by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 718 U.S. colleges awarded 32,124 degrees and certificates in Speech Communication. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 78% of graduates. College Factual ranks 468 schools in its 2027 Best Speech Communication Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $37,697 one year after completing, rising to $58,170 after four years.
A degree in Speech Communication explores Speech Communication And Rhetoric. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific, Humanistic, And Critical Study Of Human Communication In A Variety Of Formats, Media, And Contexts. Includes Instruction In The Theory And Practice Of Interpersonal, Group, Organizational, Professional, And Intercultural Communication; Speaking And Listening; Verbal And Nonverbal Interaction; Rhetorical Theory And Criticism; Performance Studies; Argumentation And Persuasion; Technologically Mediated Communication; Popular Culture; And Various Contextual Applications.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, speech communication is a widely-pursued major, with 32,124 degrees awarded annually. 718 colleges award speech communication degrees, an average of 45 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 549.
By level, the 32,124 awards include 22 certificates, 4,245 associate degrees, 25,078 bachelor’s degrees, 2,518 master’s degrees and 261 doctorates.
Women earned 64% of speech communication degrees and certificates in the latest year (20,552 of 32,124). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (16,966) and Hispanic or Latino (6,753), and international students earned 1,476.
College Factual ranks 468 schools in its 2027 Best Speech Communication Schools ranking, including 112 for associate degrees, 352 for bachelor’s degrees, 62 for master’s degrees and 6 for doctorates. It also ranks speech communication schools within 47 states. In all, 718 colleges offer speech communication programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Speech Communication Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common speech communication credential is the bachelor’s degree: 25,078 of the 32,124 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to speech communication call most for Speaking, Reading Comprehension and Writing, and for knowledge of English Language, Communications and Media and Computers and Electronics, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Expression and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a speech communication degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 22 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 4,245 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 25,078 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 2,518 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 261 |
Master’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to speech communication, at 41.7%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 41.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 26.5% |
| Doctoral degree | 9.5% |
| Some college courses | 8.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 5.9% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 3.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.9% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.3% |
| First professional degree | 0.9% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.5% |
Source: O*NET Online.
7 occupations are related to Speech Communication, with an average median salary of $93,008; the strongest outlook belongs to Media and Communication Workers, All Other, at 10.8% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Communications Instructor, Public Speaking Professor, Adjunct Communications Faculty Member and Journalism Instructor.
The occupation related to speech communication with the most projected jobs is Communications Teachers, Postsecondary, at 919,494.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary | 919,494 | -1.5% |
| Public Relations Managers | 337,124 | 7.0% |
| Public Relations Specialists | 288,926 | -3.5% |
| Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers | 175,767 | 9.1% |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | 164,697 | 10.8% |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | 160,960 | 8.2% |
| Writers and Authors | 155,629 | -4.3% |
Speech Communication graduates earn a median $37,697 one year after completing their program, $58,170 after four years and $57,092 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $37,697 |
| 4 years | $58,170 |
| 5 years | $57,092 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to speech communication is Public Relations Managers, with a median salary of $139,736.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Public Relations Managers | $139,736 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $108,419 |
| Public Relations Specialists | $103,749 |
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary | $96,169 |
| Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers | $70,619 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $69,171 |
| Writers and Authors | $63,195 |
Speech Communication has 3 similar majors in the Communication & Journalism field, which together award 23,477 degrees a year; the largest are Communication, General (11,910), Mass Communication/Media Studies (9,042) and Communication and Media Studies, Other (2,525). Browse all Communication & Journalism majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Communication, General | 11,910 |
| Mass Communication/Media Studies | 9,042 |
| Communication and Media Studies, Other | 2,525 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
