[Speech Communication](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/speech-communication/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 843 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value speech communication schools.
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California State University Fullerton tops our 2026 list of the best value speech communication schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the speech communication program here. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $34,120. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value speech communication schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $11,000. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $51,372. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #3 place for speech communication. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $11,750 in student loans. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $27,262. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for speech communication. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. Speech Communication graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $48,403 early in their careers. Set against $14,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in speech communication will find it at California State University Stanislaus, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Students borrow a median of $17,125 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $30,179 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
California State University Fresno landed the #6 spot for speech communication value this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $33,050 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University Northridge came in at #7 for value in speech communication this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $13,999. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $30,794. That is a strong return on a $13,999 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #8 for value in speech communication this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete the speech communication program here. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $32,408. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Long Beach landed the #9 spot for speech communication value this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $13,953 to complete the speech communication program here. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $34,172. Set against $13,953 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Bakersfield landed the #10 spot for speech communication value this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Florida Atlantic University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value speech communication schools. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $19,500. Speech Communication graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $34,720 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento landed the #12 spot for speech communication value this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $39,304. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Florida International University earned the #13 position for value in speech communication this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $18,000. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $36,424. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
Indiana University Kokomo ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value speech communication schools. Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Kokomo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. Speech Communication graduates of Indiana University Kokomo earn a median of $31,085 early in their careers. Set against $24,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Farmingdale State College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value speech communication schools. Located in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,626 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,536. Students borrow a median of $19,528 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of Farmingdale State College earn a median of $50,374 early in their careers. Set against $19,528 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus placed #16 among the best values for speech communication. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Portales. In-state tuition and fees average $7,074, compared with $9,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $20,054. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus generally make around $33,674. That is a strong return on a $20,054 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University came in at #17 for value in speech communication this year. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Durant. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $18,660. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $51,797. That is a strong return on a $18,660 median debt. Southeastern Oklahoma State University admits about 76% of applicants.
California State University Channel Islands landed the #18 spot for speech communication value this year. Located in the rural area of Camarillo, California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,159, compared with $19,759 for out-of-state students. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from California State University Channel Islands generally make around $40,109. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #19 for value in speech communication this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $11,956. Speech Communication graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $26,748 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,956 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #20 spot for speech communication value this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $15,500. Speech Communication graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $43,348 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #21 spot for speech communication value this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $34,530 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Northern Kentucky University landed the #22 spot for speech communication value this year. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $38,637. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Gulf Coast University placed #23 among the best values for speech communication. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $19,258. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $39,342. That is a strong return on a $19,258 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
California State University San Marcos landed the #24 spot for speech communication value this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,082, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $16,500. Speech Communication graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $36,310 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Florida earned the #25 position for value in speech communication this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $17,345. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $36,842. That is a strong return on a $17,345 median debt. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Speech Communication Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in speech communication:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 843 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 320 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[Speech Communication](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/speech-communication/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
