Home Schools Siena Heights University American Sign Language
Foreign Languages · American Sign Language Rank #3 of 19

American Sign Languageat Siena Heights University

Graduates earn $42,890/yr in their first year — about 30.0% above the national American Sign Language average. Base-case 10-year earnings $492K; scenarios range from $462K to $492K depending on AI disruption.

Adrian, MI Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
38 AT RISK
39
Optimistic
33
Pessimistic
Earnings
$42,890
1-year post-graduation
ROI
2.6x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$492K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
49% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Siena Heights University

Siena Heights' ASL program stands out nationally, a testament to its focused curriculum and strong regional connections. The program likely benefits from a consistent demand for highly skilled interpreters and educators across Michigan and neighboring areas, particularly within educational institutions, healthcare systems, and legal settings that serve the Deaf community. This specialized training often leads to graduates securing roles that require a deep understanding of linguistic nuance and cultural competency, contributing to stronger career outcomes.

While AI development poses a future consideration for the field, human interpreters offer invaluable empathy, cultural context, and real-time adaptability that technology currently cannot replicate, especially in sensitive situations. You'll prepare for direct service roles, often interpreting in live, complex environments, or teaching others. To future-proof your career, consider specializing early in areas like medical, legal, or educational interpreting, or pursuing advanced degrees to qualify for postsecondary teaching positions where your expertise will be highly valued.

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
$462K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score33/100
Earnings Multiple3.9x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$492K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score38/100
Earnings Multiple4.1x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$492K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score39/100
Earnings Multiple4.1x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Siena Heights 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 Siena Heights University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
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
Troy University
AL · Public
37
DW Score
$35K
1-yr earn
8.0x
ROI
Also at Siena Heights University

Other top programs at Siena Heights University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Siena Heights 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 Siena Heights University

How does Siena Heights University's American Sign Language program score?

This program scores 38/100 — on the lower end for American Sign Language. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is American Sign Language to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' American Sign Language careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 44% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why does Siena Heights University rank so high for American Sign Language?

The #3 ranking out of 19 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.