Abstract
<p>This study was conducted to determine the extent to which individual and societal financial sacrifices necessary to support postsecondary education for deaf people are worthwhile by determining the relationship of college to both higher salaries for deaf individuals and additional taxes paid to the government.</p>
<p>The Internal Revenue Service provided data on earnings of, and taxes paid by, several groups of college applicants: those not accepted; no- shows; withdrawals; sub-bachelor graduates; and bachelor degree recipients. Projections of their earnings received and taxes paid over 20 years were made.</p>
<p>Principal findings were that, after20 years: (1) deaf Bachelor degree recipients will have earned roughly $220,000 more than sub-Bachelor alumni and $320,000-$365,000 more than persons without degrees; and (2)deaf Bachelor graduates will have paid approximately $89,000morein taxes than those with sub-Bachelor degrees and $126,000-$140,000 more than those without degrees. Both individual and society benefit economically when deaf people earn postsecondary degrees.</p>
