ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Speech Communication Schools in the Great Lakes Region

59 Colleges in the United States
3,577 Speech Communication Degrees Awarded
$38,188 Avg Early-Career Salary

Speech Communication is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their speech communication programs.

College Factual analyzed 130 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best speech communication schools.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/speech-communication/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/speech-communication/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/speech-communication/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/speech-communication/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/speech-communication/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/speech-communication/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/speech-communication/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 1
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 09.01), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Media Communication (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Media Communication (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 0
DEBUG: No relevant offers, showing generic ESYOH widget

Best Schools for Speech Communication in the Great Lakes Region

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

No school ranked higher than Northwestern University this year for speech communication. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Evanston. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. About 87 speech communication degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Speech Communication graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $69,611 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,112 to complete this degree. See the full speech communication program report for Northwestern University

2
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in speech communication, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 241 speech communication degrees were awarded at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent year. Speech Communication graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $59,776 early in their careers. Purdue University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Read more about the speech communication program at Purdue University Main Campus

3

Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best speech communication schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbus. About 88% of students finish within six years. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 451 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $41,232. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Read more about the speech communication program at Ohio State University Main Campus

4

Students looking for a strong speech communication program will find one at University Of Wisconsin Madison, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 224 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the speech communication program make about $37,286 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. Read more about the speech communication program at University Of Wisconsin Madison

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of Dayton one of the top schools for speech communication. Set in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Dayton graduates 80% of students within six years. University Of Dayton awarded about 169 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Speech Communication graduates of University Of Dayton earn a median of $42,629 early in their careers. University Of Dayton graduates carry a median of $25,375 in student loans. Get the full speech communication details for University Of Dayton

6

Illinois State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best speech communication schools. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 144 speech communication degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the speech communication program make about $41,670 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,125 to complete this degree. Get the full speech communication details for Illinois State University

7

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse came in at #7 for speech communication this year. This large public university is located in the city of La Crosse. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse awarded about 69 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their speech communication degree from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn around $40,293 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,455 to complete this degree. Read more about the speech communication program at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse

8
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best speech communication schools. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. About 220 speech communication degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $36,390. Michigan State University graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. See the full speech communication program report for Michigan State University

9

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #9 position for speech communication this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus awarded about 204 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their speech communication degree from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn around $39,953 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,869 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in speech communication from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

10
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University came in at #10 for speech communication this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 36 speech communication degrees were awarded at Depaul University in the most recent year. Students who receive their speech communication degree from Depaul University earn around $40,421 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,916. Read more about the speech communication program at Depaul University

11

Ohio University Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best speech communication schools. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. Ohio University Main Campus graduates 65% of students within six years. There were roughly 155 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $36,666. Students borrow a median of $24,063 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in speech communication from Ohio University Main Campus

12

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #12 position for speech communication this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. About 54 speech communication degrees were awarded at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis in the most recent year. Graduates of the speech communication program make about $39,775 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. Get the full speech communication details for Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

13
John Carroll University crest
John Carroll University
University Heights, OH

John Carroll University earned the #13 position for speech communication this year. John Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of University Heights. John Carroll University graduates 79% of students within six years. There were roughly 39 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at John Carroll University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from John Carroll University generally make around $41,072. John Carroll University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full speech communication details for John Carroll University

14
Depauw University crest
Depauw University
Greencastle, IN

Depauw University came in at #14 for speech communication this year. Located in the town of Greencastle, Depauw University is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 47 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at Depauw University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Depauw University generally make around $43,141. Depauw University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in speech communication from Depauw University

15

Wheaton College Illinois came in at #15 for speech communication this year. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Wheaton College Illinois graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 34 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at Wheaton College Illinois in the most recent data year. Speech Communication graduates of Wheaton College Illinois earn a median of $39,321 early in their careers. Wheaton College Illinois graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. See the full speech communication program report for Wheaton College Illinois

16
Hope College crest
Hope College
Holland, MI

Hope College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best speech communication schools. Located in the city of Holland, Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 48 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at Hope College in the most recent data year. Speech Communication graduates of Hope College earn a median of $38,956 early in their careers. Hope College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full speech communication program report for Hope College

17

Ball State University earned the #17 position for speech communication this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 42 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at Ball State University in the most recent data year. Speech Communication graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $33,815 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,550 to complete this degree. Read more about the speech communication program at Ball State University

18

Bowling Green State University Main Campus placed #18 among the best speech communication schools. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. About 61% of students finish within six years. Bowling Green State University Main Campus awarded about 23 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their speech communication degree from Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn around $53,846 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,449. Get the full speech communication details for Bowling Green State University Main Campus

19

Loyola University Chicago landed the #19 spot for speech communication this year. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. Loyola University Chicago awarded about 33 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $31,495. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Read more about the speech communication program at Loyola University Chicago

20

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best speech communication schools. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. There were roughly 44 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $36,569. Students borrow a median of $21,759 to complete this degree. See the full speech communication program report for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

21
Xavier University crest
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH

Xavier University placed #21 among the best speech communication schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cincinnati. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Xavier University awarded about 13 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their speech communication degree from Xavier University earn around $39,771 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,825 to complete this degree. Get the full speech communication details for Xavier University

22

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh placed #22 among the best speech communication schools. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 31 speech communication degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh in the most recent year. Speech Communication graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $40,673 early in their careers. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh graduates carry a median of $26,534 in student loans. More information about a degree in speech communication from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh

23

Northern Illinois University placed #23 among the best speech communication schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Dekalb. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. About 72 speech communication degrees were awarded at Northern Illinois University in the most recent year. Graduates of the speech communication program make about $38,490 in their early career. Northern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in speech communication from Northern Illinois University

24

University Of Wisconsin River Falls landed the #24 spot for speech communication this year. Located in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public university. University Of Wisconsin River Falls graduates 57% of students within six years. About 23 speech communication degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin River Falls in the most recent year. Students who receive their speech communication degree from University Of Wisconsin River Falls earn around $38,309 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,212. Get the full speech communication details for University Of Wisconsin River Falls

25
Lake Forest College crest
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, IL

Lake Forest College earned the #25 position for speech communication this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Lake Forest. About 78% of students finish within six years. About 28 speech communication degrees were awarded at Lake Forest College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Lake Forest College generally make around $42,835. Lake Forest College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the speech communication program at Lake Forest College

Rest of the Top 50 Speech Communication Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong speech communication education:

26
27
28
Cedarville University crest
Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH
29
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI
30
Aurora University crest
Aurora University
Aurora, IL
31
Calvin College crest
Calvin College
Grand Rapids, MI
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
Mount Mary College crest
Mount Mary College
Milwaukee, WI
40
41
42
43
44
45
Governors State University crest
Governors State University
University Park, IL
46
Cornerstone University crest
Cornerstone University
Grand Rapids, MI
47
Indiana State University crest
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN
48
49
50

Narrow Speech Communication Schools by State

ADBLOCK #173
View All Speech Communication Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 130 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options