2026 Best Value Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the speech-language pathology/pathologist degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist Schools
For return on investment in speech-language pathology/pathologist, no school beat California State University Northridge this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $15,356 to complete the speech-language pathology/pathologist program here. Early-career speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates make about $44,500. Set against $15,356 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Fresno one of the best values for speech-language pathology/pathologist. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates is $17,336. Soon after graduation, speech-language pathology/pathologist degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $50,826. Set against $17,336 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Long Beach is a great value for students pursuing a degree in speech-language pathology/pathologist, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates is $12,000. Early-career speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates make about $50,186. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes California State University San Marcos one of the best values for speech-language pathology/pathologist. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. In-state tuition and fees average $8,082, while out-of-state students pay about $20,682. Typical student debt for speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates is $15,998. Soon after graduation, speech-language pathology/pathologist degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $48,627. That is a strong return on a $15,998 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned it the #5 place for speech-language pathology/pathologist. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech-language pathology/pathologist degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $52,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Eastern Washington University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value speech-language pathology/pathologist schools. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,586, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Typical student debt for speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates is $21,754. Soon after graduation, speech-language pathology/pathologist degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $70,852. That is a strong return on a $21,754 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
San Jose State University earned the #7 position for value in speech-language pathology/pathologist this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Nevada State College came in at #8 for value in speech-language pathology/pathologist this year. Set in the rural area of Henderson, Nevada State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,765, compared with $21,833 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,909 to complete the speech-language pathology/pathologist program here. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates of Nevada State College earn a median of $47,833 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,909 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Monterey Bay came in at #9 for value in speech-language pathology/pathologist this year. California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Seaside. Students from in state pay about $7,779 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,379. Typical student debt for speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates is $14,622. Soon after graduation, speech-language pathology/pathologist degree recipients from California State University Monterey Bay generally make around $49,032. Set against $14,622 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
California State University Chico ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value speech-language pathology/pathologist schools. California State University Chico is a large public school located in the city of Chico. Students from in state pay about $8,472 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,072 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates is $19,222. Soon after graduation, speech-language pathology/pathologist degree recipients from California State University Chico generally make around $51,265. Set against $19,222 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Reno placed #11 among the best values for speech-language pathology/pathologist. Set in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,578, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the speech-language pathology/pathologist program here. Soon after graduation, speech-language pathology/pathologist degree recipients from University Of Nevada Reno generally make around $43,544. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. University Of Nevada Reno admits about 74% of applicants.
San Diego State University placed #12 among the best values for speech-language pathology/pathologist. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the speech-language pathology/pathologist program here. Early-career speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates make about $50,428. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Western Washington University came in at #13 for value in speech-language pathology/pathologist this year. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,582, compared with $28,707 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the speech-language pathology/pathologist program here. Soon after graduation, speech-language pathology/pathologist degree recipients from Western Washington University generally make around $44,950. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Washington University admits about 93% of applicants.
California Baptist University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value speech-language pathology/pathologist schools. Located in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,228. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates carry a median of $26,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech-language pathology/pathologist degree recipients from California Baptist University generally make around $58,776. Set against $26,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Biola University came in at #15 for value in speech-language pathology/pathologist this year. Located in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,984. Typical student debt for speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates is $27,000. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates of Biola University earn a median of $70,949 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Biola University admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Southern California placed #16 among the best values for speech-language pathology/pathologist. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Typical student debt for speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates is $15,625. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 10%.
Pacific University placed #17 among the best values for speech-language pathology/pathologist. Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Forest Grove. In-state tuition and fees average $56,374. Students borrow a median of $26,170 to complete the speech-language pathology/pathologist program here. Early-career speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates make about $77,101. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
West Coast University Orange County came in at #18 for value in speech-language pathology/pathologist this year. West Coast University Orange County is a moderately-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Anaheim. In-state tuition and fees average $22,506. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates carry a median of $37,140 in student loans. Early-career speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates make about $83,549. Set against $37,140 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
[Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist](/majors/health-care-professions/communication-sciences/speech-language-pathology-pathologist/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
