2026 Best Value Speech Communication Schools in Michigan

[Speech Communication](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/speech-communication/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 21 schools to find the best return on investment for speech communication students.
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2026 Best Value Speech Communication Schools in Michigan
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in speech communication, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Speech Communication Schools
Leading the list is University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, our #1 best value for speech communication in Michigan. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,376 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $50,556 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,376 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Dearborn is a great value for students pursuing a degree in speech communication, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Students borrow a median of $27,200 to complete the speech communication program here. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $31,735. Set against $27,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Saginaw Valley State University one of the best values for speech communication. Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Center. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,930, compared with $30,450 for out-of-state students. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Speech Communication graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of $36,348 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wayne State University earned it the #4 place for speech communication. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $30,500. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $46,558. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Students looking for strong value in speech communication will find it at Central Michigan University, which ranked #5. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the speech communication program here. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $31,913. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Eastern Michigan University landed the #6 spot for speech communication value this year. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $29,102. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $36,717. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University came in at #7 for value in speech communication this year. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $40,722 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Northern Michigan University landed the #8 spot for speech communication value this year. Located in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,322, compared with $19,944 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $32,091 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University came in at #9 for value in speech communication this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $31,169. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University landed the #10 spot for speech communication value this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the speech communication program here. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $36,390. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Cornerstone University placed #11 among the best values for speech communication. Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,000. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $25,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Cornerstone University generally make around $30,615. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Calvin College came in at #12 for value in speech communication this year. Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $39,350. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the speech communication program here. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Calvin College generally make around $30,071. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Hope College earned the #13 position for value in speech communication this year. Located in the city of Holland, Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,484 in tuition and fees. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $38,956. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Hope College admits about 79% of applicants.
More Speech Communication Rankings
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Notes and References
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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.