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Foreign Languages · American Sign Language Rank #7 of 19

American Sign Languageat Gallaudet University

Graduates earn $37,235/yr in their first year — about 13.0% above the national American Sign Language average. Base-case 10-year earnings $478K; scenarios range from $450K to $476K depending on AI disruption.

Washington, DC Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
34 AT RISK
35
Optimistic
30
Pessimistic
Earnings
$37,235
1-year post-graduation
ROI
5.0x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$478K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
49% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Gallaudet University

Studying ASL at Gallaudet offers an exceptional foundation, far beyond typical language acquisition. Your immersion in the deaf community on campus provides a unique cultural competency, highly valued by employers. This deep understanding, coupled with Gallaudet's unparalleled reputation as the world's premier institution for deaf education, often translates into strong early career advantages. Washington D.C.'s robust ecosystem of federal agencies, international organizations, and non-profits creates consistent demand for skilled interpreters and educators, providing excellent local career prospects. While AI advancements pose a consideration for some language roles, the complex, human-centric nature of professional interpreting in fields like healthcare, law, or education requires nuanced judgment and cultural sensitivity that technology cannot fully replicate. Focus on advanced certifications and specialized areas to secure your long-term value.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$450K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score30/100
Earnings Multiple6.1x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$478K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score34/100
Earnings Multiple6.5x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$476K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score35/100
Earnings Multiple6.5x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Gallaudet University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where American Sign Language graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Postsecondary teachers, all other
+1.8% 10-yr growth · 13,500 openings/yr
$78,490/yr
Low
2
Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary
-0.2% 10-yr growth · 1,900 openings/yr
$77,010/yr
High
3
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education
-1.6% 10-yr growth · 66,200 openings/yr
$64,580/yr
Moderate
4
Interpreters and translators
+1.7% 10-yr growth · 6,900 openings/yr
$59,440/yr
Very High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering American Sign Language

How Gallaudet University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Siena Heights University
MI · Private nonprofit
38
DW Score
$43K
1-yr earn
2.6x
ROI
Top score
Valdosta State University
GA · Public
45
DW Score
$38K
1-yr earn
14.7x
ROI
William Woods University
MO · Private nonprofit
31
DW Score
$37K
1-yr earn
2.9x
ROI
Bethel University
IN · Private nonprofit
31
DW Score
$36K
1-yr earn
1.7x
ROI
Troy University
AL · Public
37
DW Score
$35K
1-yr earn
8.0x
ROI
Also at Gallaudet University

Other top programs at Gallaudet University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Gallaudet University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in American Sign Language offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare American Sign Language trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about American Sign Language at Gallaudet University

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.