2026 Best Value Behavioral Science Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Behavioral Science master’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 145 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on 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 produce 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 Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Leading the list is University Of Washington Seattle Campus, our #1 best-value Behavioral Science school in the United States. Located in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. The median Behavioral Science program debt is $16,481. University Of Washington Seattle Campus alumni report median earnings of $78,466 a decade after entry. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 39% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus report
You'll get strong value at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, which ranked #2 this year. This public school is set in Chapel Hill, NC. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete their Behavioral Science program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $72,200. 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
Out of the 145 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, University Of Houston Clear Lake landed the #3 spot. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a public school based in Houston, TX. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,346, with out-of-state students paying around $22,290. Typical Behavioral Science student debt is $27,224. University Of Houston Clear Lake alumni report median earnings of $59,004 a decade after entry. 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
Out of the 145 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, University Of Pennsylvania landed the #4 spot. 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. Median earnings reach $111,371 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. About 5% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of Pennsylvania profile
A rank of #5 makes University Of Kansas one of the best values in the United States. Set in Lawrence, KS, University Of Kansas is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Behavioral Science program here. University Of Kansas alumni report median earnings of $61,945 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 94% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Kansas report
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,636. Carnegie Mellon University Behavioral Science students take on a median of $23,529 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $114,862. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 12% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Carnegie Mellon University
Yale University placed #7 among the best-value Behavioral Science schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in New Haven, CT. In-state tuition and fees average $67,250. Typical Behavioral Science student debt is $14,357. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $100,533. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Yale University report
Eastern Washington University came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Set in Cheney, WA, Eastern Washington University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,586 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,754 in student loans. Eastern Washington University alumni report median earnings of $57,897 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,754 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%. Get the full Eastern Washington University report
University Of Baltimore came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Based in Baltimore, MD, University Of Baltimore is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $23,984. University Of Baltimore Behavioral Science students take on a median of $29,681 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,335. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of Baltimore
San Francisco State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Behavioral Science schools. Set in San Francisco, CA, San Francisco State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. The median Behavioral Science program debt is $17,024. San Francisco State University alumni report median earnings of $68,077 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants. Read the full report on San Francisco State University
University Of Iowa placed #11 among the best-value Behavioral Science schools in the United States. University Of Iowa is a public school based in Iowa City, IA. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,463 to complete their Behavioral Science program here. Median earnings reach $64,762 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants. Get the full University Of Iowa report
Washington University In St Louis came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. Located in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Typical Behavioral Science student debt is $17,553. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $86,182. That is a strong return on a $17,553 median debt. About 12% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Washington University In St Louis
William Paterson University Of New Jersey came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on William Paterson University Of New Jersey
Martin Methodist College placed #14 among the best-value Behavioral Science schools in the United States. More on Martin Methodist College
California Baptist University came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. More on California Baptist University
Clovis Community College came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Clovis Community College
East Texas Baptist University placed #17 among the best-value Behavioral Science schools in the United States. Get the full East Texas Baptist University report
Elizabethtown College placed #18 among the best-value Behavioral Science schools in the United States. More on Elizabethtown College
New Mexico Highlands University landed the #19 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on New Mexico Highlands University
City College Of San Francisco landed the #20 spot for value in the United States this year. More on City College Of San Francisco
Chaminade University Of Honolulu offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. Read more about Chaminade University Of Honolulu
Sisseton Wahpeton College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value Behavioral Science schools. More on Sisseton Wahpeton College
Central Washington University landed the #23 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Central Washington University report
United States Air Force Academy ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best-value Behavioral Science schools. Read the full report on United States Air Force Academy
Missouri Baptist University came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. See the full Missouri Baptist University profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Behavioral Science Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
Snow College
Snow College came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Snow College
Northern Arizona University came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. See the full Northern Arizona University profile
University Of Maryland Baltimore County placed #28 among the best-value Behavioral Science schools in the United States. Get the full University Of Maryland Baltimore County report
Lewis Clark State College placed #29 among the best-value Behavioral Science schools in the United States. See the full Lewis Clark State College profile
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Columbia University In The City Of New York report
University Of Southern California ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Behavioral Science schools. Read more about University Of Southern California
Dakota Wesleyan University ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best-value Behavioral Science schools. Read the full report on Dakota Wesleyan University
Mohave Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. Read more about Mohave Community College
University Of Michigan Dearborn ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Behavioral Science schools. Read more about University Of Michigan Dearborn
St Louis College Of Pharmacy placed #35 among the best-value Behavioral Science schools in the United States. See the full St Louis College Of Pharmacy profile
University Of California Merced ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best-value Behavioral Science schools. See the full University Of California Merced profile
Carroll University offered strong value this year, earning the #37 position. Read more about Carroll University
University Of Delaware ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best-value Behavioral Science schools. See the full University Of Delaware profile
Metropolitan State College Of Denver came in at #39 in this year's value ranking. More on Metropolitan State College Of Denver
University Of Miami ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best-value Behavioral Science schools. Get the full University Of Miami report
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #41 among the best-value Behavioral Science schools in the United States. See the full University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee profile
San Jacinto Community College came in at #42 in this year's value ranking. Read more about San Jacinto Community College
Rochester College landed the #43 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Rochester College
Illinois Institute Of Technology came in at #44 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Illinois Institute Of Technology report
Chabot College
Chabot College offered strong value this year, earning the #45 position. More on Chabot College
Glenville State College ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best-value Behavioral Science schools. Read the full report on Glenville State College
University Of Chicago came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. Get the full University Of Chicago report
Vincennes University offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. Read more about Vincennes University
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best-value Behavioral Science schools. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Green Bay report
Oklahoma State University Main Campus ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best-value Behavioral Science schools. Read the full report on Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Related Behavioral Science Value Rankings
See value rankings for 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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Behavioral Science Graduate Certificate 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. 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).
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.