2026 Best Value Speech Pathology & Audiology Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Speech Pathology & Audiology](/majors/health-care-professions/communication-sciences/speech-pathology-and-audiology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for speech pathology & audiology students.
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2026 Best Value Speech Pathology & Audiology Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in speech pathology & audiology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Speech Pathology & Audiology Schools
Leading the list is Wichita State University, our #1 best value for speech pathology & audiology in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Typical student debt for speech pathology & audiology graduates is $21,750. Speech Pathology & Audiology graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $38,154 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,750 median debt. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Minnesota Twin Cities one of the best values for speech pathology & audiology. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Typical student debt for speech pathology & audiology graduates is $18,000. Speech Pathology & Audiology graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $41,060 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in speech pathology & audiology will find it at University Of Central Missouri, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Speech Pathology & Audiology graduates carry a median of $24,304 in student loans. Early-career speech pathology & audiology graduates make about $56,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in speech pathology & audiology will find it at University Of Nebraska Lincoln, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Speech Pathology & Audiology graduates carry a median of $18,876 in student loans. Early-career speech pathology & audiology graduates make about $51,334. Set against $18,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Missouri State University Springfield one of the best values for speech pathology & audiology. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Typical student debt for speech pathology & audiology graduates is $21,500. Early-career speech pathology & audiology graduates make about $41,274. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Moorhead earned the #6 position for value in speech pathology & audiology this year. Located in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,428. Speech Pathology & Audiology graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career speech pathology & audiology graduates make about $61,485. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 59%.
Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value speech pathology & audiology schools. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the speech pathology & audiology program here. Soon after graduation, speech pathology & audiology degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $57,858. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #8 for value in speech pathology & audiology this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech pathology & audiology graduates is $24,500. Soon after graduation, speech pathology & audiology degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $54,674. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Iowa landed the #9 spot for speech pathology & audiology value this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech pathology & audiology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, speech pathology & audiology degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $40,392. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value speech pathology & audiology schools. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,790. Typical student debt for speech pathology & audiology graduates is $17,553. Soon after graduation, speech pathology & audiology degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $75,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
