Best institutions to study Speech Communication and Rhetoric
A program that focuses on the scientific, humanistic, and critical study of human communication in a variety of formats, media, and contexts.
718 U.S. institutions graduated 31,248 Speech Communication and Rhetoric students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 09.0101, a specialization of Communication and Media Studies (CIP 09.01), and leads most directly to the Public Relations Specialists occupation (BLS SOC 27-3031).
About Speech Communication and Rhetoric programs
A program that focuses on the scientific, humanistic, and critical study of human communication in a variety of formats, media, and contexts. Includes instruction in the theory and practice of interpersonal, group, organizational, professional, and intercultural communication; speaking and listening; verbal and nonverbal interaction; rhetorical theory and criticism; performance studies; argumentation and persuasion; technologically mediated communication; popular culture; and various contextual applications.
See also: 23.1304 - Rhetoric and Composition.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Speech Communication and Rhetoric program, a part of Communication and Media Studies, delves into the scientific, humanistic, and critical aspects of human communication across various formats and contexts. This program is designed for students interested in enhancing their communication skills in interpersonal, group, and organizational settings, as well as exploring rhetorical theory and performance studies.
Students in this program will develop essential skills such as active listening, speaking, writing, and critical thinking. Coursework covers topics including verbal and nonverbal interaction, argumentation, persuasion, and technologically mediated communication, equipping graduates with a comprehensive understanding of effective communication strategies.
Credentials awarded
What Speech Communication and Rhetoric graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree24,202 graduates / yr · 526 institutions78%
- Associate's degree4,245 graduates / yr · 169 institutions14%
- Master's degree1,793 graduates / yr · 139 institutions5.7%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year582 graduates / yr · 42 institutions1.9%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship261 graduates / yr · 44 institutions0.8%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate136 graduates / yr · 15 institutions0.4%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years22 graduates / yr · 4 institutions0.1%
- Post-master's certificate7 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Speech Communication and Rhetoric completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 35,035 |
| 2013 | 36,159 |
| 2014 | 37,570 |
| 2015 | 40,106 |
| 2016 | 41,481 |
| 2017 | 41,589 |
| 2018 | 41,297 |
| 2019 | 40,580 |
| 2020 | 40,802 |
| 2021 | 40,081 |
| 2022 | 36,397 |
| 2023 | 32,378 |
| 2024 | 32,166 |
| 2025 | 31,248 |
Top 50 institutions for Speech Communication and Rhetoric, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California State University - Fullerton Fullerton, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 548 | 70% | — | $34,120 |
| 2 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 452 | 88% | — | $41,232 |
| 3 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 439 | 78% | — | $37,021 |
| 4 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 398 | 0% | — | $44,571 |
| 5 | California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 351 | 69% | — | $34,172 |
| 6 | San Diego State University San Diego, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 350 | 76% | — | $37,773 |
| 7 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 344 | 68% | — | $44,571 |
| 8 | California State University - Sacramento Sacramento, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 336 | 56% | — | $39,304 |
| 9 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 307 | 85% | — | $44,638 |
| 10 | James Madison University Harrisonburg, VAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 305 | 80% | — | $42,769 |
| 11 | East Carolina University Greenville, NCPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 293 | 63% | — | $37,813 |
| 12 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VAPublicBachelor's | 293 | 86% | — | $44,309 |
| 13 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CTPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 287 | 83% | — | $40,473 |
| 14 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NYPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 281 | 75% | — | $39,226 |
| 15 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicBachelor's | 280 | 84% | — | $43,649 |
| 16 | University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MDPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 273 | 89% | — | $43,696 |
| 17 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 271 | 68% | — | $42,993 |
| 18 | University of Delaware Newark, DEPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 261 | 81% | — | $41,897 |
| 19 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 260 | 43% | $21,535 | $38,507 |
| 20 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 257 | 92% | $26,873 | $47,651 |
| 21 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NCPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 253 | 69% | — | $38,234 |
| 22 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 251 | 90% | — | $37,286 |
| 23 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KYPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 246 | 71% | — | $39,311 |
| 24 | Florida International University Miami, FLPublicBachelor's | 245 | 74% | — | $36,424 |
| 25 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 245 | 81% | — | $36,390 |
| 26 | California State University - Northridge Northridge, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 244 | 57% | — | $30,794 |
| 27 | Santa Barbara City College Santa Barbara, CAPublicAssociate's | 242 | 34% | — | — |
| 28 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert.Master'sDoctoral | 236 | 89% | — | $43,848 |
| 29 | The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, ALPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 235 | 73% | — | $40,790 |
| 30 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville, ARPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 233 | 71% | — | $40,095 |
| 31 | Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FLPublicBachelor's | 225 | 63% | — | $34,720 |
| 32 | College of Charleston Charleston, SCPublicBachelor's | 220 | 66% | — | $36,903 |
