by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 101 U.S. colleges awarded 1,057 degrees and certificates in American Sign Language (ASL). Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 47% of graduates. College Factual ranks 36 schools in its 2027 Best American Sign Language (ASL) Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $36,601 one year after completing, rising to $47,040 after four years.
A 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.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, american sign language (asl) is a popular field of study, with 1,057 degrees awarded annually. 101 colleges award american sign language (asl) degrees, an average of 10 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 81.
By level, the 1,057 awards include 55 certificates, 347 associate degrees, 139 bachelor’s degrees and 494 master’s degrees.
Women earned 89% of american sign language (asl) degrees and certificates in the latest year (937 of 1,057). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (605) and Hispanic or Latino (260), and international students earned 3.
College Factual ranks 36 schools in its 2027 Best American Sign Language (ASL) Schools ranking, including 5 for bachelor’s degrees and 1 for master’s degrees. It also ranks american sign language (asl) schools within 5 states. In all, 101 colleges offer american sign language (asl) programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value American Sign Language (ASL) Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common american sign language (asl) credential is the master’s degree: 494 of the 1,057 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to american sign language (asl) call most for Speaking, Active Listening and Reading Comprehension, and for knowledge of English Language, Education and Training and Foreign Language, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Speech Clarity, Oral Expression and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an american sign language (asl) degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 55 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 347 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 139 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 494 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to american sign language (asl), at 45.2%.
| 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% |
Source: O*NET Online.
3 occupations are related to American Sign Language (ASL), with an average median salary of $56,790; the strongest outlook belongs to Interpreters and Translators, at 12.2% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Teacher, Language Arts Teacher, French Teacher and Bilingual Teacher.
The occupation related to american sign language (asl) with the most projected jobs is Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary, at 629,317.
| 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% |
American Sign Language (ASL) graduates earn a median $36,601 one year after completing their program, $47,040 after four years and $43,723 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $36,601 |
| 4 years | $47,040 |
| 5 years | $43,723 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to american sign language (asl) is Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education, with a median salary of $77,927.
| 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 |
American Sign Language (ASL) has 3 similar majors in the Foreign Languages & Linguistics field, which together award 1,414 degrees a year; the largest are Sign Language Interpretation and Translation (1,403), Linguistics of ASL and Other Sign Languages (6) and American Sign Language, Other (5). Browse all Foreign Languages & Linguistics majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Sign Language Interpretation and Translation | 1,403 |
| Linguistics of ASL and Other Sign Languages | 6 |
| American Sign Language, Other | 5 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
