2026 Best Value Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist Schools in California
[Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist](/majors/health-care-professions/communication-sciences/speech-language-pathology-pathologist/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong speech-language pathology/pathologist education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 15 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value speech-language pathology/pathologist schools.
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2026 Best Value Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in speech-language pathology/pathologist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist Schools
Our analysis ranked California State University Fresno the best value for a degree in speech-language pathology/pathologist in California. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Typical student debt for speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates is $17,336. Early-career speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates make about $50,826. Set against $17,336 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in speech-language pathology/pathologist will find it at California State University Northridge, which ranked #2. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $15,356 to complete the speech-language pathology/pathologist program here. Soon after graduation, speech-language pathology/pathologist degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $44,500. That is a strong return on a $15,356 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in speech-language pathology/pathologist will find it at California State University Long Beach, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech-language pathology/pathologist degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $50,186. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in speech-language pathology/pathologist will find it at San Jose State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University San Marcos earned it the #5 place for speech-language pathology/pathologist. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,082, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. Typical student debt for speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates is $15,998. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $48,627 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Monterey Bay earned the #6 position for value in speech-language pathology/pathologist this year. California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Seaside. In-state tuition and fees average $7,779, while out-of-state students pay about $20,379. Typical student debt for speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates is $14,622. Soon after graduation, speech-language pathology/pathologist degree recipients from California State University Monterey Bay generally make around $49,032. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
California State University Chico landed the #7 spot for speech-language pathology/pathologist value this year. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,472 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,072. Students borrow a median of $19,222 to complete the speech-language pathology/pathologist program here. Soon after graduation, speech-language pathology/pathologist degree recipients from California State University Chico generally make around $51,265. That is a strong return on a $19,222 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
San Diego State University placed #8 among the best values for speech-language pathology/pathologist. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates is $15,000. Early-career speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates make about $50,428. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
California Baptist University placed #9 among the best values for speech-language pathology/pathologist. Set in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,228 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,375 to complete the speech-language pathology/pathologist program here. Soon after graduation, speech-language pathology/pathologist degree recipients from California Baptist University generally make around $58,776. That is a strong return on a $26,375 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Biola University placed #10 among the best values for speech-language pathology/pathologist. Set in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,984. Typical student debt for speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates is $27,000. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates of Biola University earn a median of $70,949 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Southern California landed the #11 spot for speech-language pathology/pathologist value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete the speech-language pathology/pathologist program here. Soon after graduation, speech-language pathology/pathologist degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $75,677. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
West Coast University Orange County ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value speech-language pathology/pathologist schools. West Coast University Orange County is a moderately-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Anaheim. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,506. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates carry a median of $37,140 in student loans. Early-career speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates make about $83,549. That is a strong return on a $37,140 median debt.
More Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
