2027 Best Value Behavioral Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Behavioral Sciences](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/behavioral-science/behavioral-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 25 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for behavioral sciences students.
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2027 Best Value Behavioral Sciences Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in behavioral sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Behavioral Sciences Schools
Leading the list is University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, our #1 best value for behavioral sciences in the United States. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical student debt for behavioral sciences graduates is $15,117. Early-career behavioral sciences graduates make about $61,361. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.
California State University Dominguez Hills is a great value for students pursuing a degree in behavioral sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. Early-career behavioral sciences graduates make about $52,683. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Purdue University Northwest one of the best values for behavioral sciences. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. Students from in state pay about $8,357 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,012 to complete the behavioral sciences program here. Soon after graduation, behavioral sciences degree recipients from Purdue University Northwest generally make around $28,340. Set against $16,012 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.
Purdue University Global is a great value for students pursuing a degree in behavioral sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,101, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $36,778 in student loans. Behavioral Sciences graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $47,857 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $36,778 median debt.
San Jose State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value behavioral sciences schools. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of West Georgia placed #6 among the best values for behavioral sciences. University Of West Georgia is a large public school located in the town of Carrollton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,088, compared with $17,800 for out-of-state students. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,789 in student loans. Behavioral Sciences graduates of University Of West Georgia earn a median of $46,432 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,789 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.
University Of Tulsa landed the #7 spot for behavioral sciences value this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, University Of Tulsa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,546. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,638 in student loans. Behavioral Sciences graduates of University Of Tulsa earn a median of $62,482 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Tulsa admits about 62% of applicants.
Martin Methodist College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value behavioral sciences schools. Located in the town of Pulaski, Martin Methodist College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,924. Students borrow a median of $23,308 to complete the behavioral sciences program here. Soon after graduation, behavioral sciences degree recipients from Martin Methodist College generally make around $40,832. That is a strong return on a $23,308 median debt. Martin Methodist College admits about 87% of applicants.
Northern Arizona University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value behavioral sciences schools. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans. Early-career behavioral sciences graduates make about $47,056. Set against $21,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
New Jersey Institute Of Technology earned the #10 position for value in behavioral sciences this year. New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Newark. In-state tuition and fees average $19,974, while out-of-state students pay about $37,664. Typical student debt for behavioral sciences graduates is $24,755. Behavioral Sciences graduates of New Jersey Institute Of Technology earn a median of $71,549 early in their careers. Set against $24,755 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Jersey Institute Of Technology admits about 65% of applicants.
University Of Phoenix Arizona placed #11 among the best values for behavioral sciences. University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. Students from in state pay about $9,552 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $49,770 to complete the behavioral sciences program here. Behavioral Sciences graduates of University Of Phoenix Arizona earn a median of $38,087 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Houston Clear Lake placed #12 among the best values for behavioral sciences. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,346 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,290. Typical student debt for behavioral sciences graduates is $27,224. Soon after graduation, behavioral sciences degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake generally make around $32,986. Set against $27,224 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Cruz earned the #13 position for value in behavioral sciences this year. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. Students from in state pay about $15,035 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Behavioral Sciences graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $28,709 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of Kansas landed the #14 spot for behavioral sciences value this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Behavioral Sciences graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $36,206 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Johns Hopkins University landed the #15 spot for behavioral sciences value this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, behavioral sciences degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $84,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #16 for value in behavioral sciences this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Typical student debt for behavioral sciences graduates is $21,275. Behavioral Sciences graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $57,819 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Life Pacific College placed #17 among the best values for behavioral sciences. Life Pacific College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of San Dimas. Students from in state pay about $22,118 in tuition and fees. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, behavioral sciences degree recipients from Life Pacific College generally make around $29,830. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa came in at #18 for value in behavioral sciences this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Typical student debt for behavioral sciences graduates is $24,463. Soon after graduation, behavioral sciences degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $57,375. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
East West University came in at #19 for value in behavioral sciences this year. Located in the city of Chicago, East West University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,395. Behavioral Sciences graduates of East West University earn a median of $37,135 early in their careers.
Brown University came in at #20 for value in behavioral sciences this year. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $71,312. Students borrow a median of $13,025 to complete the behavioral sciences program here. Behavioral Sciences graduates of Brown University earn a median of $62,820 early in their careers. Set against $13,025 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Elizabethtown College placed #21 among the best values for behavioral sciences. Elizabethtown College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elizabethtown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,950. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,599 in student loans. Behavioral Sciences graduates of Elizabethtown College earn a median of $57,397 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,599 median debt. Elizabethtown College admits about 78% of applicants.
Concordia University Irvine earned the #22 position for value in behavioral sciences this year. Located in the city of Irvine, Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $43,480 in tuition and fees. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,583 in student loans. Soon after graduation, behavioral sciences degree recipients from Concordia University Irvine generally make around $31,899. Set against $24,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
George Fox University earned the #23 position for value in behavioral sciences this year. Located in the town of Newberg, George Fox University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $41,320 in tuition and fees. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $30,813 in student loans. Behavioral Sciences graduates of George Fox University earn a median of $34,613 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Ashford University earned the #24 position for value in behavioral sciences this year. Ashford University is a very large public school located in the city of Chandler. Students from in state pay about $11,960 in tuition and fees. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $51,388 in student loans. Early-career behavioral sciences graduates make about $37,661. That is a strong return on a $51,388 median debt.
Franklin And Marshall College placed #25 among the best values for behavioral sciences. Located in the city of Lancaster, Franklin And Marshall College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,794. Typical student debt for behavioral sciences graduates is $19,000. Behavioral Sciences graduates of Franklin And Marshall College earn a median of $38,391 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 28%.
Other Behavioral Sciences Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Behavioral Sciences rankings across degree levels:
View All Behavioral Sciences Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
