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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Speech Communication Schools

345 Colleges in the United States
29,330 Speech Communication Degrees Awarded
$41,616 Avg Early-Career Salary

Speech Communication programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 843 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best speech communication schools.

What’s on this page:

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Choosing a Great Speech Communication School

Best Speech Communication Schools

The school you choose for speech communication can shape your career. That is why we built our Best Speech Communication Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.

To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.

Speech Communication Rankings by Degree Level

Associate's Degrees in Speech Communication
Bachelor's Degrees in Speech Communication
Master's Degrees in Speech Communication
Doctoral Degrees in Speech Communication

We offer several rankings, including this Best Speech Communication Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.

Learn more about our methodology

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Best Schools for Speech Communication in the United States

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the speech communication degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Speech Communication

1

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in speech communication. This very large public university is located in the city of Chapel Hill. About 91% of students finish within six years. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 133 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $49,991. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. See the full speech communication program report for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

2
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA

Boston College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best speech communication schools. Set in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit institution. Boston College graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 172 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at Boston College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their speech communication degree from Boston College earn around $55,162 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete this degree. See the full speech communication program report for Boston College

3

A rank of #3 makes Pennsylvania State University Main Campus one of the top schools for speech communication. This very large public university is located in the city of University Park. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 77 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full speech communication details for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

4

Students looking for a strong speech communication program will find one at Johns Hopkins University, which ranked #4. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Baltimore. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 262 speech communication degrees were awarded at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent year. Graduates of the speech communication program make about $82,754 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,426. See the full speech communication program report for Johns Hopkins University

5

University Of Southern California came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best speech communication schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. University Of Southern California awarded about 257 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $58,119. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $17,702 in student loans. Get the full speech communication details for University Of Southern California

6

University Of Maryland College Park ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best speech communication schools. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. There were roughly 265 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $43,696. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree. See the full speech communication program report for University Of Maryland College Park

7
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best speech communication schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Harrisonburg. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 442 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Speech Communication graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $42,769 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,502. See the full speech communication program report for James Madison University

8

George Mason University placed #8 among the best speech communication schools. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 126 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $63,131. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. More information about a degree in speech communication from George Mason University

9

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earned the #9 position for speech communication this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Blacksburg. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University awarded about 249 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $44,309. Typical student debt for the program is $20,613. More information about a degree in speech communication from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

10

The University Of Texas At Austin placed #10 among the best speech communication schools. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 194 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $43,848. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Read more about the speech communication program at The University Of Texas At Austin

11

Northwestern University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best speech communication schools. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 87 speech communication degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Graduates of the speech communication program make about $69,611 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,112. Read more about the speech communication program at Northwestern University

12

Chapman University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best speech communication schools. Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Orange. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. About 84 speech communication degrees were awarded at Chapman University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Chapman University generally make around $44,601. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. See the full speech communication program report for Chapman University

13

University Of Arizona came in at #13 for speech communication this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tucson. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 222 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arizona in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $42,993. Typical student debt for the program is $19,750. See the full speech communication program report for University Of Arizona

14

University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best speech communication schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 317 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Speech Communication graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $44,638 early in their careers. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $16,433 in student loans. See the full speech communication program report for University Of Washington Seattle Campus

15
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus came in at #15 for speech communication this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. About 241 speech communication degrees were awarded at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the speech communication program make about $59,776 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,500. Get the full speech communication details for Purdue University Main Campus

16

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best speech communication schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates 86% of students within six years. About 86 speech communication degrees were awarded at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $62,183. Students borrow a median of $14,928 to complete this degree. Read more about the speech communication program at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

17

University Of Delaware landed the #17 spot for speech communication this year. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. University Of Delaware awarded about 193 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the speech communication program make about $41,897 in their early career. University Of Delaware graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in speech communication from University Of Delaware

18

Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #18 position for speech communication this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbus. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. About 451 speech communication degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their speech communication degree from Ohio State University Main Campus earn around $41,232 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,500. See the full speech communication program report for Ohio State University Main Campus

19

San Jose State University placed #19 among the best speech communication schools. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 206 speech communication degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year. Get the full speech communication details for San Jose State University

20

University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best speech communication schools. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 188 speech communication degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. Graduates of the speech communication program make about $44,078 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. Get the full speech communication details for University Of Missouri Columbia

21

University Of Connecticut ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best speech communication schools. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 279 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at University Of Connecticut in the most recent data year. Students who receive their speech communication degree from University Of Connecticut earn around $40,473 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,068. Get the full speech communication details for University Of Connecticut

22

University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #22 for speech communication this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 224 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $37,286. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in speech communication from University Of Wisconsin Madison

23
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University landed the #23 spot for speech communication this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 20 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete this degree. Read more about the speech communication program at Vanderbilt University

24

Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #24 among the best speech communication schools. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates 84% of students within six years. About 288 speech communication degrees were awarded at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent year. Graduates of the speech communication program make about $43,649 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the speech communication program at Rutgers University New Brunswick

25
Santa Clara University crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University earned the #25 position for speech communication this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Santa Clara. About 88% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 104 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at Santa Clara University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Santa Clara University generally make around $51,720. Santa Clara University graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in speech communication from Santa Clara University

Rest of the Top 50 Speech Communication Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s speech communication ranking:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
37
Villanova University crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA
38
39
40
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL
41
42
43
44
45
University Of Utah crest
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
46
Samford University crest
Samford University
Birmingham, AL
47
University Of San Francisco crest
University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
48
49
50
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

Additional Speech Communication Award Winners

These schools also stood out for speech communication:

Rank School Location
#51 University Of Georgia Athens, GA
#56 Loyola University Baltimore Baltimore, MD
#57 California State University Long Beach Long Beach, CA
#61 The University Of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL
#62 University Of Kentucky Lexington, KY
#63 Fairfield University Fairfield, CT
#66 University Of Iowa Iowa City, IA
#68 Tulane University Of Louisiana New Orleans, LA
#69 Arizona State University Tempe, AZ
#70 Michigan State University East Lansing, MI
#74 University Of Cincinnati Main Campus Cincinnati, OH
#75 University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus Norman, OK
#77 University Of Rhode Island Kingston, RI
#86 Florida International University Miami, FL
#90 University Of Denver Denver, CO
#93 Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LA
#95 University Of South Florida Main Campus Tampa, FL
#103 Pace University New York New York, NY
#105 Depaul University Chicago, IL
#106 Syracuse University Syracuse, NY
#109 Emerson College Boston, MA
#110 University Of Central Florida Orlando, FL
#111 Colorado State University Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO
#117 Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX
#123 Ohio University Main Campus Athens, OH

Honorable Mentions

Also worth considering for speech communication:

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Speech Communication by Region

View the Best Speech Communication Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

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Speech Communication is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 843 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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