Department of Education

NATIONAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE FOR THE DEAF

Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Request

CONTENTS

Page

Appropriations Language ........................................................................................................K-1

Analysis of Language Provisions and Changes.......................................................................K-2

Appropriation Adjustments and Transfers ...............................................................................K-3

Authorizing Legislation............................................................................................................K-4

Appropriations History.............................................................................................................K-5

Activity:

National Technical Institute for the Deaf............................................................................K-6
NATIONAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE FOR THE DEAF

Appropriations Language

For the National Technical Institute for the Deaf under titles I and II of the Education of the 

Deaf Act of 1986, $70,016,000: Provided, That from the total amount available, the Institute may 

at its discretion use funds for the endowment program as authorized under section 207 of such 

Act1

. (Department of Education Appropriations Act, 2016.)

NOTE

Each language provision that is followed by a footnote reference is explained in the Analysis of Language 

Provisions and Changes document which follows the appropriation language.

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NATIONAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE FOR THE DEAF

Analysis of Language Provisions and Changes

Language Provision Explanation

1

... Provided, That from the total amount 

available, the Institute may at its discretion 

use funds for the endowment program as 

authorized under section 207.

This language provides authority for the 

Institute to use funds from the general 

appropriation for the Endowment Grant 

program.

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Appropriation Adjustments and Transfers

(dollars in thousands)

Appropriation/Adjustments/Transfers 2015 2016 2017

Discretionary budget authority:

Discretionar y budget authority: Appropriation .......................................................... $67,016 $70,016 $70,016

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Authorizing Legislation

(dollars in thousands)

Activity 2016 

Authorized Footnote

2016 

Estimate

footnote

2017 

Authorized

ootnote

2017

Request

Operations (EDA l-B) Indefinite $67,0161To be determined1 $70,016

Construction (EDA l-112) Indefinite --- To be determined1 ---

Endowment (EDA II-207) Indefinite2 (2) To be determined1, 2

 (2)

Total appropriation 70,016 70,016

Portion of the request subject to reauthorization 70,016

1 The GEPA extension expired September 30, 2015. Reauthorizing language is sought for fiscal year 2017. 2 Funding for the Endowment Grant program is provided together with funding for operations through a single appropriations amount. Appropriations language 

is included to authorize NTID, at its discretion, to use funds for the Endowment Grant program from the total amount available.

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Appropriations History 

(dollars in thousands)

Year

Budget

Estimate

to Congress

House 

Allowance ootnote

Senate 

Allowance ootnote Appropriation

Footnote

2008 $56,262 $60,757 $59,000 $59,696

2009 59,195 64,2121 62,0001 64,212

2010 68,437 68,437 68,4372 68,437

2011 64,677 68,4373 64,6774 65,546

2012 65,037 65,5465 65,5465 65,422

2013 65,037 65,4226 65,4226 62,000

2014 65,422 N/A7 66,4222 66,291

2015 66,291 N/A7 66,2918 67,016

2016 67,016 68,0169 69,0169 70,016

2017 70,016

1 The levels for the House and Senate allowances reflect action on the regular annual 2009 appropriations bill, 

which proceeded in the 110th Congress only through the House Subcommittee and the Senate Committee. 2 The level for the Senate allowance reflects Committee action only.

3 The level for the House allowance reflects the House-passed full-year continuing resolution. 4 The level for the House allowance reflects the House-passed full-year continuing resolution. 5 The level for the House allowance reflects an introduced bill and the level for the Senate allowances reflects 

Senate Committee action only. 6 The levels for the House and Senate allowances reflect action on the regular annual 2013 appropriations bill, 

which proceeded in the 112th Congress only through the House Subcommittee and the Senate Committee. 7 The House allowance is shown as N/A because there was no Subcommittee action.

8 The level for the Senate allowance reflects Senate Subcommittee action only. 9 The levels for House and Senate allowances reflect action on the regular annual 2016 appropriations bill, which 

proceeded in the 114th Congress only through the House Committee and Senate Committee.

