2026 Best Value Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist Master’s Degree Schools
[Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist](/majors/health-care-professions/communication-sciences/speech-language-pathology-pathologist/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 200 schools to find the best return on investment for speech-language pathology/pathologist students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist Schools in the United States
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
California State University Northridge tops our 2026 list of the best value speech-language pathology/pathologist schools in the United States. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $15,356 to complete the speech-language pathology/pathologist program here. Soon after graduation, speech-language pathology/pathologist degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $66,689. That is a strong return on a $15,356 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in speech-language pathology/pathologist will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $14,250 to complete the speech-language pathology/pathologist program here. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $79,626 early in their careers. Set against $14,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Cuny Hunter College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in speech-language pathology/pathologist, landing the #3 spot this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates is $11,091. Early-career speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates make about $51,372. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
California State University Long Beach came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value speech-language pathology/pathologist schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech-language pathology/pathologist degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $71,102. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fresno earned it the #5 place for speech-language pathology/pathologist. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates carry a median of $17,336 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech-language pathology/pathologist degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $79,189. That is a strong return on a $17,336 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Cuny Queens College landed the #6 spot for speech-language pathology/pathologist value this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates is $8,500. Early-career speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates make about $75,206. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Texas Womans University placed #7 among the best values for speech-language pathology/pathologist. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates is $17,463. Early-career speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates make about $65,485. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Marcos placed #8 among 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 $74,686. Set against $15,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #9 spot for speech-language pathology/pathologist value this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $79,223 early in their careers. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
San Jose State University earned the #10 position for value in speech-language pathology/pathologist this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Saint Xavier University earned the #11 position for value in speech-language pathology/pathologist this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,945 in tuition and fees. 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. Set against $16,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Kean University earned the #12 position for value in speech-language pathology/pathologist this year. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. Typical student debt for speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates is $26,703. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates of Kean University earn a median of $48,705 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
West Virginia University landed the #13 spot for speech-language pathology/pathologist value this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Typical student debt for speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates is $23,920. Soon after graduation, speech-language pathology/pathologist degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $59,932. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Utah placed #14 among the best values for speech-language pathology/pathologist. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Typical student debt for speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates is $20,798. Early-career speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates make about $58,450. That is a strong return on a $20,798 median debt. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Wyoming landed the #15 spot for speech-language pathology/pathologist value this year. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech-language pathology/pathologist degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $60,774. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Marshall University earned the #16 position for value in speech-language pathology/pathologist this year. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates carry a median of $25,588 in student loans. Early-career speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates make about $58,449. That is a strong return on a $25,588 median debt. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
Eastern Washington University came in at #17 for value in speech-language pathology/pathologist this year. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,586 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Augustana College Illinois earned the #18 position for value in speech-language pathology/pathologist this year. 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. Early-career speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates make about $39,096. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Carlos Albizu University San Juan earned the #19 position for value in speech-language pathology/pathologist this year. Carlos Albizu University San Juan is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Juan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,120. Early-career speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates make about $27,413. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar University came in at #20 for value in speech-language pathology/pathologist this year. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, speech-language pathology/pathologist degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $62,705. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Georgia came in at #21 for value in speech-language pathology/pathologist this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates is $19,500. Early-career speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates make about $56,580. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Northeastern State University landed the #22 spot for speech-language pathology/pathologist value this year. Located in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,810, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. Typical student debt for speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates is $14,650. Soon after graduation, speech-language pathology/pathologist degree recipients from Northeastern State University generally make around $50,247. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Governors State University landed the #23 spot for speech-language pathology/pathologist value this year. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,004. Typical student debt for speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates is $25,500. 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.
Indiana University South Bend placed #24 among 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates carry a median of $24,640 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 84%.
California State University Monterey Bay ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value speech-language pathology/pathologist schools. Located in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,779, with out-of-state students paying around $20,379. Speech-Language Pathology/pathologist graduates carry a median of $14,622 in student loans. Early-career speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates make about $49,032. Set against $14,622 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s speech-language pathology/pathologist value ranking:
Other Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist Degree Levels
Explore the best-value speech-language pathology/pathologist schools at other degree levels:
View All Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist Rankings >
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 · 200 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 124 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.
