2026 Best Value Behavioral Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Behavioral Sciences](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/behavioral-science/behavioral-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong behavioral sciences education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 145 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for behavioral sciences students.
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2026 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
Our analysis ranked California State University Dominguez Hills the best value for a degree in behavioral sciences in the United States. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. Soon after graduation, behavioral sciences degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $52,683. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the best values for behavioral sciences. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Early-career behavioral sciences graduates make about $61,361. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
San Jose State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in behavioral sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Northwest is a great value for students pursuing a degree in behavioral sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,357 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for behavioral sciences graduates is $16,012. Soon after graduation, behavioral sciences degree recipients from Purdue University Northwest generally make around $28,340. That is a strong return on a $16,012 median debt. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Houston Clear Lake earned it the #5 place for behavioral sciences. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,346, 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.
Purdue University Global landed the #6 spot for behavioral sciences value this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,101, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. Students borrow a median of $36,778 to complete the behavioral sciences program here. Soon after graduation, behavioral sciences degree recipients from Purdue University Global generally make around $47,857. That is a strong return on a $36,778 median debt.
New Jersey Institute Of Technology earned the #7 position for value in behavioral sciences this year. New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Newark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,974, compared with $37,664 for out-of-state students. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,755 in student loans. Early-career behavioral sciences graduates make about $71,549. Set against $24,755 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
University Of Phoenix Arizona landed the #8 spot for behavioral sciences value this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,552. Students borrow a median of $49,770 to complete the behavioral sciences program here. Soon after graduation, behavioral sciences degree recipients from University Of Phoenix Arizona generally make around $38,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of West Georgia landed the #9 spot for behavioral sciences value this year. University Of West Georgia is a large public school located in the town of Carrollton. In-state tuition and fees average $6,088, compared with $17,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for behavioral sciences graduates is $26,789. Soon after graduation, behavioral sciences degree recipients from University Of West Georgia generally make around $46,432. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of West Georgia admits about 52% of applicants.
University Of Kansas placed #10 among the best values for behavioral sciences. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the behavioral sciences program here. Behavioral Sciences graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $36,206 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Johns Hopkins University placed #11 among the best values for behavioral sciences. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Typical student debt for behavioral sciences graduates is $12,375. Behavioral Sciences graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $84,850 early in their careers. Set against $12,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #12 spot for behavioral sciences value 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%.
Saint Francis University came in at #13 for value in behavioral sciences this year. Set in the rural area of Loretto, Saint Francis University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,388. Students borrow a median of $47,439 to complete the behavioral sciences program here. Early-career behavioral sciences graduates make about $63,097. That is a strong return on a $47,439 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Iowa landed the #14 spot for behavioral sciences value this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Typical student debt for behavioral sciences graduates is $24,463. Early-career behavioral sciences graduates make about $57,375. That is a strong return on a $24,463 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Tulsa earned the #15 position for value in behavioral sciences this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, University Of Tulsa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,546. Students borrow a median of $23,638 to complete the behavioral sciences program here. Soon after graduation, behavioral sciences degree recipients from University Of Tulsa generally make around $66,166. Set against $23,638 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Life Pacific College came in at #16 for value in behavioral sciences this year. Set in the suburb of San Dimas, Life Pacific College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $22,118. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Behavioral Sciences graduates of Life Pacific College earn a median of $29,830 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Life Pacific College admits about 96% of applicants.
Elizabethtown College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value behavioral sciences schools. 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. Typical student debt for behavioral sciences graduates is $26,599. Soon after graduation, behavioral sciences degree recipients from Elizabethtown College generally make around $57,397. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Elizabethtown College admits about 78% of applicants.
Brown University landed the #18 spot for behavioral sciences value this year. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $71,312 in tuition and fees. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,025 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Missouri Baptist University earned the #19 position for value in behavioral sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Missouri Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $33,122. Typical student debt for behavioral sciences graduates is $26,400. Soon after graduation, behavioral sciences degree recipients from Missouri Baptist University generally make around $30,147. Set against $26,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri Baptist University admits about 69% of applicants.
Ashford University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value behavioral sciences schools. Located in the city of San Diego, Ashford University is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,960. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $51,388 in student loans. Soon after graduation, behavioral sciences degree recipients from Ashford University generally make around $37,661. Set against $51,388 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Concordia University Irvine earned the #21 position for value in behavioral sciences this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,480. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,583 in student loans. Behavioral Sciences graduates of Concordia University Irvine earn a median of $31,899 early in their careers. Set against $24,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
George Fox University landed the #22 spot for behavioral sciences value this year. George Fox University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Newberg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,320. Students borrow a median of $30,813 to complete the behavioral sciences program here. Early-career behavioral sciences graduates make about $34,613. That is a strong return on a $30,813 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Franklin And Marshall College came in at #23 for value in behavioral sciences this year. Set in the city of Lancaster, Franklin And Marshall College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 28% of applicants are accepted.
Other Behavioral Sciences Degree Levels
Explore the best-value behavioral sciences schools at other degree levels:
View All Behavioral Sciences Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 145 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
