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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Speech Communication Schools in the The Plains States Region

34 Colleges in the United States
1,306 Speech Communication Degrees Awarded
$39,763 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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 94 schools to find the best for speech communication students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Speech Communication in the The Plains States Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall speech communication education in the The Plains States Region.

Top Schools in Speech Communication

1

Leading the list is University Of Missouri Columbia, our #1 school for speech communication. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 188 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent data year. Students who receive their speech communication degree from University Of Missouri Columbia earn around $44,078 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. Get the full speech communication details for University Of Missouri Columbia

2
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

A rank of #2 makes University Of Kansas one of the top schools for speech communication. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 93 speech communication degrees were awarded at University Of Kansas in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $40,772. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the speech communication program at University Of Kansas

3

Iowa State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in speech communication, landing the #3 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Ames. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 57 speech communication degrees were awarded at Iowa State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $40,497. Typical student debt for the program is $19,425. Get the full speech communication details for Iowa State University

4
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa 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 Iowa City. University Of Iowa graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 150 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at University Of Iowa in the most recent data year. Graduates of the speech communication program make about $37,647 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,814. See the full speech communication program report for University Of Iowa

5

University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best speech communication schools. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. About 54% of students finish within six years. University Of Missouri Kansas City awarded about 51 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Speech Communication graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $38,786 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,982. Read more about the speech communication program at University Of Missouri Kansas City

6

University Of Northern Iowa came in at #6 for speech communication this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 40 speech communication degrees were awarded at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $40,558. Students borrow a median of $19,387 to complete this degree. See the full speech communication program report for University Of Northern Iowa

7

University Of St Thomas Minnesota placed #7 among the best speech communication schools. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. About 77% of students finish within six years. University Of St Thomas Minnesota awarded about 15 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the speech communication program make about $45,100 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full speech communication details for University Of St Thomas Minnesota

8

University Of Nebraska Lincoln ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best speech communication schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Lincoln. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Nebraska Lincoln awarded about 42 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $39,702. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates carry a median of $22,138 in student loans. Read more about the speech communication program at University Of Nebraska Lincoln

9

University Of Minnesota Duluth placed #9 among the best speech communication schools. This large public university is located in the city of Duluth. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 48 speech communication degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Duluth in the most recent year. Graduates of the speech communication program make about $39,706 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,182 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in speech communication from University Of Minnesota Duluth

10

Minnesota State University Mankato earned the #10 position for speech communication this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. About 54% of students finish within six years. About 85 speech communication degrees were awarded at Minnesota State University Mankato in the most recent year. Graduates of the speech communication program make about $39,798 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. More information about a degree in speech communication from Minnesota State University Mankato

11

University Of Nebraska At Omaha ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best speech communication schools. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. About 46 speech communication degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska At Omaha in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $41,327. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. Get the full speech communication details for University Of Nebraska At Omaha

12
Central College crest
Central College
Pella, IA

Central College landed the #12 spot for speech communication this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Pella. About 66% of students finish within six years. Central College awarded about 16 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the speech communication program make about $39,953 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete this degree. Read more about the speech communication program at Central College

13

Winona State University earned the #13 position for speech communication this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Winona. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. There were roughly 19 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at Winona State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the speech communication program make about $38,197 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete this degree. See the full speech communication program report for Winona State University

14
Saint Johns University crest
Saint Johns University
Collegeville, MN

Saint Johns University landed the #14 spot for speech communication this year. Set in the rural area of Collegeville, Saint Johns University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 24 speech communication degrees were awarded at Saint Johns University in the most recent year. Graduates of the speech communication program make about $40,423 in their early career. Saint Johns University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in speech communication from Saint Johns University

15

Gustavus Adolphus College landed the #15 spot for speech communication this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Saint Peter. Gustavus Adolphus College graduates 77% of students within six years. Gustavus Adolphus College awarded about 20 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the speech communication program make about $50,074 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the speech communication program at Gustavus Adolphus College

16

Creighton University came in at #16 for speech communication this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Omaha. Creighton University graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at Creighton University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Creighton University generally make around $64,369. Students borrow a median of $25,831 to complete this degree. See the full speech communication program report for Creighton University

17

Washburn University earned the #17 position for speech communication this year. Washburn University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Topeka. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. About 17 speech communication degrees were awarded at Washburn University in the most recent year. Speech Communication graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $39,932 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,875 to complete this degree. Read more about the speech communication program at Washburn University

18

Fort Hays State University placed #18 among the best speech communication schools. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. About 46% of students finish within six years. About 11 speech communication degrees were awarded at Fort Hays State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their speech communication degree from Fort Hays State University earn around $49,775 in the first couple years of their career. Fort Hays State University graduates carry a median of $25,967 in student loans. More information about a degree in speech communication from Fort Hays State University

19

Kansas State University landed the #19 spot for speech communication this year. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 26 speech communication degrees were awarded at Kansas State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the speech communication program make about $30,385 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,945 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in speech communication from Kansas State University

20
Truman State University crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, MO

Truman State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best speech communication schools. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. Truman State University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 11 speech communication degrees were awarded at Truman State University in the most recent year. Speech Communication graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $31,853 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. Read more about the speech communication program at Truman State University

21

Pittsburg State University placed #21 among the best speech communication schools. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. About 51% of students finish within six years. About 34 speech communication degrees were awarded at Pittsburg State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Pittsburg State University generally make around $28,106. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. Read more about the speech communication program at Pittsburg State University

22
College Of Saint Benedict crest
College Of Saint Benedict
Saint Joseph, MN

College Of Saint Benedict landed the #22 spot for speech communication this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Joseph, College Of Saint Benedict is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. College Of Saint Benedict awarded about 18 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Speech Communication graduates of College Of Saint Benedict earn a median of $45,702 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in speech communication from College Of Saint Benedict

23

Missouri Southern State University placed #23 among the best speech communication schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Joplin. About 40% of students finish within six years. Missouri Southern State University awarded about 12 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the speech communication program make about $30,201 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,350. See the full speech communication program report for Missouri Southern State University

24

University Of South Dakota placed #24 among the best speech communication schools. Located in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public university. University Of South Dakota graduates 60% of students within six years. About 12 speech communication degrees were awarded at University Of South Dakota in the most recent year. Graduates of the speech communication program make about $35,792 in their early career. University Of South Dakota graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. See the full speech communication program report for University Of South Dakota

25

Minnesota State University Moorhead landed the #25 spot for speech communication this year. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. Minnesota State University Moorhead awarded about 20 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the speech communication program make about $36,172 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,774. Get the full speech communication details for Minnesota State University Moorhead

Rest of the Top 37 Speech Communication Schools

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

26
27
Hamline University crest
Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
Augsburg College crest
Augsburg College
Minneapolis, MN
35
36
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, MO
37
Avila University crest
Avila University
Kansas City, MO

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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 · 94 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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