2026 Best Value Speech Communication Schools in Kentucky
[Speech Communication](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/speech-communication/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong speech communication education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find the best return on investment for speech communication students.
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2026 Best Value Speech Communication Schools in Kentucky
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 Northern Kentucky University this year. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $38,637 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Eastern Kentucky University one of the best values for speech communication. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $25,000. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $40,429. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Morehead State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value speech communication schools. Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Morehead. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,024, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $24,857 in student loans. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $26,803. Set against $24,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Western Kentucky University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value speech communication schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $23,500. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $33,955. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of The Cumberlands is a great value for students pursuing a degree in speech communication, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamsburg. Students from in state pay about $9,875 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $19,331. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of The Cumberlands generally make around $27,754. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Pikeville College placed #6 among the best values for speech communication. Pikeville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Pikeville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $24,850. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $22,966. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Pikeville College generally make around $57,157. That is a strong return on a $22,966 median debt.
University Of Kentucky placed #7 among the best values for speech communication. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $23,875 in student loans. Speech Communication graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $39,311 early in their careers. Set against $23,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
Lindsey Wilson College earned the #8 position for value in speech communication this year. Set in the town of Columbia, Lindsey Wilson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,808. Students borrow a median of $26,769 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of Lindsey Wilson College earn a median of $25,549 early in their careers. Set against $26,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Louisville landed the #9 spot for speech communication value this year. University Of Louisville is a very large public school located in the city of Louisville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,136, with out-of-state students paying around $29,482. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $23,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $38,219. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Bellarmine University came in at #10 for value in speech communication this year. Bellarmine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Louisville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,770. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $25,853. Speech Communication graduates of Bellarmine University earn a median of $34,858 early in their careers. Set against $25,853 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
