by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 189 U.S. colleges awarded 7,260 degrees and certificates in Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 80% of graduates. College Factual ranks 169 schools in its 2027 Best Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $53,039 one year after completing, rising to $64,247 after four years.
A major in Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist explores Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Evaluate The Speaking, Language Interpretation, And Related Physiological And Cognitive Capabilities Of Children And/or Adults And Develop Treatment And Rehabilitative Solutions In Consultation With Clinicians And Educators. Includes Instruction In The Anatomy And Physiology Of Speech And Hearing, Biomechanics Of Swallowing And Vocal Articulation, Communications Disorders, Psychology Of Auditory Function And Cognitive Communication, Language Assessment And Diagnostic Techniques, And Rehabilitative And Management Therapies. Examples: [Speech Pathology], [Speech-Language Pathology].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, speech-language pathology/pathologist is a widely-pursued major, with 7,260 degrees awarded annually. 189 colleges award speech-language pathology/pathologist degrees, an average of 38 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 326.
By level, the 7,260 awards include 2 certificates, 24 associate degrees, 1,275 bachelor’s degrees, 5,826 master’s degrees and 133 doctorates.
Women earned 96% of speech-language pathology/pathologist degrees and certificates in the latest year (6,983 of 7,260). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (4,394) and Hispanic or Latino (1,434), and international students earned 87.
College Factual ranks 169 schools in its 2027 Best Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist Schools ranking, including 108 for bachelor’s degrees, 158 for master’s degrees and 23 for doctorates. It also ranks speech-language pathology/pathologist schools within 43 states. In all, 189 colleges offer speech-language pathology/pathologist programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common speech-language pathology/pathologist credential is the master’s degree: 5,826 of the 7,260 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to speech-language pathology/pathologist call most for Reading Comprehension, Speaking and Instructing, and for knowledge of English Language, Education and Training and Medicine and Dentistry, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Written Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
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How long a speech-language pathology/pathologist degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 2 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 24 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,275 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 5,826 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 133 |
Master’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to speech-language pathology/pathologist, at 49.3%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 49.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 18.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 14.3% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 9.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.5% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 2.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist, with an average median salary of $46,984; the strongest outlook belongs to Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, at 10.7% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Pediatrics Teacher, Neurosurgery Professor, Dentistry Professor and Obstetrics Teacher.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to speech-language pathology/pathologist, at 1,335,407.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Speech-Language Pathologists | 430,857 | 4.4% |
Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist graduates earn a median $53,039 one year after completing their program, $64,247 after four years and $63,125 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $53,039 |
| 4 years | $64,247 |
| 5 years | $63,125 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to speech-language pathology/pathologist is Speech-Language Pathologists, with a median salary of $47,305.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Speech-Language Pathologists | $47,305 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist has 4 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 15,700 degrees a year; the largest are Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist (7,289), Communication Sciences and Disorders, General (7,099) and Audiology/Audiologist (1,025). Browse all Health Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist | 7,289 |
| Communication Sciences and Disorders, General | 7,099 |
| Audiology/Audiologist | 1,025 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services, Other | 287 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
