2026 Best Value Behavioral Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Behavioral Science bachelor’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 145 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor evaluated schools to compile 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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
University Of Phoenix Arizona tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Behavioral Science bachelor's degree schools in the United States. Located in Phoenix, AZ, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,552. Graduates carry a median of $38,643 in student loans. University Of Phoenix Arizona alumni report median earnings of $37,752 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about University Of Phoenix Arizona
Out of the 145 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, University Of Phoenix California landed the #2 spot. Located in Ontario, CA, University Of Phoenix California is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,552. The median Behavioral Science program debt is $49,770. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $37,752. Set against $49,770 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full University Of Phoenix California profile
Out of the 145 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Ashford University landed the #4 spot. Ashford University is a private for-profit school based in San Diego, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $11,960. The median Behavioral Science program debt is $51,388. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,404 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $51,388 median debt. See the full Ashford University profile
California State University Dominguez Hills ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Behavioral Science schools. This public school is set in Carson, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete their Behavioral Science program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,162. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%. More on California State University Dominguez Hills
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay landed the #7 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Green Bay, WI, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,700, compared with $17,288 for out-of-state students. The median Behavioral Science program debt is $26,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,528 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay admits about 89% of applicants. See the full University Of Wisconsin Green Bay profile
San Jose State University offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Based in San Jose, CA, San Jose State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. San Jose State University alumni report median earnings of $78,988 a decade after entry. The acceptance rate is 85%. More on San Jose State University
Purdue University Northwest offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. This public school is set in Hammond, IN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,357, while out-of-state students pay about $15,504. Students borrow a median of $16,012 to complete their Behavioral Science program here. Purdue University Northwest alumni report median earnings of $48,318 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $16,012 median debt. About 72% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Purdue University Northwest
University Of Houston Clear Lake offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. Located in Houston, TX, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,346, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Typical Behavioral Science student debt is $27,224. Median earnings reach $59,004 ten years out. Set against $27,224 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of Houston Clear Lake
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #11 among the best-value Behavioral Science schools in the United States. Set in Chapel Hill, NC, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical Behavioral Science student debt is $15,117. Graduates go on to earn a median of $72,200 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants. More on University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
George Fox University placed #12 among the best-value Behavioral Science schools in the United States. Set in Newberg, OR, George Fox University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,320. The median Behavioral Science program debt is $30,813. George Fox University alumni report median earnings of $59,761 a decade after entry. Set against $30,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted. See the full George Fox University profile
University Of Kansas offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Based in Lawrence, KS, University Of Kansas is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Typical Behavioral Science student debt is $25,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,945. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants. See the full University Of Kansas profile
Life Pacific College landed the #14 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in San Dimas, CA, Life Pacific College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $22,118. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,299 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%. Read the full report on Life Pacific College
Metropolitan State College Of Denver offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Set in Denver, CO, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,124, compared with $30,684 for out-of-state students. Typical Behavioral Science student debt is $27,484. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,093 ten years after entry. Set against $27,484 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted. More on Metropolitan State College Of Denver
Missouri Baptist University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Behavioral Science schools. Located in Saint Louis, MO, Missouri Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,122. Typical Behavioral Science student debt is $26,400. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $46,660. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%. Get the full Missouri Baptist University report
Athens State University came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Located in Athens, AL, Athens State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,020, with out-of-state students paying around $17,700. Typical Behavioral Science student debt is $27,389. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $50,273. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Athens State University
Franklin And Marshall College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Behavioral Science schools. Based in Lancaster, PA, Franklin And Marshall College is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,794. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete their Behavioral Science program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $76,124. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Roughly 28% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Franklin And Marshall College report
Johns Hopkins University came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. Set in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. The median Behavioral Science program debt is $12,375. Graduates go on to earn a median of $87,555 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Johns Hopkins University has an acceptance rate of 6%. See the full Johns Hopkins University profile
Concordia University Irvine offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. Located in Irvine, CA, Concordia University Irvine is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $43,480. Typical Behavioral Science student debt is $24,583. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $65,083. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Concordia University Irvine admits about 66% of applicants. Get the full Concordia University Irvine report
Colorado School Of Mines landed the #19 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Colorado School Of Mines profile
Miracosta College placed #20 among the best-value Behavioral Science schools in the United States. See the full Miracosta College profile
University Of Chicago placed #21 among the best-value Behavioral Science schools in the United States. More on University Of Chicago
Duke University
Duke University offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. Get the full Duke University report
Emory University
Emory University landed the #23 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Emory University report
Imperial Valley College offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. Read more about Imperial Valley College
Martin Methodist College placed #25 among the best-value Behavioral Science schools in the United States. More on Martin Methodist College
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Behavioral Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
University Of West Georgia ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best-value Behavioral Science schools. See the full University Of West Georgia profile
Capital Community College placed #27 among the best-value Behavioral Science schools in the United States. More on Capital Community College
Illinois Institute Of Technology ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best-value Behavioral Science schools. Get the full Illinois Institute Of Technology report
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #29 among the best-value Behavioral Science schools in the United States. See the full University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee profile
University Of Iowa placed #30 among the best-value Behavioral Science schools in the United States. Read more about University Of Iowa
Vincennes University offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. Read more about Vincennes University
Carroll University landed the #32 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Carroll University
Indiana State University offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. Read the full report on Indiana State University
San Francisco State University came in at #34 in this year's value ranking. Read more about San Francisco State University
Daemen College
Daemen College came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Daemen College report
Moorpark College
Moorpark College offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. Read the full report on Moorpark College
Sisseton Wahpeton College placed #37 among the best-value Behavioral Science schools in the United States. Read the full report on Sisseton Wahpeton College
Northern Michigan University offered strong value this year, earning the #38 position. Get the full Northern Michigan University report
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh came in at #39 in this year's value ranking. See the full University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh profile
College Of The Siskiyous offered strong value this year, earning the #40 position. More on College Of The Siskiyous
University Of La Verne offered strong value this year, earning the #41 position. Get the full University Of La Verne report
Brown University
Brown University ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Behavioral Science schools. Read the full report on Brown University
Northern Arizona University offered strong value this year, earning the #43 position. Read more about Northern Arizona University
University Of Maine ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best-value Behavioral Science schools. Get the full University Of Maine report
Point Park University placed #45 among the best-value Behavioral Science schools in the United States. Read more about Point Park University
Saint Francis University came in at #46 in this year's value ranking. See the full Saint Francis University profile
California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #47 among the best-value Behavioral Science schools in the United States. See the full California State Polytechnic University Pomona profile
United States Air Force Academy came in at #48 in this year's value ranking. Read more about United States Air Force Academy
Rowan University
Rowan University placed #49 among the best-value Behavioral Science schools in the United States. See the full Rowan University profile
Chaminade University Of Honolulu placed #50 among the best-value Behavioral Science schools in the United States. Read the full report on Chaminade University Of Honolulu
Related Behavioral Science Value Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Value Behavioral Science Schools (All Levels)
- 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 Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Behavioral Science Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Behavioral Science Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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).