by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in American Sign Language (ASL) involves the study of American Sign Language (Asl). A Program That Focuses On American Sign Language As A Visual And Motor Medium Of Communication And Discourse For Deaf Individuals And Deaf Culture. Includes Instruction In The Development Of Asl, Asl Morphology And Syntax, Signing Technique, English Translation Of Asl, Formal And Colloquial Asl, And Asl Transcription. Read on to learn the key facts every american sign language (asl) student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering american sign language (asl) programs.
Across the country, american sign language (asl) is a popular field of study, with 879 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best American Sign Language (ASL) Schools ranking analyzes these 102 schools to determine the best overall colleges for american sign language (asl) students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of american sign language (asl) programs later in this article.
Coursework for American Sign Language (ASL) emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations american sign language (asl) graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a american sign language (asl) program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a american sign language (asl) major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several american sign language (asl) 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 | 55 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 306 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 135 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 368 |
People currently working in careers related to american sign language (asl) tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 45.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 28.2% |
| Master’s degree | 15.1% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 3.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.3% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in american sign language (asl) careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in american sign language (asl) opens doors to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to american sign language (asl).
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to american sign language (asl).
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | 629,317 | 7.3% |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 571,954 | 1.8% |
| Interpreters and Translators | 424,722 | 12.2% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of american sign language (asl) graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $36,601 |
| 4 years | $38,080 |
| 5 years | $43,723 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for american sign language (asl) graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers american sign language (asl) grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $77,927 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $52,627 |
| Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $39,815 |
With 102 different american sign language (asl) programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased american sign language (asl) school rankings to help you.
Those considering american sign language (asl), you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Sign Language Interpretation and Translation | 1,420 |
| Linguistics of ASL and Other Sign Languages | 10 |
| American Sign Language, Other | 2 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
