by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 123 U.S. colleges awarded 6,906 degrees and certificates in Behavioral Sciences. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 43% of graduates. College Factual ranks 65 schools in its 2027 Best Behavioral Sciences 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.
Studying Behavioral Sciences involves the study of Behavioral Sciences. A Program With A Combined Or Undifferentiated Focus On The Social Sciences, Psychology, And Biomedical Sciences To Study Complex Problems Of Human Individual And Social Growth And Behavior.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., behavioral sciences draws strong interest, with 6,906 degrees awarded annually. 123 colleges award behavioral sciences 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 sciences 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 Sciences 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 sciences schools within 16 states. In all, 123 colleges offer behavioral sciences programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Behavioral Sciences Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common behavioral sciences credential is the master’s degree: 2,972 of the 6,906 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to behavioral sciences 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.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a behavioral sciences 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 sciences, 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 Sciences, 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 Abnormal Psychology Teacher, I/O Psychology Professor (Industrial/Organizational Psychology Professor), Instructor and Faculty Member.
The occupation related to behavioral sciences 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 Sciences 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 sciences, 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 |
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