2026 Best Value Behavioral Science Schools
Looking for the best-value Behavioral Science programs programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 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 help you make your decision, Grad Degree 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 Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Fitchburg State University earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in the United States. Set in Fitchburg, MA, Fitchburg State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,346, with out-of-state students paying around $17,426. Students borrow a median of $25,840 to complete their Behavioral Science program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $53,874. Set against $25,840 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%. More on Fitchburg State University
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas Tech University earned it the #2 place in the United States. Set in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Texas Tech University Behavioral Science students take on a median of $24,271 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $62,454 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants. Get the full Texas Tech University report
Out of the 145 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #3 spot. This public school is set in Chapel Hill, NC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. The median Behavioral Science program debt is $15,117. Graduates go on to earn a median of $72,200 ten years after entry. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
You'll get strong value at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #4 this year. Based in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. University Of Washington Seattle Campus alumni report median earnings of $78,466 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted. Get the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus report
University Of Houston Clear Lake came in at #5 on this year's best-value Behavioral Science ranking in the United States. Based in Houston, TX, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,346 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Typical Behavioral Science student debt is $27,224. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,004. That is a strong return on a $27,224 median debt. About 90% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of Houston Clear Lake profile
University Of Kansas offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. University Of Kansas is a public school based in Lawrence, KS. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. The median Behavioral Science program debt is $25,000. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $61,945. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kansas has an acceptance rate of 94%. Read the full report on University Of Kansas
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Behavioral Science schools. University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit school based in Philadelphia, PA. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Typical Behavioral Science student debt is $16,155. Median earnings reach $111,371 ten years out. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 5% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of Pennsylvania
University Of Colorado Denver offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Located in Denver, CO, University Of Colorado Denver is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,383, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Typical Behavioral Science student debt is $26,582. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $64,270. That is a strong return on a $26,582 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of Colorado Denver
Carnegie Mellon University landed the #9 spot for value in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Pittsburgh, PA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,636. Typical Behavioral Science student debt is $23,529. Graduates go on to earn a median of $114,862 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. About 12% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Carnegie Mellon University
Yale University landed the #10 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. Typical Behavioral Science student debt is $14,357. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $100,533. That is a strong return on a $14,357 median debt. Yale University has an acceptance rate of 4%. See the full Yale University profile
Eastern Washington University landed the #11 spot for value in the United States this year. 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. The median Behavioral Science program debt is $21,754. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,897. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Eastern Washington University
University Of Baltimore landed the #12 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, with out-of-state students paying around $23,984. Typical Behavioral Science student debt is $29,681. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,335 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $29,681 median debt. University Of Baltimore admits about 79% of applicants. Get the full University Of Baltimore report
San Francisco State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value Behavioral Science schools. Set 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. Graduates carry a median of $17,024 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $68,077. That is a strong return on a $17,024 median debt. San Francisco State University has an acceptance rate of 96%. Get the full San Francisco State University report
University Of Iowa ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Behavioral Science schools. Located in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. University Of Iowa Behavioral Science students take on a median of $24,463 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $64,762 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,463 median debt. University Of Iowa has an acceptance rate of 84%. Read more about University Of Iowa
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #15 among the best-value Behavioral Science schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,517. Graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $102,491. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 4% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Columbia University In The City Of New York profile
Washington University In St Louis placed #16 among the best-value Behavioral Science schools in the United States. Set 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. Graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Median earnings reach $86,182 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $17,553 median debt. The acceptance rate is 12%. Get the full Washington University In St Louis report
University Of Maine offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. Set in Orono, ME, University Of Maine is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,326, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. The median Behavioral Science program debt is $25,984. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $48,653. Set against $25,984 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 97% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of Maine
George Fox University came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. Read more about George Fox University
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. Read the full report on Pennsylvania Highlands Community College
Miracosta College placed #20 among the best-value Behavioral Science schools in the United States. Read more about Miracosta College
Saint Francis University came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Saint Francis University
Glenville State College landed the #22 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Glenville State College report
Endicott College
Endicott College came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. See the full Endicott College profile
Carroll University offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. Get the full Carroll University report
University Of Delaware ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value Behavioral Science schools. Read the full report on University Of Delaware
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Behavioral Science Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Franklin And Marshall College placed #26 among the best-value Behavioral Science schools in the United States. Read more about Franklin And Marshall College
Mercy College
Mercy College ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Behavioral Science schools. Read more about Mercy College
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #28 in this year's value ranking. More on University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Santa Fe Community College placed #29 among the best-value Behavioral Science schools in the United States. Read more about Santa Fe Community College
Hofstra University landed the #30 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Hofstra University report
Walsh University
Walsh University offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. More on Walsh University
Missouri Baptist University came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Missouri Baptist University
Western Illinois University offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. Get the full Western Illinois University report
American River College placed #34 among the best-value Behavioral Science schools in the United States. Read the full report on American River College
Daemen College
Daemen College came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Daemen College report
University Of Maine At Fort Kent ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best-value Behavioral Science schools. More on University Of Maine At Fort Kent
Colorado School Of Mines came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Colorado School Of Mines report
Glendale Community College Glendale Az offered strong value this year, earning the #38 position. Read the full report on Glendale Community College Glendale Az
University Of Massachusetts Lowell ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best-value Behavioral Science schools. Get the full University Of Massachusetts Lowell report
New Jersey Institute Of Technology ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best-value Behavioral Science schools. Read more about New Jersey Institute Of Technology
Saint Louis University Main Campus placed #41 among the best-value Behavioral Science schools in the United States. Get the full Saint Louis University Main Campus report
Teachers College At Columbia University ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Behavioral Science schools. See the full Teachers College At Columbia University profile
Central Washington University ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best-value Behavioral Science schools. More on Central Washington University
Eastern Michigan University ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best-value Behavioral Science schools. Read the full report on Eastern Michigan University
Chaminade University Of Honolulu placed #45 among the best-value Behavioral Science schools in the United States. See the full Chaminade University Of Honolulu profile
Elizabethtown College offered strong value this year, earning the #46 position. Read more about Elizabethtown College
Concordia University Irvine ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best-value Behavioral Science schools. More on Concordia University Irvine
The University Of Montana Western offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. See the full The University Of Montana Western profile
San Jose State University landed the #49 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about San Jose State University
Rochester College offered strong value this year, earning the #50 position. See the full Rochester College profile
Best Value Behavioral Science Schools by Degree Level
Compare value rankings by 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 Grad Degree (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).
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