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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Speech Communication Schools in the Southeast Region

73 Colleges in the United States
$23,985 Avg Student Debt
$53,737 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Speech Communication Badge [Speech Communication](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/speech-communication/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 142 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for speech communication students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Speech Communication Schools in the Southeast Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in speech communication, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Speech Communication Schools

1

Florida International University earned the #1 spot for value among speech communication schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $44,331. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.

2

Florida Atlantic University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in speech communication, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $34,720. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.

3

University Of South Florida Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in speech communication, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the speech communication program here. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $34,530. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

4

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a great value for students pursuing a degree in speech communication, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the speech communication program here. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $49,991. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.

5

A rank of #5 makes Florida Gulf Coast University one of the best values for speech communication. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. In-state tuition and fees average $6,118, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $19,258. Speech Communication graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $39,342 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,258 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.

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Northern Kentucky University crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University placed #6 among the best values for speech communication. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Speech Communication graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $38,637 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of North Florida landed the #7 spot for speech communication value this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $17,345 in student loans. Speech Communication graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $36,842 early in their careers. Set against $17,345 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 53%.

8

University Of Central Florida landed the #8 spot for speech communication value this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $21,854 in student loans. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $37,021. That is a strong return on a $21,854 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.

9

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #9 for value in speech communication this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the speech communication program here. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $30,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

10

American Public University System placed #10 among the best values for speech communication. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $24,555. Speech Communication graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $57,404 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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Louisiana State University Alexandria ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value speech communication schools. Set in the rural area of Alexandria, Louisiana State University Alexandria is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,050 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,725 for out-of-state students. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $24,656 in student loans. Speech Communication graduates of Louisiana State University Alexandria earn a median of $47,702 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,656 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

12

Eastern Kentucky University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value speech communication schools. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $40,429 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.

13

University Of The Cumberlands landed the #13 spot for speech communication value this year. University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,875. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $19,331 in student loans. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $27,754. That is a strong return on a $19,331 median debt. University Of The Cumberlands admits about 99% of applicants.

14
Western Kentucky University crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University earned the #14 position for value in speech communication this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $23,500. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $33,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

15

West Virginia University came in at #15 for value in speech communication this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $23,772. Speech Communication graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $51,750 early in their careers. Set against $23,772 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.

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Western Carolina University placed #16 among the best values for speech communication. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $28,996 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.

17

University Of Georgia landed the #17 spot for speech communication value this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the speech communication program here. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $38,717. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.

18

Morehead State University came in at #18 for value in speech communication this year. Located in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,024, while out-of-state students pay about $14,980. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $24,857 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Morehead State University generally make around $26,803. Set against $24,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of North Alabama placed #19 among the best values for speech communication. Located in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,120, compared with $22,320 for out-of-state students. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Speech Communication graduates of University Of North Alabama earn a median of $30,182 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

20

Southeastern Louisiana University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value speech communication schools. Southeastern Louisiana University is a large public school located in the city of Hammond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,373, with out-of-state students paying around $20,851. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $21,660 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Southeastern Louisiana University generally make around $30,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southeastern Louisiana University admits about 99% of applicants.

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Middle Tennessee State University came in at #21 for value in speech communication this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $24,329. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $29,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.

22

University Of Louisiana Monroe earned the #22 position for value in speech communication this year. Located in the city of Monroe, University Of Louisiana Monroe is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,190, while out-of-state students pay about $21,290. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of University Of Louisiana Monroe earn a median of $21,460 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of Louisiana Monroe admits about 85% of applicants.

23

Fayetteville State University came in at #23 for value in speech communication this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,353 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,353 for out-of-state students. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $29,417 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Fayetteville State University generally make around $24,210. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fayetteville State University admits about 82% of applicants.

24
Shepherd University crest
Shepherd University
Shepherdstown, WV

Shepherd University came in at #24 for value in speech communication this year. Located in the rural area of Shepherdstown, Shepherd University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,056, compared with $19,082 for out-of-state students. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $19,558 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Shepherd University generally make around $23,653. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

25

North Carolina A And T State University earned the #25 position for value in speech communication this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,813, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,643 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $28,985 early in their careers. Set against $27,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Speech Communication Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s speech communication value ranking:

26
27
28
29
30
Arkansas Tech University crest
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR
31
32
33
34
35
Augusta University crest
Augusta University
Augusta, GA
36
Pikeville College crest
Pikeville College
Pikeville, KY
37
Mississippi State University crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS
38
39
40
41
42
43
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR
44
45
46
47
Radford University crest
Radford University
Radford, VA
48
49
50

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 142 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 73 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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