Compare tuition, outcomes, and admissions for every accredited Virginia SLP program — plus licensure steps and salary data.
Virginia's seven accredited slp programs span public flagships, regional universities, and private institutions, with annual in-state tuition ranging from roughly $7,800 at Longwood University to over $26,700 at Shenandoah University. That spread matters. Most programs take two years to complete, yet the total debt a graduate carries can vary by tens of thousands of dollars depending on the school, even before factoring in campus versus hybrid delivery.
The real tension for prospective students is balancing cost against clinical depth, format flexibility, and post-graduation earning power in a state where the median SLP salary already exceeds the national figure. Some programs have dropped the GRE entirely; others still require it or substitute situational judgment tests. If you are exploring programs with more flexible admissions criteria, our guide to slp graduate programs high acceptance rates is worth a look. Virginia's licensure process adds its own layer of complexity, requiring both a state clinical license and a separate credential for school-based practice.
Virginia is home to several strong speech-language pathology master's programs, each with a different profile: UVA's two-path M.Ed., JMU's hybrid five-semester format, Longwood's low-tuition campus option, and more. The profiles below cover program structure, clinical training, and reported outcomes for seven schools. Program-level earnings for SLP graduates are not yet available, so the scorecard figures cited here are institution-wide, giving readers a fair starting point for comparison.
Charlottesville, VA · $24,000/yr
Best for: Career changers without a communication disorders background
UVA's M.Ed. in Communication Sciences and Disorders offers two curriculum paths: a five-semester Blue Path for students new to the field and a seven-semester Orange Path for those with prior coursework. Clinical training starts at the on-campus Sheila C. Johnson Center before progressing to external placements and a full-time internship. Institution-wide, the graduation rate is about 96%, median federal loan debt at graduation is roughly $17,500, and College Scorecard data show median earnings of about $86,900 a decade after first enrolling, the highest figure in this ranking.
Harrisonburg, VA · $13,000/yr
Best for: Hybrid learners needing flexible online semesters
JMU's Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology is a full-time, five-semester program with the first three semesters on campus and the final two delivered asynchronously online. Clinical experiences span hospitals, schools, and rehabilitation settings, grounded in hands-on work at the university's Applied Laboratory. The program reports a 100% Praxis pass rate and 100% employment rate for graduates. Institution-wide, the graduation rate is about 80%, median federal loan debt at graduation is roughly $20,100, and College Scorecard data show median earnings of about $70,000 a decade after first enrolling.
Farmville, VA · $8,000/yr
Best for: Budget-conscious students seeking low program tuition
Longwood's Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders is a 53-credit program typically completed in five to six semesters, with a 1:6 faculty-student ratio and a state-of-the-art SHLS clinic. Clinical placements span medical and educational settings, and the program reports a 98.5% first-time Praxis pass rate. Total program tuition is $25,493, about $481 per credit, and no textbooks are required, making it one of the most affordable master's options in this ranking. Institution-wide, the graduation rate is about 61%, median federal loan debt at graduation is roughly $25,000, and College Scorecard data show median earnings of about $52,300 a decade after first enrolling.
Radford, VA · $14,000/yr
Radford's master's in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a Speech-Language Pathology concentration offers two- and three-year tracks, plus a thesis-based MA or exam-based MS option. Students complete 375+ clinical clock hours through an on-campus clinic and externships at more than 190 sites nationwide, with a reported 100% Praxis pass rate, 100% employment rate, and 92% completion rate. Institution-wide, the graduation rate is about 49%, median federal loan debt at graduation is roughly $24,000, and College Scorecard data show median earnings of about $53,700 a decade after first enrolling.
Hampton, VA · $10,000 – $15,000/yr
Hampton's M.A. in Communicative Sciences and Disorders with a Speech-Language Pathology specialization is the oldest SLP program at an HBCU, offering a 49-credit residential curriculum with full- and part-time enrollment. On-campus clinical services and a study abroad program in Turks and Caicos round out the experience, and the program reports a 93% licensure pass rate and 100% job placement rate. Institution-wide, the graduation rate is about 57%, median federal loan debt at graduation is roughly $25,400, and College Scorecard data show median earnings of about $59,200 a decade after first enrolling.
Norfolk, VA · $15,000 – $36,000/yr
Old Dominion's Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology is a two-year, full-time program spanning 53 credits, with coursework on speech, language, and swallowing disorders in children and adults. Clinical training includes an on-campus practicum and two off-campus externships, and the program reports a 100% licensure pass rate and 100% job placement rate. Institution-wide, the graduation rate is about 46%, median federal loan debt at graduation is roughly $24,000, and College Scorecard data show median earnings of about $54,900 a decade after first enrolling.
