2027 Best Value Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist](/majors/health-care-professions/communication-sciences/speech-language-pathology-pathologist/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 26 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for speech-language pathology/pathologist students.
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2027 Best Value Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in speech-language pathology/pathologist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist Schools
Saint Xavier University tops our 2027 list of the best value speech-language pathology/pathologist schools in the Great Lakes Region. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,945. Typical student debt for speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates is $16,420. Early-career speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates make about $64,446. Set against $16,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Xavier University admits about 84% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Indiana University South Bend one of the best values for speech-language pathology/pathologist. Set in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,640 to complete the speech-language pathology/pathologist program here. Early-career speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates make about $47,733. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Andrews University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in speech-language pathology/pathologist, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,056. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates carry a median of $25,307 in student loans. Early-career speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates make about $65,951. That is a strong return on a $25,307 median debt. Andrews University admits about 82% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ball State University earned it the #4 place for speech-language pathology/pathologist. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Typical student debt for speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, speech-language pathology/pathologist degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $63,387. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
A rank of #5 makes Governors State University one of the best values for speech-language pathology/pathologist. Governors State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,004. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the speech-language pathology/pathologist program here. Early-career speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates make about $59,492. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.
Northern Michigan University placed #6 among the best values for speech-language pathology/pathologist. Located in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,322, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Typical student debt for speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates is $25,500. Early-career speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates make about $40,508. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Northern Michigan University admits about 84% of applicants.
Western Michigan University came in at #7 for value in speech-language pathology/pathologist this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the speech-language pathology/pathologist program here. Soon after graduation, speech-language pathology/pathologist degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $57,490. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne placed #8 among the best values for speech-language pathology/pathologist. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,532 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,887. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earn a median of $49,424 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Grand Valley State University came in at #9 for value in speech-language pathology/pathologist this year. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates carry a median of $26,378 in student loans. Early-career speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates make about $57,167. That is a strong return on a $26,378 median debt. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire landed the #10 spot for speech-language pathology/pathologist value this year. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,642, compared with $19,228 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates is $20,500. Early-career speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates make about $56,983. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University came in at #11 for value in speech-language pathology/pathologist this year. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,990 in tuition and fees. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates carry a median of $27,750 in student loans. Early-career speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates make about $47,887. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Lewis University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value speech-language pathology/pathologist schools. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,200. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates carry a median of $24,838 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech-language pathology/pathologist degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $55,718. That is a strong return on a $24,838 median debt. Lewis University admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Toledo earned the #13 position for value in speech-language pathology/pathologist this year. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,157, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,923 to complete the speech-language pathology/pathologist program here. Soon after graduation, speech-language pathology/pathologist degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $52,675. That is a strong return on a $24,923 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value speech-language pathology/pathologist schools. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,992 to complete the speech-language pathology/pathologist program here. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $51,591 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,992 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Kent came in at #15 for value in speech-language pathology/pathologist this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the speech-language pathology/pathologist program here. Early-career speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates make about $38,908. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Augustana College Illinois earned the #16 position for value in speech-language pathology/pathologist this year. Set in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,598. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the speech-language pathology/pathologist program here. Early-career speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates make about $39,096. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Augustana College Illinois admits about 63% of applicants.
Calvin College came in at #17 for value in speech-language pathology/pathologist this year. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,350. Typical student debt for speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates is $21,000. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates of Calvin College earn a median of $63,533 early in their careers. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Elmhurst College earned the #18 position for value in speech-language pathology/pathologist this year. Set in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,955. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the speech-language pathology/pathologist program here. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates of Elmhurst College earn a median of $51,232 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Elmhurst College admits about 74% of applicants.
Saint Marys College came in at #19 for value in speech-language pathology/pathologist this year. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, Saint Marys College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,230. Typical student debt for speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates is $26,500. Early-career speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates make about $56,123. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #20 among the best values for speech-language pathology/pathologist. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Typical student debt for speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates is $25,987. Soon after graduation, speech-language pathology/pathologist degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $36,862. That is a strong return on a $25,987 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Baldwin Wallace College came in at #21 for value in speech-language pathology/pathologist this year. Located in the suburb of Berea, Baldwin Wallace College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,832. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates carry a median of $27,307 in student loans. Early-career speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates make about $49,173. Set against $27,307 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Baldwin Wallace College admits about 76% of applicants.
Northwestern University placed #22 among the best values for speech-language pathology/pathologist. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the speech-language pathology/pathologist program here. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $72,396 early in their careers. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Miami University Oxford ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value speech-language pathology/pathologist schools. Miami University Oxford is a very large public school located in the town of Oxford. In-state tuition and fees average $17,519, while out-of-state students pay about $38,965. Students borrow a median of $25,406 to complete the speech-language pathology/pathologist program here. Soon after graduation, speech-language pathology/pathologist degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $54,640. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University earned the #24 position for value in speech-language pathology/pathologist this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Typical student debt for speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates is $25,340. Early-career speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates make about $55,390. Set against $25,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Marquette University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value speech-language pathology/pathologist schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $51,170. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the speech-language pathology/pathologist program here. Soon after graduation, speech-language pathology/pathologist degree recipients from Marquette University generally make around $60,040. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for speech-language pathology/pathologist this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
