2026 Best Value Speech Communication Schools in South Carolina
[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 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for speech communication students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Speech Communication Schools in South Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in speech communication, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Speech Communication Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of South Carolina Aiken the best value for a degree in speech communication in South Carolina. University Of South Carolina Aiken is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Aiken. Students from in state pay about $10,760 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,218. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $28,000. Speech Communication graduates of University Of South Carolina Aiken earn a median of $34,654 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of South Carolina Upstate one of the best values for speech communication. Located in the suburb of Spartanburg, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,588 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,090. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $27,000. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $34,456. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Carolina Upstate admits about 67% of applicants.
Coastal Carolina University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value speech communication schools. Set in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,640, with out-of-state students paying around $29,628. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $25,000. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $29,821. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of Charleston earned it the #4 place for speech communication. College Of Charleston is a large public school located in the city of Charleston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,978, compared with $38,296 for out-of-state students. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Speech Communication graduates of College Of Charleston earn a median of $36,903 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Carolina Beaufort earned it the #5 place for speech communication. Set in the town of Bluffton, University Of South Carolina Beaufort is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,730, while out-of-state students pay about $21,776. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Beaufort generally make around $28,017. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Carolina Beaufort admits about 72% of applicants.
Clemson University placed #6 among the best values for speech communication. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $23,783. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $53,834. That is a strong return on a $23,783 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Furman University came in at #7 for value in speech communication this year. Furman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Greenville. In-state tuition and fees average $59,770. Students borrow a median of $22,631 to complete the speech communication program here. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $41,766. Set against $22,631 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Furman University admits about 43% of applicants.
More Speech Communication Rankings
View All Speech Communication Rankings >
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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
