2026 Best Value Speech Teacher Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[Speech Teacher Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/speech-teacher-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for speech teacher education students.
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2026 Best Value Speech Teacher Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the speech teacher education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Speech Teacher Education Schools
Leading the list is Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, our #1 best value for speech teacher education in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Speech Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Speech Teacher Education graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $47,755 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington is a great value for students pursuing a degree in speech teacher education, landing the #2 spot this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech teacher education graduates is $20,500. Speech Teacher Education graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $50,587 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Akron Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in speech teacher education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Speech Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Speech Teacher Education graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $39,613 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Central Michigan University one of the best values for speech teacher education. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Typical student debt for speech teacher education graduates is $29,000. Soon after graduation, speech teacher education degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $50,688. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
Spring Arbor University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value speech teacher education schools. Spring Arbor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Spring Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,014. Typical student debt for speech teacher education graduates is $28,360. Soon after graduation, speech teacher education degree recipients from Spring Arbor University generally make around $53,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Spring Arbor University admits about 52% of applicants.
Elmhurst College earned the #6 position for value in speech teacher education this year. Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elmhurst. Students from in state pay about $42,955 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for speech teacher education graduates is $27,000. Speech Teacher Education graduates of Elmhurst College earn a median of $51,232 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Bradley University placed #7 among the best values for speech teacher education. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,160. Typical student debt for speech teacher education graduates is $27,000. Speech Teacher Education graduates of Bradley University earn a median of $54,513 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Capital University landed the #8 spot for speech teacher education value this year. Located in the suburb of Columbus, Capital University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $43,234. Typical student debt for speech teacher education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, speech teacher education degree recipients from Capital University generally make around $46,516. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rio Grande landed the #9 spot for speech teacher education value this year. Located in the rural area of Rio Grande, University Of Rio Grande is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $20,560 in tuition and fees. Speech Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $27,044 in student loans. Speech Teacher Education graduates of University Of Rio Grande earn a median of $46,611 early in their careers. Set against $27,044 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.