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NATIONAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE FOR THE DEAF

National Technical Institute for the Deaf

(Education of the Deaf Act, Title I, Part B and Section 207)

(dollars in thousands)

FY 2017 Authorization: To be determined1

Budget authority: 

2016 2017 Change

$70,016 $70,016 0

1 The GEPA extension expired September 30, 2015; reauthorizing legislation is sought for fiscal year 2017.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Congress created the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) in 1965 to promote the 

employment of persons who are deaf by providing technical and professional education. The 

National Technical Institute for the Deaf Act was superseded by the Education of the Deaf Act of 

1986 (EDA). This Act continued the authority of the Department of Education to maintain an 

agreement with a host institution for the operation of a residential facility for postsecondary 

technical training and education for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and to provide a 

Federal subsidy to the National Technical Institute for the Deaf so that it may continue to 

provide postsecondary educational opportunities. 

The Department maintains a contract with the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in 

Rochester, New York, for the operation of NTID. NTID is one of nine colleges of RIT. The 

purpose of the relationship with the host institution is to provide NTID students access to more 

facilities, institutional services, and career preparation options than could be otherwise provided 

solely by a national technical institute for the deaf. RIT provides NTID students with options for 

courses of study from its eight other colleges, health and counseling services, library, physical 

education, and recreation facilities, and general services such as food, maintenance, grounds, 

and security. Indirect cost rates are established by RIT, which govern the reimbursement for 

each of the services it provides and to cover tuition charges for NTID students enrolled in RIT 

programs. These rates are approved by the Division of Cost Allocation of the United States 

Department of Health and Human Services. 

Academics. NTID offers a variety of technical programs at the sub-baccalaureate degree level 

(certificates, diplomas, and associate degrees). Students enrolled at NTID can earn associate 

degrees in 18 accredited programs. Qualified students can also earn bachelor’s or master’s 

degrees in approximately 200 programs offered by RIT’s other colleges: Applied Science and 

Technology; Business; Computing and Information Sciences; Engineering; Health Sciences and 

Technology; Imaging Arts and Sciences; Liberal Arts; and Science. NTID initiated a Master of 

Science program in Secondary Education to prepare students to help meet the national need for 

highly qualified deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing teachers and leaders in the field of deaf 

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NATIONAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE FOR THE DEAF

education. In addition, NTID operates a Bachelor in Applied Science degree program to train 

interpreters and a tutor/notetaker training program. Students with hearing loss who enroll in 

NTID or RIT programs are provided a wide range of support services and programs to assist 

them in preparing for their careers, including tutoring, remedial and language enrichment 

programs, counseling, notetaking, interpreting, mentoring, specialized educational media, 

cooperative work experiences, and specialized job placement. 

NTID conducts applied research on occupational and employment-related aspects of deafness, 

communication assessment, the demographics of NTID's target population, and learning 

processes in postsecondary education. In addition, NTID conducts training workshops and 

seminars related to deafness. These workshops and seminars are offered to professionals 

throughout the nation who employ, work with, teach, or otherwise serve persons who are deaf

or hard of hearing. 

Endowment Grant Program. The Federal Endowment Grant program is designed to assist in 

meeting future needs of NTID and reduce long-term Federal funding requirements by 

stimulating private contributions. NTID has the discretion to determine the amount of funds it 

wants the Department to provide from the annual appropriation as matching funds under the 

Endowment Grant program. The Department may allot funds to the program from the 

appropriation up to the amount contributed to the fund from non-Federal sources. The EDA 

provides that NTID may retain up to 50 percent of the income of the fund for expenses 

necessary to its operation such as personnel, construction and renovation, community and 

student services, technical assistance, and research. The other 50 percent of the interest 

returns to the corpus. 

No portion of the endowment fund corpus may be withdrawn, except with the Department's 

approval and only due to a financial emergency, life-threatening situation occasioned by natural 

disaster, arson, or other unusual circumstance. NTID has full discretion in how it invests the 

funds it raises for this program. However, the EDA specifies parameters for investment of the 

Federal matching funds in order to help safeguard that portion of the fund corpus. After a period 

of 10 years from an initial investment, NTID does not have to follow Federal investment 

restrictions related to the Federal portion of the corpus and may use any and all earned interest 

associated with that year's matching funds. 

