[Speech Communication](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/speech-communication/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong speech communication education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 521 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value speech communication schools.
Finding the Best Value Speech Communication School for You
The right speech communication school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Speech Communication Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value 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.
West Valley College tops our 2027 list of the best value speech communication schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Speech Communication graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons is a great value for students pursuing a degree in speech communication, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $9,776. Speech Communication graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moorpark College earned it the #3 place for speech communication. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $17,075. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of San Mateo came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value speech communication schools. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $12,831. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in speech communication, landing the #5 spot this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College landed the #6 spot for speech communication value this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Hunter College landed the #7 spot for speech communication value this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $11,000. Speech Communication graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $51,372 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Suffolk County Community College came in at #8 for value in speech communication this year. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value speech communication schools. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $11,196. Speech Communication graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Brooklyn College placed #10 among the best values for speech communication. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $11,750. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $27,262. That is a strong return on a $11,750 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Skyline College landed the #11 spot for speech communication value this year. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #12 position for value in speech communication this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Fullerton placed #13 among the best values for speech communication. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the speech communication program here. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $40,251. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Santiago Canyon College earned the #14 position for value in speech communication this year. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University San Bernardino placed #15 among the best values for speech communication. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $32,408. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Austin Community College District earned the #16 position for value in speech communication this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $14,519. Speech Communication graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Irvine Valley College earned the #17 position for value in speech communication this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $6,672. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College came in at #18 for value in speech communication this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $9,191. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Miramar College came in at #19 for value in speech communication this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $8,098. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $41,038. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
Cypress College earned the #20 position for value in speech communication this year. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,533.
San Diego Mesa College earned the #21 position for value in speech communication this year. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Los Angeles earned the #22 position for value in speech communication this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $48,403 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
De Anza College landed the #23 spot for speech communication value this year. De Anza College is a very large public school located in the city of Cupertino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,571, while out-of-state students pay about $12,596. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. Set against $7,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Northridge came in at #24 for value in speech communication this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $13,999. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $35,357. Set against $13,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Santa Monica College earned the #25 position for value in speech communication this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Speech Communication Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s speech communication value ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 521 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 521 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).
[Speech Communication](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/speech-communication/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong speech communication education at a price that pays off.
