2027 Best Value Speech Communication Schools in the The Plains States 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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 38 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 The Plains States 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
For return on investment in speech communication, no school beat University Of Missouri Kansas City this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Students borrow a median of $21,982 to complete the speech communication program here. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $38,786. That is a strong return on a $21,982 median debt. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in speech communication will find it at Fort Hays State University, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,923, compared with $17,741 for out-of-state students. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $25,967 in student loans. Speech Communication graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $49,775 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,967 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value speech communication schools. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $23,250. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $41,327. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Students looking for strong value in speech communication will find it at Truman State University, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $31,853 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Central Missouri is a great value for students pursuing a degree in speech communication, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $22,312. Speech Communication graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $45,496 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Washburn University placed #6 among the best values for speech communication. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,945, with out-of-state students paying around $20,949. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $21,875 in student loans. Speech Communication graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $39,932 early in their careers. Set against $21,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Missouri St Louis placed #7 among the best values for speech communication. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,326 to complete the speech communication program here. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $32,809. That is a strong return on a $21,326 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Rochester Community And Technical College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value speech communication schools. Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rochester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,389. Students borrow a median of $20,291 to complete the speech communication program here. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $27,798. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Northern Iowa landed the #9 spot for speech communication value this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $19,387. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $40,558. That is a strong return on a $19,387 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Pittsburg State University earned the #10 position for value in speech communication this year. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400, compared with $19,744 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $23,250. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $28,106. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value speech communication schools. Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wayne. Students from in state pay about $8,171 in tuition and fees. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $25,325 in student loans. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $35,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Kansas placed #12 among the best values for speech communication. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the speech communication program here. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $40,772. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Winona State University placed #13 among the best values for speech communication. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,576, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $38,197. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Northwest Missouri State University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value speech communication schools. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,611, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $26,000. Speech Communication graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $34,195 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #15 for value in speech communication this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $22,138. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $39,702. Set against $22,138 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value speech communication schools. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $38,584 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University placed #17 among the best values for speech communication. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Students borrow a median of $19,425 to complete the speech communication program here. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $40,497. That is a strong return on a $19,425 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Emporia State University earned the #18 position for value in speech communication this year. Located in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,106, while out-of-state students pay about $15,419. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Emporia State University generally make around $37,095. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Emporia State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Moorhead earned the #19 position for value in speech communication this year. Located in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,428. Students borrow a median of $23,774 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of Minnesota State University Moorhead earn a median of $36,172 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 59%.
University Of Minnesota Duluth earned the #20 position for value in speech communication this year. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,608, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $24,182 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $39,706. That is a strong return on a $24,182 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #21 spot for speech communication value this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the speech communication program here. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $39,798. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University came in at #22 for value in speech communication this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $24,945. Speech Communication graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $30,385 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,945 median debt. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value speech communication schools. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $44,078. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Lindenwood University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value speech communication schools. Set in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,600 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the speech communication program here. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $50,346. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
South Dakota State University came in at #25 for value in speech communication this year. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. Students from in state pay about $9,299 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $25,500. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $39,173. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 38 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
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 · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 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.
