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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Speech Communication Schools in the Southeast Region

73 Colleges in the United States
6,777 Speech Communication Degrees Awarded
$39,676 Avg Early-Career Salary

Speech Communication degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 142 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best speech communication schools.

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Best Schools for Speech Communication in the Southeast Region

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

Top Schools in Speech Communication

1

No school ranked higher than University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill this year for speech communication. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 133 speech communication degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent year. Students who receive their speech communication degree from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn around $49,991 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,500. Read more about the speech communication program at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

2
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in speech communication, ranking #2. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 442 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $42,769. James Madison University graduates carry a median of $21,502 in student loans. See the full speech communication program report for James Madison University

3

George Mason University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best speech communication schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fairfax. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 126 speech communication degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Students who receive their speech communication degree from George Mason University earn around $63,131 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree. Read more about the speech communication program at George Mason University

4

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best speech communication schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Blacksburg. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. 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. Students borrow a median of $20,613 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in speech communication from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

5
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

A rank of #5 makes Vanderbilt University one of the top schools for speech communication. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Vanderbilt University awarded about 20 speech communication degrees 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

6

The University Of Tennessee came in at #6 for speech communication this year. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. About 74% of students finish within six years. The University Of Tennessee awarded about 134 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $41,258. Typical student debt for the program is $20,875. Get the full speech communication details for The University Of Tennessee

7
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami earned the #7 position for speech communication this year. Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 47 speech communication degrees were awarded at University Of Miami in the most recent year. Graduates of the speech communication program make about $57,234 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,750. More information about a degree in speech communication from University Of Miami

8
Samford University crest
Samford University
Birmingham, AL

Samford University placed #8 among the best speech communication schools. Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Birmingham. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. Samford University awarded about 26 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their speech communication degree from Samford University earn around $39,690 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,039. See the full speech communication program report for Samford University

9
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

University Of Arkansas landed the #9 spot for speech communication this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Fayetteville. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 187 speech communication degrees were awarded at University Of Arkansas in the most recent year. Graduates of the speech communication program make about $40,095 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,165. See the full speech communication program report for University Of Arkansas

10

University Of Georgia landed the #10 spot for speech communication this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Athens. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 118 speech communication degrees were awarded at University Of Georgia in the most recent year. Students who receive their speech communication degree from University Of Georgia earn around $38,717 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,500. See the full speech communication program report for University Of Georgia

11
Furman University crest
Furman University
Greenville, SC

Furman University came in at #11 for speech communication this year. Set in the suburb of Greenville, Furman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. Furman University awarded about 36 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their speech communication degree from Furman University earn around $41,766 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,631. More information about a degree in speech communication from Furman University

12

North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #12 for speech communication this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. North Carolina State University At Raleigh awarded about 201 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $39,889. Typical student debt for the program is $22,324. See the full speech communication program report for North Carolina State University At Raleigh

13

The University Of Alabama earned the #13 position for speech communication this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. The University Of Alabama graduates 73% of students within six years. The University Of Alabama awarded about 219 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Speech Communication graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $50,351 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. More information about a degree in speech communication from The University Of Alabama

14

University Of Kentucky ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best speech communication schools. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. About 245 speech communication degrees were awarded at University Of Kentucky in the most recent year. Graduates of the speech communication program make about $39,311 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,875 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in speech communication from University Of Kentucky

15

Tulane University Of Louisiana earned the #15 position for speech communication this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Orleans. Tulane University Of Louisiana graduates 86% of students within six years. Tulane University Of Louisiana awarded about 104 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the speech communication program make about $33,428 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,082. More information about a degree in speech communication from Tulane University Of Louisiana

16
College Of Charleston crest
College Of Charleston
Charleston, SC

College Of Charleston landed the #16 spot for speech communication this year. Located in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a large public university. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 187 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at College Of Charleston in the most recent data year. Speech Communication graduates of College Of Charleston earn a median of $36,903 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. Read more about the speech communication program at College Of Charleston

17

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earned the #17 position for speech communication this year. Set in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public institution. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 184 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington in the most recent data year. Speech Communication graduates of University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn a median of $36,695 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the speech communication program at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington

18

Florida International University earned the #18 position for speech communication this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Florida International University graduates 74% of students within six years. About 233 speech communication degrees were awarded at Florida International University in the most recent year. Students who receive their speech communication degree from Florida International University earn around $44,331 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,000. See the full speech communication program report for Florida International University

19

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College landed the #19 spot for speech communication this year. Set in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public institution. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College graduates 66% of students within six years. About 42 speech communication degrees were awarded at Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College in the most recent year. Graduates of the speech communication program make about $43,305 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,875. Read more about the speech communication program at Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College

20

University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #20 spot for speech communication this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. University Of South Florida Main Campus graduates 77% of students within six years. University Of South Florida Main Campus awarded about 194 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $34,530. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. More information about a degree in speech communication from University Of South Florida Main Campus

21

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best speech communication schools. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 276 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte in the most recent data year. Students who receive their speech communication degree from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn around $38,234 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,050 to complete this degree. Get the full speech communication details for University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

22

Florida Gulf Coast University earned the #22 position for speech communication this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Florida Gulf Coast University graduates 57% of students within six years. About 152 speech communication degrees were awarded at Florida Gulf Coast University in the most recent year. Speech Communication graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $39,342 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,258. See the full speech communication program report for Florida Gulf Coast University

23
Union University crest
Union University
Jackson, TN

Union University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best speech communication schools. Located in the city of Jackson, Union University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Union University graduates 66% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at Union University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Union University generally make around $68,508. Typical student debt for the program is $28,605. See the full speech communication program report for Union University

24

West Virginia University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best speech communication schools. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. About 64% of students finish within six years. West Virginia University awarded about 82 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Speech Communication graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $51,750 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,772. Get the full speech communication details for West Virginia University

25

University Of Central Florida earned the #25 position for speech communication this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. University Of Central Florida graduates 78% of students within six years. University Of Central Florida awarded about 368 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their speech communication degree from University Of Central Florida earn around $37,021 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Central Florida graduates carry a median of $21,854 in student loans. Read more about the speech communication program at University Of Central Florida

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
Belmont University crest
Belmont University
Nashville, TN
30
31
32
33
34
35
Longwood University crest
Longwood University
Farmville, VA
36
Mississippi State University crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS
37
38
39
Radford University crest
Radford University
Radford, VA
40
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
41
42
43
44
45
Bellarmine University crest
Bellarmine University
Louisville, KY
46
47
48
49
Northern Kentucky University crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY
50
Western Kentucky University crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

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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 · 142 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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