by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Deaf Studies covers Deaf Studies. A Program That Focuses On The Sociological, Historical And Linguistic Aspects Of The Deaf And Hearing Impaired, And That Prepares Individuals To Work With The Deaf And Hearing Impaired. Includes Instruction In American Sign Language, Deaf Studies, American Deaf Culture, Structure Of American Sign Language, History Of The American Deaf Community, And Civil Rights Of Deaf People. Examples: [Deaf Studies], [American Sign Language (Asl) And Deaf Studies]. Continue reading for the key facts every deaf studies major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering deaf studies programs.
Across the country, deaf studies is a widely-pursued major, with 398 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Deaf Studies Schools ranking analyzes these 29 schools to determine the best overall colleges for deaf studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of deaf studies programs later in this article.
Programs in Deaf Studies build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations deaf studies graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a deaf studies program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a deaf studies major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several deaf studies degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 17 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 38 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 219 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 124 |
People currently working in careers related to deaf studies tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 38.8% |
| Master’s degree | 29.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 19.7% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 3.4% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 3.0% |
| Post-doctoral training | 2.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.6% |
| First professional degree | 0.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.5% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in deaf studies careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying deaf studies can lead to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to deaf studies.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to deaf studies.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | 718,152 | 6.5% |
| Interpreters and Translators | 424,722 | 12.2% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of deaf studies graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $32,619 |
| 4 years | $46,128 |
| 5 years | $53,144 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for deaf studies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers deaf studies grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Interpreters and Translators | $52,627 |
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | $47,517 |
With 29 different deaf studies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased deaf studies school rankings to help you.
Those considering deaf studies, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
