American Sign Language at Siena Heights University

At first glance, Siena Heights' ASL program looks exceptional—$42,890 first-year earnings ranks in the 95th percentile nationally, well above the typical $32,695 for ASL graduates. But Michigan context tells a more measured story: this sits at just the 60th percentile statewide, where ASL graduates generally earn more than the national average ($36,452 state median). The debt load of $22,753 is manageable, creating a 0.53 debt-to-earnings ratio that should allow reasonable repayment within a few years.

The major caveat here is sample size—with fewer than 30 graduates in the data, a handful of unusually successful graduates could be skewing these numbers upward. That's particularly worth noting given that Madonna University, another Michigan ASL program, shows significantly lower earnings ($30,013). This suggests outcomes may vary considerably based on individual circumstances, connections, or career paths within the field.

For parents comfortable with some uncertainty in the data, this program offers solid financial fundamentals: moderate debt paired with above-average earnings for the field. Just recognize you're betting on a small track record, and Michigan's stronger ASL job market may be doing some of the heavy lifting here.