2026 Best Value Speech Communication Schools in New Jersey
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 19 schools to find the best return on investment for speech communication students.
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2026 Best Value Speech Communication Schools in New Jersey
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the speech communication degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Speech Communication Schools
Leading the list is Kean University, our #1 best value for speech communication in New Jersey. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $25,250. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $27,983. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes New Jersey City University one of the best values for speech communication. New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jersey City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,460. Students borrow a median of $16,914 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of New Jersey City University earn a median of $47,083 early in their careers. Set against $16,914 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Jersey City University admits about 98% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in speech communication will find it at Montclair State University, which ranked #3. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $24,713 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $42,803. That is a strong return on a $24,713 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value speech communication schools. Located in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,704, compared with $25,344 for out-of-state students. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $26,439 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $31,870. That is a strong return on a $26,439 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Students looking for strong value in speech communication will find it at The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey, which ranked #5. Located in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,266, with out-of-state students paying around $24,524. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $21,500. Speech Communication graduates of The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey earn a median of $28,263 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey placed #6 among the best values for speech communication. Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Mahwah. Students from in state pay about $16,777 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,708 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the speech communication program here. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $48,545. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Rowan University earned the #7 position for value in speech communication this year. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,574, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $34,549. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #8 among the best values for speech communication. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $43,649. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham earned the #9 position for value in speech communication this year. Set in the suburb of Madison, Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,468. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $25,000. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $34,772. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham admits about 95% of applicants.
Rider University landed the #10 spot for speech communication value this year. Located in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,120. Students borrow a median of $26,241 to complete the speech communication program here. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $41,864. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Seton Hall University came in at #11 for value in speech communication this year. Set in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,170. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $23,422. Speech Communication graduates of Seton Hall University earn a median of $63,871 early in their careers. Set against $23,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Monmouth University came in at #12 for value in speech communication this year. Monmouth University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of West Long Branch. Students from in state pay about $46,552 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $26,380. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Monmouth University generally make around $25,742. That is a strong return on a $26,380 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
More Speech Communication Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