Funding levels for the past 5 fiscal years were:

Fiscal Year (dollars in thousands)

2012.............................................................................. $65,422

2013................................................................................ 62,000

2014................................................................................ 66,291

2015................................................................................ 67,016

2016................................................................................ 70,016

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FY 2017 BUDGET REQUEST

The Administration is requesting $70 million for the National Technical Institute for the Deaf for 

fiscal year 2017, the same as the fiscal year 2016 appropriation. The Administration supports 

funding for NTID to help promote educational and employment opportunities for persons who 

are deaf or hard of hearing. The Administration’s request would fund operations at the FY 2016

level, which would provide sufficient support to maintain program operations at NTID. The fiscal 

year 2017 request for operations represents approximately 72 percent of NTID's total projected 

budget, consistent with recent years. The remaining funds will come from tuition, fees, private 

contributions, endowment income, and Federal grants and contracts. 

Endowment Grant Program. The Administration’s request continues the policy of not specifying 

an amount for NTID’s Federal Endowment Grant program. NTID would retain the discretion to 

determine how much of the Federal funds provided will be used for the Endowment Grant 

program in 2017. Funds added to NTID’s base for operations in prior fiscal years remain 

available to be used as matching funds for the purpose of the Endowment Grant program. The 

Administration strongly supports the objectives of the Endowment Grant program and believes 

this program helps to promote NTID’s financial independence through the creation of a 

permanent and increasing source of funds for enrichment activities and special projects. As of 

September 30, 2015, the market value of the Federal Endowment Grant program at NTID, 

including Federal, private, and reinvested funds, was $50.9.million.

Other Revenue. In addition to funding from the Federal appropriation, NTID receives revenue 

from a variety of other sources. In fiscal year 2015, NTID received approximately $26.8 million 

in other revenue from tuition ($18.1 million), room and board ($7.5 million), and student activity 

fees ($328,000), as well as sources such as interpreting and captioning services provided to 

RIT and programs outside the University, the NTID Hearing Aid Shop, and fees from grant 

programs renting space. This amount represents an increase of approximately $100,000 in 

revenue over the $26.7 million NTID received from these sources in fiscal year 2014. NTID has 

the flexibility to apply this increased revenue to its highest funding priorities. 

The revenue derived from tuition, room, board, and fees is substantially comprised of payments 

from Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) State agencies and Federal student financial aid programs. 

For example, in fiscal year 2015, NTID students received $10.8 million from funds made 

available under the VR State Grants program to support their postsecondary education and 

$2.7 million in Pell Grants. Students also received $100,000 from RIT grants-in-aid, $1.4 million 

from NTID grants-in-aid, $459,000 in State grants, and $3.0 million in scholarships stemming 

from institutionally-supported grants, endowment income, and external groups. In addition to 

grants and scholarships, NTID students received nearly $4.8 million in subsidized and 

unsubsidized Federal student loans and Parent PLUS loans in fiscal year 2015. Many NTID 

students also receive Federal Social Security and Supplemental Security Income payments. 

Student aid, excluding loans, averaged approximately $13,790 per domestic student for both 

deaf and hearing students, including students in the sub-baccalaureate, baccalaureate, 

graduate, and interpreter training programs. 

International students pay tuition, room, board, and fees, and these payments are included in 

the revenue figure cited above. However, these students, with the exception of permanent 

residents, are not eligible for Federal student financial aid or assistance under the VR State 

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Grants program. International students receive support from two private endowments. During 

fiscal year 2015, $398,000 in interest accrued from these endowments was used for this 

purpose.

NTID also receives significant revenue from competitive grants and contracts awarded by the 

Federal and New York State governments. In fiscal year 2015, NTID received nearly 

$3.2 million in Federal and State grants and contracts, as well as $706,000 in private grants and 

contracts. 

Additionally, NTID has been successful in raising private funds. In fiscal year 2015, NTID 

received $1.3 million in cash donations to the endowment and other restricted funds and 

$70,000 in gifts in kind, primarily equipment and software for specific programs at NTID. These 

amounts are on par with the previous fiscal year. The funds raised in addition to endowments 

are restricted by the donors to NTID activities and include such projects as the Hearing Aid 

Shop Renovation, the Pre-College Education Network, the Next Big Idea Competition, Theater 

Outreach Programming, Pre-College Outreach Programs, and selected research projects. 

