Compare tuition, accreditation, outcomes, and format options across every ranked Texas SLP program.
Texas employs roughly 18,600 speech-language pathologists, making it one of the largest SLP labor markets in the country, yet demand continues to outpace supply, particularly for bilingual clinicians who can serve the state's substantial Spanish-speaking population. With 18 accredited or candidate master's programs spread from El Paso to Beaumont, prospective students face real trade-offs: in-state tuition at public universities can run under $8,000 per year, while private programs may exceed $40,000, and admissions competitiveness varies widely even among schools with similar sticker prices. Students exploring online speech pathology programs should know that only a handful of Texas schools currently offer hybrid formats, with no fully online option available in the state.
The gap between the lowest and highest median graduate debt across Texas SLP programs spans more than $12,000, a difference that compounds quickly against a state median SLP salary in the mid-$70,000s. This guide breaks down tuition, admissions requirements, salary data, and funding strategies to help you find the program that fits both your clinical goals and your budget.
Texas is home to a robust selection of accredited speech-language pathology programs, from research-intensive flagships to mission-driven institutions serving predominantly bilingual communities. The 10 programs below are ranked using a composite score that weighs tuition affordability, graduate earnings, student debt, and institutional quality indicators. Every program on this list holds accreditation from the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA), meaning graduates are positioned to pursue ASHA certification and Texas state licensure without additional hurdles.
Lubbock, TX
Best for: Clinically focused learners seeking low debt
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center delivers a campus-based Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology through its School of Health Professions in Lubbock. The program combines rigorous coursework with extensive clinical rotations, including externships across Texas and beyond, and reports a 100% Praxis pass rate alongside a 100% employment rate for graduates. With a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio and median graduate debt of just $12,268, it stands out as a high-value option. The institution is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution.
Austin, TX · $20,000/yr
Best for: Aspiring bilingual speech-language pathologists
The University of Texas at Austin offers a five-semester Master of Science in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences with concentrations in Bilingualism and a Thesis track. Located at one of the nation's premier research universities, the program requires 57 to 60 credit hours and emphasizes experiential learning, family-focused treatment, and bilingual speech-language pathology. The university's overall graduation rate is 88.9%, and median graduate debt sits at $20,500, with institution-wide median earnings reaching $75,121 ten years after enrollment.
Richardson, TX · $18,000/yr (net price)
Best for: Students drawn to research-rich clinical centers
UT Dallas houses its SLP program at the internationally recognized Callier Center for Communication Disorders in Richardson. The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology features a customizable curriculum, extensive practicum placements across pediatric and adult settings, and a reported 100% on-time completion rate. The university's overall graduation rate is 75.7%, and median graduate debt is $18,000, while institution-wide median earnings reach $68,227 a decade after enrollment.
San Antonio, TX
UT Health San Antonio offers a two-year, full-time residential Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology with a strong medical focus. The program spans five semesters and blends rigorous scientific coursework with community-based clinical training. A 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio provides close mentorship, and median graduate debt is just $15,000. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution, UT Health San Antonio serves a diverse student body, with institution-wide median earnings of $82,206 ten years after enrollment.
Houston, TX · $10,000 – $23,000/yr
The University of Houston's Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology admits 30 to 40 students per cohort, creating a close-knit learning community in one of the nation's most diverse metro areas. Faculty specialize in voice, motor speech, cognitive-communication, and multilingual disorders. The university is a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution, and in-state tuition is roughly $10,051 per year, with median graduate debt at $18,194. The university's overall graduation rate is 64.6%.
Fort Worth, TX · $35,000 – $40,000/yr
Texas Christian University in Fort Worth provides a full-time, on-campus Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology with an optional Bilingual Speech-Language Pathology concentration. Students complete a minimum of 375 supervised clinical hours, including two off-campus externships, and train at the Miller Speech and Hearing Clinic. The program reports a 100% Praxis pass rate and a 100% on-time completion rate. The university's overall graduation rate is 85.5%, with median graduate debt of $21,500.
Waco, TX · ~$41,000/yr (est.)
