by our College Data Analytics TeamBehavioral Science involves the study of individual and social growth and behavior. This will be done through the social sciences, psychology, and biomedical sciences. This interdisciplinary major will teach you different perspectives on human behavior as you explore and interpret the human experience.
This major requires focus and determination for success. Students will take a variety of seemingly unrelated classes and work to connect thoughts and ideas across disciplines. The combination of subjects will allow you to better understand humans and their interactions.
In 2020-2021, behavioral science was the 141st most popular major nationwide with 4,169 degrees awarded. This is a difference of 700 over the prior year, a growth of 16.8%.
This year's Best Behavioral Science Schools ranking compares 36 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Explore this or one of our many other custom behavioral science rankings further below.
A major in Behavioral Sciences requires an interest in people. Students will go out into the field to interact with and observe people. You will also work to create and design tests and analyze results. Research and writing papers is a large part of this major. It is important for students to remain objective as they learn to observe the behavior and decision making of an individual.
In addition to working with people, you will also be spending a lot of time analyzing data, crunching numbers and performing experiments in the lab. Students should be comfortable with math, science and writing lab reports.
Curiosity and a desire for objective truth will help you succeed in this major. Work on your listening skills as you learn from your peers, professors and other people. Develop excellent communication skills in order to help you in a future career.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. Specific behavioral science careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
Behavioral Science degree levels vary. Behavioral Science programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest behavioral science degree you can get. Behavioral Science programs can take anywhere between one to four or more years for a full-time student to complete.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to behavioral science, with approximately 37.5% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to behavioral science tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Post-Doctoral Training | 48.2% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 36.2% |
| Master’s Degree | 12.1% |
| Doctoral Degree | 4.0% |
62.5% of behavioral science workers have at least a master's. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in behavioral science careers have.
The education level required is different depending on the behavioral science career you are seeking.
A degree in Behavioral Sciences will prepare you to work in many different careers because of your broad set of skills. Graduates are often found working in healthcare facilities and hospitals. Private companies also hire Behavioral Scientists as coaches, analysts, and marketers. You may also work in a private treatment practice.
Want a job when you graduate with your behavioral science degree? Behavioral Science careers are expected to grow 11.0% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to behavioral science.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Community and Social Service Specialists | 113,500 | 13.2% |
| Social Scientists | 44,900 | 6.7% |
| Psychologists | 19,200 | 10.3% |
| Life Scientists | 9,700 | 9.0% |
Behavioral Science graduates between 2017-2019 reported earning an average of $34,701 in the 2019-2020 timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $17,641 to as high as $62,507. As you might expect, salaries for behavioral science graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for behavioral science graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers behavioral science grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Psychologists | $95,610 |
| Life Scientists | $89,150 |
| Social Scientists | $85,750 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists | $46,050 |
With over 180 different behavioral science degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased behavioral science school rankings to help you with this.
Behavioral Science is one of 44 different types of Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Other Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies | 34,975 |
| Biological & Physical Science | 30,075 |
| Interdisciplinary Studies | 9,074 |
| International Studies | 7,368 |
| Nutrition Science | 5,330 |
