciplinary academic field focusing on the culture, history, and sociology of the Deaf community, which often leads to advocacy, social work, or community education roles. ASL Interpreting is a rigorous, skills-based professional training track specifically designed to prepare you for the cognitive demands of translation and the national interpreter certification exams.
Do I need national certification to get a job?
It depends on your state and your specific employer, but generally, yes. While some entry-level educational roles might allow you to start working with state-level credentials or an educational assessment score, passing the National Interpreter Certification (NIC) exam is the industry gold standard. Earning your NIC unlocks higher pay, medical and legal interpreting opportunities, and premium freelance work.