by our College Data Analytics TeamApplied Behavior Analysis was the 155th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 5,497 degrees in this year alone. This is a difference of 1,084 over the prior year, a growth of 19.7%.
This year's Best Applied Behavior Analysis Schools ranking compares 67 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of applied behavior analysis programs later in this article.
When studying Applied Behavior Analysis, you’ll learn that giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times will help you be successful in a wide range of jobs. Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents and using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems are all required skills for careers related to this major.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. Specific applied behavior analysis careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are many different applied behavior analysis degree levels. Applied Behavior Analysis programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest applied behavior analysis degree you can get. Different applied behavior analysis degrees vary in how long they take.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to applied behavior analysis, with approximately 31.7% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for applied behavior analysis workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 31.6% |
| Master’s Degree | 20.8% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 19.6% |
| Doctoral Degree | 11.2% |
| Post-Master’s Certificate | 5.6% |
Most workers in applied behavior analysis have at least a master's degree. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in applied behavior analysis have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the applied behavior analysis career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your applied behavior analysis degree? Applied Behavior Analysis careers are expected to grow 9.1% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to applied behavior analysis.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Managers | 1,071,700 | 8.0% |
| Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists | 168,500 | 14.2% |
| Psychology Professors | 54,000 | 15.1% |
| Psychologists | 19,200 | 10.3% |
As you might expect, salaries for applied behavior analysis graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for applied behavior analysis graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers applied behavior analysis grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Managers | $115,590 |
| Psychologists | $95,610 |
| Psychology Professors | $88,490 |
| Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists | $85,340 |
With over 210 different applied behavior analysis degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased applied behavior analysis school rankings to help you with this.
One of 16 majors within the Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology area of study, Applied Behavior Analysis has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Counseling Psychology | 9,463 |
| Clinical Psychology | 5,125 |
| School Psychology | 3,230 |
| Industrial & Organizational Psychology | 2,386 |
| Forensic Psychology | 2,290 |
