Speech-Language Pathology Degree in Joliet, IL — Salary & ROI 2026
Speech-Language Pathology degree analysis for Joliet, IL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$54K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$81K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.4 yrs
in Joliet
Cost of Living
108
index (100 = avg)
Speech-Language Pathology in Joliet, IL Overview
Joliet, Illinois (pop. 150,362) has 12 colleges offering Speech-Language Pathology programs. The local cost of living index of 108 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $880/month. Speech-Language Pathology has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Speech Assessment and Language Therapy skills. The adjusted starting salary in Joliet is approximately $54,000.
Category
Healthcare
Local Colleges
12
Public Tuition
$8,958/yr
Private Tuition
$36,980/yr
Room & Board
$13,014/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,482/yr
Unemployment
4.2%
Graduation Rate
70%
Speech-Language Pathology Salary in Joliet (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Joliet's cost of living index of 108 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Speech-Language Pathology salary: $50,000 starting, $75,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.Joliet adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.
Speech-Language Pathology ROI Calculator for Joliet
Estimate your return on investment for a Speech-Language Pathology degree using local Joliet tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,958 | Private avg: $36,980
Joliet avg aid: $7,482/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$87,888
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,200
vs HS diploma in Joliet
ROI Payback Period
5.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Joliet
$430,512
Lifetime earnings premium ($518,400) minus total education cost ($87,888)
Student Loan Payoff for Speech-Language Pathology in Joliet
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Joliet for Speech-Language Pathology
University of St. Francis
private
$36,980/yr
$147,920 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Joliet Junior College
$4,980/yr
Top Employers for Speech-Language Pathology in Joliet
Joliet offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Speech-Language Pathology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Joliet Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Speech-Language Pathology Job Titles
Speech-Language Pathology in Nearby Illinois Cities
Chicago, IL
$55K starting · COL 109
98 colleges
Aurora, IL
$46K starting · COL 92.8
7 colleges
Naperville, IL
$51K starting · COL 102
13 colleges
Rockford, IL
$45K starting · COL 90
8 colleges
Elgin, IL
$40K starting · COL 79
13 colleges
Springfield, IL
$46K starting · COL 92
9 colleges
Peoria, IL
$52K starting · COL 104
5 colleges
Waukegan, IL
$45K starting · COL 90.3
4 colleges
Other Healthcare Majors in Joliet
Pharmacy
$54K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$54K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Nursing
$73K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$54K starting · 4 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy
$54K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene
$54K starting · 3 yr ROI
Public Health
$54K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Radiologic Technology
$54K starting · 3 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology Degree in Joliet — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Speech-Language Pathology ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Joliet.