Baylor University offers its Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders in both residential and fully online formats, giving students flexibility to learn from Waco's campus or from anywhere in the country. The online track features evening courses, cohort-based learning, and clinical placements arranged near a student's home. The program requires roughly 45 semester hours and offers thesis and non-thesis options. The university's overall graduation rate is 80%, with median graduate debt of $23,000.
Edinburg, TX · $0 – $5,000/yr
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg offers a campus-based Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders designed to prepare graduates for clinical fellowship, ASHA certification, and Texas state licensure. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution where nearly 89% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants, UTRGV provides one of the most affordable pathways to an SLP career, with a median graduate debt of just $12,950. The university's overall graduation rate is 50.9%.
El Paso, TX · $5,000 – $10,000/yr
UTEP's 51-credit-hour Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology offers thesis and non-thesis options plus a Bilingual Speech-Language Pathology concentration, reflecting the border region's demand for bilingual clinicians. The program covers lifespan disorders with an evidence-based practice focus and processes applications through the CAPCSD Centralized Application System. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution, UTEP reports median graduate debt of $18,000 and a university-wide graduation rate of 50.2%.
Denton, TX · $11,000 – $21,000/yr
The University of North Texas in Denton rounds out the top 10 with a face-to-face Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology that spans five academic terms. Students access more than 100 regional practicum sites and benefit from a 100% Praxis exam pass rate and over 90% employment within one year of graduation. The program is a Hispanic-Serving Institution with in-state tuition of roughly $9,091 per year and median graduate debt of $19,250. The university's overall graduation rate is 60.7%.
One of the first questions prospective students ask is: how much does it cost to become a speech pathologist in Texas? The answer depends on whether you attend a public or private university, whether you qualify for in-state tuition, and where in the state you choose to live. Here is a closer look at the numbers.
Across the programs featured on speechpathology.org, annual in-state graduate tuition for SLP master's programs ranges from roughly $6,150 at Texas A&M University-Kingsville to about $15,170 at UT Dallas. The median falls near $8,550 per year, which makes Texas one of the more budget-friendly states for public-university SLP education. Out-of-state tuition at those same public schools ranges from approximately $8,570 (West Texas A&M, which keeps its non-resident rate notably low) to around $29,550 at UT Dallas, with most schools landing between $15,000 and $20,000 per year.
Private universities operate on a different scale entirely. Graduate tuition at Baylor University runs about $43,578 per year, while Texas Christian University comes in near $38,658. East Texas Baptist University and Hardin-Simmons University charge roughly $7,980 and $15,110 respectively, showing that private does not always mean expensive.
Sticker price only tells part of the story. The institution-wide average net price, which accounts for grants and scholarships, paints a different picture. Among public schools in our data, average net prices range from about $4,831 (UT Rio Grande Valley) to around $19,857 (UT Austin). Private institutions range from roughly $19,555 (Hardin-Simmons) to $41,104 (Baylor). Keep in mind that these net price figures reflect undergraduates across the entire university, not SLP graduate students specifically, so your actual cost will depend on the financial aid package you receive at the graduate level. For a deeper dive into funding strategies, see our guide on how to pay for speech pathology graduate school.
Tuition is only one piece of the puzzle. Texas is a big state, and the cost of living varies significantly depending on where your program is located. Students attending programs in Houston, Dallas, or Austin will generally face higher housing, transportation, and daily expenses than those studying in smaller cities like Beaumont, Kingsville, Canyon, or Nacogdoches. When you are comparing offers from different schools, factor in rent, food, and commuting costs alongside tuition to get a realistic total budget.
Most SLP master's programs in Texas require two to two-and-a-half years of full-time study, typically spanning five semesters. Multiplying the annual tuition figures by that timeline gives you a ballpark for the tuition-only total:
Once you add living expenses, books, clinical supplies, and fees, the full cost of earning your degree could be several thousand dollars higher. Students in metro areas should plan for total budgets well above the tuition figures listed here. In smaller Texas cities, stretching your dollar is considerably easier.
