Best institutions to study Communication Disorders Sciences and Services
Any instructional program in communications disorders sciences and services not listed above.
19 U.S. institutions graduated 287 Communication Disorders Sciences and Services students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.0299, a specialization of Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (CIP 51.02), and leads most directly to the Speech-Language Pathologists occupation (BLS SOC 29-1127).
About Communication Disorders Sciences and Services programs
Any instructional program in communications disorders sciences and services not listed above.
See also: 51.0816 - Speech-Language Pathology Assistant., 51.0918 - Hearing Instrument Specialist., 05.0211 - Deaf Studies., 16.1601 - American Sign Language (ASL).
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Communication Disorders Sciences and Services program focuses on the study and treatment of communication disorders, including speech, language, and hearing issues. This program is designed for students interested in helping individuals overcome challenges related to communication, making it ideal for those passionate about health professions and related services.
Students in this program will develop critical skills in areas such as active listening, writing, and monitoring. Coursework often includes topics in psychology, therapy and counseling, and education, equipping graduates with the knowledge needed to evaluate and treat various communication disorders.
Credentials awarded
What Communication Disorders Sciences and Services graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree104 graduates / yr · 4 institutions36%
- Bachelor's degree77 graduates / yr · 8 institutions27%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate50 graduates / yr · 6 institutions17%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year22 graduates / yr · 2 institutions7.7%
- Associate's degree19 graduates / yr · 1 institution6.6%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship15 graduates / yr · 3 institutions5.2%
Graduates over time
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 227 |
| 2013 | 209 |
| 2014 | 236 |
| 2015 | 250 |
| 2016 | 222 |
| 2017 | 204 |
| 2018 | 218 |
| 2019 | 217 |
| 2020 | 222 |
| 2021 | 248 |
| 2022 | 212 |
| 2023 | 235 |
| 2024 | 228 |
| 2025 | 287 |
Top 19 institutions for Communication Disorders Sciences and Services, 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 | University of New Hampshire - Main Campus Durham, NHPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 74 | 76% | — | — |
| 2 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 63 | 68% | — | $37,074 |
| 3 | Ouachita Baptist University Arkadelphia, ARPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 19 | 61% | $21,322 | — |
| 4 | University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies Online Manchester, NHPublicAssociate's | 19 | 30% | — | — |
| 5 | University of West Georgia Carrollton, GAPublicPost-degree cert. | 16 | 43% | — | $28,612 |
| 6 | University of Memphis Memphis, TNPublicPost-degree cert. | 16 | 51% | — | — |
| 7 | Howard University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 15 | 70% | $48,194 | — |
| 8 | Georgia State University Atlanta, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearPost-degree cert. | 15 | 53% | — | — |
| 9 | Southern Connecticut State University New Haven, CTPublicPost-degree cert. | 12 | 50% | — | $24,025 |
| 10 | University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MSPublicDoctoral | 10 | 49% | — | — |
| 11 | College of Our Lady of the Elms Chicopee, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 7 | 68% | $21,982 | $31,890 |
| 12 | California State University - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicPost-degree cert. | 4 | 53% | — | $28,702 |
| 13 | Gordon College Wenham, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 69% | $23,077 | — |
| 14 | Thiel College Greenville, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 49% | $22,464 | — |
| 15 | University of South Alabama Mobile, ALPublicDoctoral | 3 | 53% | — | — |
| 16 | University of Louisiana at Lafayette Lafayette, LAPublicDoctoral | 2 | 53% | — | $18,766 |
| 17 | EDP University of Puerto Rico - Villalba Villalba, PRPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 25% | $8,445 | — |
| 18 | EDP University of Puerto Rico Inc - San Sebastian San Sebastian, PRPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 29% | $7,300 | — |
| 19 | EDP University of Puerto Rico Inc - San Juan San Juan, PRPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 24% | $5,708 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Communication Disorders Sciences and Services field (CIP 51.02) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 14 states & territories
Where Communication Disorders Sciences and Services graduates come from. Each state links to all Communication Disorders Sciences and Services programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | 2 | 93 | University of New Hampshire - Main Campus74 / yr |
| Arizona | 1 | 63 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion63 / yr |
