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Sign language interpreter education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a sign language interpreter. Sign language interpreters usually study american sign language, special education, or business. 48% of sign language interpreters hold a bachelor's degree, and 33% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 2,627 real sign language interpreter resumes to see exactly what sign language interpreter education sections show.
The most common colleges for sign language interpreters are the California State University - Northridge and the California State University - Northridge.
There are also many online sign language interpreter courses to help get the education required to be a sign language interpreter.
There are certain sign language interpreter certifications that you should consider. These sign language interpreter certifications include Master Level Sign Language and National Interpreter Certification (NIC).
What education do you need to become a sign language interpreter?
What degree do you need to be a sign language interpreter?
- Bachelor's, 48%
- Associate, 33%
- Master's, 9%
- High School Diploma, 6%
- Other Degrees, 4%
What should I major in to become a sign language interpreter?
- Special Education, 14%
- Business, 7%
- Psychology, 7%
- Other Majors, 45%
Most common colleges for sign language interpreters
| Sign language interpreter common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| California State University - Northridge | 9.68% |
| Gallaudet University | 8.39% |
| El Paso | 6.45% |
| University of South Florida | 6.45% |
| University of Phoenix | 6.45% |
Best majors for sign language interpreters
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | American Sign Language | 26.8% |
| 2 | Special Education | 13.6% |
| 3 | Business | 7.1% |
| 4 | Psychology | 6.5% |
| 5 | Education | 6.0% |
Best colleges for sign language interpreters
The best colleges for sign language interpreters are Harvard University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and Northwestern University.
A sign language interpreter with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for sign language interpreters. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become sign language interpreters.
1. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
2. University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,184
Enrollment
30,845
3. University of California - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$13,226
Enrollment
31,568
4. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
5. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
6. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
7. Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH • Private
In-state tuition
$55,453
Enrollment
4,312
8. Georgetown University
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$54,104
Enrollment
7,089
9. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
10. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
20 best online courses for sign language interpreters
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Top 10 most affordable universities for sign language interpreters
The most affordable schools for sign language interpreters are University of Florida, hunter college of the city university of new york, and baruch college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for sign language interpreters are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for sign language interpreters.
1. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
2. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
3. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
4. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
5. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
6. Queens College of the City University of New York
Queens, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,338
Cost of attendance
14,281
7. Lehman College of the City University of New York
Bronx, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,210
Cost of attendance
14,359
8. City College of New York of the City University of New York, The
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,140
Cost of attendance
14,430
9. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
10. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for sign language interpreters
The hardest universities for sign language interpreters to get into are Harvard University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and Northwestern University.
Some great schools for sign language interpreters are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for sign language interpreters based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
2. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
4. University of Chicago
Chicago, IL • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,520
5. Yale University
New Haven, CT • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,517
6. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
7. Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,488
8. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
9. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
10. University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN • Private
Admissions rate
18%
SAT average
1,502
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for sign language interpreters
The easiest schools for sign language interpreters to get into are San Francisco State University, mount saint mary's university, and our lady of the lake university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a sign language interpreter without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for sign language interpreters.
1. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,054
2. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
3. Our Lady of the Lake University
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,002
4. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
5. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
6. AdventHealth University
Orlando, FL • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,016
7. College of New Rochelle, The
New Rochelle, NY • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
982
8. Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,053
9. Notre Dame of Maryland University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,069
10. Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Indiana, PA • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,019
Average sign language interpreter salary by education level
| Sign language interpreter education level | Sign language interpreter salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $50,329 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $41,317 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $46,137 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $45,881 |
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025