The bottom line: Texas offers some of the most affordable SLP graduate training in the country, especially at its public universities. Earning your CCC-SLP can significantly boost your ccc-slp salary, so choosing a program that fits both your academic goals and your budget is one of the smartest moves you can make before starting your career.
When comparing speech pathology programs, it helps to look beyond the published tuition rate. Net price reflects what students actually pay after grants and scholarships are factored in, and it can be thousands of dollars less than sticker price. That distinction matters in a field where starting salaries are moderate and student debt can shape your early career choices. The six programs below are ranked by net price from lowest to highest, giving you a clearer picture of true out-of-pocket cost. All tuition and net price figures are annual and sourced from federal data.
| School | City | Program Type | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | Edinburg | Campus | $8,589 | $15,971 | $4,831 |
| Lamar University | Beaumont | Campus | $8,642 | $16,022 | $9,366 |
| The University of Texas at El Paso | El Paso | Campus | $7,166 | $16,621 | $9,403 |
| Texas Woman's University | Denton | Hybrid | $8,520 | $15,900 | $11,963 |
| Texas A&M University, Kingsville | Kingsville | Campus | $6,157 | $14,560 | $12,090 |
| The University of Texas at Tyler | Tyler | Campus | $8,480 | $17,264 | $13,323 |
If you need scheduling flexibility or live far from a major university campus, online and hybrid SLP programs can be a game-changer. Texas currently has a small but growing set of programs that deliver at least some coursework remotely, though the options are more limited than you might expect.
Among the accredited slp programs in Texas, three offer hybrid delivery that blends online coursework with required on-campus or in-person components:
The remaining programs in the state are campus-based. No fully online master's SLP program currently appears in our Texas data set, which is worth noting if you were hoping to complete everything from your living room.
Even in a hybrid format, every SLP master's program requires hundreds of supervised clinical hours with real patients. Those hours must be completed in person at approved practicum sites, which means your physical location matters regardless of how lectures are delivered. Students enrolled at TWU in Denton may complete clinical placements at partner sites across the Dallas-Fort Worth metro, while Baylor and East Texas Baptist students will need access to placements in or near Central and East Texas, respectively. Before enrolling in any hybrid program, confirm that clinical sites are available in your area or that you are willing to relocate for practicum semesters.
The cost difference between hybrid and campus-only programs in Texas is striking, though the pattern is not straightforward. TWU and East Texas Baptist price their hybrid programs below $9,000 per year in tuition, making them among the most affordable SLP options in the state. Baylor, on the other hand, runs above $43,000 annually, one of the highest tuition figures in the Texas SLP landscape. For comparison, campus-based public programs range from roughly $4,648 (UT Health San Antonio) to around $15,168 (UT Dallas), with most landing between $7,000 and $10,000 per year for in-state students. The takeaway: format alone does not predict cost. Institutional type (public versus private) and individual program pricing matter far more.
One gap you will encounter when researching online versus campus programs is reliable outcome data. Program-level earnings and employment figures are not currently reported separately by delivery format, so there is no straightforward way to determine whether hybrid graduates earn more or less than their campus-based peers. All three hybrid programs highlighted above are accredited (or candidates for accreditation) through the same body that oversees campus programs, and graduates sit for the same Praxis exam. Until format-specific outcome data becomes available, the most honest guidance is to weigh factors like clinical placement access, tuition, and personal fit rather than assuming one delivery mode produces better results than another.
Getting into a graduate SLP program in Texas is more competitive than many applicants expect. While the universities themselves may admit a large share of undergraduate applicants, their speech-language pathology cohorts are a different story entirely.
University-wide admission rates at Texas schools with SLP programs range from about 27% at UT Austin to over 98% at West Texas A&M. However, those numbers reflect the overall institution, not the graduate SLP program. At the program level, admissions are typically far more selective. UT Austin's SLP program, for example, admits roughly 20 to 25% of applicants, even though the university's overall rate sits near 27%.1 At schools where the institutional rate exceeds 60%, 70%, or even 90%, the SLP cohort may still accept only 20 to 40% of those who apply. Small class sizes drive much of this selectivity: the University of Houston, for instance, admits just 30 to 40 students per year.
