by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Speech Communication explores Speech Communication And Rhetoric. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific, Humanistic, And Critical Study Of Human Communication In A Variety Of Formats, Media, And Contexts. Includes Instruction In The Theory And Practice Of Interpersonal, Group, Organizational, Professional, And Intercultural Communication; Speaking And Listening; Verbal And Nonverbal Interaction; Rhetorical Theory And Criticism; Performance Studies; Argumentation And Persuasion; Technologically Mediated Communication; Popular Culture; And Various Contextual Applications. Read on to learn the key facts every speech communication student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering speech communication programs.
Across the country, speech communication is a widely-pursued major, with 32,944 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Speech Communication Schools ranking analyzes these 744 schools to determine the best overall colleges for speech communication students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of speech communication programs later in this article.
Studies in Speech Communication emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations speech communication graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a speech communication program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a speech communication major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several speech communication degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 22 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 4,556 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 25,516 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 2,558 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 292 |
People currently working in careers related to speech communication tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 41.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 26.5% |
| Doctoral degree | 9.5% |
| Some college courses | 8.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 5.9% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 3.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.9% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.3% |
| First professional degree | 0.9% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.5% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in speech communication careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in speech communication can lead to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to speech communication.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to speech communication.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary | 919,494 | -1.5% |
| Public Relations Managers | 337,124 | 7.0% |
| Public Relations Specialists | 288,926 | -3.5% |
| Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers | 175,767 | 9.1% |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | 164,697 | 10.8% |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | 160,960 | 8.2% |
| Writers and Authors | 155,629 | -4.3% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of speech communication graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $38,014 |
| 4 years | $49,526 |
| 5 years | $57,312 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for speech communication graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers speech communication grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Public Relations Managers | $139,736 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $108,419 |
| Public Relations Specialists | $103,749 |
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary | $96,169 |
| Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers | $70,619 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $69,171 |
| Writers and Authors | $63,195 |
With 744 different speech communication programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased speech communication school rankings to help you.
Students interested in speech communication, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Communication, General | 11,299 |
| Mass Communication/Media Studies | 8,694 |
| Communication and Media Studies, Other | 2,273 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