Winchester, VA · $27,000/yr
Shenandoah's Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology is a 60-credit, two-year program delivered predominantly in person, with about 25% of coursework online. Students complete at least 400 supervised clinical hours, choose from elective options, and finish with a capstone project. Tuition is $625 per credit for the 2026-2027 academic year, and rolling admissions use a holistic review. Institution-wide, the graduation rate is about 67%, median federal loan debt at graduation is roughly $25,000, and College Scorecard data show median earnings of about $58,400 a decade after first enrolling.
Understanding the true cost of a speech pathology program goes beyond sticker price. The table below compares in-state tuition, out-of-state tuition, institution-wide average net price, and median graduate debt across all seven Virginia SLP programs. The spread is significant: in-state tuition ranges from $7,758 at Longwood University to $26,722 at Shenandoah University, a difference of nearly $19,000 per year. Note that net price figures reflect an institution-wide average for all undergraduate and graduate students receiving financial aid, so your actual graduate-level costs may differ. Program-level debt repayment data, such as median 10-year monthly payments, is not yet available for these speech pathology programs specifically.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price (Institution Avg.) | Median Graduate Debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Longwood University | $7,758 | $19,944 | $19,066 | $25,000 |
| James Madison University | $13,464 | $30,984 | $23,322 | $20,093 |
| Radford University | $13,762 | $23,525 | $14,578 | $24,000 |
| Hampton University | $13,776 | $13,776 | $25,319 | $25,442 |
| Old Dominion University | $15,390 | $36,174 | $14,638 | $24,000 |
| University of Virginia | $23,526 | $37,628 | $21,565 | $17,500 |
| Shenandoah University | $26,722 | $26,722 | $30,298 | $25,000 |
Virginia offers both on-campus and hybrid SLP programs, and each format shapes your clinical training, peer connections, and weekly schedule differently. Choosing the wrong fit can lead to burnout or missed networking opportunities.
Virginia is not currently part of the interstate Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Compact. If you may move, choosing a program with strong ASHA accreditation and national reputation can simplify licensure in another state.
Tuition at Virginia's public universities can be significantly lower for residents, but private programs sometimes offer smaller cohorts, specialized clinical placements, or financial aid packages that offset the higher sticker price.
Some Virginia programs have strong partnerships with hospitals and medical centers, while others emphasize school-based placements. Aligning your clinical experience with your career goals can give you a competitive edge when applying for your Clinical Fellowship.
Program-level post-graduation earnings, employment shares, and completion counts for Virginia's speech pathology master's programs are not yet available through federal reporting. While institution-wide median earnings ten years after enrollment range from roughly $52,000 at Longwood University to nearly $87,000 at the University of Virginia, these figures reflect all graduates across every field of study, not SLP completers specifically. As program-level outcome data becomes available, speechpathology.org will update this section with school-by-school comparisons of first-year and fourth-year post-graduation earnings, employment rates, and cohort sizes so you can gauge both career return and data reliability.
Getting into a speech-language pathology master's program in Virginia requires thoughtful preparation, from completing the right prerequisite courses to meeting GPA thresholds. Requirements vary by school, so understanding the landscape early gives you a significant advantage when application season arrives. For a broader look at what to expect, our guide on SLP prerequisites for graduate school covers the most common requirements across the country.
Virginia SLP programs generally expect applicants to arrive with a foundation in the sciences and communication disorders. Common prerequisite categories include:
Beyond these core areas, most programs also expect coursework in phonetics, audiology, speech and language development, and speech science. James Madison University, for instance, requires that all prerequisite courses be completed with a minimum grade of C. Shenandoah University sets its prerequisite grade floor at B.4 The University of Virginia specifies that MOOC (massively open online course) coursework is not accepted for prerequisite fulfillment, so be sure to check each program's policies before enrolling in any alternative-format classes.1
If you are wondering what GPA you need for a Virginia SLP program, minimums range from roughly 2.80 to 3.25, though competitive applicants typically present a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Here is a snapshot of stated minimums at several programs:
Keep in mind that meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission. Programs with limited cohort sizes often fill seats with candidates well above the published floor. If your overall GPA falls on the lower end, strong letters of recommendation, relevant clinical experience, and a compelling personal statement can help. Our guide on how to get into slp grad school offers more strategies for strengthening a borderline application.
The post-pandemic shift toward test-optional admissions has reached many Virginia SLP programs. James Madison University does not require the GRE for its master's program.5 Several other programs across the state have similarly relaxed their standardized testing expectations, though policies can change from cycle to cycle. Before assuming a program is test-optional, verify the latest requirements directly through the program's admissions page or CSDCAS listing.
