Speech Communication degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 468 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for speech communication students pursuing a degree.
Where you study speech communication matters for your future. That is why we built our Best Speech Communication Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Speech Communication Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill tops our 2027 ranking of the best speech communication schools. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 135 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $49,991. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans.
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Boston College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best speech communication schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chestnut Hill. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 202 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at Boston College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the speech communication program make about $55,162 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,500.
Read more about the speech communication program at Boston College
Johns Hopkins University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in speech communication, ranking #3. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 212 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent data year. Speech Communication graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $82,754 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in speech communication from Johns Hopkins University
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best speech communication schools. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 273 speech communication degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Speech Communication graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $43,696 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the speech communication program at University Of Maryland College Park
James Madison University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in speech communication, ranking #5. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 305 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the speech communication program make about $42,769 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,502.
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University Of Southern California placed #6 among the best speech communication schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 257 speech communication degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Speech Communication graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $58,119 early in their careers. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $17,702 in student loans.
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Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #7 spot for speech communication this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Blacksburg. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 293 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $44,309. Students borrow a median of $20,613 to complete this degree.
See the full speech communication program report for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
George Mason University placed #8 among the best speech communication schools. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. George Mason University awarded about 143 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $63,131. Typical student debt for the program is $23,529.
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The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #9 position for speech communication this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 236 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Speech Communication graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $43,848 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
See the full speech communication program report for The University Of Texas At Austin
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #10 spot for speech communication this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Purdue University Main Campus awarded about 66 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $59,776. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete this degree.
See the full speech communication program report for Purdue University Main Campus
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best speech communication schools. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 215 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent data year. Graduates of the speech communication program make about $44,078 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
See the full speech communication program report for University Of Missouri Columbia
Northwestern University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best speech communication schools. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. Northwestern University awarded about 79 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their speech communication degree from Northwestern University earn around $69,611 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,112.
More information about a degree in speech communication from Northwestern University
Chapman University landed the #13 spot for speech communication this year. Set in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Chapman University graduates 82% of students within six years. About 90 speech communication degrees were awarded at Chapman University in the most recent year. Students who receive their speech communication degree from Chapman University earn around $44,601 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500.
More information about a degree in speech communication from Chapman University
University Of Arizona landed the #14 spot for speech communication this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tucson. University Of Arizona graduates 68% of students within six years. University Of Arizona awarded about 271 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Speech Communication graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $42,993 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,750.
Read more about the speech communication program at University Of Arizona
University Of Delaware landed the #15 spot for speech communication this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. About 82% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 261 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at University Of Delaware in the most recent data year. Students who receive their speech communication degree from University Of Delaware earn around $41,897 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
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California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #16 spot for speech communication this year. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 104 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $62,183. Typical student debt for the program is $14,928.
Read more about the speech communication program at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #17 for speech communication this year. This very large public university is located in the city of New Brunswick. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 280 speech communication degrees were awarded at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent year. Graduates of the speech communication program make about $43,649 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
Read more about the speech communication program at Rutgers University New Brunswick
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #18 position for speech communication this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 307 speech communication students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their speech communication degree from University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn around $44,638 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $16,433 in student loans.
See the full speech communication program report for University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of Connecticut earned the #19 position for speech communication this year. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. About 83% of students finish within six years. University Of Connecticut awarded about 287 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $40,473. Students borrow a median of $24,068 to complete this degree.
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Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best speech communication schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 452 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their speech communication degree from Ohio State University Main Campus earn around $41,232 in the first couple years of their career. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in speech communication from Ohio State University Main Campus
San Diego State University came in at #21 for speech communication this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. San Diego State University awarded about 350 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the speech communication program make about $44,130 in their early career. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $15,675 in student loans.
See the full speech communication program report for San Diego State University
Santa Clara University placed #22 among the best speech communication schools. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Santa Clara University awarded about 103 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the speech communication program make about $51,720 in their early career. Santa Clara University graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans.
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Baylor University placed #23 among the best speech communication schools. Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Baylor University awarded about 25 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their speech communication degree from Baylor University earn around $43,740 in the first couple years of their career. Baylor University graduates carry a median of $23,860 in student loans.
See the full speech communication program report for Baylor University
Northeastern University came in at #24 for speech communication this year. Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. About 58 speech communication degrees were awarded at Northeastern University in the most recent year. Students who receive their speech communication degree from Northeastern University earn around $52,891 in the first couple years of their career. Northeastern University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans.
More information about a degree in speech communication from Northeastern University
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best speech communication schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 74 speech communication degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their speech communication degree from Columbia University In The City Of New York earn around $93,452 in the first couple years of their career. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans.
See the full speech communication program report for Columbia University In The City Of New York
Rest of the Top 50 Speech Communication Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s speech communication ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 468 schools evaluated.
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).
