by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 29 U.S. colleges awarded 480 degrees and certificates in Deaf Studies. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 49% of graduates. College Factual ranks 16 schools in its 2027 Best Deaf Studies Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $32,619 one year after completing, rising to $54,558 after four years.
A 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].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, deaf studies is a widely-pursued major, with 480 degrees awarded annually. 29 colleges award deaf studies degrees, an average of 17 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 87.
By level, the 480 awards include 75 certificates, 32 associate degrees, 234 bachelor’s degrees and 139 master’s degrees.
Women earned 91% of deaf studies degrees and certificates in the latest year (437 of 480). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (268) and Hispanic or Latino (107), and international students earned 3.
College Factual ranks 16 schools in its 2027 Best Deaf Studies Schools ranking, including 8 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks deaf studies schools within 3 states. In all, 29 colleges offer deaf studies programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Deaf Studies Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common deaf studies credential is the bachelor’s degree: 234 of the 480 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to deaf studies call most for Speaking, Reading Comprehension and Active Listening, and for knowledge of English Language, Education and Training and Foreign Language, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Expression and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a deaf studies degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 75 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 32 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 234 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 139 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to deaf studies, at 38.8%.
| 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% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to Deaf Studies, with an average median salary of $50,072; the strongest outlook belongs to Interpreters and Translators, at 12.2% projected job growth. Typical job titles include American Studies Professor, Associate Professor, Ethnic Studies Professor and Faculty Lecturer.
The occupation related to deaf studies with the most projected jobs is Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary, at 718,152.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | 718,152 | 6.5% |
| Interpreters and Translators | 424,722 | 12.2% |
Deaf Studies graduates earn a median $32,619 one year after completing their program, $54,558 after four years and $53,148 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $32,619 |
| 4 years | $54,558 |
| 5 years | $53,148 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to deaf studies, with a median salary of $52,627.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Interpreters and Translators | $52,627 |
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | $47,517 |
Deaf Studies has 11 similar majors in the Ethnic, Culture & Gender Studies field, which together award 8,961 degrees a year; the largest are Women’s Studies (2,703), Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies, Other (2,446) and African-American/Black Studies (985). Browse all Ethnic, Culture & Gender Studies majors or the full list of college majors.
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