2026 Best Value Speech Communication Schools in Virginia
[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.
College Factual analyzed 15 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value speech communication schools.
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2026 Best Value Speech Communication Schools in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in speech communication, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Speech Communication Schools
Our analysis ranked George Mason University the best value for a degree in speech communication in Virginia. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $63,131. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Radford University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value speech communication schools. Radford University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Radford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,548, compared with $25,633 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $25,250. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Radford University generally make around $38,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Radford University admits about 90% of applicants.
Regent University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value speech communication schools. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,650. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $23,750. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Regent University generally make around $52,175. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Regent University admits about 38% of applicants.
Lynchburg College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in speech communication, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Lynchburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,750. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $107,159. The acceptance rate is 43%.
James Madison University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value speech communication schools. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,966, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. Students borrow a median of $21,502 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $42,769 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Longwood University landed the #6 spot for speech communication value this year. Located in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,740, with out-of-state students paying around $27,980. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the speech communication program here. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Longwood University generally make around $36,062. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Christopher Newport University came in at #7 for value in speech communication this year. Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Newport News. Students from in state pay about $16,828 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,178 for out-of-state students. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $36,953. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value speech communication schools. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $20,613 in student loans. Speech Communication graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $44,309 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Liberty University landed the #9 spot for speech communication value this year. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Speech Communication graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $39,116 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
More Speech Communication Rankings
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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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
