Home Schools Lamar University American Sign Language
Foreign Languages · American Sign Language Rank #13 of 19

American Sign Languageat Lamar University

Graduates earn $27,330/yr in their first year — about 17.0% below the national American Sign Language average. Base-case 10-year earnings $421K; scenarios range from $405K to $413K depending on AI disruption.

Beaumont, TX Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
29 AT RISK
30
Optimistic
27
Pessimistic
Earnings
$27,330
1-year post-graduation
ROI
6.9x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$421K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
49% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Lamar University

The data presented suggests a challenging outlook for this program. You're entering a niche field where the regional labor market, particularly around Beaumont, often offers more limited and lower-paying opportunities for interpreters and educators compared to major metropolitan hubs. Many graduates find themselves in K-12 schools, community services, or healthcare settings, where salaries are often constrained by public sector budgets. Furthermore, the interpreting and translation industry is facing significant disruption from rapidly advancing AI technologies, which could impact future demand for entry-level roles. To succeed, you'll need to thoroughly research local demand for specific ASL specializations or consider pairing this degree with a complementary skill set, like education or social work, to broaden your career prospects and enhance your long-term employability.

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
$405K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score27/100
Earnings Multiple11.6x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$421K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score29/100
Earnings Multiple12.1x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$413K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score30/100
Earnings Multiple11.9x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Lamar 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 Lamar 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
Gallaudet University
DC · Private nonprofit
34
DW Score
$37K
1-yr earn
5.0x
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
Also at Lamar University

Other top programs at Lamar University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Lamar 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 Lamar University

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for American Sign Language at Lamar University?

A score of 29/100 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 $404,801 in decade earnings vs $413,102 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with American Sign Language from Lamar University?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.