The University of Virginia's SLP program is among the most searched in the state, and many prospective students want to know its acceptance rate. UVA does not appear to publish a program-specific acceptance rate for its Communication Sciences and Disorders M.Ed. program. That said, the program is known for being selective given its small cohort size and strong clinical reputation. If you are targeting UVA, aim to exceed minimum requirements and apply early.
Application timelines vary, but many Virginia programs use CSDCAS (the centralized application service for communication sciences and disorders). A few deadlines to keep on your radar:
For the upcoming 2026-2027 admissions cycle, specific deadlines may not yet be posted at every institution. Programs typically publish updated timelines in late summer or early fall of the prior year. Setting a calendar reminder to check each program's page around August or September is a simple way to stay ahead of the process.
Gathering prerequisite coursework, strengthening your GPA, and confirming each program's testing and deadline requirements well in advance will put you in the strongest possible position. When in doubt, reach out directly to the admissions coordinator at your target programs. They are often happy to clarify requirements or suggest ways to strengthen your application.
Can you earn an SLP degree online in Virginia? The short answer is yes, though your options are limited and the path looks a little different from a traditional on-campus experience. Fully online ASHA-accredited speech pathology masters degree programs are uncommon nationwide because the profession requires hundreds of supervised clinical hours with real clients. That said, Virginia does offer flexible formats worth exploring.
James Madison University stands out as the only Virginia school currently offering both a primarily online and a hybrid SLP master's program, and both hold accreditation from the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA).1
Shenandoah University in Winchester also uses a hybrid delivery format for its MS in Speech-Language Pathology. The program is predominantly in-person, with roughly 25% of coursework delivered online. It requires 60 credit hours, includes 400 clinical practicum hours, and holds CAA candidacy accreditation. If you want a program that blends some online convenience with a strong on-campus clinical foundation, Shenandoah is worth a closer look.
Regardless of how coursework is delivered, every SLP master's program must provide extensive supervised clinical experiences. Hybrid and online programs typically partner with hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, and private practices near where students live. JMU's online program, for instance, coordinates clinical placements across Virginia so students can complete required hours without relocating to Harrisonburg.2 This model lets you study from home while still gaining the face-to-face client experience that ASHA certification and Virginia licensure require.
If the in-state options do not align with your timeline or preferences, several well-known out-of-state programs accept Virginia residents and arrange clinical placements within the state. Programs from universities such as New York University, Emerson College, and the University of the Pacific are frequently considered by Virginia students seeking CAA-accredited online SLP degrees. Before enrolling in any out-of-state program, confirm that it holds CAA accreditation and can secure supervised placements in Virginia, as both are necessary for licensure eligibility.
Whether you choose an in-state hybrid program or an out-of-state online option, one rule applies across the board: ASHA's Council on Academic Accreditation must accredit the program for you to qualify for the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) and a Virginia speech pathology license. Always verify a program's CAA status before applying. You can search accredited programs directly through ASHA's online directory to make sure any program you are considering meets this critical requirement.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment for speech-language pathologists will grow by 15% from 2024 to 2034, a rate much faster than the average for all occupations. This surge is driven largely by an aging population and greater awareness of speech and language disorders across all age groups.
Becoming a licensed speech-language pathologist in Virginia requires a clear sequence of academic, clinical, and credentialing milestones. The Virginia Board of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, operating under the Department of Health Professions (DHP), oversees clinical licensure, while the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) issues a separate license for school-based practice. If you plan to work in schools, you will need both the DHP license and a VDOE license, each of which requires ASHA CCC-SLP certification. As of 2025, Virginia is a member of the Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC), which can streamline practice across participating states.
Virginia offers competitive compensation for speech-language pathologists, with a statewide median annual wage that exceeds the national median. Salaries vary significantly by metro area, with the Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. metro corridor commanding the highest pay. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects solid job growth for SLPs nationally at roughly 4% through 2033, and Virginia's strong healthcare and education sectors position the state well within that trend.
| Area | Median Annual Wage | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia (Statewide) | $96,930 | $62,610 | $131,780 | 4,560 |
| Washington, Arlington, Alexandria (DC Metro) | $102,350 | $68,200 | $137,200 | 2,650 |
| Richmond | $90,410 | $60,540 | $122,650 | 590 |
| Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Newport News (Hampton Roads) | $84,670 | $57,930 | $117,890 | 530 |
| Roanoke | $81,240 | $55,780 | $113,520 | 190 |
| Charlottesville | $88,560 | $59,100 | $120,340 | 120 |
| United States (National) | $89,290 | $58,880 | $128,000 | 164,610 |
Choosing a speech pathology program in Virginia involves weighing cost, accreditation, admissions requirements, and licensure steps. Below are answers to the most common questions prospective students ask about SLP programs in the state.