Restricted gifts totaled $998,000 in fiscal year 2015. NTID currently has $5.1 million in 

endowments that are not part of the Federal Endowment Grant program. In fiscal year 2015, 

NTID distributed $1.8 million in earnings from all endowment sources.

PROGRAM OUTPUT MEASURES

(whole dollars)

Output Measures 2015Footnote 2016Footnote 2017Footnote

Undergraduate tuition (U.S. students) $14,040 $14,570 $15,124

Graduate tuition (U.S. students) 15,444 16,030 16,639

Fees 512 528 545

Room 6,758 6,954 7,156

Board 4,810 4,964 5,123

Undergraduate tuition (International 

students) 28,0801,2 29,1401,2 30,2471,2

Graduate tuition (International students) 30,8882,3 32,0602,3 33,2782,3

Student data (deaf students only –

includes international students):

Applications 796 860 860

Acceptances 464 488 488

Percent of applications accepted 58% 57% 57%

Registrations 324 340 340

Percent of accepted who register 70% 70% 70%

1 Tuition rate increases are proposed by NTID annually. However, through an agreement with the Department, 

the increase may not exceed 10 percent in any given year. NTID is proposing a 3.8-percent increase in graduate 

tuition for fiscal year 2017. 2 Graduate students are charged a 10-percent surcharge above the tuition rate for undergraduate students. 3 A tuition surcharge of 100 percent for international students is required by the authorizing statute; however, the 

Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 provides that NTID may develop a sliding scale model to reduce the 

surcharge, with different surcharge levels set depending on student need and whether the student’s country of origin 

is considered developed or developing. 

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PROGRAM OUTPUT MEASURES

(whole dollars)

Output Measures 2015Footnote 2016Footnote 2017Footnote

Enrollment (deaf students only – includes 

international students):

Technical (Career Exploration 

Studies and Sub-Baccalaureate) Enrollment

624 624 624

Professional Undergraduate Enroll ment 529 543 543

Professional Graduate Enroll ment 44 53 53

Total deaf students Enrollment 1,197 1,220 1,220

Degrees granted

Associate and certificate degrees granted 100 100 100

Baccalaureate and graduate degrees granted

185 185 185

Total degrees granted 285 285 285

Co-op (work experience) placements 271 271 271

Percent of support for operations 

provided by Federal appropriation 72% 72% 72%

Estimated Federal Cost Per Graduate $226,2001 $233,0001 $240,0001

Estimated Educational Cost Per Graduate $277,1002 $285,0002 $293,0002

Student services (rounded to nearest 100 

hours):

Hours of interpreting Student ser vices (rounded to nearest 100 hours): 140,200 140,200 140,200

Hours of in-class interpreting Student ser vices (rounded to nearest 100 hours): 106,000 106,000 106,000

Hours of note taking Student ser vices (rounded to nearest 100 hours): 60,200 60,200 60,200

Hours of tutoring Student ser vices (rounded to nearest 100 hours): 14,200 14,200 14,200

Hours of C-print captioning Student ser vices (rounded to nearest 100 hours): 22,200 22,200 22,200

Research:

Federal funds Research: $1,328,000 $1,368,000 $1,409,000

Sponsored research Research: $7,000,000 $3,500,000 $3,400,000

Personnel (in full-time equivalents)

Faculty Personnel (in full-ti me eq ui val ents) 169 169 169

Interpreters Personnel (in full-time equi valents) 120 120 120

C-print captionists Personnel (i n full-time equi valents) 46 46 46

Clerical/Technical Personnel (in full-ti me eq ui val ents) 78 78 78

Professional Personnel (in full-ti me eq ui val ents) 117 117 117

Total Personnel (in full-time equi valents) 530 530 530

1 Excludes expenses related to sponsored and other research, public services, auxiliary enterprises, and 

construction. 2 Excludes expenses related to sponsored and other research, public services, auxiliary enterprises, 

construction, and student support services such as audiology, speech, remedial English, and psychological services. 

