2026 Best Value Speech Communication Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 31 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for speech communication students.
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2026 Best Value Speech Communication Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in speech communication, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Speech Communication Schools
For return on investment in speech communication, no school beat Snow College this year. Set in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,338, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $10,440. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Snow College generally make around $42,776. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in speech communication will find it at Salt Lake Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,220 to complete the speech communication program here. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $42,031. Set against $12,220 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Weber State University earned it the #3 place for speech communication. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Students borrow a median of $16,566 to complete the speech communication program here. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $55,569. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Western Idaho is a great value for students pursuing a degree in speech communication, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,446, compared with $7,454 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $12,500. Speech Communication graduates of College Of Western Idaho earn a median of $40,963 early in their careers.
A rank of #5 makes Southern Utah University one of the best values for speech communication. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $13,900. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $40,245. That is a strong return on a $13,900 median debt. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Utah landed the #6 spot for speech communication value this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $18,017. Speech Communication graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $43,801 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Wyoming earned the #7 position for value in speech communication this year. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $14,900. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $28,547. That is a strong return on a $14,900 median debt. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Idaho ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value speech communication schools. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,084, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $23,844. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of Idaho generally make around $43,246. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Dixie State College Of Utah landed the #9 spot for speech communication value this year. Set in the city of Saint George, Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,306, with out-of-state students paying around $18,246. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the speech communication program here. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $32,815. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Montana placed #10 among the best values for speech communication. Located in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,552 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,671. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $20,328. Speech Communication graduates of The University Of Montana earn a median of $34,377 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,328 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Northern Colorado placed #11 among the best values for speech communication. Set in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,901, with out-of-state students paying around $26,979. Students borrow a median of $24,939 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of $34,892 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,939 median debt. University Of Northern Colorado admits about 86% of applicants.
Western State College Of Colorado landed the #12 spot for speech communication value this year. Located in the town of Gunnison, Western State College Of Colorado is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,318, compared with $24,434 for out-of-state students. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Speech Communication graduates of Western State College Of Colorado earn a median of $36,712 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Denver came in at #13 for value in speech communication this year. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,383, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $39,662. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
Boise State University placed #14 among the best values for speech communication. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,048, compared with $27,788 for out-of-state students. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $23,095 in student loans. Speech Communication graduates of Boise State University earn a median of $37,954 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado State University Fort Collins landed the #15 spot for speech communication value this year. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,373, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,647 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $38,731 early in their careers. Set against $24,647 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colorado State University Fort Collins admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value speech communication schools. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $17,500. Speech Communication graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $39,738 early in their careers. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.
Colorado Christian University landed the #17 spot for speech communication value this year. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Colorado Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $28,846 in tuition and fees. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $37,129. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt.
University Of Denver landed the #18 spot for speech communication value this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,398. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $24,500. Speech Communication graduates of University Of Denver earn a median of $50,009 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
