2026 Best Value Speech Communication Schools in the Southwest Region

1

Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, NM

For return on investment in speech communication, no school beat Central New Mexico Community College this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the speech communication program here. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $34,751. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.

2

South Texas College
McAllen, TX

A rank of #2 makes South Texas College one of the best values for speech communication. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Students borrow a median of $6,868 to complete the speech communication program here. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $30,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Austin Community College District
Austin, TX

A rank of #3 makes Austin Community College District one of the best values for speech communication. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $14,519. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $44,895. That is a strong return on a $14,519 median debt.

4

Amarillo College
Amarillo, TX

A rank of #4 makes Amarillo College one of the best values for speech communication. Located in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $15,720. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $41,053. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus
Portales, NM

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in speech communication, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,074, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $20,054. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $41,109. Set against $20,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.

6

Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Durant, OK

Southeastern Oklahoma State University placed #6 among the best values for speech communication. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Durant. Students from in state pay about $7,200 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,410. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $18,660. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $51,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

7

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #7 spot for speech communication value this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $11,956. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $26,748. Set against $11,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.

8

Houston Community College
Houston, TX

Houston Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value speech communication schools. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $19,223. Speech Communication graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University came in at #9 for value in speech communication this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the speech communication program here. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $56,309. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.

10

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston landed the #10 spot for speech communication value this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $24,777 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $37,958. Set against $24,777 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

11

Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX

Lone Star College System earned the #11 position for value in speech communication this year. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the speech communication program here. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $39,954. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

University Of North Texas
Denton, TX

University Of North Texas earned the #12 position for value in speech communication this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $21,817 to complete the speech communication program here. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $49,157. Set against $21,817 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value speech communication schools. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete the speech communication program here. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $42,993. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

14

Northeastern State University
Tahlequah, OK

Northeastern State University earned the #14 position for value in speech communication this year. Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Tahlequah. Students from in state pay about $7,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,465 to complete the speech communication program here. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $34,703. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northeastern State University admits about 100% of applicants.

15

Tyler Junior College
Tyler, TX

Tyler Junior College landed the #15 spot for speech communication value this year. Set in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $4,536. Students borrow a median of $14,869 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of Tyler Junior College earn a median of $43,348 early in their careers. Set against $14,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ

Northern Arizona University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value speech communication schools. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,375 to complete the speech communication program here. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $41,491. Set against $19,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

17

East Central University
Ada, OK

East Central University earned the #17 position for value in speech communication this year. Set in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,032, with out-of-state students paying around $17,842. Students borrow a median of $24,571 to complete the speech communication program here. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from East Central University generally make around $42,103. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

18

The University Of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX

The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #18 position for value in speech communication this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the speech communication program here. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $23,766. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

19

Stephen F Austin State University
Nacogdoches, TX

Stephen F Austin State University earned the #19 position for value in speech communication this year. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, compared with $20,968 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $24,000. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Stephen F Austin State University generally make around $45,743. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.

20

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Norman, OK

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #20 for value in speech communication this year. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $45,009. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

21

Texas State University San Marcos
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University San Marcos earned the #21 position for value in speech communication this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the speech communication program here. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $43,500. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

22

Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, TX

Sam Houston State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value speech communication schools. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $19,068. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $28,247. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

23

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #23 position for value in speech communication this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $43,848. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.

24

Blinn College
Brenham, TX

Blinn College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value speech communication schools. Set in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,890, while out-of-state students pay about $11,370. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $16,465 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Blinn College generally make around $43,408. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University landed the #25 spot for speech communication value this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $40,730. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.