Speech-Language Pathology Degree in Baltimore, MD — Salary & ROI 2026
Speech-Language Pathology degree analysis for Baltimore, MD. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Reviewed May 21, 2026. DegreeCalc calculators are educational planning tools; verify final tuition, aid, transcript, loan, and employment decisions with official school, federal, servicer, or employer records.
Starting Salary
$65K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$98K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.9 yrs
in Baltimore
Cost of Living
130
index (100 = avg)
Speech-Language Pathology in Baltimore, MD Overview
Baltimore is one of Maryland's larger education markets in this model, with 22 local benchmark points and a student population of 30,415. Public tuition averages $12,096/year here — near the national average for public universities. Speech-Language Pathology has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Speech Assessment and Language Therapy skills. The adjusted starting salary in Baltimore is approximately $65,000.
Category
Healthcare
Local Benchmarks
22
Public Tuition
$12,096/yr
Private Tuition
$56,325/yr
Room & Board
$21,745/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,793/yr
Unemployment (est.)
6.3%
Graduation Rate (est.)
58%
How to Study Speech-Language Pathology in Baltimore: Campus, Online, or Transfer
Students searching for a Speech-Language Pathology degree in Baltimore, MD usually need a practical path, not just a salary estimate. Use the three options below to compare local cost, credential quality, and flexibility before applying.
Nearby Campus Path
Start with NCES College Navigator and each school's catalog. Confirm the program name, degree level, tuition, graduation rate, internship support, and whether the Speech-Language Pathology major is actually offered at that campus.
Online Degree Path
Speech-Language Pathology is not always a clean fully-online fit. Look for hybrid programs and ask whether required labs, clinics, studios, or field placements can be completed near Baltimore.
Transfer-Cost Path
Community college tuition near Baltimore averages $3,768/year in this model. A 2+2 transfer plan can reduce debt if the receiving university accepts credits into the Speech-Language Pathology major.
We intentionally avoid listing unverified local school names on this page. Always verify programs with official school catalogs, NCES/IPEDS, and financial aid offices before applying.
Speech-Language Pathology Salary in Baltimore (COL-Adjusted)
Modeled salaries: national benchmarks for the major scaled by an estimated Baltimore cost of living index of 130 (national average = 100). These are not measured local wages.
Note: National Speech-Language Pathology salary benchmarks used by this model: $50,000 starting, $75,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.Baltimore adjustment factor: 1.30x based on the local cost of living index.
Speech-Language Pathology ROI Calculator for Baltimore
Estimate your return on investment for a Speech-Language Pathology degree using DegreeCalc's modeled Baltimore tuition and cost of living estimates.
Public est.: $12,096 | Private est.: $56,325
Baltimore est. aid: $8,793/yr
Federal undergrad (2026-27): 6.52% | Private rates vary by credit
Total Education Cost
$135,364
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$19,500
vs HS diploma in Baltimore
ROI Payback Period
6.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Baltimore
$488,636
Lifetime earnings premium ($624,000) minus total education cost ($135,364)
Student Loan Payoff for Speech-Language Pathology in Baltimore
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Baltimore Education Cost Inputs for Speech-Language Pathology
This local ROI model uses aggregate tuition, aid, housing, and cost-of-living inputs for Baltimore, not a ranked list of individual schools. Confirm any specific program with NCES College Navigator or the school before applying.
Local benchmarks
22
Public tuition
$12,096/yr
Private tuition
$56,325/yr
Community college
$3,768/yr
Top Employers for Speech-Language Pathology in Baltimore
Typical hiring sectors for Speech-Language Pathology graduates include Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices; these are general sector categories, not a verified list of Baltimore employers. Common employer types nationally include:
Typical Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Speech-Language Pathology Job Titles
Other Healthcare Majors in Baltimore
Pharmacy
$65K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Physical Therapy (DPT)
$104K starting · 6.2 yr ROI
Pre-Med / Biology
$59K starting · 8.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$65K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Nursing
$88K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$65K starting · 4 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy
$65K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene
$65K starting · 3 yr ROI
Methodology & Education Data Sources
How we estimate Speech-Language Pathology degree outcomes in Baltimore, MD: This page is a planning model. It combines DegreeCalc's national salary benchmarks for the major with internal city-level estimates for tuition, room and board, aid, unemployment, graduation rate, and cost of living. The figures are not official statistics for Baltimore and are not pulled directly from federal datasets for this city.
