2027 Best Value Speech Communication Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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 72 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value speech communication schools.
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2027 Best Value Speech Communication Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in speech communication, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Speech Communication Schools
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #1 spot for value among speech communication schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $20,376 to complete the speech communication program here. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $50,556. Set against $20,376 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Indiana University Kokomo came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value speech communication schools. Set in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Students looking for strong value in speech communication will find it at Sinclair Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Students borrow a median of $11,944 to complete the speech communication program here. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $32,284. That is a strong return on a $11,944 median debt.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in speech communication, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $39,775. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Ohio University Lancaster Campus one of the best values for speech communication. Ohio University Lancaster Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Lancaster. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,362, with out-of-state students paying around $9,444. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $24,063 in student loans. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $36,666. Set against $24,063 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in speech communication this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $59,776. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Indiana University East landed the #7 spot for speech communication value this year. Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Richmond. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $24,462. Speech Communication graduates of Indiana University East earn a median of $37,463 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Southeast earned the #8 position for value in speech communication this year. Set in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Indiana University Southeast generally make around $26,777. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Indiana University Southeast admits about 84% of applicants.
Saint Xavier University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value speech communication schools. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,945. Students borrow a median of $26,311 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $32,169 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,311 median debt. Saint Xavier University admits about 84% of applicants.
Purdue University Northwest came in at #10 for value in speech communication this year. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,357, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Purdue University Northwest generally make around $25,541. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.
Indiana University Northwest landed the #11 spot for speech communication value this year. Located in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $26,434 to complete the speech communication program here. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $48,925. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Indiana earned the #12 position for value in speech communication this year. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,066, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $17,860. Speech Communication graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $29,059 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,860 median debt. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.
Indiana State University landed the #13 spot for speech communication value this year. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the speech communication program here. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $34,213. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Saginaw Valley State University came in at #14 for value in speech communication this year. Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Center. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the speech communication program here. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Saginaw Valley State University generally make around $36,348. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Dearborn earned the #15 position for value in speech communication this year. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $27,200 in student loans. Speech Communication graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $31,735 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,200 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside placed #16 among the best values for speech communication. Set in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,270, with out-of-state students paying around $17,429. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $26,000. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $37,107. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Northern Illinois University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value speech communication schools. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $38,490. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Wayne State University landed the #18 spot for speech communication value this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Students borrow a median of $30,500 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $46,558 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Indiana University South Bend ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value speech communication schools. Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of South Bend. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $38,094. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Indiana University South Bend admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus earned the #20 position for value in speech communication this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $25,347 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $49,045. Set against $25,347 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
Governors State University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value speech communication schools. Governors State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Park. In-state tuition and fees average $12,004. Students borrow a median of $20,340 to complete the speech communication program here. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $27,071. Set against $20,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh landed the #22 spot for speech communication value this year. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,532, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $26,534 in student loans. Speech Communication graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $40,673 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls came in at #23 for value in speech communication this year. Located in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,008, while out-of-state students pay about $17,470. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $24,212 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin River Falls generally make around $38,309. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value speech communication schools. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $52,123. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
Western Illinois University placed #25 among the best values for speech communication. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $30,000 in student loans. Speech Communication graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $34,142 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Speech Communication Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in speech communication:
Narrow Speech Communication Schools by State
More Speech Communication Rankings
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Notes and References
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 · 72 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 72 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.