The takeaway: never assume an open-admissions university means an easy path into its SLP program. For a broader look at selectivity across the country, see our guide to slp graduate programs high acceptance rate.
Most Texas SLP programs require a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.2 A few set the bar slightly higher: Baylor University and West Texas A&M both list a 3.2 minimum.3 In practice, admitted cohorts often carry averages well above the stated minimum, so aiming for a 3.5 or higher strengthens your application.
The GRE landscape is shifting. Several prominent programs now offer GRE waivers, including UT Austin1, Texas Tech Health Sciences Center2, and Baylor University3. UT Dallas, on the other hand, still requires GRE scores.4 If you are applying to multiple schools, check each program's current policy, as waiver criteria can change from one admissions cycle to the next. Our guide on how to get into slp grad school covers strategies for navigating these variations.
Texas SLP programs generally expect applicants to have completed undergraduate or post-baccalaureate coursework in foundational areas such as:
Applicants whose bachelor's degree is in another field can often complete these slp prerequisites through leveling courses, which some programs offer as part of an extended enrollment timeline.
Clinical observation hours are another common requirement. UT Austin asks for a minimum of 25 supervised observation hours before enrollment.1 Many programs expect a similar amount, typically 25 hours of observation in a clinical or educational setting. These hours must generally be supervised by an ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist.
Beyond grades and test scores, most Texas programs require:
Deadlines vary by school. UT Austin's application deadline falls in mid-December1, while other programs may accept applications into the early spring. Applying early is always wise, as some programs review on a rolling basis or fill interview slots before the final deadline.
For the most current requirements at any specific program, visit the admissions page directly or search for it on speechpathology.org.
How do Texas SLP programs stack up when you weigh long-term earnings against graduate debt? The chart below compares median institutional earnings ten years after enrollment alongside median graduate debt for the top programs ranked by return on investment. Program-level earnings, post-graduation employment rates, and poverty-threshold outcomes are not yet published for these programs, so we use institution-wide figures as a proxy. Texas Tech Health Sciences Center leads the pack with the highest earnings-to-debt ratio, turning a modest $12,268 median debt into $92,348 in median earnings, a ratio of roughly 7.5 to 1.
Only about 8.3 percent of ASHA-certified speech-language pathologists reported being multilingual service providers as of 2022, according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. In Texas, where a large share of caseloads involves bilingual or English language learner clients, this gap makes bilingual SLP skills especially valuable and in demand.
Texas is one of the largest employers of speech-language pathologists in the country, with roughly 18,600 SLPs working across the state as of 2024.1 If you are weighing program costs and student debt against future earning power, salary data is an important piece of the puzzle.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for speech-language pathologists in Texas is approximately $89,450, which translates to about $43.00 per hour.1 That figure falls slightly below the national median of $95,410 for SLPs. However, pay varies significantly by metro area, and some Texas cities push well above both the state and national benchmarks.
Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin are also major employment hubs for SLPs, though exact metro-level figures for those areas should be verified against the most current BLS release before making direct comparisons. Work setting matters too: SLPs employed in hospitals earn a national median near $101,560, while those in skilled nursing facilities earn closer to $106,500.1 For a broader look at how compensation breaks down across settings and experience levels, see our guide to speech language pathologist salary.
This is one of the most common questions prospective students ask. In Texas, occupational therapists earn a median annual wage of about $94,850, compared to $89,450 for SLPs. That puts OTs roughly $5,400 ahead on paper at the state level. Nationally, the gap narrows or can even flip depending on the setting and metro area. Both professions offer strong earning potential, so the choice between the two should lean more on your clinical interests and the populations you want to serve than on salary alone.
