[Behavioral Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/behavioral-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 64 schools to find the best return on investment for behavioral science students.
Finding the Best Value Behavioral Science School for You
The behavioral science program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Behavioral Science Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Behavioral Science Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
For return on investment in behavioral science, no school beat Imperial Valley College this year. Imperial Valley College is a large public school located in the rural area of Imperial. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,126, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Typical student debt for behavioral science graduates is $6,176. Soon after graduation, behavioral science degree recipients from Imperial Valley College generally make around $42,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a great value for students pursuing a degree in behavioral science, landing the #2 spot this year. 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. Behavioral Science graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Early-career behavioral science graduates make about $61,361. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. The acceptance rate is 15%.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Dominguez Hills one of the best values for behavioral science. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the behavioral science program here. Early-career behavioral science graduates make about $52,683. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in behavioral science will find it at Snow College, which ranked #4. Snow College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Ephraim. Students from in state pay about $4,338 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for behavioral science graduates is $10,440. Behavioral Science graduates of Snow College earn a median of $42,776 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,440 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Purdue University Northwest one of the best values for behavioral science. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,357, while out-of-state students pay about $15,504. Students borrow a median of $16,012 to complete the behavioral science program here. Behavioral Science graduates of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $28,340 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,012 median debt. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.
Granite State College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value behavioral science schools. Located in the city of Manchester, Granite State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,724, while out-of-state students pay about $9,284. Students borrow a median of $26,770 to complete the behavioral science program here. Early-career behavioral science graduates make about $54,169. That is a strong return on a $26,770 median debt.
University Of California Berkeley placed #7 among the best values for behavioral science. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Typical student debt for behavioral science graduates is $14,238. Early-career behavioral science graduates make about $70,847. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
San Jose State University earned the #8 position for value in behavioral science this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
San Jacinto Community College came in at #9 for value in behavioral science this year. San Jacinto Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $2,490, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Behavioral Science graduates carry a median of $9,264 in student loans. Behavioral Science graduates of San Jacinto Community College earn a median of $33,494 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clovis Community College landed the #10 spot for behavioral science value this year. Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Clovis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,592, compared with $3,344 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,082 to complete the behavioral science program here. Soon after graduation, behavioral science degree recipients from Clovis Community College generally make around $44,390. Set against $11,082 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Purdue University Global earned the #11 position for value in behavioral science this year. Purdue University Global is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,101, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. Typical student debt for behavioral science graduates is $36,778. Soon after graduation, behavioral science degree recipients from Purdue University Global generally make around $47,857. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mohave Community College came in at #12 for value in behavioral science this year. Set in the rural area of Kingman, Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,208 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,968 for out-of-state students. Behavioral Science graduates carry a median of $14,766 in student loans. Soon after graduation, behavioral science degree recipients from Mohave Community College generally make around $54,785. That is a strong return on a $14,766 median debt.
American River College earned the #13 position for value in behavioral science this year. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Behavioral Science graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Early-career behavioral science graduates make about $76,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az placed #14 among the best values for behavioral science. Set in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for behavioral science graduates is $15,996. Early-career behavioral science graduates make about $51,483. Set against $15,996 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hill College earned the #15 position for value in behavioral science this year. Set in the town of Hillsboro, Hill College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,862 in tuition and fees. Behavioral Science graduates carry a median of $15,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, behavioral science degree recipients from Hill College generally make around $39,212. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of West Georgia landed the #16 spot for behavioral science value this year. Located in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,088, compared with $17,800 for out-of-state students. Behavioral Science graduates carry a median of $26,789 in student loans. Early-career behavioral science graduates make about $46,432. Set against $26,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Vincennes University earned the #17 position for value in behavioral science this year. Set in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,126, compared with $16,858 for out-of-state students. Behavioral Science graduates carry a median of $11,371 in student loans. Soon after graduation, behavioral science degree recipients from Vincennes University generally make around $45,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Temple College came in at #18 for value in behavioral science this year. Set in the city of Temple, Temple College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,000, compared with $7,524 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for behavioral science graduates is $16,617. Behavioral Science graduates of Temple College earn a median of $55,262 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #19 among the best values for behavioral science. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Behavioral Science graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Soon after graduation, behavioral science degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $68,047. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Washington University landed the #20 spot for behavioral science value this year. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,586, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Behavioral Science graduates carry a median of $21,754 in student loans. Behavioral Science graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $47,144 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,754 median debt. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Tulsa placed #21 among the best values for behavioral science. University Of Tulsa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tulsa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,546. Students borrow a median of $23,638 to complete the behavioral science program here. Soon after graduation, behavioral science degree recipients from University Of Tulsa generally make around $62,482. Set against $23,638 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh placed #22 among the best values for behavioral science. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Behavioral Science graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. Soon after graduation, behavioral science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $50,590. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Baltimore placed #23 among the best values for behavioral science. Located in the city of Baltimore, University Of Baltimore is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, compared with $23,984 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,681 to complete the behavioral science program here. Early-career behavioral science graduates make about $56,837. That is a strong return on a $29,681 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Martin Methodist College landed the #24 spot for behavioral science value this year. Located in the town of Pulaski, Martin Methodist College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,924. Typical student debt for behavioral science graduates is $23,308. Early-career behavioral science graduates make about $40,832. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Northern Arizona University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value behavioral science schools. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Behavioral Science graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans. Soon after graduation, behavioral science degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $47,056. That is a strong return on a $21,645 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Behavioral Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s behavioral science value ranking:
The ranking above is published 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 · 64 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 64 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).
[Behavioral Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/behavioral-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
