by our College Data Analytics TeamSpeech-Language Pathology/Pathologist was the 128th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 5,907 degrees in this year alone. This is approximately the same as the 5,872 graduates the prior year.
Our 2023 Best Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist Schools ranking analyzes 131 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for speech-language pathology/pathologist students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of speech-language pathology programs later in this article.
A major in speech-language pathology prepares you for careers in which giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times is crucial. Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents and talking to others to convey information effectively are all required skills for careers related to this major.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most speech-language pathology degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Once you obtain your degree, additional speech-language pathology certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are many different speech-language pathology degree levels. Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest speech-language pathology degree you can get. The type of speech-language pathology degree you choose will determine how long it takes to get your diploma.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A master's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to speech-language pathology, with approximately 58.4% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to speech-language pathology tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 64.2% |
| Post-Master’s Certificate | 12.0% |
| Doctoral Degree | 9.2% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 7.1% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4.6% |
Most workers in speech-language pathology have at least a master's degree. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in speech-language pathology/pathologist have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the speech-language pathology career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your speech-language pathology degree? Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist careers are expected to grow 22.8% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to speech-language pathology/pathologist.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Professors | 294,000 | 25.9% |
| Speech-Language Pathologists | 171,000 | 17.8% |
As you might expect, salaries for speech-language pathology graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for speech-language pathology/pathologist graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers speech-language pathology grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Health Specialties Professors | $122,320 |
| Speech-Language Pathologists | $80,700 |
With over 232 different speech-language pathology degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased speech-language pathology school rankings to help you with this.
One of 4 majors within the Communication Sciences area of study, Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Speech Pathology & Audiology | 7,841 |
| General Communication Sciences & Disorders | 7,269 |
| Audiology/Audiologist | 1,032 |
| Other Communication Disorders Sciences & Services | 249 |
Image Credit: By Ghozt Tramp under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
