2027 Best Value Speech Communication Associate’s Degree Schools

[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 115 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for speech communication students.
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2027 Best Value Speech Communication Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in speech communication, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Speech Communication Schools
West Valley College earned the #1 spot for value among speech communication schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $14,308. Speech Communication graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value speech communication schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $9,776. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moorpark College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in speech communication, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value speech communication schools. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $11,306. Speech Communication graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of San Mateo earned it the #5 place for speech communication. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $12,831. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College placed #6 among the best values for speech communication. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $5,707. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Santa Ana College earned the #7 position for value in speech communication this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $11,196. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $39,633. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suffolk County Community College placed #8 among the best values for speech communication. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. 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.
Skyline College came in at #9 for value in speech communication this year. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #10 among the best values for speech communication. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the speech communication program here. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santiago Canyon College placed #11 among the best values for speech communication. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $5,500. Speech Communication graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Austin Community College District ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value speech communication schools. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $14,519 in student loans. Speech Communication graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,519 median debt.
Irvine Valley College landed the #13 spot for speech communication value this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, 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. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
Pasadena City College placed #14 among the best values for speech communication. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Miramar College came in at #15 for value in speech communication this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cypress College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value speech communication schools. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,533.
De Anza College came in at #17 for value in speech communication 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, compared with $12,596 for out-of-state students. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,596 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.
San Diego Mesa College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value speech communication schools. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $6,999. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College landed the #19 spot for speech communication value this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Ventura College placed #20 among the best values for speech communication. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Speech Communication graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Golden West College landed the #21 spot for speech communication value this year. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the speech communication program here. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $82,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #22 for value in speech communication this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the speech communication program here. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $37,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Modesto Junior College placed #23 among the best values for speech communication. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,282, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $8,575. Speech Communication graduates of Modesto Junior College earn a median of $36,525 early in their careers. Set against $8,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange Coast College came in at #24 for value in speech communication this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $8,978. Speech Communication graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
Grossmont College placed #25 among the best values for speech communication. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Speech Communication Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for speech communication this year:
Other Speech Communication Degree Levels
Explore the best-value speech communication schools at other degree levels:
View All Speech Communication Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 115 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 115 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.