Speech Communication and Rhetoric

CIP Code: 9.0101

A speech communication and rhetoric degree prepares graduates for careers in Public relations managers, Communications teachers, postsecondary, Writers and authors and more. 744 colleges and universities offer this program.

Annual Degrees Awarded
32,944
Colleges Offering 744
Avg. Career Salary $79,303
Top Career Salary $138,520

What Can You Do With a Speech Communication and Rhetoric Degree?

Graduates with this degree pursue careers in the following fields:

Public relations managers

$138,520 +5.0% growth

Communications teachers, postsecondary

$77,800 +2.1% growth

Writers and authors

$72,270 +3.6% growth

Media and communication workers, all other

$71,770 +2.7% growth

Public relations specialists

$69,780 +4.8% growth

Broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys

$45,680 -5.5% growth
$79,303
Average Salary Across Careers
$138,520
Highest Paying Career
6
Career Paths Available

Best Colleges for Speech Communication and Rhetoric

Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees awarded. These are the top-rated colleges that produce the most graduates in speech communication and rhetoric.

# College Location Degrees Awarded Repit Grade
1 University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA 274 A
2 Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD 262 A
3 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC 198 A
4 The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX 194 A
5 University of Georgia Athens, GA 119 A
6 Northwestern University Evanston, IL 87 A
7 Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NY 65 A
8 Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, OH 467 B+
9 University of Central Florida Orlando, FL 368 B+
10 California State University-Long Beach Long Beach, CA 356 B+
11 University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA 331 B+
12 San Diego State University San Diego, CA 321 B+
13 University of Connecticut Storrs, CT 296 B+
14 Rutgers University-New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ 288 B+
15 University of Maryland-College Park College Park, MD 270 B+
16 University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI 268 B+
17 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA 249 B+
18 Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, IN 241 B+
19 Florida International University Miami, FL 234 B+
20 North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC 201 B+
21 University of South Florida Tampa, FL 198 B+
22 Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA 175 B+
23 Villanova University Villanova, PA 164 B+
24 The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville, TN 134 B+
25 Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, LA 129 B+
26 Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TX 128 B+
27 Santa Clara University Santa Clara, CA 120 B+
28 Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, CA 106 B+
29 California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA 86 B+
30 Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus University Park, PA 77 B+

Largest Speech Communication and Rhetoric Programs

Schools ranked by number of graduates. These institutions produce the most speech communication and rhetoric graduates annually, including online and distance learning programs.

# College Location Degrees Awarded Repit Grade
1 California State University-Fullerton Fullerton, CA 628 B
2 Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, OH 467 B+
3 James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA 455 B
4 California State University-Sacramento Sacramento, CA 376 B
5 Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZ 371 C
6 University of Central Florida Orlando, FL 368 B+
7 Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ 362 B
8 California State University-Long Beach Long Beach, CA 356 B+
9 University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA 331 B+
10 San Diego State University San Diego, CA 321 B+
11 University at Buffalo Buffalo, NY 305 B
12 Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ 297 C+
13 University of Connecticut Storrs, CT 296 B+
14 East Carolina University Greenville, NC 296 C+
15 Rutgers University-New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ 288 B+
16 University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC 284 B
17 University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA 274 A
18 University of Maryland-College Park College Park, MD 270 B+
19 University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI 268 B+
20 Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD 262 A
21 Santa Monica College Santa Monica, CA 254 C
22 University of Kentucky Lexington, KY 251 B
23 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA 249 B+
24 Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, IN 241 B+
25 Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL 238 B
26 California State University-Northridge Northridge, CA 238 B
27 Florida International University Miami, FL 234 B+
28 University of Arizona Tucson, AZ 231 B
29 The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL 229 B
30 Michigan State University East Lansing, MI 224 B
32,944
Degrees Awarded Annually
744
Colleges Offering Program
6
Related Careers

About Speech Communication and Rhetoric

Speech Communication and Rhetoric is a degree program offered at 744 colleges and universities across the United States. Each year, approximately 32,944 students graduate with this degree.

Graduates with this degree can pursue careers such as public relations managers, communications teachers, postsecondary, writers and authors, media and communication workers, all other, public relations specialists, and 1 more career paths.

Program Classification

CIP Code 9.0101
Field (2-digit CIP) 9.
Category (4-digit CIP) 9.010

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I do with a Speech Communication and Rhetoric degree?
A Speech Communication and Rhetoric degree can lead to careers as a public relations managers, communications teachers, postsecondary, writers and authors, media and communication workers, all other, public relations specialists, and more. Top earners in related careers can make up to $138,520 annually.
How many colleges offer Speech Communication and Rhetoric?
744 colleges and universities in the United States offer Speech Communication and Rhetoric as a degree program. Each year, approximately 32,944 students graduate with this degree.
What are the best colleges for Speech Communication and Rhetoric?
The best colleges for Speech Communication and Rhetoric based on Repit's ratings include University of Southern California, Johns Hopkins University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, The University of Texas at Austin, University of Georgia. Rankings are based on the college's overall Repit grade and the number of degrees awarded in this program.
What is the salary potential with a Speech Communication and Rhetoric degree?
Graduates with a Speech Communication and Rhetoric degree can expect average salaries around $79,303 in related careers, with top earners making up to $138,520. Actual salaries depend on the specific career path, experience level, and location.