Best institutions to study Communication Sciences and Disorders
A program that focuses on the application of biomedical, psychological, and physical principles to the study of the scientific bases, development, and treatment of speech, language, hearing, and cognitive communication problems caused by disease, injury, or disability.
160 U.S. institutions graduated 7,036 Communication Sciences and Disorders students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.0201, 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 Sciences and Disorders programs
A program that focuses on the application of biomedical, psychological, and physical principles to the study of the scientific bases, development, and treatment of speech, language, hearing, and cognitive communication problems caused by disease, injury, or disability. Includes instruction in language science, hearing science, speech and voice science, biology of communication, behavioral linguistics, psychology, and applications to the development of diagnostic and rehabilitative strategies and technologies.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Communication Sciences and Disorders program focuses on understanding and addressing speech, language, hearing, and cognitive communication issues caused by various conditions. This program is ideal for students interested in the health professions and those who wish to help individuals overcome communication challenges through scientific and clinical methods.
Students will gain knowledge in language science, hearing science, and speech and voice science. Coursework emphasizes critical thinking, active listening, and the development of diagnostic and rehabilitative strategies tailored to individual needs.
Credentials awarded
What Communication Sciences and Disorders graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree4,633 graduates / yr · 132 institutions66%
- Master's degree2,135 graduates / yr · 69 institutions30%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate113 graduates / yr · 11 institutions1.6%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship52 graduates / yr · 18 institutions0.7%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years44 graduates / yr · 4 institutions0.6%
- Doctor's degree - professional practice25 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.4%
- Associate's degree18 graduates / yr · 7 institutions0.3%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year11 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.2%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years5 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Communication Sciences and Disorders completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 5,916 |
| 2013 | 6,492 |
| 2014 | 6,800 |
| 2015 | 6,935 |
| 2016 | 6,859 |
| 2017 | 7,007 |
| 2018 | 6,651 |
| 2019 | 6,830 |
| 2020 | 6,946 |
| 2021 | 7,221 |
| 2022 | 7,465 |
| 2023 | 7,247 |
| 2024 | 7,051 |
| 2025 | 7,036 |
Top 50 institutions for Communication Sciences and Disorders, 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 | Baylor University Waco, TXPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 337 | 80% | $35,682 | $38,174 |
| 2 | Utah State University Logan, UTPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 239 | 59% | — | $30,239 |
| 3 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZPublicBachelor's | 179 | 0% | — | $37,074 |
| 4 | California State University - Northridge Northridge, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 159 | 57% | — | $22,310 |
| 5 | California State University - Fullerton Fullerton, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 139 | 70% | — | $24,594 |
| 6 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 137 | 89% | — | $22,286 |
| 7 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 135 | 86% | — | $16,853 |
| 8 | University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Eau Claire, WIPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 132 | 64% | — | — |
| 9 | University of Houston Houston, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 129 | 65% | — | $30,395 |
| 10 | California State University - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 128 | 53% | — | $28,702 |
| 11 | California State University - Sacramento Sacramento, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 122 | 56% | — | $22,915 |
| 12 | The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, TXPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 118 | 76% | — | $26,577 |
| 13 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 105 | 90% | — | — |
| 14 | Maryville University of Saint Louis Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 104 | 66% | $24,921 | — |
| 15 | Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Lubbock, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 97 | — | — | $27,008 |
| 16 | James Madison University Harrisonburg, VAPublicBachelor's | 94 | 80% | — | — |
| 17 | California State University - Fresno Fresno, CAPublicBachelor's | 92 | 57% | — | $22,463 |
| 18 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, COPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 92 | 74% | — | $24,628 |
| 19 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZPublicBachelor's | 90 | 61% | — | $31,339 |
| 20 | MGH Institute of Health Professions Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral (prof.) | 89 | — | — | — |
| 21 | University of Mississippi University, MSPublicBachelor's | 87 | 72% | — | $24,300 |
| 22 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 85 | 68% | — | $24,044 |
| 23 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst Amherst, MAPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 83 | 83% | — | $30,693 |
| 24 | State University of New York at New Paltz New Paltz, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 83 | 72% | — | $25,475 |