- Tuition defaults to the modeled Baltimore public tuition estimate (not program-specific Speech-Language Pathology tuition). Verify actual program prices in IPEDS / College Navigator.
- Salary estimates multiply the national benchmark for Speech-Language Pathology by the estimated Baltimore cost of living index divided by 100. This is a simple scaling assumption, not BLS local wage data.
- Payback period = (tuition + room and board − aid over the years of study) ÷ (adjusted starting salary − a $35,000 high school benchmark scaled by the same index). Lifetime return = the major's lifetime earnings premium benchmark scaled by the index, minus that net cost. Loan interest is shown separately and is not subtracted.
- Job market outlook is not projected on this page; see the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for official 10-year projections.
- Default rates are not modeled here; College Scorecard reports repayment outcomes by institution.
Authoritative US education data sources:
- IPEDS — Integrated Postsecondary Education Data — official federal college data
- College Scorecard (US Dept of Education) — earnings, debt, completion rates
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Speech-Language Pathology career projections
- Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — official US student loan and grant info
- NCES Digest of Education Statistics — comprehensive education data
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wages — entry-level salary data for Speech-Language Pathology grads
Education Disclaimer: Salary and ROI estimates are projections based on national and state-level averages. Individual outcomes depend on institution prestige, GPA, internships, location, network, and economic conditions. Always verify current tuition with the institution directly, and consult a financial aid counselor before taking on student loans. Use the Federal Loan Simulator to model repayment scenarios.
Reviewed by Tobias Merrick · Last updated 2026 · Model estimates; verify with the official sources above
Financial Aid Resources for Baltimore Students
Beyond federal aid (FAFSA), Maryland students have access to state-specific grants, scholarships, and tuition assistance programs. The Department of Education has begun showing lower-earnings warnings for some programs on the FAFSA, and a federal earnings accountability test for Direct Loan eligibility takes effect July 1, 2027 — check your target program's outcomes:
Pell Grant maximum is set each award year. Undergraduate Direct Loans at 6.52% (first disbursed July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027):
State-specific grants stack with federal aid:
- • USA.gov — Maryland programs
- • NASFAA — State Aid Programs
- • Search "maryland higher education commission grants"
Verify earnings + debt before enrolling:
- • College Scorecard — earnings, debt, completion
- • NCES College Navigator
- • IPEDS Net Price Calculator Center
Free, official, scam-free scholarship databases:
FAFSA tip: Check any lower-earnings warning and the program's College Scorecard earnings data before enrolling. Speak with a NASFAA-credentialed financial aid counselor at your target school.
Speech-Language Pathology Degree in Baltimore — FAQ
What is the starting salary for Speech-Language Pathology graduates in Baltimore?
DegreeCalc estimates a starting salary of about $65,000 per year for Speech-Language Pathology graduates in Baltimore, MD. This is not a measured local wage: the model takes its national starting-salary benchmark for the major ($50,000) and scales it by an estimated local cost of living index of 130, so the local estimate is 30% higher than the national benchmark by construction. Check BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for actual local wages.
Is a Speech-Language Pathology degree worth it in Baltimore?
A Speech-Language Pathology degree in Baltimore has an estimated ROI payback period of 6.9 years, with a projected lifetime return of $488,636 after subtracting education costs. With 22 local cost benchmark points and estimated public tuition of $12,096/year, Baltimore offers affordable planning assumptions for this degree. The modeled local unemployment rate of 6.3% and the major's national unemployment benchmark of 1.5% should also factor into your decision.
How much does it cost to study Speech-Language Pathology in Baltimore?
