2026 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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong speech-language pathology/pathologist education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 32 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for speech-language pathology/pathologist students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist Schools in the Great Lakes 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
Saint Xavier University tops our 2026 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,945. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates carry a median of $16,420 in student loans. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $64,446 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,420 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Students looking for strong value in speech-language pathology/pathologist will find it at Augustana College Illinois, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $51,598. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates of Augustana College Illinois earn a median of $39,096 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Governors State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value speech-language pathology/pathologist schools. Governors State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Park. In-state tuition and fees average $12,004. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the speech-language pathology/pathologist program here. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $59,492 early in their careers. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Students looking for strong value in speech-language pathology/pathologist will find it at Indiana University South Bend, which ranked #4. Located in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates is $24,640. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates of Indiana University South Bend earn a median of $47,733 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University South Bend admits about 84% of applicants.
Ball State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value speech-language pathology/pathologist schools. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Central Michigan University landed the #6 spot for speech-language pathology/pathologist value this year. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Typical student debt for speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates is $23,992. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $51,591 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne landed the #7 spot for speech-language pathology/pathologist value this year. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,532, while out-of-state students pay about $22,887. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Early-career speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates make about $49,424. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire placed #8 among the best values for speech-language pathology/pathologist. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. In-state tuition and fees average $9,642, with out-of-state students paying around $19,228. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $56,983 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Grand Valley State University came in at #9 for value in speech-language pathology/pathologist this year. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates carry a median of $26,378 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech-language pathology/pathologist degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $57,167. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University came in at #10 for value in speech-language pathology/pathologist this year. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Students borrow a median of $27,750 to complete the speech-language pathology/pathologist program here. Soon after graduation, speech-language pathology/pathologist degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $47,887. Set against $27,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Toledo came in at #11 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. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates carry a median of $24,923 in student loans. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $52,675 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Lewis University earned the #12 position for value in speech-language pathology/pathologist this year. 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. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates of Lewis University earn a median of $55,718 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lewis University admits about 71% of applicants.
Northern Michigan University landed the #13 spot for speech-language pathology/pathologist value this year. Located in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,322, compared with $19,944 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the speech-language pathology/pathologist program here. Soon after graduation, speech-language pathology/pathologist degree recipients from Northern Michigan University generally make around $40,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Andrews University earned the #14 position for value in speech-language pathology/pathologist this year. Located in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,056 in tuition and fees. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates carry a median of $25,307 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech-language pathology/pathologist degree recipients from Andrews University generally make around $65,951. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Western Michigan University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value speech-language pathology/pathologist schools. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Typical student debt for speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates is $27,000. Early-career speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates make about $57,490. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent came in at #16 for value in speech-language pathology/pathologist this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. 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. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Elmhurst College earned the #17 position for value in speech-language pathology/pathologist this year. Located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,955 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the speech-language pathology/pathologist program here. Soon after graduation, speech-language pathology/pathologist degree recipients from Elmhurst College generally make around $51,232. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Elmhurst College admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #18 spot for speech-language pathology/pathologist value this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,987 to complete the speech-language pathology/pathologist program here. Early-career speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates make about $36,862. That is a strong return on a $25,987 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Northwestern University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value speech-language pathology/pathologist schools. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. 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. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Calvin College landed the #20 spot for speech-language pathology/pathologist value this year. Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,350. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the speech-language pathology/pathologist program here. Soon after graduation, speech-language pathology/pathologist degree recipients from Calvin College generally make around $63,533. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Baldwin Wallace College landed the #21 spot for speech-language pathology/pathologist value this year. Set in the suburb of Berea, Baldwin Wallace College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Miami University Oxford landed the #22 spot for speech-language pathology/pathologist value this year. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,519, compared with $38,965 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,406 to complete the speech-language pathology/pathologist program here. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $54,640 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,406 median debt. Miami University Oxford admits about 75% of applicants.
Saint Marys College earned the #23 position 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. In-state tuition and fees average $53,230. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the speech-language pathology/pathologist program here. Early-career speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates make about $56,123. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Depaul University earned the #24 position for value in speech-language pathology/pathologist this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $45,405 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,310 to complete the speech-language pathology/pathologist program here. Soon after graduation, speech-language pathology/pathologist degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $55,226. That is a strong return on a $25,310 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Marquette University landed the #25 spot for speech-language pathology/pathologist value this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit university. 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. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s speech-language pathology/pathologist value ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
