Deaf Studies: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Deaf Studies is an interdisciplinary field dedicated to understanding the linguistic, cultural, and historical dimensions of deafness and the deaf community. This program equips students with the knowledge and competencies needed to engage meaningfully with Deaf individuals and communities, emphasizing both academic insight and real-world application.
- American Sign Language (ASL): Explores the grammar, syntax, and expressive nuances of ASL as a fully developed natural language, distinct from English.
- Deaf Studies: Examines the social, educational, and institutional experiences of Deaf individuals within broader societal frameworks.
- American Deaf Culture: Investigates the values, traditions, arts, and community practices that define the unique cultural identity of the Deaf community in the United States.
- Structure of American Sign Language: Focuses on the linguistic foundations of ASL, including phonology, morphology, and discourse patterns specific to sign languages.
- History of the American Deaf Community: Traces the evolution of Deaf life, institutions, and advocacy movements from early settlement to contemporary developments.
- Civil Rights of Deaf People: Addresses legal protections, accessibility challenges, and the ongoing struggle for equal treatment and recognition within education, employment, and public services.
Deaf Studies Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Deaf Studies Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Deaf Studies degrees, including Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary and Interpreters and Translators. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 64,790 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1062 | $84,290 | $51,130 - $164,650 | 11,430 | N/A |
| Interpreters and Translators 27-3091 | $59,440 | $35,630 - $99,830 | 53,360 | $28.58 |
Deaf Studies Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $45,060 in Louisiana to $100,680 in Rhode Island—a 123% difference. The highest-paying states include Rhode Island, California, and New York. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 64,790 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Deaf Studies by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 29 institutions offering Deaf Studies programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Deaf Studies is found at California State University (CSUN), Northridge (91 graduates), Sinclair Community College (36 graduates), Ohio University (OHIO), Main Campus (28 graduates), California State University (CSULB), Long Beach (25 graduates), and Stark State College (23 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 398 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California State University (CSUN) |
Bachelor's
|
91 | Northridge, California | Public | csun.edu |
| Sinclair Community College |
Other Award
|
36 | Dayton, Ohio | Public | sinclair.edu |
| Ohio University (OHIO) |
Other Award
|
28 | Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
| California State University (CSULB) |
Bachelor's
|
25 | Long Beach, California | Public | csulb.edu |
| Stark State College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
23 | North Canton, Ohio | Public | starkstate.edu |
| Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) |
Associate's
|
23 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | ccbcmd.edu |
| Gallaudet University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
21 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | gallaudet.edu |
| Towson University (TU) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Towson, Maryland | Public | towson.edu |
| Phoenix College (PC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
13 | Phoenix, Arizona | Public | phoenixcollege.edu |
| California State University |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Sacramento, California | Public | csus.edu |
| Henry Ford College (HFC) |
Other Award
|
13 | Dearborn, Michigan | Public | hfcc.edu |
| Central Michigan University (CMU) |
Other Award
|
12 | Mount Pleasant, Michigan | Public | cmich.edu |
| Carolina University (CU) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Winston-Salem, North Carolina | Private | carolinau.edu |
| Georgia State University |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | gsu.edu |
| Western Nevada College (WNC) |
Associate's
|
9 | Carson City, Nevada | Public | wnc.edu |
| California State University |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Fresno, California | Public | fresnostate.edu |
| Central Lakes College (CLC) |
Other Award
|
7 | Brainerd, Minnesota | Public | clcmn.edu |
| College of Southern Nevada (CSN) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Public | csn.edu |
| The University of Tennessee |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Knoxville, Tennessee | Public | utk.edu |
| Nevada State University (NSU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Henderson, Nevada | Public | nsc.edu |
| University of Memphis (UofM) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Memphis, Tennessee | Public | memphis.edu |
| Columbia College Chicago (CCC) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | colum.edu |
| Quinsigamond Community College (QCC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Worcester, Massachusetts | Public | qcc.edu |
| Bristol Community College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
2 | Fall River, Massachusetts | Public | bristolcc.edu |
| Holyoke Community College (HCC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Holyoke, Massachusetts | Public | hcc.edu |
| Connecticut State Community College (CT State) |
Other Award
|
1 | Hartford, Connecticut | Public | ctstate.edu |
| Western Kentucky University (WKU) |
Other Award
|
1 | Bowling Green, Kentucky | Public | wku.edu |
| Northern Michigan University (NMU) |
Other Award
|
1 | Marquette, Michigan | Public | nmu.edu |
| Portland Community College (PCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Portland, Oregon | Public | pcc.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Deaf Studies programs
How much can I earn with a Deaf Studies degree?
Salaries for Deaf Studies graduates vary by role and location. Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $84,290 annually, while Interpreters and Translators earn around $59,440. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Rhode Island average $100,680 compared to $45,060 in Louisiana. Approximately 64,790 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Deaf Studies programs?
Currently 29 accredited institutions offer Deaf Studies degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include California State University (CSUN), Northridge (91 graduates), Sinclair Community College (36 graduates), and Ohio University (OHIO), Main Campus (28 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Deaf Studies growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 3 in 2010 to 398 in 2023-24. This represents a 13,167% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Deaf Studies degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary, Interpreters and Translators, . Related occupations employ approximately 64,790 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Related Cultural Studies Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Cultural Studies field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
American Studies
A program that focuses on the history, society, politics, culture, and economics of the United States and its Pre-Columbian and colonial predecessors, and...
Asian Studies
A program that focuses on the history, society, politics, culture, and economics of one or more of the peoples of the Asian Continent,...
East Asian Studies
A program that focuses on the history, society, politics, culture, and economics of one or more of the peoples of East Asia, defined...
Russian and East European Studies
A program that focuses on the history, society, politics, culture, and economics of the region encompassing Russia, Central Europe, Eastern Europe, and Eurasia,...
European Studies and Civilization
A program that focuses on the history, society, politics, culture, and economics of one or more of the peoples of the European Continent,...
Latin American Studies
A program that focuses on the history, society, politics, culture, and economics of one or more of the Hispanic peoples of the North...