American Sign Languageat Kent State University at Kent
Graduates earn $33,929/yr in their first year — about 3.0% above the national American Sign Language average. Base-case 10-year earnings $451K; scenarios range from $429K to $447K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Kent State
Kent State's ASL program consistently ranks among the best nationally, a reputation that helps graduates secure competitive positions. Your slightly above-average earnings reflect this strong program quality and the robust regional demand for skilled interpreters across Ohio's schools, healthcare systems, and public services. While AI risk appears high due to advancements in basic translation tools, remember that nuanced human communication, cultural context, and in-person interaction in critical settings like medical or legal interpreting remain irreplaceable. Your ability to provide empathy and navigate complex social dynamics is key. To thrive, focus on specializing in areas requiring deep cultural competency and advanced certification, or explore teaching roles where your expertise guides the next generation of interpreters.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Kent State's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering American Sign Language
How Kent State stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Kent State
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Kent State, 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 →Frequently asked about American Sign Language at Kent State
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for American Sign Language at Kent State University at Kent?
A score of 34/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for American Sign Language. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace American Sign Language careers?
With 44% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $428,964 in decade earnings vs $446,679 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.