Speech-Language Pathology: Career Outlook, Costs, and Financial Planning

Speech-language pathology (SLP) is a field where investment in an advanced degree can pay off quickly. SLPs are in high demand nationwide, earn competitive salaries, and have the flexibility to work in school, clinic, medical, and private practice settings. However, before applying to any program, a clear understanding of what the degree will actually cost, and how students commonly pay for it, is essential.

Career Opportunities and Professional Compensation

Speech-language pathology remains a high-demand, stable field. For example, you can join the dedicated team with Montgomery County's Stillwater Center and help residents find their voice and confidence through compassionate, individualized care. The financial rewards in this field are significant:

• Average salary of an SLP graduate: $80,480
• Hourly Pay (Stillwater Center): $41.88–$56.54/hr

Regis’ strong outcomes—high Praxis pass rates, on-time completion, and 100% employment within a year of graduation—help make the overall investment more sustainable long term.

Regis College MS in Speech-Language Pathology: Cost Breakdown

The pace of Regis’ MS in SLP program shapes how much you’ll pay at different points along the way. Regis’ MS in SLP is a 56-credit program typically completed in about two years (five semesters), with tuition currently set at $1,295 per credit. Below is a detailed breakdown of the estimated program costs:

• Cost per credit: $1,295
• Total credits: 56
• Estimated total tuition: $72,520
• Technology Service & Support Fee: $580
• Graduation Fee: $300

The program is intentionally commuter-friendly, with schedules and clinical placements designed to minimize unnecessary time—and cost—spent on campus while supporting local, community-based learning.

Financial Aid Options and Strategies

Most students use a mix of funding sources to pay for the degree, including federal Direct and Grad PLUS loans, interest-free monthly payment plans, and strategic partnership benefits. By filing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), you may qualify for:

• Direct Unsubsidized Loans: annual limit $20,500.
• Graduate PLUS Loans: which can cover remaining tuition, fees, and living expenses up to the cost of attendance.
• Federal Work-Study: depending on financial need and position availability.

Regis offers interest-free monthly payment plans through Nelnet that allow students to split tuition and fees into smaller installments. Furthermore, many working students are eligible for the Regis Strategic Partnership Program, which provides a 20% tuition reduction for employees of partner organizations.

External Scholarships and Grants

Thousands of dollars in outside funding is available for SLP students. Notable sources include:

• ASHFoundation Graduate Scholarships: The American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation offers competitive $5,000 graduate scholarships each year.
• NSSLHA Scholarships: The NSSLHA Scholarship Fund provides several $5,000 scholarships each year to active members.
• Massachusetts Speech-Language-Hearing Association (MSHA) Scholarships: MSHA offers an annual Graduate Student Scholarship, typically awarded each fall.

Clinical Excellence and Program Highlights

Our program emphasizes service delivery for multiethnic, socially diverse populations – including dialectal speakers of English and bilingual/multilingual individuals – with speech, language, communication, and swallowing disorders. MS-SLP students spend their first three semesters learning together in small, in-person classes, while also treating clients in our pro bono RU SLP Clinic. Students also complete two full-time extern placements in a wide variety of medical, educational, and private practice settings, so they graduate prepared for their Clinical Fellowship year.