What can you do with a Speech Language Pathology degree?

First, some facts. Of the Speech Language Pathology graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 100 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 76%, Speech Language Pathology graduates have a higher likelihood (+9%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 76%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, 68% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Speech Language Pathology graduate.

See the details:

View a random Speech Language Pathology graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 50%

We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2022 from Towson University with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Speech Language Pathology. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Graduate Assistant for Towson Athletics Facilities & Event Management
Towson University
Aug 2023 - Present
The role of Graduate Assistant for Towson Athletics Facilities & Event Management may involve some administrative and communication skills, but it does not require specialized knowledge or skills in speech-language pathology on a daily basis.

ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Speech Language Pathology degree?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


When looking through the list of jobs held by graduates with degrees in Speech Language Pathology, it’s clear that many have found successful careers directly related to their field. The most common positions include roles like Speech Language Pathologist (SLP), Speech Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA), and various audiology positions. These jobs require significant application of the specialized skills and knowledge acquired during their academic training, especially in settings like schools, healthcare facilities, and private practices. For many, such positions are the primary career path, utilizing their education to assess and treat communication disorders effectively. It's quite encouraging to see how many individuals directly use what they studied in their day-to-day work.

However, not every graduate found their way into jobs that directly connect with Speech Language Pathology. Some individuals have taken on roles in areas that only tangentially relate to their degree or completely diverge from it. For instance, some work in customer service, administration, or roles focused on coaching and physical education. These jobs may utilize general communication skills, which can certainly be valuable, but they often lack the specialized practices inherent in the field of speech and language therapy. This divergence points to a perhaps broader trend where individuals with specialized degrees find roles that don’t fully match their training.

In conclusion, while many Speech Language Pathology graduates successfully pursue careers that align with their studies, there are also quite a few who venture into unrelated fields. This mix of direct application and alternative career paths highlights the importance of communication skills in a variety of professions, showcasing the versatile nature of the skills learned in a Speech Language Pathology program. Overall, graduates should feel optimistic as the majority have found roles where they can apply their knowledge effectively, even if some have taken a different route in their professional journey.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Speech Language Pathology graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do Speech Language Pathology graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When looking at the career trajectories of Speech Language Pathology graduates based on various LinkedIn profiles, we can draw some interesting insights about what these individuals typically do right after college and how their careers evolve over the years. Generally speaking, many graduates start off in relevant roles such as Speech-Language Pathology Assistants or in entry-level positions within therapy services, allowing them to gain hands-on experience in the field right after college. For instance, some graduates immediately took on positions like Speech Therapy Practice Associate or Speech-Language Pathology Assistant, which helps lay a solid foundation for their future careers as certified speech-language pathologists (SLPs).

Fast forward five to ten years, and it seems that a significant number of these individuals find themselves in more advanced roles as fully-fledged speech-language pathologists, often working in healthcare settings, rehab centers, or educational institutions. Positions like Speech Language Pathologist at various clinics or schools pop up frequently, indicating that many graduates do successfully move into positions that directly relate to their studies. However, there are some graduates whose paths veer off a bit—some end up in unrelated fields like administration, sales, or even different specialties in health care, which can give the impression of a less straightforward journey in the profession.

So, to sum it up, while a good number of Speech Language Pathology graduates seem to find fulfilling and relevant careers in their field, a fair share of them diversifies their paths or even shifts into roles that don't directly tie back to speech-language pathology. This can be seen in profiles that list jobs related to teaching, management, or even customer service. It's definitely a mixed bag, but the common thread is that many do start in roles pertinent to their training, and some seem to navigate toward successful careers in the realm of speech-language pathology or related fields over time.

How hard is a Speech Language Pathology degree?

Honestly, a Bachelor's degree in Speech Language Pathology can be pretty challenging, but it really depends on your interests and strengths. You'll dive into a mix of science, linguistics, psychology, and a bit of anatomy, which can be a lot to juggle if you're not super into those subjects. The coursework often includes both lectures and hands-on practice, so you'd need to stay on top of your studies and be ready for some intense projects and research. That said, if you're passionate about communication and helping others, it can be really rewarding and might not feel as hard. Just be prepared for some late nights with studying and assignments!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Speech Language Pathology.

Do Speech Language Pathology graduates tend to make good money?

Looking at the career paths of these Speech Language Pathology graduates, it seems there's a significant mix in their potential earnings. Some individuals, like those who started their careers as Speech Language Pathologists right away, are likely doing pretty well, especially if they’re working in established hospitals or specialized private practices. For example, the graduate from the University of Tennessee who is now a CCC-SLP at East Tennessee Children's Hospital probably earns a decent salary, which is typically quite competitive in this field. Others, like those who took roles as assistants or went into tangential fields, may not be pulling in as much right off the bat, and they could be on a slower path to higher earnings.

Overall, a lot of these graduates seem to be building solid careers, but the financial success really varies depending on their job roles and experience levels. Those sticking to the speech pathology or audiology field and advancing into more specialized or leadership positions will likely command higher salaries. However, those who branched out into other areas, like education or client services, might have different financial trajectories. So, while some are probably raking it in, others may still be working their way up. It's a classic case of "you get what you work for!"

What buzzwords do Speech Language Pathology graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Speech Language Pathology. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Speech Language Pathology?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Speech Language Pathology (ordered by the average relevance score of their Speech Language Pathology graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count