2026 Best Value Behavioral Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in behavioral science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Behavioral Science Schools
Our analysis ranked Purdue University Northwest the best value for a degree in behavioral science in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,357, with out-of-state students paying around $15,504. Typical student debt for behavioral science graduates is $16,012. 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. The acceptance rate is 72%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Vincennes University earned it the #2 place for behavioral science. Located in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,126 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,858. Behavioral Science graduates carry a median of $11,371 in student loans. Early-career behavioral science graduates make about $45,976. Set against $11,371 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in behavioral science will find it at Western Illinois University, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for behavioral science graduates is $27,639. Behavioral Science graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $47,926 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in behavioral science will find it at University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh, which ranked #4. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Typical student debt for behavioral science graduates is $24,619. Behavioral Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $50,590 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,619 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Global earned it the #5 place for behavioral science. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,101, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. Typical student debt for behavioral science graduates is $36,778. Behavioral Science graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $47,857 early in their careers. Set against $36,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Carroll University came in at #6 for value in behavioral science this year. Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waukesha. Students from in state pay about $38,890 in tuition and fees. Behavioral Science graduates carry a median of $26,904 in student loans. Behavioral Science graduates of Carroll University earn a median of $52,404 early in their careers. Set against $26,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Carroll University admits about 67% of applicants.
Loyola University Chicago landed the #7 spot for behavioral science value this year. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $53,710 in tuition and fees. Behavioral Science graduates carry a median of $5,701 in student loans. Soon after graduation, behavioral science degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $58,568. Set against $5,701 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
[Behavioral Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/behavioral-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong behavioral science education at a price that pays off.
