American Sign Language at Kent State University at Kent

Kent State's ASL program graduates earn slightly above the national median ($33,929 vs. $32,695), landing at the 60th percentile among Ohio programs. More importantly, these graduates carry debt loads that rank in the 5th percentile nationally—meaning 95% of similar programs saddle students with more debt. At $30,000, the debt burden translates to less than a year's salary, which represents manageable repayment for an entry-level social services or education career.

The concern here isn't the numbers themselves but their reliability. With fewer than 30 graduates in this cohort, a handful of individual outcomes can dramatically skew the data. That $33,929 median could easily be $28,000 or $38,000 with a slightly different sample. The same volatility applies to the debt figure. Additionally, ASL careers often require graduate degrees for interpreter certification or teaching positions, so these bachelor's-level earnings may represent stepping stones rather than career endpoints.

For parents whose child is genuinely passionate about deaf education or interpreting, the relatively low debt burden provides breathing room for graduate school or credential work. Just recognize you're making this decision with incomplete information—visit the department, talk to recent graduates, and understand the full career path before committing.