2026 Best Value Speech Pathology & Audiology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Speech Pathology & Audiology](/majors/health-care-professions/communication-sciences/speech-pathology-and-audiology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 32 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for speech pathology & audiology students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Speech Pathology & Audiology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the speech pathology & audiology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Speech Pathology & Audiology Schools
Leading the list is Purdue University Main Campus, our #1 best value for speech pathology & audiology in the Great Lakes Region. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the speech pathology & audiology program here. Speech Pathology & Audiology graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $42,925 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the best values for speech pathology & audiology. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $21,117 to complete the speech pathology & audiology program here. Early-career speech pathology & audiology graduates make about $49,125. Set against $21,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in speech pathology & audiology will find it at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. Speech Pathology & Audiology graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career speech pathology & audiology graduates make about $53,653. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington is a great value for students pursuing a degree in speech pathology & audiology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Speech Pathology & Audiology graduates carry a median of $19,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech pathology & audiology degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $41,346. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
Indiana State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in speech pathology & audiology, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the speech pathology & audiology program here. Soon after graduation, speech pathology & audiology degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $58,679. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne placed #6 among the best values for speech pathology & audiology. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,532, while out-of-state students pay about $22,887. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the speech pathology & audiology program here. Early-career speech pathology & audiology graduates make about $49,424. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus landed the #7 spot for speech pathology & audiology value this year. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the speech pathology & audiology program here. Early-career speech pathology & audiology graduates make about $51,305. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Ball State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value speech pathology & audiology schools. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Typical student debt for speech pathology & audiology graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, speech pathology & audiology degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $63,387. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #9 among the best values for speech pathology & audiology. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech pathology & audiology graduates is $25,952. Soon after graduation, speech pathology & audiology degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $49,675. That is a strong return on a $25,952 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value speech pathology & audiology schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Speech Pathology & Audiology graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech pathology & audiology degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $56,128. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Michigan University earned the #11 position for value in speech pathology & audiology this year. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Speech Pathology & Audiology graduates carry a median of $27,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech pathology & audiology degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $23,102. Set against $27,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Lewis University earned the #12 position for value in speech pathology & audiology this year. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. In-state tuition and fees average $39,200. Typical student debt for speech pathology & audiology graduates is $24,838. Early-career speech pathology & audiology graduates make about $55,718. That is a strong return on a $24,838 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Andrews University landed the #13 spot for speech pathology & audiology value this year. Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berrien Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,056. Speech Pathology & Audiology graduates carry a median of $25,307 in student loans. Speech Pathology & Audiology graduates of Andrews University earn a median of $65,951 early in their careers. Set against $25,307 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Andrews University admits about 82% of applicants.
Western Michigan University earned the #14 position for value in speech pathology & audiology this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the speech pathology & audiology program here. Speech Pathology & Audiology graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $57,490 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
Illinois State University came in at #15 for value in speech pathology & audiology this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech pathology & audiology graduates is $20,500. Early-career speech pathology & audiology graduates make about $54,477. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Kent earned the #16 position for value in speech pathology & audiology this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Typical student debt for speech pathology & audiology graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, speech pathology & audiology degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $38,908. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #17 spot for speech pathology & audiology value this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete the speech pathology & audiology program here. Speech Pathology & Audiology graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $58,412 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Michigan State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value speech pathology & audiology schools. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Typical student debt for speech pathology & audiology graduates is $25,213. Soon after graduation, speech pathology & audiology degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $57,845. That is a strong return on a $25,213 median debt. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #19 among the best values for speech pathology & audiology. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,987 to complete the speech pathology & audiology program here. Soon after graduation, speech pathology & audiology degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $36,862. That is a strong return on a $25,987 median debt. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Calvin College earned the #20 position for value in speech pathology & audiology this year. Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $39,350. Typical student debt for speech pathology & audiology graduates is $21,000. Speech Pathology & Audiology graduates of Calvin College earn a median of $63,533 early in their careers. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Wisconsin ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value speech pathology & audiology schools. Located in the suburb of Mequon, Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,470. Students borrow a median of $27,172 to complete the speech pathology & audiology program here. Early-career speech pathology & audiology graduates make about $58,227. That is a strong return on a $27,172 median debt. Concordia University Wisconsin admits about 78% of applicants.
Northwestern University earned the #22 position for value in speech pathology & audiology this year. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Speech Pathology & Audiology graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Early-career speech pathology & audiology graduates make about $72,396. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Miami University Oxford came in at #23 for value in speech pathology & audiology this year. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,519, with out-of-state students paying around $38,965. Students borrow a median of $25,406 to complete the speech pathology & audiology program here. Soon after graduation, speech pathology & audiology degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $54,640. Set against $25,406 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Miami University Oxford admits about 75% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
