Communication Disorders Sciences and Services at Temple University

Temple's Communication Disorders program tells two completely different stories depending on when you measure success. That first-year salary of $17,826 is alarmingly low—barely above poverty level—but by year four, graduates reach $54,832, nearly triple their starting point. This trajectory suggests most graduates pursue required graduate training in speech-language pathology or audiology before entering their intended careers.

The $26,000 debt load is actually reasonable for this field and below the national program average. More importantly, Temple ranks in the 60th percentile among Pennsylvania programs despite placing only in the 5th percentile nationally—the state's median of $15,224 is significantly lower than the national figure. Your child would be choosing one of the better in-state options if they're committed to this career path.

The critical question is whether your family can weather that difficult first year or two financially. If your child plans to attend graduate school immediately (which most successful practitioners do), you need a plan for supporting them through extended training. The strong four-year earnings suggest Temple adequately prepares students for advanced degrees, but this isn't a program where your child will be financially independent right after the bachelor's degree. Make sure they understand this timeline before committing.