2027 Best Value Speech Communication Schools in the Southwest Region
[Speech Communication](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/speech-communication/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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 42 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for speech communication students.
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2027 Best Value Speech Communication Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in speech communication, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Speech Communication Schools
South Texas College tops our 2027 list of the best value speech communication schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Speech Communication graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $30,227 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in speech communication will find it at Central New Mexico Community College, which ranked #2. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in speech communication, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $14,519 in student loans. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $44,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Amarillo College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in speech communication, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,720 to complete the speech communication program here. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Amarillo College generally make around $41,053. That is a strong return on a $15,720 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #5 place for speech communication. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. 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. Speech Communication graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $26,748 early in their careers. 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 placed #6 among the best values for speech communication. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,074 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Students borrow a median of $20,054 to complete the speech communication program here. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus generally make around $41,109. Set against $20,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Houston Community College earned the #7 position for value in speech communication this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $19,223 in student loans. Speech Communication graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University came in at #8 for value in speech communication this year. Located in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $18,660. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $51,797. Set against $18,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southeastern Oklahoma State University admits about 76% of applicants.
Blinn College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value speech communication schools. Blinn College is a very large public school located in the town of Brenham. Students from in state pay about $4,890 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,370. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $16,465. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Blinn College generally make around $43,408. That is a strong return on a $16,465 median debt.
Tyler Junior College earned the #10 position for value in speech communication this year. Set in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,424, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $14,869. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $43,348. Set against $14,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #11 spot for speech communication value this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the speech communication program here. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $23,766. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University came in at #12 for value in speech communication this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $19,375. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $41,491. That is a strong return on a $19,375 median debt. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value speech communication schools. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Speech Communication graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $32,990 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Lone Star College System landed the #14 spot for speech communication value this year. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Speech Communication graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $39,954 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeastern State University landed the #15 spot for speech communication value this year. Located in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,810, compared with $17,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,465 to complete the speech communication program here. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $34,703. Set against $23,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University placed #16 among the best values for speech communication. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the speech communication program here. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $56,309. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
East Central University placed #17 among the best values for speech communication. Located in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,032, compared with $17,842 for out-of-state students. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $24,571 in student loans. Speech Communication graduates of East Central University earn a median of $42,103 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston landed the #18 spot for speech communication value this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $24,777 in student loans. Speech Communication graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $57,529 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
Stephen F Austin State University earned the #19 position for value in speech communication this year. Set in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, compared with $20,968 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the speech communication program here. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $45,743. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #20 spot for speech communication value this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $25,000. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $45,009. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Tulsa came in at #21 for value in speech communication this year. Set in the city of Tulsa, University Of Tulsa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $49,546 in tuition and fees. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $23,638 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of Tulsa generally make around $27,612. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Tulsa admits about 62% of applicants.
University Of Arizona placed #22 among the best values for speech communication. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $19,750. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $42,993. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of North Texas placed #23 among the best values for speech communication. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $49,157. Set against $21,817 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
Sam Houston State University came in at #24 for value in speech communication this year. Sam Houston State University is a very large public school located in the town of Huntsville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $19,068. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $28,247. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value speech communication schools. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the speech communication program here. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $43,500. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Rest of the Top 42 Best Value Speech Communication Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s speech communication value ranking:
Narrow Speech Communication Schools by State
More Speech Communication Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 42 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.