| 33 | University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MOPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 215 | 75% | — | $44,078 |
| 34 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 212 | 94% | $11,888 | — |
| 35 | University of South Florida Tampa, FLPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 211 | 77% | — | $34,530 |
| 36 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NCPublicBachelor's | 207 | 85% | — | $39,889 |
| 37 | Boston College Chestnut Hill, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 202 | 91% | $21,126 | $55,162 |
| 38 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, COPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 199 | 74% | — | $39,738 |
| 39 | San Jose State University San Jose, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 198 | 69% | — | — |
| 40 | University of Rhode Island Kingston, RIPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 185 | 73% | — | $36,785 |
| 41 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsMaster'sAssociate's | 184 | 75% | — | $41,138 |
| 42 | University at Albany Albany, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 180 | 61% | — | $30,792 |
| 43 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 180 | 69% | — | $34,028 |
| 44 | University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington, NCPublicBachelor's | 177 | 71% | — | $36,695 |
| 45 | San Francisco State University San Francisco, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 171 | 50% | — | $40,790 |
| 46 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OHPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 170 | 65% | — | $36,666 |
| 47 | Santa Monica College Santa Monica, CAPublicAssociate's | 166 | 36% | — | — |
| 48 | California State University - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 165 | 53% | — | — |
| 49 | University of Dayton Dayton, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 163 | 80% | $28,560 | $42,629 |
| 50 | Long Beach City College Long Beach, CAPublicAssociate's | 162 | 30% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Communication and Media Studies field (CIP 09.01) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 54 states & territories
Where Speech Communication and Rhetoric graduates come from. Each state links to all Communication and Media Studies programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3031, Public Relations Specialists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Speech Communication and Rhetoric program can pursue various careers, with roles such as Public Relations Specialists and Communications Teachers. The job outlook for this field is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 4.8% and approximately 27,600 annual openings. The median wage for related occupations is $69,780, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 09.0101
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Public Relations Specialistsprimary SOC 27-3031 | $74,750 | +4.8% About as fast as average | ~27,600 | Bachelor's degree |
Writers and Authors SOC 27-3043 | $76,910 | +3.6% About as fast as average | ~13,400 | Bachelor's degree |
Public Relations Managers SOC 11-2032 | $146,910 | +5.0% Faster than average | ~6,600 | Bachelor's degree |
Media and Communication Workers, All Other SOC 27-3099 | $73,620 | +2.7% About as fast as average | ~3,000 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1122 | $78,580 | +2.1% About as fast as average | ~2,700 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys SOC 27-3011 | $47,340 | -5.5% Decline | ~2,300 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Speech Communication and Rhetoric programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Respond to requests for information from the media or designate an appropriate spokesperson or information source.
- Plan or direct development or communication of programs to maintain favorable public or stockholder perceptions of an organization's accomplishments, agenda, or environmental responsibility.
- Post and update content on the company's Web site and social media outlets.
- Write press releases or other media communications to promote clients.
- Establish or maintain cooperative relationships with representatives of community, consumer, employee, or public interest groups.
- Confer with other managers to identify trends or key group interests or concerns or to provide advice on business decisions.
Tools and technology used
Other Communication and Media Studies specializations
The 3 other 6-digit CIP codes under Communication and Media Studies (CIP 09.01).
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Associate's degree, or Master's degree in Speech Communication and Rhetoric.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in active listening, speaking, writing, critical thinking, and more.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Public Relations Specialist, Writer, or Communications Teacher, among other roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.8% and 27,600 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Speech Communication and Rhetoric?+
Speech Communication and Rhetoric is CIP 09.0101 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Communication and Media Studies (CIP 09.01). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the scientific, humanistic, and critical study of human communication in a variety of formats, media, and contexts. Includes instruction in the theory and practice of interpersonal, group, organizational, professional, and intercultural communication; speaking and listening; verbal and nonverbal interaction; rhetorical theory and criticism; performance studies; argumentation and persuasion; technologically mediated communication; popular culture; and various contextual applications.
How many institutions offer Speech Communication and Rhetoric programs?+
718 U.S. institutions reported Speech Communication and Rhetoric graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 54 states & territories, awarding 31,248 credentials in the year. That is 58.0% of all Communication and Media Studies graduates.
How much do Speech Communication and Rhetoric graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Public Relations Specialists occupation, which Speech Communication and Rhetoric most directly leads to, pays a median of $74,750 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Communication and Media Studies field report median earnings of $35,356 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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