| 25 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicBachelor'sDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 81 | 68% | — | $37,074 |
| 26 | San Francisco State University San Francisco, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 76 | 50% | — | $27,296 |
| 27 | Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 75 | 55% | — | $26,396 |
| 28 | University of Oregon Eugene, ORPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 74 | 72% | — | $21,762 |
| 29 | Wayne State University Detroit, MIPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 72 | 58% | — | $24,474 |
| 30 | University of Rhode Island Kingston, RIPublicBachelor's | 70 | 73% | — | $34,633 |
| 31 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Edinburg, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 70 | 51% | — | — |
| 32 | Minnesota State University - Mankato Mankato, MNPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 69 | 54% | — | — |
| 33 | California State University - East Bay Hayward, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 68 | 48% | — | $34,924 |
| 34 | Texas State University San Marcos, TXPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 66 | 55% | — | — |
| 35 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KSPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 63 | 69% | — | $30,227 |
| 36 | Texas A&M University - Kingsville Kingsville, TXPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 63 | 42% | — | $22,853 |
| 37 | Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Bowling Green, OHPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 62 | 64% | — | — |
| 38 | Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NCPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 60 | 60% | — | $24,521 |
| 39 | Pennsylvania Western University California, PAPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 60 | 52% | — | $25,662 |
| 40 | University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MDPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 58 | 89% | — | $31,105 |
| 41 | Eastern Illinois University Charleston, ILPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 56 | 47% | — | — |
| 42 | University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IAPublicBachelor's | 56 | 68% | — | $10,746 |
| 43 | Appalachian State University Boone, NCPublicBachelor's | 56 | 75% | — | $12,383 |
| 44 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OHPublicBachelor's | 56 | 65% | — | — |
| 45 | University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point Stevens Point, WIPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 55 | 51% | — | — |
| 46 | Elmhurst University Elmhurst, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 54 | 70% | $20,794 | — |
| 47 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 54 | 85% | — | $25,791 |
| 48 | Wichita State University Wichita, KSPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 53 | 51% | — | $21,429 |
| 49 | Saint Louis University Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 53 | 80% | $24,886 | — |
| 50 | Montclair State University Montclair, NJPublicMaster's | 52 | 65% | — | — |
* 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 41 states
Where Communication Sciences and Disorders graduates come from. Each state links to all Communication Disorders Sciences and Services programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-1127, Speech-Language Pathologists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as Speech-Language Pathologists, Audiologists, and Health Specialties Teachers. The job outlook is promising, with a projected growth rate of 15% and approximately 13,300 annual openings. The median wage for these professionals is around $95,410, typically requiring a Master's degree for entry.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.0201
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 Sciences and Disorders 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 - Audiology/CIP 51.0202
Audiologist 1,023 graduates / yr70 institutions - Communication Disorders Sciences and ServicesCIP 51.0299287 graduates / yr19 institutions
See all Communication Disorders Sciences and Services programs →
Common questions
What degrees are offered in this program?+
The program offers Bachelor's, Master's, Postbaccalaureate certificates, and Doctor's degrees.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication skills.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 15%.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can work as a Speech-Language Pathologist, Audiologist, or Health Specialties Teacher.
What is the CIP code for Communication Sciences and Disorders?+
Communication Sciences and Disorders is CIP 51.0201 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: A program that focuses on the application of biomedical, psychological, and physical principles to the study of the scientific bases, development, and treatment of speech, language, hearing, and cognitive communication problems caused by disease, injury, or disability. Includes instruction in language science, hearing science, speech and voice science, biology of communication, behavioral linguistics, psychology, and applications to the development of diagnostic and rehabilitative strategies and technologies.
How many institutions offer Communication Sciences and Disorders programs?+
160 U.S. institutions reported Communication Sciences and Disorders graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 41 states, awarding 7,036 credentials in the year. That is 30.8% of all Communication Disorders Sciences and Services graduates.
How much do Communication Sciences and Disorders graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Speech-Language Pathologists occupation, which Communication Sciences and Disorders 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 $25,662 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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