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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Speech Communication Schools in California

37 Colleges in the United States
8,294 Speech Communication Degrees Awarded
$49,633 Avg Early-Career Salary

Speech Communication programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 152 schools to find the best for speech communication students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Speech Communication in California

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall speech communication education in California.

Top Schools in Speech Communication

1

Leading the list is University Of Southern California, our #1 school for 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. There were roughly 257 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California 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 came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best speech communication schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Orange. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Chapman University awarded about 84 speech communication degrees in the most recent data 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

3

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in speech communication, ranking #3. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. 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. Graduates of the speech communication program make about $62,183 in their early career. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $14,928 in student loans. Read more about the speech communication program at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

4

San Jose State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in speech communication, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. 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

5
Santa Clara University crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in speech communication, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Santa Clara University graduates 88% of students within six years. About 104 speech communication degrees were awarded at Santa Clara University in the most recent year. Students who receive their speech communication degree from Santa Clara University earn around $51,720 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,500. More information about a degree in speech communication from Santa Clara University

6

Loyola Marymount University placed #6 among the best speech communication schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 105 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at Loyola Marymount University 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. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. Read more about the speech communication program at Loyola Marymount University

7

California State University Sacramento placed #7 among the best speech communication schools. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. About 56% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 372 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at California State University Sacramento in the most recent data year. Students who receive their speech communication degree from California State University Sacramento earn around $39,304 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000. Read more about the speech communication program at California State University Sacramento

8

San Diego State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best speech communication schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. San Diego State University awarded about 318 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $44,130. Students borrow a median of $15,675 to complete this degree. See the full speech communication program report for San Diego State University

9

San Francisco State University earned the #9 position for speech communication this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. 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. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the speech communication program at San Francisco State University

10

California State University Fullerton landed the #10 spot for speech communication this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 625 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fullerton 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. California State University Fullerton graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Get the full speech communication details for California State University Fullerton

11
University Of San Francisco crest
University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco came in at #11 for speech communication this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of San Francisco. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. University Of San Francisco awarded about 66 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of San Francisco generally make around $39,000. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the speech communication program at University Of San Francisco

12

Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best speech communication schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Rosa. There were roughly 27 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the speech communication program make about $80,047 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in speech communication from Santa Rosa Junior College

13

California State University Long Beach landed the #13 spot for speech communication this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. California State University Long Beach awarded about 355 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Speech Communication graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $34,172 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,953. Get the full speech communication details for California State University Long Beach

14

California State University Chico landed the #14 spot for speech communication this year. Located in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public university. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Chico awarded about 92 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Speech Communication graduates of California State University Chico earn a median of $38,421 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,098 to complete this degree. See the full speech communication program report for California State University Chico

15

California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #15 position for speech communication this year. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 132 speech communication degrees were awarded at California State Polytechnic University Pomona in the most recent year. Speech Communication graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $32,852 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,267 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in speech communication from California State Polytechnic University Pomona

16
Orange Coast College crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA

Orange Coast College landed the #16 spot for speech communication this year. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. There were roughly 124 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at Orange Coast College in the most recent data year. Speech Communication graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $8,978. Read more about the speech communication program at Orange Coast College

17

California State University East Bay earned the #17 position for speech communication this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $35,722. California State University East Bay graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans. More information about a degree in speech communication from California State University East Bay

18
Sonoma State University crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University landed the #18 spot for speech communication this year. Located in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. About 58% of students finish within six years. 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. Students borrow a median of $17,129 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in speech communication from Sonoma State University

19

California State University Northridge placed #19 among the best speech communication schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Northridge. California State University Northridge graduates 57% of students within six years. About 238 speech communication degrees were awarded at California State University Northridge in the most recent year. Graduates of the speech communication program make about $35,357 in their early career. California State University Northridge graduates carry a median of $13,999 in student loans. Read more about the speech communication program at California State University Northridge

20
Moorpark College crest
Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA

Moorpark College placed #20 among the best speech communication schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Moorpark. There were roughly 58 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at Moorpark College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Typical student debt for the program is $17,075. Read more about the speech communication program at Moorpark College

21
Saddleback College crest
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA

Saddleback College landed the #21 spot for speech communication this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Saddleback College awarded about 121 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the speech communication program make about $15,890 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $5,707. Read more about the speech communication program at Saddleback College

22

California State University San Marcos came in at #22 for speech communication this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. There were roughly 158 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at California State University San Marcos in the most recent data year. Speech Communication graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $36,310 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,500. Read more about the speech communication program at California State University San Marcos

23

California State University Channel Islands placed #23 among the best speech communication schools. Located in the rural area of Camarillo, California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public university. About 51% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 78 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at California State University Channel Islands in the most recent data year. Speech Communication graduates of California State University Channel Islands earn a median of $40,109 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete this degree. See the full speech communication program report for California State University Channel Islands

24

Point Loma Nazarene University came in at #24 for speech communication this year. Located in the city of San Diego, Point Loma Nazarene University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 77% of students finish within six years. About 16 speech communication degrees were awarded at Point Loma Nazarene University in the most recent year. Students who receive their speech communication degree from Point Loma Nazarene University earn around $40,138 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. Get the full speech communication details for Point Loma Nazarene University

25
College Of The Canyons crest
College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons placed #25 among the best speech communication schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. College Of The Canyons awarded about 51 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Speech Communication graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,776. Get the full speech communication details for College Of The Canyons

Rest of the Top 50 Speech Communication Schools

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

26
Santa Barbara City College crest
Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara, CA
27
28
29
Westmont College crest
Westmont College
Santa Barbara, CA
30
Diablo Valley College crest
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA
31
College Of San Mateo crest
College Of San Mateo
San Mateo, CA
32
Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA
33
Foothill College crest
Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, CA
34
Cuesta College crest
Cuesta College
San Luis Obispo, CA
35
Miracosta College crest
Miracosta College
Oceanside, CA
36
37
De Anza College crest
De Anza College
Cupertino, CA
38
Biola University crest
Biola University
La Mirada, CA
39
40
Santa Monica College crest
Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA
41
42
43
44
45
46
Skyline College crest
Skyline College
San Bruno, CA
47
Cypress College crest
Cypress College
Cypress, CA
48
Grossmont College crest
Grossmont College
El Cajon, CA
49
50
Santa Ana College crest
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 152 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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