It also excludes portions of the cost of admissions, placement, instructional media, and some other administrative 

categories that address unique aspects of NTID's mission.

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PROGRAM OUTPUT MEASURES

(whole dollars)

Output Measures 2015 2016 2017

Minorities as a % of faculty 11.6% 11.6% 11.6%

Minorities as a % of staff 8.4% 8.4% 8.4%

Disabled as a % of faculty 32.0% 32.0% 32.0%

Disabled as a % of staff 11.4% 11.4% 11.4%

NTID faculty/student ratio 1:8.41,2 1:8.41,2 1:8.41,2

NTID teaching faculty/student ratio 1:10.32 1:10.32 1:10.32

Average Faculty Salaries3:

Professor Aver age F aculty Sal aries $111,806 $114,713 $117,695

Associate Professor Averag e F aculty Sal aries $93,391 $95,819 $98,310

Assistant Professor Average Faculty Salari es $71,496 $73,355 $75,262

Principal / Senior lecturer Aver age F aculty Salaries $65,595 $67,300 $69,050

Lecturer Aver age F aculty Sal aries $58,939 $60,471 $62,044

All Faculty Average Faculty Sal aries $78,953 $81,006 $83,112

Average full- and part-time staff salary3:

Exempt staff Aver age full- and part-ti me staff sal ar y $66,219 $67,941 $69,707

Non-exempt staff Averag e full- and part-ti me staff salar y $44,912 $46,080 $47,278

All staff Aver age full- and part-ti me staff sal ar y $51,778 $53,124 $54,505

NOTE: Data for fiscal year 2015 are actual, while data for fiscal years 2016 and 2017 are estimated.

1 Includes administrators and researchers who have faculty rank.

2 Faculty/student ratios do not include RIT faculty who teach the 46 percent of NTID’s students enrolled in RIT 

courses or RIT faculty teaching NTID students in pre-baccalaureate programs. 3 FY 2015 salaries are actual and FY 2016 and FY 2017 salaries assume a 2.6 percent increase from the 

previous year.

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PROGRAM PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

Performance Measures

This section presents selected program performance information, including, for example, GPRA 

goals, objectives, measures, and performance targets and data; and an assessment of the 

progress made toward achieving program results. Achievement of program results is based on 

the cumulative effect of the resources provided in previous years and those requested in 

FY 2017 and future years, as well as the resources and efforts invested by those served by this 

program.

Goal: To provide deaf and hearing students in undergraduate programs and professional 

studies with state-of-the-art technical and professional education programs, undertake a 

program of applied research; share National Technical Institute for the Deaf expertise, 

and expand outside sources of revenue.

Objective: Maximize the number of students successfully completing a program of study.

Measure: The percentage of first-time, full-time degree-seeking sub-baccalaureate and 

baccalaureate students who were in their first year of postsecondary enrollment in the previous 

year and are enrolled in the current year.

Year

Sub-Baccalaureate 

Target

Sub-Baccalaureate 

Actual

Baccalaureate 

Target 

Baccalaureate 

Actual

2012 70% 67% 85% 86%

2013 70 68 85 91

2014 70 74 85 90

2015 70 85

2016 70 86

2017 70 87

Additional Information: This measure is used to gauge the persistence rate (i.e., first-year 

retention rate) of first-time, full-time students from the fall semester of their freshmen year to the 

fall semester of their sophomore year. RIT submits data to the Integrated Postsecondary 

Education Data System (IPEDS) on its students, including NTID students who are in RIT 

programs. However, it does not break out data separately for NTID students in RIT programs. 

The data for this measure are calculated using the same IPEDS methodology as used by other 

postsecondary education programs funded by the Department. The data allow for comparative 

analyses between NTID, Gallaudet University, and other higher education programs. 

Comparisons with IPEDS data for 2-year public and private higher education institutions indicate 

that NTID's persistence rate of 74 percent for sub-baccalaureate students is higher than the 

rates for comparable institutions. Two-year public colleges have an average persistence rate of 

58 percent, and 2-year private colleges have a persistence rate of 67 percent. 

