2026 Best Value Speech Communication Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

University Of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

For return on investment in speech communication, no school beat University Of Missouri Kansas City this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $21,982. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $38,786. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Nebraska At Omaha
Omaha, NE

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Nebraska At Omaha earned it the #2 place for speech communication. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $23,250. Speech Communication graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $41,327 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.

3

Missouri Southern State University
Joplin, MO

Students looking for strong value in speech communication will find it at Missouri Southern State University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,600, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $18,350. Speech Communication graduates of Missouri Southern State University earn a median of $30,201 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri Southern State University admits about 97% of applicants.

4

Truman State University
Kirksville, MO

Truman State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in speech communication, landing the #4 spot this year. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,838, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $31,853 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

5

Washburn University
Topeka, KS

Washburn University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value speech communication schools. Washburn University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Topeka. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,945, with out-of-state students paying around $20,949. Students borrow a median of $21,875 to complete the speech communication program here. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $39,932. That is a strong return on a $21,875 median debt.

6

University Of Missouri St Louis
Saint Louis, MO

University Of Missouri St Louis landed the #6 spot for speech communication value this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Students borrow a median of $21,326 to complete the speech communication program here. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $32,809. That is a strong return on a $21,326 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA

University Of Northern Iowa ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value speech communication schools. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $19,387. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $40,558. That is a strong return on a $19,387 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

8

Fort Hays State University
Hays, KS

Fort Hays State University landed the #8 spot for speech communication value this year. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,923, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $25,967. Speech Communication graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $49,775 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,967 median debt. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.

9

Missouri Western State University
Saint Joseph, MO

Missouri Western State University placed #9 among the best values for speech communication. Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Saint Joseph. Students from in state pay about $9,545 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,455. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $24,362. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $41,107. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Rochester Community And Technical College
Rochester, MN

Rochester Community And Technical College placed #10 among the best values for speech communication. Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rochester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,389. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $20,291. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Rochester Community And Technical College generally make around $27,798. That is a strong return on a $20,291 median debt.

11

Northwest Missouri State University
Maryville, MO

Northwest Missouri State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value speech communication schools. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Speech Communication graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $34,195 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

12

University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value speech communication schools. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $40,772 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

13

University Of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, MO

University Of Central Missouri placed #13 among the best values for speech communication. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $22,312 in student loans. Speech Communication graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $45,496 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,312 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.

14

Wayne State College
Wayne, NE

Wayne State College landed the #14 spot for speech communication value this year. Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wayne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,171. Students borrow a median of $25,325 to complete the speech communication program here. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Wayne State College generally make around $35,833. Set against $25,325 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Lincoln, NE

University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #15 position for value in speech communication this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $22,138 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $39,702. That is a strong return on a $22,138 median debt. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.

16

Emporia State University
Emporia, KS

Emporia State University came in at #16 for value in speech communication this year. Set in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,106, compared with $15,419 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of Emporia State University earn a median of $37,095 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Emporia State University admits about 98% of applicants.

17

Bemidji State University
Bemidji, MN

Bemidji State University earned the #17 position for value in speech communication this year. Located in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,237 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,875 to complete the speech communication program here. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Bemidji State University generally make around $34,243. That is a strong return on a $20,875 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

18

Iowa State University
Ames, IA

Iowa State University came in at #18 for value in speech communication this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $19,425 in student loans. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $40,497. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.

19

Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS

Kansas State University came in at #19 for value in speech communication this year. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Students borrow a median of $24,945 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $30,385 early in their careers. Set against $24,945 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.

20

Winona State University
Winona, MN

Winona State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value speech communication schools. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,576 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $38,197. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Winona State University admits about 76% of applicants.

21

Missouri State University Springfield
Springfield, MO

Missouri State University Springfield placed #21 among the best values for speech communication. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $25,000. Speech Communication graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $38,584 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

22

Minnesota State University Moorhead
Moorhead, MN

Minnesota State University Moorhead placed #22 among the best values for speech communication. Located in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,428 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,774 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of Minnesota State University Moorhead earn a median of $36,172 early in their careers. Set against $23,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of Minnesota Duluth
Duluth, MN

University Of Minnesota Duluth ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value speech communication schools. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public school located in the city of Duluth. In-state tuition and fees average $14,608, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,182 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $39,706 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,182 median debt. University Of Minnesota Duluth admits about 89% of applicants.

24

Avila University
Kansas City, MO

Avila University placed #24 among the best values for speech communication. Located in the city of Kansas City, Avila University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,200. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the speech communication program here. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $33,905. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Avila University admits about 88% of applicants.

25

South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD

South Dakota State University came in at #25 for value in speech communication this year. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $25,500. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $39,173. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.