by our College Data Analytics Team
[Speech Communication](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/speech-communication/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 55 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for speech communication students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in speech communication, balancing cost against outcomes.
South Texas College earned the #1 spot for value among speech communication schools in Texas. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $6,868. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $30,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value speech communication schools. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $14,519 in student loans. Speech Communication graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Amarillo College one of the best values for speech communication. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,136, while out-of-state students pay about $4,704. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $15,720 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Amarillo College generally make around $41,053. Set against $15,720 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in speech communication will find it at The University Of Texas Pan American, which ranked #4. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $11,956. Speech Communication graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $26,748 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,956 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Houston Community College earned it the #5 place for speech communication. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
1
2
3
4
5
University Of Houston earned the #6 position for value in speech communication this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Students borrow a median of $24,777 to complete the speech communication program here. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $37,958. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
Lone Star College System came in at #7 for value in speech communication this year. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $10,425 median debt.
University Of North Texas landed the #8 spot for speech communication value this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $21,817. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $49,157. That is a strong return on a $21,817 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Tyler Junior College placed #9 among the best values for speech communication. Set in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $4,536. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $14,869. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Tyler Junior College generally make around $43,348. That is a strong return on a $14,869 median debt.
The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #10 position for value in speech communication this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Stephen F Austin State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value speech communication schools. Set in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $20,968. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $45,743 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Texas State University San Marcos earned the #12 position for value in speech communication this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Sam Houston State University landed the #13 spot for speech communication value this year. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $26,000. Speech Communication graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $28,247 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #14 position for value in speech communication this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $43,848. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Blinn College came in at #15 for value in speech communication this year. Set in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,890, with out-of-state students paying around $11,370. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $16,465 in student loans. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $43,408. Set against $16,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas Tech University earned the #16 position for value in speech communication this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $40,730 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
Tarleton State University landed the #17 spot for speech communication value this year. Tarleton State University is a large public school located in the town of Stephenville. In-state tuition and fees average $8,302, while out-of-state students pay about $18,142. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $22,368 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Tarleton State University generally make around $35,715. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tarleton State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Texas Southern University landed the #18 spot for speech communication value this year. Located in the city of Houston, Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,637, with out-of-state students paying around $21,473. Students borrow a median of $38,783 to complete the speech communication program here. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $33,963. Set against $38,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Southern University admits about 97% of applicants.
West Texas A And M University placed #19 among the best values for speech communication. West Texas A And M University is a large public school located in the town of Canyon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,101, with out-of-state students paying around $10,996. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $22,333. Speech Communication graduates of West Texas A And M University earn a median of $43,515 early in their careers. Set against $22,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Incarnate Word placed #20 among the best values for speech communication. Set in the city of San Antonio, University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,090. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the speech communication program here. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of The Incarnate Word generally make around $17,048. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
St Marys University came in at #21 for value in speech communication this year. St Marys University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $37,434. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $25,040. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $42,786. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. St Marys University admits about 98% of applicants.
East Texas Baptist University earned the #22 position for value in speech communication this year. Located in the town of Marshall, East Texas Baptist University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,680. Students borrow a median of $25,137 to complete the speech communication program here. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from East Texas Baptist University generally make around $44,734. Set against $25,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Abilene Christian University came in at #23 for value in speech communication this year. Located in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,200. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete the speech communication program here. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Abilene Christian University generally make around $56,463. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Southwestern University earned the #24 position for value in speech communication this year. Located in the city of Georgetown, Southwestern University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,613. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $34,050. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southwestern University admits about 43% of applicants.
Dallas Baptist University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value speech communication schools. Located in the city of Dallas, Dallas Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,190. Students borrow a median of $22,831 to complete the speech communication program here. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Dallas Baptist University generally make around $35,812. That is a strong return on a $22,831 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in speech communication:
26
27
This ranking is produced 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 · 55 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.