2027 Best Value Behavioral Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[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 25 schools to find the best return on investment for behavioral science students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Behavioral Science Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the behavioral science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Behavioral Science Schools
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #1 spot for value among behavioral science schools in the United States. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Dominguez Hills is a great value for students pursuing a degree in behavioral science, landing the #2 spot this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Typical student debt for behavioral science graduates is $15,886. Behavioral Science graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
Purdue University Northwest came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value behavioral science schools. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,357, with out-of-state students paying around $15,504. Behavioral Science graduates carry a median of $16,012 in student loans. Behavioral Science graduates of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $28,340 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in behavioral science will find it at Purdue University Global, which ranked #4. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,101, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. Behavioral Science graduates carry a median of $36,778 in student loans. Soon after graduation, behavioral science degree recipients from Purdue University Global generally make around $47,857. Set against $36,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Jose State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in behavioral science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. 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. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of West Georgia earned the #6 position for value in behavioral science this year. Set in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. 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 science value this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, University Of Tulsa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $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.
Martin Methodist College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value behavioral science schools. Martin Methodist College is a small public school located in the town of Pulaski. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,924. Behavioral Science graduates carry a median of $23,308 in student loans. Behavioral Science graduates of Martin Methodist College earn a median of $40,832 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Northern Arizona University earned the #9 position for value in behavioral science this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for behavioral science graduates is $21,645. Behavioral Science graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $47,056 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,645 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
New Jersey Institute Of Technology came in at #10 for value in behavioral science this year. Located in the city of Newark, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $19,974, compared with $37,664 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for behavioral science graduates is $24,755. Behavioral Science 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 landed the #11 spot for behavioral science value this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,552. Typical student debt for behavioral science graduates is $49,770. Early-career behavioral science graduates make about $38,087. Set against $49,770 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Houston Clear Lake ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value behavioral science schools. 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, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,224 to complete the behavioral science program here. Behavioral Science graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $32,986 early in their careers. Set against $27,224 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Cruz placed #13 among the best values for behavioral science. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,035, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. Typical student debt for behavioral science graduates is $17,500. Soon after graduation, behavioral science degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $28,709. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas landed the #14 spot for behavioral science value this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Typical student debt for behavioral science graduates is $25,000. Early-career behavioral science graduates make about $36,206. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Johns Hopkins University landed the #15 spot for behavioral science value this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Students borrow a median of $12,375 to complete the behavioral science program here. Early-career behavioral science graduates make about $84,850. That is a strong return on a $12,375 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #16 spot for behavioral science value this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Behavioral Science graduates carry a median of $21,275 in student loans. Soon after graduation, behavioral science degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $57,819. Set against $21,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Life Pacific College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value behavioral science schools. Life Pacific College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of San Dimas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,118. Behavioral Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, behavioral science degree recipients from Life Pacific College generally make around $29,830. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa came in at #18 for value in behavioral science this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. 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 science graduates is $24,463. Soon after graduation, behavioral science degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $57,375. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
East West University landed the #19 spot for behavioral science value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, East West University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,395. Behavioral Science 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 science 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. Behavioral Science graduates carry a median of $13,025 in student loans. Soon after graduation, behavioral science degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $62,820. That is a strong return on a $13,025 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Elizabethtown College landed the #21 spot for behavioral science value this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $26,599 to complete the behavioral science program here. Early-career behavioral science graduates make about $57,397. Set against $26,599 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Concordia University Irvine placed #22 among the best values for behavioral science. Set in the city of Irvine, Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $43,480. Behavioral Science graduates carry a median of $24,583 in student loans. Behavioral Science graduates of Concordia University Irvine earn a median of $31,899 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Concordia University Irvine admits about 66% of applicants.
George Fox University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value behavioral science schools. George Fox University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Newberg. Students from in state pay about $41,320 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,813 to complete the behavioral science program here. Soon after graduation, behavioral science degree recipients from George Fox University generally make around $34,613. Set against $30,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. George Fox University admits about 94% of applicants.
Ashford University earned the #24 position for value in behavioral science this year. Set in the city of Chandler, Ashford University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,960 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $51,388 to complete the behavioral science program here. Early-career behavioral science graduates make about $37,661. That is a strong return on a $51,388 median debt.
Franklin And Marshall College earned the #25 position for value in behavioral science this year. 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. Behavioral Science graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Behavioral Science 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 Science Degree Levels
Explore the best-value behavioral science schools at other degree levels:
View All Behavioral Science Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, 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.
