by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 123 U.S. colleges awarded 6,906 degrees and certificates in Behavioral Science. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 43% of graduates. College Factual ranks 65 schools in its 2027 Best Behavioral Science Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $39,462 one year after completing, rising to $49,303 after four years.
Behavioral Science involves the study of individual and social growth and behavior. This will be done through the social sciences, psychology, and biomedical sciences. This interdisciplinary major will teach you different perspectives on human behavior as you explore and interpret the human experience.
This major requires focus and determination for success. Students will take a variety of seemingly unrelated classes and work to connect thoughts and ideas across disciplines. The combination of subjects will allow you to better understand humans and their interactions.
A major in Behavioral Science covers Behavioral Sciences.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, behavioral science is a popular field of study, with 6,906 degrees awarded annually. 123 colleges award behavioral science degrees, an average of 56 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 1,719.
By level, the 6,906 awards include 56 certificates, 1,049 associate degrees, 2,625 bachelor’s degrees, 2,972 master’s degrees and 204 doctorates.
Women earned 80% of behavioral science degrees and certificates in the latest year (5,560 of 6,906). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (3,074) and Hispanic or Latino (1,612), and international students earned 430.
College Factual ranks 65 schools in its 2027 Best Behavioral Science Schools ranking, including 17 for associate degrees, 25 for bachelor’s degrees, 24 for master’s degrees and 2 for doctorates. It also ranks behavioral science schools within 16 states. In all, 123 colleges offer behavioral science programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Behavioral Science Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common behavioral science credential is the master’s degree: 2,972 of the 6,906 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to behavioral science call most for Reading Comprehension, Active Listening and Speaking, and for knowledge of English Language, Psychology and Education and Training, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
A major in Behavioral Sciences requires an interest in people. Students will go out into the field to interact with and observe people. You will also work to create and design tests and analyze results. Research and writing papers is a large part of this major. It is important for students to remain objective as they learn to observe the behavior and decision making of an individual.
In addition to working with people, you will also be spending a lot of time analyzing data, crunching numbers and performing experiments in the lab. Students should be comfortable with math, science and writing lab reports.
Curiosity and a desire for objective truth will help you succeed in this major. Work on your listening skills as you learn from your peers, professors and other people. Develop excellent communication skills in order to help you in a future career.
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How long a behavioral science degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 56 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1,049 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 2,625 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 2,972 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 204 |
Post-doctoral training is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to behavioral science, at 39.2%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Post-doctoral training | 39.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 26.7% |
| Master’s degree | 15.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 14.5% |
| Some college courses | 1.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.0% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
10 occupations are related to Behavioral Science, with an average median salary of $77,697; the strongest outlook belongs to Social and Community Service Managers, at 13.3% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Psychology Faculty Member, Human Relations Teacher, Educational Psychology Teacher and Child Development Instructor.
A degree in Behavioral Sciences will prepare you to work in many different careers because of your broad set of skills. Graduates are often found working in healthcare facilities and hospitals. Private companies also hire Behavioral Scientists as coaches, analysts, and marketers. You may also work in a private treatment practice.
The occupation related to behavioral science with the most projected jobs is Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary, at 513,614.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary | 513,614 | -3.0% |
| Clinical Neuropsychologists | 216,013 | 8.9% |
| Neuropsychologists | 186,493 | 6.5% |
| Social and Community Service Managers | 181,916 | 13.3% |
| Social Science Research Assistants | 153,535 | 4.7% |
| Life Scientists, All Other | 151,522 | -2.5% |
| Transportation Planners | 43,539 | 4.1% |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | 38,623 | 13.1% |
Behavioral Science graduates earn a median $39,462 one year after completing their program, $49,303 after four years and $43,025 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $39,462 |
| 4 years | $49,303 |
| 5 years | $43,025 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to behavioral science, with a median salary of $156,089.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Social and Community Service Managers | $156,089 |
| Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary | $98,479 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $97,541 |
| Neuropsychologists | $83,690 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $75,358 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $73,521 |
| Clinical Neuropsychologists | $57,643 |
| Transportation Planners | $50,855 |
Behavioral Science includes 1 concentration; by graduates, the largest is Behavioral Sciences (6,906). It has 48 similar majors in the Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies field, which together award 143,516 degrees a year; the largest are Biological and Physical Sciences (29,811), Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (29,665) and Data Analytics (17,572). Browse all Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Behavioral Sciences | 6,906 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Biological and Physical Sciences | 29,811 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 29,665 |
| Data Analytics | 17,572 |
| Data Science | 11,772 |
| MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES | 11,175 |
| International/Globalization Studies | 5,644 |
| Nutrition Sciences | 5,569 |
| Sustainability Studies | 4,567 |
| Cognitive Science | 3,911 |
| Natural Sciences | 3,002 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
