2027 Best Value Speech Communication Master’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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 80 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for speech communication students.
What’s on this page:
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
Leading the list is California State University Fullerton, our #1 best value for speech communication in the United States. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $13,000. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $46,382. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
California State University Northridge is a great value for students pursuing a degree in speech communication, landing the #2 spot this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $13,999 in student loans. Speech Communication graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $39,920 early in their careers. Set against $13,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Pan American is a great value for students pursuing a degree in speech communication, landing the #3 spot this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $11,956. Speech Communication graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $26,748 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Students looking for strong value in speech communication will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #4. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $48,403. Set against $14,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Students looking for strong value in speech communication will find it at Florida International University, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Speech Communication graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $52,237 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #6 position for value in speech communication this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. 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 $61,361. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value speech communication schools. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,854 to complete the speech communication program here. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $37,021. That is a strong return on a $21,854 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Weber State University placed #8 among the best values for speech communication. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,566 to complete the speech communication program here. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $67,928. Set against $16,566 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for speech communication. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,054. Students borrow a median of $20,054 to complete the speech communication program here. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $48,543. Set against $20,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #10 position 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. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Southern Utah University earned the #11 position for value in speech communication this year. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $13,900 in student loans. Speech Communication graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $47,538 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,900 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas came in at #12 for value in speech communication this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $20,624 in student loans. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $32,365. That is a strong return on a $20,624 median debt. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
San Jose State University landed the #13 spot for speech communication value this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #14 position for value in speech communication this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Speech Communication graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $70,112 early in their careers. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of Georgia landed the #15 spot for speech communication value this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $22,500. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $33,150. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside came in at #16 for value in speech communication this year. 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. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University earned the #17 position for value in speech communication this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $15,675. Speech Communication graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $50,487 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 36%.
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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $30,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $56,521. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Washington State University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value speech communication schools. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $21,903. Speech Communication graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $61,853 early in their careers. Set against $21,903 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University placed #20 among the best values for speech communication. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Students borrow a median of $24,329 to complete the speech communication program here. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $29,877. That is a strong return on a $24,329 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University placed #21 among the best values for speech communication. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $55,436 early in their careers. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Stephen F Austin State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value speech communication schools. Stephen F Austin State University is a large public school located in the town of Nacogdoches. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $20,968. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $57,579 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #23 for value in speech communication this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $24,050. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $38,234. That is a strong return on a $24,050 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned the #24 position for value in speech communication this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,092. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $21,759. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $36,569. That is a strong return on a $21,759 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette placed #25 among the best values for speech communication. Set in the city of Lafayette, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,418, compared with $24,146 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the speech communication program here. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of Louisiana Lafayette generally make around $30,772. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Speech Communication Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s speech communication value ranking:
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. 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 · 80 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 80 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.
