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American Sign Language at Gallaudet University

Washington, DC · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
34 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
35
Optimistic
34
Base Case
30
Pessimistic
Earnings $37,235/yr (13% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Large (88,500 openings/yr)
ROI 6.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #7 of 19 American Sign Language programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to American Sign Language graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $476K $478K $450K
Earnings Multiple 6.5x 6.5x 6.1x
Probability of Field Employment 44% 40% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 35 34 30

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$73,528
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$56,340
23% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,500
7.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,251
19% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $37,235 at Gallaudet University come in 13% above the national median of $32,891 for American Sign Language programs.

A 6.5x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 5% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some American Sign Language career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $23,500 against $37,235/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #7 ranking among 19 American Sign Language programs places Gallaudet University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The limited growth from $37,235 to $44,251 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.

About Gallaudet University

A 61% admission rate makes Gallaudet University accessible to a wide range of qualified students, a compact campus enrolling 879 students in Washington, DC. Pell Grant recipients make up 54% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Gallaudet University →

Top Career Paths

Postsecondary teachers, all other $78,490/yr
Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary $77,010/yr
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education $64,580/yr
View all 4 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 19 schools offering American Sign Language →

American Sign Language at Other Schools

Siena Heights University ($42,890) Valdosta State University ($37,692) William Woods University ($36,948) Bethel University ($35,783) Troy University ($35,336) Kent State University at Kent ($33,929) Columbia College Chicago ($33,775) University of New Mexico-Main Campus ($33,300)

Other Majors at Gallaudet University

Health and Physical Education/Fitness ($38,090) Social Work ($31,903) Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies ($31,541) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($29,003) Communication and Media Studies ($25,747) Psychology, General ($20,185)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare American Sign Language trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 34/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for American Sign Language at Gallaudet University?
At 34/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring American Sign Language programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study American Sign Language at Gallaudet University?
The 44% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →