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
            

Speech Communication and Rhetoric Salary by College

Nationally, bachelor’s graduates in this field earn a median $56,359 four years after graduating (middle half: $39,575–$76,115). Where you study it matters: across 400 colleges with reported results, pay ranges from $51,397 to $114,266.

Sort by:

#	College	4 yrs after	Wage-adjusted	1 yr after	Median debt	Outcome Rating
1	University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA	$114,266	$116,210	$53,022	$15,000	A+
2	Northwestern University Evanston, IL	$93,541	$91,903	$52,210	$17,687	A+
3	Cornell University Ithaca, NY	$88,463	$84,198	$62,182	$14,400	A+
4	Santa Clara University Santa Clara, CA	$84,206	$76,622	$51,720	$17,832	A+
5	Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA	$83,586	$73,606	$55,162	$18,000	A+
6	Villanova University Villanova, PA	$81,497	$82,883	$52,294	$26,228	A+
7	Boston University Boston, MA	$80,306	$70,718	$47,349	$23,250	A+
9	Northeastern University Professional Programs Boston, MA	$80,191	$70,617	$47,465	$21,500	A+
8	Northeastern University Boston, MA	$80,191	$70,617	$47,465	$21,500	A+
10	University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI	$79,648	$83,980	$50,556	$19,941	A+
11	George Washington University Washington, DC	$79,112	$69,323	$50,552	$25,000	A+
12	Emory University Atlanta, GA	$78,866	$81,642	$37,237	$21,000	A+
13	Fairfield University Fairfield, CT	$78,081	$70,298	$46,677	$26,919	A+
14	Wake Forest University Winston-salem, NC	$77,984	$83,688	$42,055	$22,250	A+
15	Fordham University Bronx, NY	$77,244	$73,520	$46,405	$24,615	A+
16	Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, LA	$76,945	$89,070	$33,428	$23,082	A+
17	University of Virginia-Main Campus Charlottesville, VA	$76,243	$69,426	$47,368	$20,500	A+
18	Roanoke College Salem, VA	$76,198	$69,385	$36,220	$26,820	C
19	Purdue University Global West Lafayette, IN	$75,906	$81,433	—	—	C+
20	University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA	$75,864	$69,031	$47,651	$15,875	A+
21	University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA	$75,612	$68,802	$43,696	$11,100	A+
22	California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA	$75,223	$68,448	$62,183	$14,857	A+
23	Marist College Poughkeepsie, NY	$74,726	$71,124	$41,818	$25,000	A
24	Manhattan College Riverdale, NY	$74,471	$70,881	$44,016	$25,500	A
25	University of Maryland-College Park College Park, MD	$74,402	$65,296	$43,696	$17,250	A+
26	Elon University Elon, NC	$73,750	$79,144	$48,637	$21,999	A+
27	Hobart William Smith Colleges Geneva, NY	$73,650	$70,100	$50,750	$26,500	B+
28	Gonzaga University Spokane, WA	$73,558	$67,658	$37,799	$21,875	A
29	Chapman University Orange, CA	$73,461	$66,845	$44,601	$18,777	B+
30	The Catholic University of America Washington, DC	$73,073	$64,031	$43,259	$27,000	B+
31	University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA	$72,976	$66,403	$46,598	$13,000	A
32	St Lawrence University Canton, NY	$72,839	$69,328	$35,414	$25,000	B+
33	University of California-Davis Davis, CA	$72,778	$66,223	$42,569	$13,000	A
34	University of Arizona Tucson, AZ	$72,758	$74,760	$42,993	$18,910	B
35	CUNY Graduate School and University Center New York, NY	$72,564	$69,066	$57,782	$12,901	B+
36	The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX	$72,210	$73,416	$43,848	$19,500	A+
37	Loyola University Maryland Baltimore, MD	$71,948	$63,143	$42,640	$27,000	A
38	Simmons University Boston, MA	$71,138	$62,644	$42,256	$23,250	C+
39	Stonehill College Easton, MA	$70,618	$62,187	$37,543	$25,000	A
40	Roger Williams University Bristol, RI	$70,575	$69,509	$33,596	$26,000	B+
41	University of Oregon Eugene, OR	$70,532	$70,948	$33,165	$16,500	B
42	University of Delaware Newark, DE	$70,414	$69,992	$41,897	$24,296	A
43	Willamette University Salem, OR	$70,412	$70,827	$31,472	$21,500	B
44	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC	$70,240	$75,377	$43,348	$14,625	A+
45	Syracuse University Syracuse, NY	$70,106	$66,726	$36,767	$26,000	A
46	CUNY City College New York, NY	$69,948	$66,576	$42,734	$14,858	B
47	Pace University New York, NY	$69,876	$66,507	$35,992	$26,000	B+
48	Rutgers University-New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ	$69,709	$61,183	$43,649	$21,500	A
49	University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA	$69,573	$70,756	$35,781	$25,870	A
50	Gustavus Adolphus College Saint Peter, MN	$69,423	$66,314	$50,074	$27,000	B+
51	Saint Anselm College Manchester, NH	$69,288	$63,821	$43,819	$27,000	A
52	DePauw University Greencastle, IN	$69,228	$74,269	$43,141	$27,000	A
53	Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, CA	$69,144	$62,917	$41,113	$17,750	A
56	University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies Online Manchester, NH	$69,098	$63,646	$43,551	$25,990	C
55	University of New Hampshire at Manchester Manchester, NH	$69,098	$63,646	$43,551	$25,990	B
54	University of New Hampshire-Main Campus Durham, NH	$69,098	$63,646	$43,551	$25,990	B
57	Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Carbondale, IL	$69,034	$67,825	$32,465	$26,000	C
58	University of Nevada-Reno Reno, NV	$68,953	$71,565	$40,296	$17,232	B
59	University of San Diego San Diego, CA	$68,913	$62,706	$40,776	$24,000	A+
60	Brigham Young University Provo, UT	$68,843	$65,247	$46,747	$19,680	A
61	Sonoma State University Rohnert Park, CA	$68,833	$62,634	$32,952	$17,877	B
62	The College of New Jersey Ewing, NJ	$68,654	$60,257	$37,151	$19,500	B+
63	University of San Francisco San Francisco, CA	$68,592	$62,414	$39,000	$21,875	A
68	University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus Hartford, CT	$68,542	$61,710	$40,473	$21,036	B+
67	University of Connecticut-Stamford Stamford, CT	$68,542	$61,710	$40,473	$21,036	B+
66	University of Connecticut-Avery Point Groton, CT	$68,542	$61,710	$40,473	$21,036	B+
65	University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus Waterbury, CT	$68,542	$61,710	$40,473	$21,036	B+
64	University of Connecticut Storrs, CT	$68,542	$61,710	$40,473	$21,036	A
69	Bryant University Smithfield, RI	$68,518	$67,483	$45,071	$27,000	A+
70	University of Georgia Athens, GA	$68,319	$70,724	$44,283	$17,250	A
71	Washington & Jefferson College Washington, PA	$68,066	$69,224	$39,584	$27,000	B+
72	Woodbury University Burbank, CA	$68,020	$61,894	—	—	B
73	American University Washington, DC	$67,863	$59,466	$36,980	$22,611	A
74	University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA	$67,302	$61,240	$33,046	$13,193	A+
75	University of Dayton Dayton, OH	$67,231	$71,746	$42,629	$25,000	A+
76	University of Maryland Global Campus Adelphi, MD	$67,181	$58,959	$53,513	$23,000	C+
77	University of La Verne La Verne, CA	$66,891	$60,866	$29,305	$22,655	B
78	Denison University Granville, OH	$66,730	$71,211	$47,396	$25,000	A
79	University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO	$66,623	$62,306	$39,738	$16,500	B+
80	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL	$66,439	$65,276	$37,808	$18,850	A+
81	James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA	$66,436	$60,496	$42,769	$20,500	B+
82	Saint Mary's College Notre Dame, IN	$66,335	$71,165	$32,322	$27,000	B+
83	Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA	$66,106	$60,196	$44,309	$20,500	A
84	Queens University of Charlotte Charlotte, NC	$65,985	$70,811	$36,279	$26,975	B
85	Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, IN	$65,517	$70,288	$41,409	$17,375	A+
86	Norwich University Northfield, VT	$65,497	$67,271	$37,161	$27,000	B+
87	McDaniel College Westminster, MD	$65,411	$57,406	$32,402	$24,500	C
88	University of St Thomas Saint Paul, MN	$64,917	$62,010	$45,100	$26,125	A
89	Lake Forest College Lake Forest, IL	$64,580	$63,449	$42,835	$27,000	B
90	Texas A & M University-College Station College Station, TX	$64,533	$65,611	$43,295	$15,750	A
91	University of Rhode Island Kingston, RI	$64,520	$63,546	$36,785	$22,813	B+
92	Saint Mary's College of California Moraga, CA	$64,456	$58,651	$35,356	$19,500	A
93	College of Saint Benedict Saint Joseph, MN	$64,430	$61,544	$45,702	$27,000	B+
94	Merrimack College North Andover, MA	$64,345	$56,663	$29,527	$25,783	B+
97	University of Washington-Tacoma Campus Tacoma, WA	$64,153	$59,007	$44,638	$15,000	B+
96	University of Washington-Bothell Campus Bothell, WA	$64,153	$59,007	$44,638	$15,000	A
95	University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA	$64,153	$59,007	$44,638	$15,000	A
98	University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Oshkosh, WI	$64,103	$66,702	$40,673	$26,000	C+
99	Furman University Greenville, SC	$64,014	$70,982	$41,766	$22,631	A
100	Keene State College Keene, NH	$63,995	$58,946	$34,372	$25,000	D
101	Indiana University-Bloomington Bloomington, IN	$63,855	$68,505	$36,700	$20,500	A
102	Augsburg University Minneapolis, MN	$63,850	$60,990	$36,604	$25,000	C+
103	San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA	$63,731	$57,991	$40,790	$13,703	B
104	Augustana College Rock Island, IL	$63,730	$62,614	$40,806	$26,375	B+
105	SUNY College at Geneseo Geneseo, NY	$63,577	$60,512	$41,070	$19,500	B+
106	Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TX	$63,531	$64,592	$32,123	$21,500	A
107	State University of New York at Cortland Cortland, NY	$63,431	$60,373	$34,683	$21,500	C+
108	University of Denver Denver, CO	$63,374	$59,267	$36,234	$20,666	B+
109	University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT	$63,309	$60,002	$43,801	$17,500	B+
110	Towson University Towson, MD	$63,292	$55,546	$42,657	$17,989	C+
111	Quinnipiac University Hamden, CT	$63,012	$56,731	$37,199	$23,250	A
112	University at Buffalo Buffalo, NY	$62,912	$59,879	$39,226	$19,500	B+
113	University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver, CO	$62,882	$58,807	$39,662	$21,896	C+
114	Marymount Manhattan College New York, NY	$62,844	$59,814	$24,962	$24,500	F
115	Endicott College Beverly, MA	$62,840	$55,337	$36,233	$27,000	C
116	Colorado State University Global Aurora, CO	$62,743	$58,677	$49,436	$23,187	B+
117	Utah Valley University Orem, UT	$62,566	$59,298	$44,202	$13,942	B+
118	Westmont College Santa Barbara, CA	$62,535	$56,903	$41,225	$23,250	B
119	SUNY Brockport Brockport, NY	$62,532	$59,518	$37,910	$19,969	C
120	University of Hartford West Hartford, CT	$62,464	$56,238	$32,186	$26,374	C+
121	Seattle Pacific University Seattle, WA	$62,411	$57,405	$32,260	$25,137	B
122	Washington State University Pullman, WA	$62,406	$57,400	$38,747	—	B
123	Hofstra University Hempstead, NY	$62,361	$59,355	$39,782	$23,500	B+
124	John Carroll University University Heights, OH	$62,270	$66,451	$41,072	$27,000	B+
125	Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, OH	$62,096	$66,266	$41,232	$19,822	A
126	Rollins College Winter Park, FL	$62,086	$66,083	$36,285	$25,200	B+
127	North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC	$62,039	$66,577	$39,889	$20,000	A
128	Ashford University San Diego, CA	$61,909	$56,333	$58,089	$33,341	F
129	University of Puget Sound Tacoma, WA	$61,904	$56,938	$29,477	$27,000	B+
130	Randolph-Macon College Ashland, VA	$61,867	$56,336	$40,328	$27,000	C+
131	College of Staten Island CUNY Staten Island, NY	$61,691	$58,717	$29,702	$11,750	D
132	California Lutheran University Thousand Oaks, CA	$61,653	$56,100	$37,249	$20,802	B+
133	The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL	$61,548	$69,862	$40,790	$24,459	B+
134	CUNY Queens College Queens, NY	$61,501	$58,536	$31,918	$12,500	B
135	Colorado State University-Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO	$61,434	$57,453	$38,731	$20,500	C+
136	San Diego State University San Diego, CA	$61,389	$55,860	$37,773	$15,000	B
137	Metropolitan State University Saint Paul, MN	$61,355	$58,607	$46,320	$20,364	C+
138	La Salle University Philadelphia, PA	$61,347	$62,390	$36,037	$27,000	B+
139	Bellevue University Bellevue, NE	$61,294	$63,350	—	—	B
140	University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI	$61,270	$63,754	$37,286	$20,500	A+
141	University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, NE	$61,220	$63,273	$41,327	$17,936	C
143	Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZ	$61,193	$62,877	$44,571	$19,202	B+
142	Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ	$61,193	$62,877	$44,571	$19,202	B+
145	Oregon State University-Cascades Campus Bend, OR	$61,096	$61,456	$40,737	$19,828	B
144	Oregon State University Corvallis, OR	$61,096	$61,456	$40,737	$19,828	B+
146	Ursinus College Collegeville, PA	$61,017	$62,055	$35,420	$27,000	A
147	University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, MO	$61,007	$65,412	$44,078	$19,500	A
148	Eckerd College Saint Petersburg, FL	$60,969	$64,894	$33,544	$20,500	C+
149	University of Maryland-Baltimore County Baltimore, MD	$60,957	$53,497	$30,737	$20,500	B
150	State University of New York at New Paltz New Paltz, NY	$60,929	$57,992	$29,860	$18,500	C+
151	University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst, MA	$60,891	$53,621	$36,380	$20,500	B+
152	The College of Wooster Wooster, OH	$60,884	$64,972	$39,527	$22,111	B+
153	California Baptist University Riverside, CA	$60,883	$55,400	$42,300	$25,000	C+
154	Michigan State University East Lansing, MI	$60,807	$64,114	$36,390	$25,250	A
155	The University of Texas Permian Basin Odessa, TX	$60,805	$61,821	$46,203	$17,515	C
156	University of Iowa Iowa City, IA	$60,737	$63,888	$37,647	$22,850	A
157	Wheaton College Wheaton, IL	$60,695	$59,632	$39,321	$23,250	B+
158	University of the Pacific Stockton, CA	$60,666	$55,202	$28,292	$18,500	A
159	St. John's University-New York Queens, NY	$60,634	$57,711	$27,234	$25,000	B+
160	Manhattanville College Purchase, NY	$60,523	$57,605	$27,488	$25,726	C+
161	Marquette University Milwaukee, WI	$60,482	$62,934	$36,443	$20,000	A+
162	Illinois State University Normal, IL	$60,414	$59,356	$38,125	$19,500	B
163	University of Massachusetts-Boston Boston, MA	$60,411	$53,198	$42,480	$24,258	C+
164	University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC	$60,407	$64,825	$38,234	$20,500	B
165	University of Kansas Lawrence, KS	$60,258	$62,558	$40,772	$18,811	B+
166	Emmanuel College Boston, MA	$60,110	$52,933	$38,636	$27,000	B
167	University of Minnesota-Duluth Duluth, MN	$60,023	$57,335	$39,706	$21,852	B
168	Weber State University Ogden, UT	$59,969	$56,837	$43,209	$16,749	B+
169	Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA	$59,968	$54,606	$35,808	$21,500	C
170	Radford University Radford, VA	$59,932	$54,574	$38,038	$25,000	D
171	Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia, PA	$59,929	$60,948	$38,024	$26,000	A+
172	Rider University Lawrenceville, NJ	$59,897	$52,571	$41,864	—	C+
173	California State University-San Marcos San Marcos, CA	$59,842	$54,452	$36,310	$14,545	C+
174	CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NY	$59,756	$56,875	$36,367	$7,500	A
175	University at Albany Albany, NY	$59,724	$56,845	$30,792	$20,066	B+
176	Westminster University Salt Lake City, UT	$59,676	$56,559	$33,649	$25,000	B
177	Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GA	$59,675	$61,776	$43,420	$26,988	C+
178	Hamline University Saint Paul, MN	$59,557	$56,890	$42,201	$24,672	C+
179	Trinity University San Antonio, TX	$59,494	$60,488	$34,589	$25,392	A
184	Ottawa University-Surprise Surprise, AZ	$59,445	$61,081	$33,465	$22,500	C
183	Ottawa University-Online Overland Park, KS	$59,445	$61,714	$33,465	$22,500	B
182	Ottawa University-Milwaukee Brookfield, WI	$59,445	$61,855	$33,465	$22,500	B
181	Ottawa University-Kansas City Overland Park, KS	$59,445	$61,714	$33,465	$22,500	B
180	Ottawa University-Ottawa Ottawa, KS	$59,445	$61,714	$33,465	$22,500	C
185	East Carolina University Greenville, NC	$59,432	$63,779	$37,813	$21,250	B
186	California State University-Sacramento Sacramento, CA	$59,404	$54,054	$39,304	$15,000	C+
187	Southwestern University Georgetown, TX	$59,372	$60,364	$34,050	$26,000	B
188	California State University-Channel Islands Camarillo, CA	$59,332	$53,988	$40,109	$13,429	C+
189	Saint Michael's College Colchester, VT	$59,313	$60,919	$30,747	$26,250	B+
191	Montclair State University Montclair, NJ	$59,247	$52,000	$28,062	$21,500	C+
190	Bloomfield College Bloomfield, NJ	$59,247	$52,000	$28,062	$21,500	D
192	Portland State University Portland, OR	$59,232	$59,581	$35,143	$20,499	C+
193	University of New Haven West Haven, CT	$59,225	$53,321	$27,918	$27,000	C
194	Emerson College Boston, MA	$59,202	$52,134	$44,108	$23,717	C+
195	Sacred Heart University Fairfield, CT	$59,068	$53,180	$28,884	$25,000	B+
196	University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, NE	$59,017	$60,996	$39,702	$21,150	B
197	Baylor University Waco, TX	$58,915	$59,899	$43,740	$23,250	A
198	University of Central Florida Orlando, FL	$58,783	$62,567	$37,021	$17,148	B+
199	King University Bristol, TN	$58,770	$64,200	—	—	B
200	Monmouth University West Long Branch, NJ	$58,759	$51,572	$25,742	$25,000	B
201	Utah State University Logan, UT	$58,672	$55,607	$37,574	$13,960	C
202	Iona University New Rochelle, NY	$58,650	$55,823	$29,911	$26,723	B+
203	Thomas More University Crestview Hills, KY	$58,479	$66,216	—	—	B
204	Muhlenberg College Allentown, PA	$58,473	$59,468	$29,950	$23,829	A
205	The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, TX	$58,451	$59,428	$23,766	—	C
206	California State University-Chico Chico, CA	$58,391	$53,132	$38,421	$16,125	B
208	College of Charleston Charleston, SC	$58,371	$64,724	$36,903	$21,500	B
207	Eastern University Saint Davids, PA	$58,371	$59,364	$25,732	$25,000	C
209	University of Maine Orono, ME	$58,306	$61,964	$37,192	$25,168	C
210	St. John Fisher University Rochester, NY	$58,279	$55,470	$30,233	$19,500	B+
211	Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL	$58,256	$57,236	$31,495	$23,000	A
212	Hanover College Hanover, IN	$58,227	$62,467	$31,621	$27,000	C+
213	University of South Carolina Aiken Aiken, SC	$58,203	$64,538	$34,654	$25,802	D
214	Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX	$58,196	$59,168	$34,028	$21,600	B+
215	Vassar College Poughkeepsie, NY	$58,163	$55,359	$23,270	$16,750	A
216	California State University-Long Beach Long Beach, CA	$58,137	$52,901	$34,172	$13,766	B
217	California State University-Fullerton Fullerton, CA	$58,082	$52,851	$34,120	$13,000	C+
218	Stetson University Deland, FL	$58,071	$61,809	$33,190	$27,000	C+
219	University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Eau Claire, WI	$58,043	$60,397	$40,333	$22,250	B
220	Nebraska Wesleyan University Lincoln, NE	$57,937	$59,880	$41,188	$24,704	B
221	Eastern Illinois University Charleston, IL	$57,887	$56,874	$37,778	$23,676	D
223	Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus Madison, NJ	$57,829	$50,756	$34,772	$25,000	C
222	Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus Teaneck, NJ	$57,829	$50,756	$34,772	$25,000	C
224	Saint Louis University Saint Louis, MO	$57,787	$61,960	$30,047	$21,500	A
225	California State University-East Bay Hayward, CA	$57,708	$52,510	$35,722	$18,000	B
226	Mount St. Mary's University Emmitsburg, MD	$57,669	$50,611	$39,055	$26,312	C+
227	Seattle University Seattle, WA	$57,599	$52,979	$39,316	$19,500	A
228	University of Phoenix-Arizona Phoenix, AZ	$57,523	$59,106	$47,919	$36,583	F
229	The Master's University and Seminary Santa Clarita, CA	$57,507	$52,328	$29,015	$22,250	C
230	California State University-Dominguez Hills Carson, CA	$57,478	$52,301	$34,015	$17,157	D
231	University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Norman, OK	$57,453	$64,506	$45,009	$21,500	A
232	SUNY Oneonta Oneonta, NY	$57,447	$54,678	$27,973	$20,500	C+
233	The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville, TN	$57,394	$62,697	$41,258	$19,611	B+
234	Florida International University Miami, FL	$57,376	$61,069	$36,424	$17,234	B+
235	Wayne State University Detroit, MI	$57,335	$60,453	$36,595	$25,000	C+
236	Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma, WA	$57,317	$52,719	$33,970	$22,604	B
237	Caldwell University Caldwell, NJ	$57,307	$50,297	$22,371	$26,000	D
238	Christopher Newport University Newport News, VA	$57,254	$52,135	$36,953	$23,250	C+
239	California State University-Northridge Northridge, CA	$57,138	$51,992	$30,794	$13,999	C
240	St. Thomas Aquinas College Sparkill, NY	$57,112	$54,359	$28,480	—	B
241	Iowa State University Ames, IA	$57,110	$60,073	$40,497	$16,875	B+
242	CUNY Brooklyn College Brooklyn, NY	$57,024	$54,275	$27,262	$11,260	C+
243	University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR	$56,969	$67,133	$40,095	$19,500	B+
244	Bridgewater State University Bridgewater, MA	$56,968	$50,166	$34,146	$24,250	D
245	University of Nevada-Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV	$56,944	$59,101	$32,365	$18,618	C+
246	University of Houston-Downtown Houston, TX	$56,903	$57,854	$34,123	$23,455	C
247	Ramapo College of New Jersey Mahwah, NJ	$56,894	$49,935	$31,966	$23,074	B
248	Central Washington University Ellensburg, WA	$56,862	$52,301	$35,820	$21,065	C+
249	University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, IL	$56,845	$55,850	$38,912	$19,224	B+
250	University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Cincinnati, OH	$56,818	$60,633	$41,138	$21,644	B
251	Mount Mary University Milwaukee, WI	$56,763	$59,065	—	—	D
252	Wittenberg University Springfield, OH	$56,711	$60,519	$36,715	$27,000	C+
253	Southern Connecticut State University New Haven, CT	$56,694	$51,043	$29,984	$22,250	D
254	San Diego Christian College Santee, CA	$56,685	$51,580	—	—	F
255	Auburn University Auburn, AL	$56,636	$64,287	$35,929	$18,625	A
256	University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO	$56,520	$52,857	$34,892	$19,848	D
257	Brigham Young University-Idaho Rexburg, ID	$56,514	$60,095	$36,941	$12,500	A
258	University of Wisconsin-La Crosse La Crosse, WI	$56,470	$58,760	$40,293	$21,906	B+
259	Florida Gulf Coast University Fort Myers, FL	$56,455	$60,089	$39,342	$17,479	C+
260	Western Washington University Bellingham, WA	$56,415	$51,890	$34,857	$17,887	C+
262	Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud, MN	$56,388	$53,863	$40,279	$23,250	C
261	Concordia University-Irvine Irvine, CA	$56,388	$51,309	$36,162	$24,848	B
263	Westfield State University Westfield, MA	$56,349	$49,621	$32,134	$23,250	D
264	Whitworth University Spokane, WA	$56,304	$51,788	$39,305	$21,500	C+
265	California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Pomona, CA	$56,278	$51,209	$32,852	$14,725	B+
266	Indiana University-East Richmond, IN	$56,141	$60,229	$37,463	$12,076	D
267	Minnesota State University-Mankato Mankato, MN	$56,119	$53,606	$39,798	$22,779	C
268	University of North Dakota Grand Forks, ND	$56,065	$58,085	$34,963	$20,500	B+
269	Salisbury University Salisbury, MD	$56,048	$49,189	$34,704	$21,250	C+
270	DePaul University Chicago, IL	$56,014	$55,033	$34,453	$20,834	B+
271	Eastern Oregon University La Grande, OR	$56,013	$56,343	$37,143	$20,612	D
274	Miami University-Oxford Oxford, OH	$55,919	$59,674	$34,959	$19,750	B
273	Miami University-Middletown Middletown, OH	$55,919	$59,674	$34,959	$19,750	C
272	Miami University-Hamilton Hamilton, OH	$55,919	$59,674	$34,959	$19,750	C
275	Molloy College Rockville Centre, NY	$55,878	$53,184	$31,517	$24,195	A
276	University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI	$55,697	$57,955	$38,040	$23,000	C+
277	Oakland University Rochester Hills, MI	$55,662	$58,689	$37,795	$22,000	B
278	Carthage College Kenosha, WI	$55,654	$57,911	$33,580	$25,125	B
279	University of Kentucky Lexington, KY	$55,653	$63,016	$39,311	$22,500	B+
280	University of Louisville Louisville, KY	$55,636	$62,997	$38,219	$20,735	B
281	The University of Tampa Tampa, FL	$55,512	$59,085	$32,804	$23,250	B
294	Pennsylvania State University-World Campus University Park, PA	$55,505	$56,449	$34,181	$25,000	C+
293	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York York, PA	$55,505	$56,449	$34,181	$25,000	C+
292	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny Mckeesport, PA	$55,505	$56,449	$34,181	$25,000	C+
291	Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus University Park, PA	$55,505	$56,449	$34,181	$25,000	A
290	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly Lemont Furnace, PA	$55,505	$56,449	$34,181	$25,000	B
289	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Brandywine Media, PA	$55,505	$56,449	$34,181	$25,000	C+
288	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg Middletown, PA	$55,505	$56,449	$34,181	$25,000	B
287	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks Reading, PA	$55,505	$56,449	$34,181	$25,000	C+
286	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Beaver Monaca, PA	$55,505	$56,449	$34,181	$25,000	C+
285	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona Altoona, PA	$55,505	$56,449	$34,181	$25,000	C+
284	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre Dallas, PA	$55,505	$56,449	$34,181	$25,000	C+
283	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington New Kensington, PA	$55,505	$56,449	$34,181	$25,000	C+
282	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College Erie, PA	$55,505	$56,449	$34,181	$25,000	B
295	Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI	$55,353	$58,363	$31,913	$27,000	C+
296	South Dakota State University Brookings, SD	$55,345	$59,573	$39,173	$25,500	B
297	Appalachian State University Boone, NC	$55,307	$59,352	$38,331	$19,500	C+
298	Rowan University Glassboro, NJ	$55,277	$48,516	$34,549	$18,874	C
299	Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LA	$55,245	$63,950	$38,426	$21,500	A
300	CUNY Hunter College New York, NY	$55,182	$52,522	$29,054	$10,875	B
301	Hope College Holland, MI	$55,166	$58,166	$38,956	$27,000	B+
302	University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Whitewater, WI	$55,152	$57,388	$39,367	$23,600	C+
303	Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL	$55,109	$54,144	$38,490	$23,812	C+
304	Missouri Western State University Saint Joseph, MO	$55,059	$59,035	—	—	F
305	St Catherine University Saint Paul, MN	$55,058	$52,592	$44,606	$27,918	C+
306	Crown College Saint Bonifacius, MN	$54,958	$52,497	—	—	D
307	Lindenwood University Saint Charles, MO	$54,917	$58,883	$41,579	$24,492	C+
308	Liberty University Lynchburg, VA	$54,911	$50,001	$35,392	$21,500	F
309	Plymouth State University Plymouth, NH	$54,740	$50,421	$31,293	$27,000	C
311	Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL	$54,717	$58,239	$34,720	$18,375	B
310	Colorado Mesa University Grand Junction, CO	$54,717	$51,171	$32,899	$21,061	B
312	Juniata College Huntingdon, PA	$54,716	$55,647	$32,470	$27,000	B
318	Ohio University-Zanesville Campus Zanesville, OH	$54,695	$58,368	$36,666	$21,500	B
317	Ohio University-Main Campus Athens, OH	$54,695	$58,368	$36,666	$21,500	C+
316	Ohio University-Lancaster Campus Lancaster, OH	$54,695	$58,368	$36,666	$21,500	C
315	Ohio University-Southern Campus Ironton, OH	$54,695	$58,368	$36,666	$21,500	B
314	Ohio University-Chillicothe Campus Chillicothe, OH	$54,695	$58,368	$36,666	$21,500	B
313	Ohio University-Eastern Campus Saint Clairsville, OH	$54,695	$58,368	$36,666	$21,500	C
319	Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ	$54,622	$56,125	$38,507	$25,000	C
320	Saint Edward's University Austin, TX	$54,558	$55,469	$31,117	$23,153	B
321	Canisius University Buffalo, NY	$54,529	$51,900	$35,264	$22,788	B
322	University of Wyoming Laramie, WY	$54,433	$56,731	$28,547	$11,750	B
323	Allegheny College Meadville, PA	$54,366	$55,291	$31,994	$27,000	B+
324	University of North Florida Jacksonville, FL	$54,360	$57,859	$36,842	$15,000	B
325	University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington, NC	$54,315	$58,288	$36,695	$19,000	B
327	The University of Montana Missoula, MT	$54,300	$59,314	$34,377	$18,687	D
326	Albion College Albion, MI	$54,300	$57,253	$39,209	$27,000	B
328	Temple University Philadelphia, PA	$54,283	$55,206	$34,496	$21,500	B+
329	Kean University Union, NJ	$54,277	$47,638	$27,983	$21,469	D
330	Edgewood College Madison, WI	$54,257	$56,457	$42,950	$22,500	B
331	Central Connecticut State University New Britain, CT	$54,195	$48,793	$30,399	$20,500	C
332	Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Kutztown, PA	$54,173	$55,094	$35,957	$25,937	C
333	Linfield University Mcminnville, OR	$54,091	$54,410	$30,860	$27,000	A
334	California State University-Stanislaus Turlock, CA	$54,007	$49,143	$30,179	$16,000	C+
335	Alma College Alma, MI	$53,947	$56,881	—	—	C+
336	University of Wisconsin-Parkside Kenosha, WI	$53,923	$56,109	$37,107	$21,987	C
337	Bethel University Saint Paul, MN	$53,868	$51,455	$40,019	$23,702	B
338	Lynn University Boca Raton, FL	$53,858	$57,325	—	—	C
339	Saginaw Valley State University University Center, MI	$53,825	$56,752	$36,348	$26,722	C
340	University of South Florida Tampa, FL	$53,810	$57,274	$34,530	$18,323	B+
341	Xavier University Cincinnati, OH	$53,800	$57,413	$39,771	—	B+
342	Biola University La Mirada, CA	$53,781	$48,937	—	$21,500	C
343	Nazareth University Rochester, NY	$53,695	$51,107	$28,341	$23,500	C+
344	Eastern Connecticut State University Willimantic, CT	$53,673	$48,323	$32,721	$25,013	C
345	Longwood University Farmville, VA	$53,631	$48,836	$36,062	$26,000	D
346	Elmhurst University Elmhurst, IL	$53,618	$52,679	$41,423	—	B
347	Bridgewater College Bridgewater, VA	$53,615	$48,821	$29,477	$26,000	D
348	William Paterson University of New Jersey Wayne, NJ	$53,589	$47,034	$31,870	$23,638	D
349	East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania East Stroudsburg, PA	$53,559	$54,470	$29,963	$20,702	C+
350	University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IA	$53,506	$56,282	$40,558	$16,562	B
351	Winona State University Winona, MN	$53,456	$51,062	$38,197	$24,908	C+
352	Boise State University Boise, ID	$53,278	$56,654	$37,954	$20,500	C+
353	The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TX	$53,267	$54,157	$34,314	$21,655	C+
354	University of South Carolina-Columbia Columbia, SC	$53,247	$59,043	$35,586	$22,500	A
355	Lasell University Newton, MA	$53,172	$46,824	$30,379	$27,000	F
356	Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY	$53,082	$60,105	$38,637	$22,431	C+
357	University of Southern Maine Portland, ME	$53,033	$56,360	$35,920	$17,678	C
358	Lewis & Clark College Portland, OR	$53,026	$53,338	$17,707	$20,500	B
359	Texas State University San Marcos, TX	$53,009	$53,895	$37,386	$21,500	C+
360	Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ	$52,957	$54,414	$41,491	$17,500	C+
361	Saint Norbert College De Pere, WI	$52,927	$55,073	$38,287	$26,000	B
362	Luther College Decorah, IA	$52,905	$55,650	$42,012	$27,000	B+
363	Southeastern University Lakeland, FL	$52,899	$56,304	$27,983	$19,500	D
364	Minnesota State University Moorhead Moorhead, MN	$52,838	$50,472	$36,172	$20,000	D
365	Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania Bloomsburg, PA	$52,825	$53,723	$31,419	$26,000	C
366	Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MI	$52,805	$55,677	$36,717	$26,600	C
367	Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Slippery Rock, PA	$52,762	$53,659	$35,840	$25,000	C+
368	Goucher College Baltimore, MD	$52,752	$46,296	—	$26,000	D
369	University of Michigan-Dearborn Dearborn, MI	$52,703	$55,569	$31,735	$21,500	B
370	Kansas State University Manhattan, KS	$52,603	$54,610	$30,385	$22,681	B
371	University of Illinois Springfield Springfield, IL	$52,588	$51,667	$32,050	$16,635	C+
372	Mercer University Macon, GA	$52,530	$54,379	$35,712	$24,990	B
373	Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Edwardsville, IL	$52,466	$51,547	$36,569	$20,500	C+
374	University of Central Missouri Warrensburg, MO	$52,463	$56,251	—	$19,750	C
375	University of Houston-Victoria Victoria, TX	$52,435	$53,311	—	—	C
376	Suffolk University Boston, MA	$52,398	$46,142	—	—	B
377	Western Connecticut State University Danbury, CT	$52,385	$47,163	$27,909	$23,543	C
378	Adrian College Adrian, MI	$52,309	$55,154	—	—	C+
379	Lipscomb University Nashville, TN	$52,267	$57,096	$31,767	$21,253	B
380	Concordia College at Moorhead Moorhead, MN	$52,248	$49,908	$42,431	$24,751	C+
381	Holy Cross College Notre Dame, IN	$52,231	$56,034	—	—	C
382	University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD	$52,100	$56,080	$35,792	$23,625	C+
383	Curry College Milton, MA	$52,041	$45,828	$27,516	$25,000	D
384	Notre Dame de Namur University Belmont, CA	$51,994	$47,311	$27,389	—	C+
385	Indiana University-Northwest Gary, IN	$51,863	$55,639	—	—	F
386	Rochester University Rochester Hills, MI	$51,856	$54,676	$36,051	$22,376	D
387	California State University-Fresno Fresno, CA	$51,788	$47,124	$33,050	$14,915	C+
394	DeVry University-Virginia Arlington, VA	$51,752	$47,125	$47,622	$45,000	C
393	DeVry University-Texas Irving, TX	$51,752	$52,617	$47,622	$45,000	D
392	DeVry University-Nevada Henderson, NV	$51,752	$53,713	$47,622	$45,000	D
391	DeVry University-Illinois Lisle, IL	$51,752	$50,846	$47,622	$45,000	B
390	DeVry University-Georgia Decatur, GA	$51,752	$53,574	$47,622	$45,000	C
389	DeVry University-Florida Orlando, FL	$51,752	$55,083	$47,622	$45,000	C
388	DeVry University-California Ontario, CA	$51,752	$47,091	$47,622	$45,000	B
395	Colorado State University Pueblo Pueblo, CO	$51,721	$48,369	$31,769	$20,965	D
396	SUNY College at Plattsburgh Plattsburgh, NY	$51,715	$49,222	$39,749	$23,250	C
397	Baldwin Wallace University Berea, OH	$51,698	$55,170	$29,501	$27,000	B
398	Central College Pella, IA	$51,671	$54,352	—	—	C+
399	Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI	$51,446	$54,244	$31,169	$23,362	C+
400	Indiana University-Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN	$51,397	$55,140	$39,775	$18,443	C+

Bachelor’s degrees. Wage-adjusted = pay ÷ √(state wage index). Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data.

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

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Communications teachers, postsecondary

$77,800 +2.1% growth

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Writers and authors

$72,270 +3.6% growth

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Media and communication workers, all other

$71,770 +2.7% growth

View Career →

Public relations specialists

$69,780 +4.8% growth

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Broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys

$45,680 -5.5% growth

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$79,303

Average Salary Across Careers

$138,520

Highest Paying Career

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

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.

Speech Communication and Rhetoric

Speech Communication and Rhetoric Salary by College

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

Public relations managers

Communications teachers, postsecondary

Writers and authors

Media and communication workers, all other

Public relations specialists

Broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys

Best Colleges for Speech Communication and Rhetoric

Largest Speech Communication and Rhetoric Programs

About Speech Communication and Rhetoric

Program Classification

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