[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 399 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value speech communication schools.
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2027 list of the best value speech communication schools in the United States. 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, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $51,372. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value speech communication schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $11,750. Speech Communication graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $27,262 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Fullerton one of the best values for speech communication. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $34,120. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes California State University San Bernardino one of the best values for speech communication. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $15,750. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $32,408. That is a strong return on a $15,750 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value speech communication schools. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $48,403. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
California State University Northridge placed #6 among the best values for speech communication. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $13,999 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $30,794 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,999 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Stanislaus landed the #7 spot for speech communication value this year. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $17,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $30,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
California State University Fresno came in at #8 for value in speech communication this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $15,000. Speech Communication graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $33,050 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento came in at #9 for value in speech communication this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $15,000. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $39,304. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Bakersfield earned the #10 position for value in speech communication this year. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
Indiana University Kokomo earned the #11 position for value in speech communication this year. Located in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $24,619 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of Indiana University Kokomo earn a median of $31,085 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,619 median debt. Indiana University Kokomo admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #12 spot for speech communication value this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $43,348. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 15%.
The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value speech communication schools. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $11,956. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $26,748. That is a strong return on a $11,956 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus came in at #14 for value in speech communication this year. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Portales. Students from in state pay about $7,074 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,054 for out-of-state students. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $20,054 in student loans. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $33,674. Set against $20,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus admits about 92% of applicants.
California State University East Bay placed #15 among the best values for speech communication. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,583, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $35,722. That is a strong return on a $18,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Florida International University placed #16 among the best values for speech communication. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $36,424. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
Florida Atlantic University earned the #17 position for value in speech communication this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $19,500. Speech Communication graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $34,720 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #18 for value in speech communication this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $34,530. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value speech communication schools. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $21,854 in student loans. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $37,021. That is a strong return on a $21,854 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
California State University Long Beach placed #20 among the best values for speech communication. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $13,953 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $34,172. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
California State University Channel Islands placed #21 among the best values for speech communication. Set in the rural area of Camarillo, California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,159 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,759 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $13,750. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $40,109. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Marcos earned the #22 position for value in speech communication this year. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,082, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $16,500. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $36,310. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of North Florida landed the #23 spot for speech communication value this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $17,345. Speech Communication graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $36,842 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,345 median debt. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Weber State University earned the #24 position for value in speech communication this year. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $16,566. Speech Communication graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $43,209 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #25 spot for speech communication value this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $20,376 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $66,254 early in their careers. Set against $20,376 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Speech Communication Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for speech communication this year:
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 · 399 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 399 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.
