2026 Best Value Behavioral Science Schools
Looking for the best-value Behavioral Science programs programs in the United States? This list ranks 145 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor evaluated schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Behavioral Science Schools in the United States
Explore the best-value schools below:
Our analysis found San Jacinto Community College to be the best-value Behavioral Science school in the United States. Located in Pasadena, TX, San Jacinto Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,490, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Graduates carry a median of $9,264 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,062 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about San Jacinto Community College
A rank of #2 makes Fitchburg State University one of the best values in the United States. Set in Fitchburg, MA, Fitchburg State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,346, compared with $17,426 for out-of-state students. Fitchburg State University Behavioral Science students take on a median of $25,840 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $53,874 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,840 median debt. About 87% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Fitchburg State University profile
Out of the 145 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, University Of Phoenix Arizona landed the #3 spot. Located in Phoenix, AZ, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,552. The median Behavioral Science program debt is $38,643. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,752 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $38,643 median debt. See the full University Of Phoenix Arizona profile
University Of Phoenix California came in at #4 on this year's best-value Behavioral Science ranking in the United States. Set in Ontario, CA, University Of Phoenix California is a private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,552. The median Behavioral Science program debt is $49,770. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,752 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $49,770 median debt. Get the full University Of Phoenix California report
Ashford University offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. Located in San Diego, CA, Ashford University is a private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,960. Students borrow a median of $51,388 to complete their Behavioral Science program here. Median earnings reach $35,404 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $51,388 median debt. Read more about Ashford University
Granite State College offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Located in Manchester, NH, Granite State College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,724 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,284. Typical Behavioral Science student debt is $27,522. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $66,479. Set against $27,522 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Granite State College
California State University Dominguez Hills landed the #9 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Carson, CA, California State University Dominguez Hills is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete their Behavioral Science program here. California State University Dominguez Hills alumni report median earnings of $57,162 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%. Get the full California State University Dominguez Hills report
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay placed #10 among the best-value Behavioral Science schools in the United States. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a public school based in Green Bay, WI. In-state tuition and fees average $8,700, compared with $17,288 for out-of-state students. The median Behavioral Science program debt is $26,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,528. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Green Bay
San Jose State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value Behavioral Science schools. Located in San Jose, CA, San Jose State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. San Jose State University has an acceptance rate of 85%. See the full San Jose State University profile
Purdue University Northwest offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. This public school is set in Hammond, IN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,357, with out-of-state students paying around $15,504. Purdue University Northwest Behavioral Science students take on a median of $16,012 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $48,318. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%. Read more about Purdue University Northwest
Texas Tech University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value Behavioral Science schools. Located in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $62,454. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Texas Tech University
University Of Washington Seattle Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Based in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical Behavioral Science student debt is $16,481. Median earnings reach $78,466 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%. More on University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of Houston Clear Lake ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Behavioral Science schools. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a public school based in Houston, TX. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,346, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. The median Behavioral Science program debt is $27,224. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,004. Set against $27,224 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants. Get the full University Of Houston Clear Lake report
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Chapel Hill, NC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill alumni report median earnings of $72,200 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill has an acceptance rate of 15%. See the full University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill profile
University Of Pennsylvania placed #18 among the best-value Behavioral Science schools in the United States. Set in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,686. The median Behavioral Science program debt is $16,155. Graduates go on to earn a median of $111,371 ten years after entry. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pennsylvania has an acceptance rate of 5%. Read the full report on University Of Pennsylvania
University Of Colorado Denver landed the #19 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Denver, CO, University Of Colorado Denver is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,383, with out-of-state students paying around $29,391. University Of Colorado Denver Behavioral Science students take on a median of $26,582 in debt. Median earnings reach $64,270 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $26,582 median debt. University Of Colorado Denver has an acceptance rate of 75%. More on University Of Colorado Denver
Carnegie Mellon University landed the #20 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,636. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete their Behavioral Science program here. Carnegie Mellon University alumni report median earnings of $114,862 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted. More on Carnegie Mellon University
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Behavioral Science schools. Located in Milwaukee, WI, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. The median Behavioral Science program debt is $24,721. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $54,990. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee has an acceptance rate of 91%. See the full University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee profile
University Of Kansas landed the #22 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Lawrence, KS. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. The median Behavioral Science program debt is $25,000. University Of Kansas alumni report median earnings of $61,945 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants. Read more about University Of Kansas
George Fox University landed the #23 spot for value in the United States this year. George Fox University is a private not-for-profit school based in Newberg, OR. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,320. The median Behavioral Science program debt is $30,813. Median earnings reach $59,761 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 94% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full George Fox University report
American River College offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. This public school is set in Sacramento, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. American River College Behavioral Science students take on a median of $14,105 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $40,162. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt. See the full American River College profile
Life Pacific College landed the #25 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in San Dimas, CA, Life Pacific College is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,118. Life Pacific College Behavioral Science students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,299 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Life Pacific College admits about 96% of applicants. See the full Life Pacific College profile
