HEALTH Specialization

Communication Disorders Sciences and

Communication Disorders Sciences and graduates earn $58,928 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 17.9%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Health Specialties Teachers is among the highest-growth roles in the field.

About Communication Disorders Sciences and

This page covers Communication Disorders Sciences and as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Health and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.

Communication Disorders Sciences and is a focused area of study within Health. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $58,928 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 395 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 23,288 students complete it each year, most walking away with a bachelor's. Training is clinical and hands-on, often leading to licensure or certification.


Median Earnings · 1yr
$24,702
Median Earnings · 4yr
$58,928
Colleges Offering
395
Graduates / Year
23,288
Avg Net Price / yr
$20,002

How Much Do Communication Disorders Sciences and Graduates Earn?

Four years after finishing Communication Disorders Sciences and, a typical graduate earns $58,928, near the national median for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $44,993 and $73,005, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Do not judge the field on a starting paycheck alone: pay tends to jump in the first few years, climbing from $24,702 at one year out to $58,928 by year four. Source: College Scorecard.

What that figure means in practice depends on what the degree cost to get, which is a matter of lifetime earnings against total outlay.

$24,702
1 Year After Graduation

Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.

$58,928
4-Year National Median

Near the national median for college graduates.

$58,556
4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.


Earnings Range

Not every Communication Disorders Sciences and graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out a moderate amount, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Specialization and credential level drive most of the gap. Advanced practice roles (nurse practitioners, CRNAs, physician assistants) anchor the top; entry-level clinical and support roles sit at the bottom.


A Solid Financial Return

Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $58,928 and an estimated $80,008 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 2.8 years.

Based on outcomes from 308 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 23,288 students who complete Communication Disorders Sciences and programs each year, the majority (49%) earn a bachelor's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

Bachelor's 49%
Master's 45%
Certificate 3%

What Can You Do With a Communication Disorders Sciences and Degree?

This degree does not lock you into one job. Communication Disorders Sciences and graduates show up in 3 different occupations, and Health Specialties Teachers pay the most at $107,310/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

The best-paid of these is what Health Specialties Teachers earn and how fast those roles are growing, though entry requirements vary across the list.

↗ +17.9% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$107,310
$76K $210K 25th–75th pct.
Doctoral or professional degree 24,900 openings/yr 221K employed nationally
Reading Comprehension Instructing Speaking Critical Thinking Active Learning
Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

  • Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
  • Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
  • Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
↗ +16.6% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$97,870
$78K $115K 25th–75th pct.
Master's degree 12,500 openings/yr 183K employed nationally
Social Perceptiveness Critical Thinking Active Listening Reading Comprehension Writing
Day-to-day responsibilities

Assess and treat persons with speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. May select alternative communication systems and teach their use. May perform research related to speech and language problems.

  • 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.
↗ +11.0% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$95,780
$79K $111K 25th–75th pct.
Doctoral or professional degree 600 openings/yr 14K employed nationally
Reading Comprehension Active Listening Speaking Social Perceptiveness Writing
Day-to-day responsibilities

Assess and treat persons with hearing and related disorders. May fit hearing aids and provide auditory training. May perform research related to hearing problems.

  • Maintain patient records at all stages, including initial and subsequent evaluation and treatment activities.
  • Evaluate hearing and balance disorders to determine diagnoses and courses of treatment.
  • Fit, dispense, and repair assistive devices, such as hearing aids.

Top Colleges for Communication Disorders Sciences and

Not sure where to study Communication Disorders Sciences and? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

Ranked by score, that list starts with the cost and outcomes at Baylor University, and the rest follow the same measures.

# College Graduates Acceptance Net Price/yr Earnings 10yr
1 Baylor University Waco, TX · Nonprofit 328 51.3% $41,104 $65,793
2 Utah State University Logan, UT · Public 319 92.5% $14,936 $54,022
3 Emerson College Boston, MA · Nonprofit 318 51.3% $49,180 $62,832
4 University of Central Florida Orlando, FL · Public 296 40.1% $10,411 $58,308
5 New York University New York, NY · Nonprofit 280 9.2% $37,050 $82,509
6 California State University-Northridge Northridge, CA · Public 238 93.5% $7,021 $59,115
7 San Diego State University San Diego, CA · Public 232 36.2% $15,364 $64,909
8 University of South Florida Tampa, FL · Public 230 43.2% $9,812 $57,743
9 The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, TX · Public 216 65.1% $18,267 $68,227
10 University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Cincinnati, OH · Public 195 85.3% $25,648 $54,810
11 California State University-Fullerton Fullerton, CA · Public 185 90.5% $6,555 $62,951
12 Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FL · Nonprofit 184 73.2% $30,371 $59,209
13 Pennsylvania Western University California, PA · Public 178 94.3% $18,256 $47,295
14 California State University-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA · Public 175 91.3% $3,967 $59,211
15 Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ · Public 161 89.6% $14,158 $54,384
16 Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus University Park, PA · Public 159 60.6% $32,875 $63,435
17 University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI · Public 151 45.2% $17,354 $73,792
18 University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Eau Claire, WI · Public 147 82.3% $16,550 $58,561
19 The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX · Public 145 26.6% $19,857 $75,121
20 Florida State University Tallahassee, FL · Public 144 24.2% $11,297 $61,675

Ranked by Communication Disorders Sciences and graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

Plan Your Path

Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Communication Disorders Sciences and program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

Communication Disorders Sciences and Degree: Pros & Cons

The data on Communication Disorders Sciences and shows 4 measurable strengths and 2 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.

PROS
  • Above-average earnings Four-year median of $58,928 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science programs.
  • Strong salary growth Median earnings climb from $24,702 at graduation to $58,928 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
  • Fast-growing field Related careers are projected to grow up to +17.9% over the next decade, with Health Specialties Teachers among the fastest-growing roles.
  • Strong hiring volume Related occupations generate more than 38,000 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
  • Licensure often required Most roles in this field require state licensure or certification before you can practice. Budget time and costs for board exams alongside your degree.
  • Advanced degree often expected Top roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.

Communication Disorders Sciences and Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Communication Disorders Sciences and graduates earn?
$58,928 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $44,993 and $73,005, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for a Communication Disorders Sciences and degree?
$24,702 in the first year out. That grows to $58,928 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with a Communication Disorders Sciences and degree?
Health Specialties Teachers are one path, and it pays a median of $107,310 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does a Communication Disorders Sciences and program take?
Four years of full-time study for a Communication Disorders Sciences and bachelor's degree, the standard timeline for this field. If you want a faster route into the workforce, community colleges offer a two-year associate option instead.
How many colleges offer Communication Disorders Sciences and?
395 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is a Communication Disorders Sciences and degree worth it?
$58,928 median earnings four years out against $20,002 a year in average net price. That is a reasonable payback window, best at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Communication Disorders Sciences and and Health?
Communication Disorders Sciences and is the narrower of the two: Health covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Communication Disorders Sciences and-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Communication Disorders Sciences and graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Communication Disorders Sciences and graduates consistently look for clinical judgment, patient communication, and evidence-based decision-making. Licensure, certifications, and supervised clinical hours are typically required or strongly preferred in most roles. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for Communication Disorders Sciences and graduates?
Often, yes. Advanced degrees in this field (nurse practitioner, physician assistant, doctor of physical therapy) typically come with significantly higher pay and a wider scope of practice, which is why most students in health fields eventually go back for one. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Communication Disorders Sciences and graduates?
Outlook is strong overall: related occupations average +15.2% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Health Specialties Teachers are among the strongest-growth roles at +17.9%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.

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