NTID's baccalaureate student persistence rate of 90 percent is considerably higher than those 

of other 4-year public and private colleges. For example, IPEDS data show an average 

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persistence rate of 73 percent for both 4-year public colleges and 4-year private colleges. The 

Department will consider adjusting targets for 2017 and beyond.

Measure: The percentage of first-time, full-time degree seeking sub-baccalaureate students 

and baccalaureate students who graduate within 150 percent of the program-based length of 

time. 

Year

Sub-Baccalaureate 

Target

Sub-Baccalaureate 

Actual 

Baccalaureate 

Target

Baccalaureate 

Actual

2012 27% 41% 61% 62%

2013 35 42 62 72

2014 36 37 63 68

2015 37 64

2016 38 65

2017 39 65

Additional Information: The methodology used to obtain data for this measure is consistent 

with that used by IPEDS and other Department programs to measure graduation. Programbased length of time refers to the stated number of years to complete a degree. Generally, an 

associate degree program requires 2 years of study, and a baccalaureate degree program 

requires 4 years. However, some of RIT’s programs include a requirement for an additional 

internship year. In this case, the program-based length of time for a sub-baccalaureate degree 

may be 3 years and baccalaureate degree 5 years. As such, the program-based length of time 

may be 2, 3, 4, or 5 years, depending on the program.

An IPEDS analysis of public and private not-for-profit 2-year institutions indicated graduation 

rates of 31 percent for full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking students within 150 percent 

of normal time to completion; NTID has a higher sub-baccalaureate graduation rate of 

37 percent. IPEDS data indicate 4-year public colleges have an average graduation rate of 

45 percent and 4-year private colleges have an average graduation rate of 53 percent. NTID 

has a higher baccalaureate graduation rate of 68 percent. Given NTID’s performance, the 

Department revised targets starting in 2013 and will reconsider revising targets for 2017 and 

beyond.

Measure: The percentages of graduates who are employed, in advanced education or training, 

or are neither employed nor enrolled in advanced education or training during their first year 

after graduation.

Year

Employed 

Target

Employed 

Actual

Advanced Ed

Target

Advanced Ed 

Actual

Neither 

Target

Neither 

Actual

2012 47% 46% 45% 46% 8% 8%

2013 47 58 45 32 8 10

2014 47 55 45 35 8 10

2015 47 45 8

2016 47 45 8

2017 47 45 8

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Additional Information: For students who graduated in fiscal year 2014, NTID reported 55 

percent were employed during their first year after graduation, 35 percent were in advanced 

education or training, and 10 percent were not in the workforce nor engaged in advanced 

education or training. Any graduate who was simultaneously employed and in advanced 

education or training was placed into the one category that best described their status. 

Efficiency Measures

Objective: Improve the efficiency of operations at NTID as defined by the cost per successful 

student outcome, where the successful outcome is graduation.

Measure: Total Federal cost per NTID graduate. 

Year Target Actual

2012 $205,657 $172,000

2013 209,564 146,000

2014 213,755 183,300

2015 218,030 226,200

2016 222,827

2017 222,827

Additional Information: The Federal cost per graduate, as reported by NTID, includes 

graduates who receive sub-baccalaureate, baccalaureate, and master’s degrees. The measure 

is calculated by averaging the Federal appropriation for a particular year and the previous 5 

years, and dividing the figure by the number of graduates for that school year. Federal student 

aid, vocational rehabilitation payments, other Federal support for students, Federal grants and 

contracts, the Federal Endowment Grant Program tuition, and other private funds received by 

NTID are not included in this calculation. 

This measure focuses on graduates, because it is a key program outcome for NTID. The 

Department plans to investigate how much of the variation can be explained by funding levels 

and what measures, if any, can be taken to lessen the measure’s inconsistency. Given recent 

performance, the Department will reconsider this measure and targets for 2017 and beyond to 

account for disaggregation of data by program type.

Measure: Total educational cost per NTID graduate. 