Yale University landed the #26 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,250. Typical Behavioral Science student debt is $14,357. Yale University alumni report median earnings of $100,533 a decade after entry. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%. More on Yale University
Eastern Washington University came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Cheney, WA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,586, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Eastern Washington University Behavioral Science students take on a median of $21,754 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,897 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 91% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Eastern Washington University profile
University Of Baltimore landed the #28 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Baltimore, MD, University Of Baltimore is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, compared with $23,984 for out-of-state students. Typical Behavioral Science student debt is $29,681. University Of Baltimore alumni report median earnings of $61,335 a decade after entry. Set against $29,681 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%. See the full University Of Baltimore profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Behavioral Science Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
San Francisco State University placed #29 among the best-value Behavioral Science schools in the United States. Based in San Francisco, CA, San Francisco State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. San Francisco State University Behavioral Science students take on a median of $17,024 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $68,077. Set against $17,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Francisco State University has an acceptance rate of 96%. Read more about San Francisco State University
Northern Arizona University landed the #30 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Flagstaff, AZ, Northern Arizona University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. The median Behavioral Science program debt is $21,645. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,384. That is a strong return on a $21,645 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Northern Arizona University
University Of Iowa landed the #31 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Iowa City, IA. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Typical Behavioral Science student debt is $24,463. Median earnings reach $64,762 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $24,463 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%. More on University Of Iowa
Metropolitan State College Of Denver offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a public school based in Denver, CO. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,124, with out-of-state students paying around $30,684. The median Behavioral Science program debt is $27,484. Median earnings reach $52,093 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%. Read the full report on Metropolitan State College Of Denver
Missouri Baptist University ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best-value Behavioral Science schools. Set in Saint Louis, MO, Missouri Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $33,122. Graduates carry a median of $26,400 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $46,660. That is a strong return on a $26,400 median debt. Missouri Baptist University has an acceptance rate of 69%. See the full Missouri Baptist University profile
Columbia University In The City Of New York offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Typical Behavioral Science student debt is $23,258. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $102,491. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%. Read the full report on Columbia University In The City Of New York
Athens State University placed #35 among the best-value Behavioral Science schools in the United States. This public school is set in Athens, AL. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,020, with out-of-state students paying around $17,700. Students borrow a median of $27,389 to complete their Behavioral Science program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $50,273. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Athens State University report
Clemson University offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. This public school is set in Clemson, SC. Students from in state pay about $15,554 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,866. Graduates carry a median of $23,783 in student loans. Median earnings reach $71,513 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Clemson University admits about 38% of applicants. Read the full report on Clemson University
Washington University In St Louis came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. Based in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. The median Behavioral Science program debt is $17,553. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $86,182. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Washington University In St Louis
Franklin And Marshall College came in at #38 in this year's value ranking. Located in Lancaster, PA, Franklin And Marshall College is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,794. The median Behavioral Science program debt is $19,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $76,124. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. About 28% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Franklin And Marshall College
Johns Hopkins University ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Behavioral Science schools. Located in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Students borrow a median of $12,375 to complete their Behavioral Science program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $87,555. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 6% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Johns Hopkins University
Concordia University Irvine ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best-value Behavioral Science schools. Set in Irvine, CA, Concordia University Irvine is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $43,480. The median Behavioral Science program debt is $24,583. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $65,083. That is a strong return on a $24,583 median debt. Concordia University Irvine admits about 66% of applicants. See the full Concordia University Irvine profile
University Of Maine offered strong value this year, earning the #44 position. This public school is set in Orono, ME. In-state tuition and fees average $13,326, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Typical Behavioral Science student debt is $25,984. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $48,653. Set against $25,984 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maine has an acceptance rate of 97%. Read the full report on University Of Maine
Campbell University ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best-value Behavioral Science schools. See the full Campbell University profile
Elizabethtown College placed #40 among the best-value Behavioral Science schools in the United States. See the full Elizabethtown College profile
Daemen College
Daemen College offered strong value this year, earning the #41 position. See the full Daemen College profile
Vincennes University offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. See the full Vincennes University profile
University Of La Verne placed #43 among the best-value Behavioral Science schools in the United States. More on University Of La Verne
Northwestern University came in at #44 in this year's value ranking. See the full Northwestern University profile
United States Air Force Academy offered strong value this year, earning the #45 position. Read the full report on United States Air Force Academy
Saint Francis University ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best-value Behavioral Science schools. Get the full Saint Francis University report
Richard Bland College Of The College Of William And Mary placed #47 among the best-value Behavioral Science schools in the United States. More on Richard Bland College Of The College Of William And Mary
Loyola University Chicago offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. Get the full Loyola University Chicago report
Trevecca Nazarene University came in at #49 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Trevecca Nazarene University
William Paterson University Of New Jersey landed the #50 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full William Paterson University Of New Jersey profile
Best Value Behavioral Science Schools by Degree Level
Explore value rankings for a specific degree level:
- Best Value Behavioral Science Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Behavioral Science Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Behavioral Science Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Behavioral Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Behavioral Science Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Behavioral Science Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Behavioral Science Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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 · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 145 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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