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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Speech Communication Schools in North Carolina

10 Colleges in the United States
$23,198 Avg Student Debt
$55,432 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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong speech communication education at a price that pays off.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 18 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 North Carolina

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

Best Value Speech Communication Schools

1

Our analysis ranked University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill the best value for a degree in speech communication in North Carolina. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $49,991. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of North Carolina At Greensboro one of the best values for speech communication. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $25,000. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $30,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

3

A rank of #3 makes Western Carolina University one of the best values for speech communication. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,630, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Carolina University admits about 82% of applicants.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned it the #4 place for speech communication. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,050 to complete the speech communication program here. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $38,234. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.

5

North Carolina A And T State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in speech communication, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,813, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $27,643. 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%.

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6

Fayetteville State University earned the #6 position for value in speech communication this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,353, with out-of-state students paying around $8,353. 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. The acceptance rate is 82%.

7

Appalachian State University placed #7 among the best values for speech communication. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $21,500. Speech Communication graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $38,331 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

8

East Carolina University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value speech communication schools. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $23,250. Speech Communication graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $45,745 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

9

North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #9 among the best values for speech communication. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $22,324. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $39,889. Set against $22,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.

10
Catawba College crest
Catawba College
Salisbury, NC

Catawba College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value speech communication schools. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Catawba College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,300. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $32,323. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

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11

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington came in at #11 for value in speech communication this year. Set in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,277 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,152. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington generally make around $36,695. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

12
Campbell University crest
Campbell University
Buies Creek, NC

Campbell University earned the #12 position for value in speech communication this year. Located in the town of Buies Creek, Campbell University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,600. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $23,641. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $54,629. Set against $23,641 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Campbell University admits about 87% of applicants.

13

Elon University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value speech communication schools. Located in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,958. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $23,250. Speech Communication graduates of Elon University earn a median of $50,463 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.

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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 · 18 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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