| Georgia | 2 | 31 | University of West Georgia16 / yr |
| Arkansas | 1 | 19 | Ouachita Baptist University19 / yr |
| Tennessee | 1 | 16 | University of Memphis16 / yr |
| District of Columbia | 1 | 15 | Howard University15 / yr |
| Connecticut | 1 | 12 | Southern Connecticut State University12 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 2 | 11 | College of Our Lady of the Elms7 / yr |
| Mississippi | 1 | 10 | University of Southern Mississippi10 / yr |
| Puerto Rico | 3 | 4 | EDP University of Puerto Rico - Villalba2 / yr |
| California | 1 | 4 | California State University - Los Angeles4 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 4 | Thiel College4 / yr |
| Alabama | 1 | 3 | University of South Alabama3 / yr |
| Louisiana | 1 | 2 | University of Louisiana at Lafayette2 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-1127, Speech-Language Pathologists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Communication Disorders Sciences and Services program can pursue careers as Speech-Language Pathologists, Audiologists, or Health Specialties Teachers. The job outlook is strong, with a projected growth rate of 15% and approximately 13,300 annual openings. The median wage for these professionals is $95,410, typically requiring a Master's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.0299
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Speech-Language Pathologistsprimary SOC 29-1127 | $97,870 | +15.0% Much faster than average | ~13,300 | Master's degree |
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1071 | $107,310 | +17.3% Much faster than average | ~27,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Audiologists SOC 29-1181 | $95,780 | +9.5% Much faster than average | ~700 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Communication Disorders Sciences and Services 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
- Evaluate hearing or speech and language test results, barium swallow results, or medical or background information to diagnose and plan treatment for speech, language, fluency, voice, or swallowing disorders.
- Write reports and maintain proper documentation of information, such as client Medicaid or billing records or caseload activities, including the initial evaluation, treatment, progress, and discharge of clients.
- Monitor patients' progress and adjust treatments accordingly.
- Develop or implement treatment plans for problems such as stuttering, delayed language, swallowing disorders, or inappropriate pitch or harsh voice problems, based on own assessments and recommendations of physicians, psychologists, or social workers.
- Administer hearing or speech and language evaluations, tests, or examinations to patients to collect information on type and degree of impairments, using written or oral tests or special instruments.
- Educate patients and family members about various topics, such as communication techniques or strategies to cope with or to avoid personal misunderstandings.
Tools and technology used
Other Communication Disorders Sciences and Services specializations
The 4 other 6-digit CIP codes under Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (CIP 51.02).
- Speech-Language Pathology/CIP 51.0203
Pathologist 7,257 graduates / yr189 institutions - Audiology/CIP 51.0204
Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/ Pathologist 7,257 graduates / yr144 institutions - Communication Sciences and DisordersCIP 51.02017,036 graduates / yr160 institutions
- Audiology/CIP 51.0202
Audiologist 1,023 graduates / yr70 institutions
See all Communication Disorders Sciences and Services programs →
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or a Postbaccalaureate certificate.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, writing, and monitoring.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Speech-Language Pathologist, Audiologist, or Health Specialties Teacher.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 15%.
What is the CIP code for Communication Disorders Sciences and Services?+
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services is CIP 51.0299 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (CIP 51.02). NCES defines it as: Any instructional program in communications disorders sciences and services not listed above.
How many institutions offer Communication Disorders Sciences and Services programs?+
19 U.S. institutions reported Communication Disorders Sciences and Services graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 14 states & territories, awarding 287 credentials in the year. That is 1.3% of all Communication Disorders Sciences and Services graduates.
How much do Communication Disorders Sciences and Services graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Speech-Language Pathologists occupation, which Communication Disorders Sciences and Services most directly leads to, pays a median of $97,870 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Communication Disorders Sciences and Services field report median earnings of $28,702 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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