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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Speech Communication Schools in the Far Western Region

56 Colleges in the United States
9,410 Speech Communication Degrees Awarded
$46,827 Avg Early-Career Salary

Speech Communication is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 185 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best speech communication schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Speech Communication in the Far Western Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall speech communication education in the Far Western Region.

Top Schools in Speech Communication

1

Our analysis ranked University Of Southern California the best school in the country for a degree in speech communication. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Southern California awarded about 257 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Speech Communication graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $58,119 early in their careers. 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

2

Chapman University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in speech communication, landing the #2 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Orange. Chapman University graduates 82% of students within six years. Chapman University awarded about 84 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the speech communication program make about $44,601 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. Read more about the speech communication program at Chapman University

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Washington Seattle Campus one of the top schools for speech communication. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 317 speech communication degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $44,638. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $16,433 in student loans. Read more about the speech communication program at University Of Washington Seattle Campus

4

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in speech communication, ranking #4. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 86 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Speech Communication graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $62,183 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,928 to complete this degree. See the full speech communication program report for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

5

San Jose State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in speech communication, landing the #5 spot this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 206 speech communication degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year. Read more about the speech communication program at San Jose State University

6
Santa Clara University crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University landed the #6 spot for speech communication this year. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. Santa Clara University awarded about 104 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their speech communication degree from Santa Clara University earn around $51,720 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the speech communication program at Santa Clara University

7

Loyola Marymount University landed the #7 spot for speech communication this year. Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. Loyola Marymount University awarded about 105 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their speech communication degree from Loyola Marymount University earn around $41,113 in the first couple years of their career. Loyola Marymount University graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Get the full speech communication details for Loyola Marymount University

8

California State University Sacramento earned the #8 position for speech communication this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Sacramento. About 56% of students finish within six years. About 372 speech communication degrees were awarded at California State University Sacramento in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $39,304. California State University Sacramento graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in speech communication from California State University Sacramento

9

San Diego State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best speech communication schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 318 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at San Diego State University in the most recent data year. Speech Communication graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $44,130 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,675. See the full speech communication program report for San Diego State University

10

San Francisco State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best speech communication schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. San Francisco State University awarded about 215 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the speech communication program make about $40,790 in their early career. San Francisco State University graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Read more about the speech communication program at San Francisco State University

11

California State University Fullerton landed the #11 spot for speech communication this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. California State University Fullerton awarded about 625 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their speech communication degree from California State University Fullerton earn around $40,251 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,000. Get the full speech communication details for California State University Fullerton

12
University Of San Francisco crest
University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco placed #12 among the best speech communication schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit institution. University Of San Francisco graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 66 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at University Of San Francisco in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of San Francisco generally make around $39,000. University Of San Francisco graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. See the full speech communication program report for University Of San Francisco

13

Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best speech communication schools. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa Junior College awarded about 27 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Typical student debt for the program is $14,692. See the full speech communication program report for Santa Rosa Junior College

14

Western Washington University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best speech communication schools. Set in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. There were roughly 100 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at Western Washington University in the most recent data year. Speech Communication graduates of Western Washington University earn a median of $34,857 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,875 to complete this degree. Get the full speech communication details for Western Washington University

15
Gonzaga University crest
Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA

Gonzaga University placed #15 among the best speech communication schools. Gonzaga University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Spokane. Gonzaga University graduates 86% of students within six years. About 31 speech communication degrees were awarded at Gonzaga University in the most recent year. Graduates of the speech communication program make about $37,799 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,375 to complete this degree. Read more about the speech communication program at Gonzaga University

16

California State University Long Beach ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best speech communication schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Long Beach awarded about 355 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the speech communication program make about $34,172 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,953 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in speech communication from California State University Long Beach

17

California State University Chico ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best speech communication schools. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. California State University Chico graduates 63% of students within six years. About 92 speech communication degrees were awarded at California State University Chico in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from California State University Chico generally make around $38,421. California State University Chico graduates carry a median of $17,098 in student loans. More information about a degree in speech communication from California State University Chico

18

California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #18 for speech communication this year. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 132 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at California State Polytechnic University Pomona in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $32,852. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates carry a median of $14,267 in student loans. Read more about the speech communication program at California State Polytechnic University Pomona

19
Orange Coast College crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA

Orange Coast College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best speech communication schools. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. About 124 speech communication degrees were awarded at Orange Coast College in the most recent year. Students who receive their speech communication degree from Orange Coast College earn around $46,306 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,978. More information about a degree in speech communication from Orange Coast College

20

California State University East Bay landed the #20 spot for speech communication this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University East Bay awarded about 96 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Speech Communication graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $35,722 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in speech communication from California State University East Bay

21

University Of Nevada Reno ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best speech communication schools. Located in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public university. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 56 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nevada Reno in the most recent data year. Speech Communication graduates of University Of Nevada Reno earn a median of $40,296 early in their careers. University Of Nevada Reno graduates carry a median of $17,688 in student loans. Get the full speech communication details for University Of Nevada Reno

22
Sonoma State University crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University came in at #22 for speech communication this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 67 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at Sonoma State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Sonoma State University generally make around $32,952. Typical student debt for the program is $17,129. See the full speech communication program report for Sonoma State University

23

California State University Northridge came in at #23 for speech communication this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. California State University Northridge graduates 57% of students within six years. California State University Northridge awarded about 238 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the speech communication program make about $35,357 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,999. Read more about the speech communication program at California State University Northridge

24
Seattle University crest
Seattle University
Seattle, WA

Seattle University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best speech communication schools. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 14 speech communication degrees were awarded at Seattle University in the most recent year. Speech Communication graduates of Seattle University earn a median of $39,316 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. More information about a degree in speech communication from Seattle University

25

Whitworth University came in at #25 for speech communication this year. Located in the suburb of Spokane, Whitworth University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. Whitworth University awarded about 13 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their speech communication degree from Whitworth University earn around $39,305 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in speech communication from Whitworth University

Rest of the Top 50 Speech Communication Schools

These schools also placed among the best for speech communication this year:

26
Moorpark College crest
Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA
27
Saddleback College crest
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA
28
29
30
31
32
College Of The Canyons crest
College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA
33
Santa Barbara City College crest
Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara, CA
34
35
36
37
Westmont College crest
Westmont College
Santa Barbara, CA
38
Diablo Valley College crest
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA
39
College Of San Mateo crest
College Of San Mateo
San Mateo, CA
40
Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA
41
42
Foothill College crest
Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, CA
43
Cuesta College crest
Cuesta College
San Luis Obispo, CA
44
Miracosta College crest
Miracosta College
Oceanside, CA
45
46
47
De Anza College crest
De Anza College
Cupertino, CA
48
Biola University crest
Biola University
La Mirada, CA
49
50

Honorable Mentions

Also worth considering for speech communication:

Narrow Speech Communication Schools by State

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View All Speech Communication Rankings >

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 185 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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