If you reviewed program-level graduate outcomes in the previous section, you may have noticed that earnings reported one to four years after graduation can look noticeably lower than the BLS median. That is expected. BLS data reflects the full spectrum of working SLPs at all experience levels, while early-career figures capture graduates who are just beginning their clinical fellowship or first licensed position. As experience, specialization, and negotiating leverage grow, earnings typically move toward (and often beyond) the occupational median. Holding the CCC-SLP credential plays a meaningful role in that upward trajectory, as our breakdown of ccc-slp salary data shows.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 15 percent employment growth for SLPs nationally between 2023 and 2033, a rate well above the average for all occupations.1 That growth is expected to generate about 28,200 openings per year nationwide. Texas, with its rapidly expanding population and growing healthcare infrastructure, is positioned to absorb a significant share of that demand. For students evaluating whether the investment in an SLP degree will pay off, the combination of competitive salaries and strong projected growth points to a stable, rewarding career path.
Becoming a licensed speech-language pathologist in Texas typically takes six to seven years after high school. That breaks down to four years for a bachelor's degree, two to three years for a CAA-accredited master's program (which includes at least 375 supervised clinical hours during graduate study), and a 36-week clinical fellowship totaling 1,260 hours. Some of these stages can overlap, but plan on a minimum of six years from start to finish. The pathway follows a clear sequence: earn your bachelor's degree in communication sciences or a related field, complete a master's in speech-language pathology from a CAA-accredited program, pass the Praxis SLP exam with a score of 162 or higher, finish your clinical fellowship under a licensed supervisor (note that Texas requires an internship license during this phase), pass the Texas jurisprudence exam, and then apply for your full Texas state license through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation with a $150 application fee. After licensure, you can also pursue optional ASHA CCC-SLP certification. To maintain your Texas license, you will need 20 continuing education hours every two years, including two hours in ethics and a required course on human trafficking awareness.
Graduate school is a significant investment, but Texas SLP students have a range of funding options to help manage costs. From university-specific assistantships to federal loans and professional scholarships, building a smart financial plan starts with knowing what is available.
Many Texas universities offer graduate assistantships (GAs) that combine a tuition stipend with a modest living allowance in exchange for teaching, research, or clinical support. These positions are competitive but well worth pursuing. For a broader look at speech pathology graduate assistantships and other funding strategies, explore our dedicated financial aid guide.
Contact each program's financial aid and department offices early, as GA slots often fill well before the academic year begins.
Graduate SLP students are eligible for two main federal loan types:
Keep the debt figures discussed in the earnings and ROI section of this article in mind as you borrow. Many Texas SLP graduates carry median debt ranging roughly from $13,000 to $23,000 at the institutional level, so strategic borrowing can keep your balance manageable relative to expected post-graduation earnings.
Federal data shows that some Texas SLP host institutions enroll a very high share of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants, a common indicator of a campus culture oriented toward affordability and financial support. UT Rio Grande Valley (roughly 89% Pell recipients), UTEP (about 85%), and Texas A&M-Kingsville (around 75%) top that list. While the Pell Grant itself is an undergraduate award, campuses with high Pell shares tend to invest more in institutional aid, fee waivers, and support services that benefit graduate students as well. Students who prioritize affordability may also want to review our roundup of affordable speech pathology degree programs for additional options.
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) offers several graduate scholarships each year, including awards specifically for students from underrepresented backgrounds and those pursuing research. Award amounts vary, but even a single ASHA scholarship can offset a full semester of tuition at many Texas public universities.
Texas is also one of the states with high demand for bilingual speech-language pathologists, particularly in Spanish-speaking communities along the border region. Students pursuing a bilingual SLP certification should look into state workforce incentive programs and university-based bilingual certificate tracks, such as the one offered at TWU, which may come with dedicated scholarship or assistantship funding. Our collection of bilingual SLP resources can help you find tools and materials to support that path.
The most effective funding strategy usually combines multiple sources. Apply for assistantships first, since they reduce tuition and provide professional experience. Layer in federal loans only for the gap, and pursue external scholarships through ASHA, the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and community organizations. Starting this process a full year before enrollment gives you the best shot at assembling a package that keeps debt low and your focus on clinical training.
Choosing an SLP program in Texas involves weighing timelines, costs, formats, and licensure requirements. Below are answers to the most common questions prospective students ask, drawing on the data and details covered throughout this guide.
Looking for more options? These additional Texas SLP programs offer unique features and locations that may suit your preferences. From hybrid formats to specialized concentrations, consider these accredited programs as you explore your path.