DegreeCalc's planning model estimates public university tuition in Baltimore at about $12,096 per year and private university tuition at about $56,325/year. Including estimated room and board ($21,745/year), modeled 4-year costs range from $135,364 at a public school to $312,280 at a private institution, with estimated average aid of $8,793/year. These are planning estimates; confirm real prices with each school's net price calculator.
Can I study Speech-Language Pathology online while living in Baltimore?
Speech-Language Pathology is less commonly offered as a fully online program, so students in Baltimore, MD should verify nearby campus, hybrid, and transfer options before planning around remote coursework. Always confirm program availability directly with the school.
What jobs can Speech-Language Pathology graduates get in Baltimore?
Speech-Language Pathology graduates in Baltimore can pursue careers as Speech-Language Pathologist, Speech Therapist, Clinical Fellow. Skills commonly associated with this field include Speech Assessment, Language Therapy, Swallowing Disorders, Articulation. Typical hiring sectors for this field include Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices; verify which of these are active in Baltimore with local job postings. Common employer types nationally include Schools, Hospitals, Rehab Centers.
How long to pay off student loans for Speech-Language Pathology in Baltimore?
With a standard 10-year repayment plan at 6.5% interest, Speech-Language Pathology graduates in Baltimore would pay $1,537/month on an estimated $135,364 in loans, with $49,080 in total interest. An aggressive 5-year plan would require $2,649/month but save $25,531 in interest. With the model's COL-adjusted starting salary estimate of $65,000, monthly payments would represent 28% of gross monthly income.
Data note: Salary, tuition, aid, and cost-of-living figures on this page are DegreeCalc planning estimates, not official values. For official data, check the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, BLS Regional Data, and NCES/IPEDS.
Explore More
Compare Speech-Language Pathology ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Baltimore.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for Speech-Language Pathology graduates in Baltimore?
DegreeCalc estimates a starting salary of about $65,000 per year for Speech-Language Pathology graduates in Baltimore, MD. This is not a measured local wage: the model takes its national starting-salary benchmark for the major ($50,000) and scales it by an estimated local cost of living index of 130, so the local estimate is 30% higher than the national benchmark by construction. Check BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for actual local wages.
Is a Speech-Language Pathology degree worth it in Baltimore?
A Speech-Language Pathology degree in Baltimore has an estimated ROI payback period of 6.9 years, with a projected lifetime return of $488,636 after subtracting education costs. With 22 local cost benchmark points and estimated public tuition of $12,096/year, Baltimore offers affordable planning assumptions for this degree. The modeled local unemployment rate of 6.3% and the major's national unemployment benchmark of 1.5% should also factor into your decision.
How much does it cost to study Speech-Language Pathology in Baltimore?
DegreeCalc's planning model estimates public university tuition in Baltimore at about $12,096 per year and private university tuition at about $56,325/year. Including estimated room and board ($21,745/year), modeled 4-year costs range from $135,364 at a public school to $312,280 at a private institution, with estimated average aid of $8,793/year. These are planning estimates; confirm real prices with each school's net price calculator.
Can I study Speech-Language Pathology online while living in Baltimore?
Speech-Language Pathology is less commonly offered as a fully online program, so students in Baltimore, MD should verify nearby campus, hybrid, and transfer options before planning around remote coursework. Always confirm program availability directly with the school.
What jobs can Speech-Language Pathology graduates get in Baltimore?
Speech-Language Pathology graduates in Baltimore can pursue careers as Speech-Language Pathologist, Speech Therapist, Clinical Fellow. Skills commonly associated with this field include Speech Assessment, Language Therapy, Swallowing Disorders, Articulation. Typical hiring sectors for this field include Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices; verify which of these are active in Baltimore with local job postings. Common employer types nationally include Schools, Hospitals, Rehab Centers.
How long to pay off student loans for Speech-Language Pathology in Baltimore?
With a standard 10-year repayment plan at 6.5% interest, Speech-Language Pathology graduates in Baltimore would pay $1,537/month on an estimated $135,364 in loans, with $49,080 in total interest. An aggressive 5-year plan would require $2,649/month but save $25,531 in interest. With the model's COL-adjusted starting salary estimate of $65,000, monthly payments would represent 28% of gross monthly income.