2027 Best Value Speech Communication Schools in the Southeast Region
[Speech Communication](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/speech-communication/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong speech communication education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 91 schools to find the best return on investment for speech communication students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Speech Communication Schools in the Southeast Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the speech communication degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Speech Communication Schools
Leading the list is University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, our #1 best value for speech communication in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, 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 $49,991. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida International University earned it the #2 place for speech communication. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $18,000. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $44,331. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in speech communication will find it at Florida Atlantic University, which ranked #3. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $34,720. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Florida Main Campus earned it the #4 place for speech communication. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $34,530 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in speech communication will find it at University Of Central Florida, which ranked #5. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $21,854. Speech Communication graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $37,021 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
University Of North Florida landed the #6 spot for speech communication value this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $17,345. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $36,842. Set against $17,345 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Northern Kentucky University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value speech communication schools. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $38,637. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana State University Alexandria ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value speech communication schools. Located in the rural area of Alexandria, Louisiana State University Alexandria is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,050, while out-of-state students pay about $14,725. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $24,656 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Louisiana State University Alexandria generally make around $47,702. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Gulf Coast University landed the #9 spot for speech communication value this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Students borrow a median of $19,258 to complete the speech communication program here. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $39,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #10 among the best values for speech communication. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the speech communication program here. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $30,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University came in at #11 for value in speech communication this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $23,500. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $33,955. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Morehead State University landed the #12 spot for speech communication value this year. Set in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,024 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,980. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $24,857. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $26,803. Set against $24,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Morehead State University admits about 77% of applicants.
Shepherd University came in at #13 for value in speech communication this year. Set in the rural area of Shepherdstown, Shepherd University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,056 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,082. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $19,558 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Shepherd University generally make around $23,653. Set against $19,558 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of Georgia came in at #14 for value in speech communication this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $38,717. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University placed #15 among the best values for speech communication. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $40,429. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
American Public University System came in at #16 for value in speech communication this year. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $24,555. Speech Communication graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $57,404 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Carolina A And T State University came in at #17 for value in speech communication this year. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. Students borrow a median of $27,643 to complete the speech communication program here. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $28,985. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
Western Carolina University earned the #18 position for value in speech communication this year. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $28,996 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Valdosta State University earned the #19 position for value in speech communication this year. Located in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124, with out-of-state students paying around $17,836. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $29,000. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $26,706. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Valdosta State University admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of North Alabama placed #20 among the best values for speech communication. University Of North Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Florence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,120, compared with $22,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of University Of North Alabama earn a median of $30,182 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Southeastern Louisiana University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value speech communication schools. Located in the city of Hammond, Southeastern Louisiana University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,373 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,851 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $21,660. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Southeastern Louisiana University generally make around $30,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southeastern Louisiana University admits about 99% of applicants.
Middle Tennessee State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value speech communication schools. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $24,329 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Carolina Aiken earned the #23 position for value in speech communication this year. Located in the suburb of Aiken, University Of South Carolina Aiken is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,760 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,218. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Speech Communication graduates of University Of South Carolina Aiken earn a median of $34,654 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Fayetteville State University earned the #24 position for value in speech communication this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,353 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,353. Students borrow a median of $29,417 to complete the speech communication program here. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Fayetteville State University generally make around $24,210. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Clayton State University landed the #25 spot for speech communication value this year. Clayton State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Morrow. In-state tuition and fees average $5,180, while out-of-state students pay about $16,532. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $35,000 in student loans. Speech Communication graduates of Clayton State University earn a median of $34,493 early in their careers. Set against $35,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
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
View All Speech Communication Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 91 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 91 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.