Year Target Actual

2012 $247,203 $206,100

2013 251,800 176,900

2014 256,836 224,000

2015 261,973 277,100

2016 267,737

2016 267,737

Additional Information: The measure is calculated by averaging the total annual student 

expenditures for a particular year and the previous 5 years, and dividing the figure by the 

number of graduates for that school year. Graduates include students receiving certificates, 

diplomas, associates degrees, baccalaureate degrees, and master's degrees. The cost is 

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composed of the total program budget excluding expenditures associated with research, public 

services, auxiliary enterprises, and construction. This measure looks at the total cost of 

educating a student at NTID as an indication of how efficiently the University operates. 

Both efficiency measures use existing cost data reported to the Department as part of NTID’s 

budget submission. The increase in efficiency between 2012 and 2013 can be attributed in part 

to a record number of graduates over that time period, coupled with NTID’s internal budget 

reduction efforts in anticipation of Federal spending cuts. The Department will continue its 

discussion with NTID about how best to use these measures as a basis for examining the cost 

per student, the subcomponents of the expenditures, and whether efficiencies can be achieved. 

The Department will use IPEDS data to look at cost components of similarly sized Carnegie 

Level IV institutions as a basis for comparison. 

The Department reached an agreement with NTID on a methodology that accounts for future 

inflation by using the Consumer Price Index (CPI) with the goal of limiting increases on the 

Federal cost per graduate and the total cost per graduate to less than those of the CPI. As 

updated information becomes available on the projected inflation rate for the next fiscal year 

and outyears, the targets will be adjusted accordingly. The Department plans to reconsider this 

measure and targets for 2017 and beyond to account for disaggregation of data by program 

type.

Other Performance Information

Employment Study

For almost 30 years the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) collaborated first with 

the Internal Revenue Service and, during the past two decades, with the Social Security 

Administration (SSA) to conduct analyses of the employment status and earnings of its alumni 

to document the impact an NTID education has on the individuals who attend the school. The 

study tracked the educational and professional attainment of deaf and hard-of-hearing students 

who applied to NTID from 1965 to 2011. 

These studies have demonstrated that an NTID education has significant economic benefits for 

graduates and effectively reduces the social cost of providing support for these individuals. The 

most recent study, published in March 2013 

(http://www.ntid.rit.edu/sites/default/files/economic_benefits_of_ntid_2011.pdf), concludes that 

bachelor’s and master’s degree graduates earn about 60% more on average per year than 

students who withdrew from NTID without earning a degree. Associate’s degree graduates 

earn 20% more than those who withdrew without earning a degree. 

With respect to percent of the alumni population reporting earnings from labor (participation in 

the labor force), almost twice as many non-graduates report no earnings than do graduates. 

NTID graduates also made use of Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability 

Insurance less than students who withdrew from NTID.

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Deaf and hard-of-hearing 

individuals at age 40

Participate in 

Supplemental 

Security Income

Participate in Social 

Security Disability 

Insurance

NTID associate degree graduates <2% 28%

NTID bachelor degree graduates <2 18

NTID students who withdrew from NTID 8 35

Non-NTID college graduates 5 20

Deaf and hard-of-hearing 

individuals at age 50 Report Earnings Median Salary

NTID graduates with bachelor degrees 78% $58,000

NTID graduates with associate degrees 73 41,000

NTID students who withdrew from NTID 58 34,000

Non-NTID college graduates 69 21,000

Onsite Monitoring

The Department conducted a one-day onsite monitoring review of NTID on May 21, 2015. The 

goal of the monitoring visit was to review NTID’s use of its annual Federal appropriation to 

provide “a residential facility for postsecondary technical training and education for individuals 

who are deaf in order to prepare them for successful employment,” as required by Section 111 

of the EDA, as amended, 20 U.S.C. § 4331, and other relevant requirements.

The NTID onsite monitoring visit covered multiple topics: implementation of its “Strategic 

Decisions 2020”; implementation of the direct instruction model for classroom communication;

development of resources to assist faculty and staff to achieve a proficient level of sign 

language competency; allocation of indirect costs; and NTID’s GPRA performance measures. 

The Department issued a letter summarizing the results of the monitoring visit in October 2015.

The Department requested regular updates regarding the NTID’s activities and implications for 

the Federal program throughout the “Strategic Decisions 2020” implementation process, as well 

as its efforts to reduce certain expenditures and better utilize RIT services paid for through 

overhead charges.

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