2026 Best Value Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist Schools in Illinois

[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for speech-language pathology/pathologist students.
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2026 Best Value Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist Schools in Illinois
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 earned the #1 spot for value among speech-language pathology/pathologist schools in Illinois. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,945. Typical student debt for speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates is $16,420. 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%.
A rank of #2 makes Governors State University one of the best values for speech-language pathology/pathologist. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,004. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech-language pathology/pathologist degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $59,492. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.
Augustana College Illinois is a great value for students pursuing a degree in speech-language pathology/pathologist, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,598. Typical student debt for speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates is $27,000. 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. Augustana College Illinois admits about 63% of applicants.
Lewis University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in speech-language pathology/pathologist, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,200. Students borrow a median of $24,838 to complete the speech-language pathology/pathologist program here. Early-career speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates make about $55,718. Set against $24,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Students looking for strong value in speech-language pathology/pathologist will find it at Elmhurst College, which ranked #5. Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elmhurst. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,955. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. 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.
Northwestern University ranked #6 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. Typical student debt for speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates is $16,616. Early-career speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates make about $72,396. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.
Depaul University placed #7 among the best values for speech-language pathology/pathologist. 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 $25,310. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $55,226 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,310 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.