2026 Best Value Behavioral Sciences Schools in the Far Western Region
[Behavioral Sciences](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/behavioral-science/behavioral-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 27 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value behavioral sciences schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Behavioral Sciences Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in behavioral sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Behavioral Sciences Schools
Our analysis ranked California State University Dominguez Hills the best value for a degree in behavioral sciences in the Far Western Region. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. Behavioral Sciences graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in behavioral sciences will find it at Imperial Valley College, which ranked #2. Set in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,126, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Behavioral Sciences graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $42,617 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chabot College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in behavioral sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Chabot College is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,686. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,122 in student loans. Behavioral Sciences graduates of Chabot College earn a median of $85,175 early in their careers. Set against $14,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes American River College one of the best values for behavioral sciences. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the behavioral sciences program here. Soon after graduation, behavioral sciences degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Eastern Washington University one of the best values for behavioral sciences. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,586, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Typical student debt for behavioral sciences graduates is $21,754. Soon after graduation, behavioral sciences degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $47,144. That is a strong return on a $21,754 median debt. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
San Jose State University landed the #6 spot for behavioral sciences value this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #7 for value in behavioral sciences this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for behavioral sciences graduates is $16,481. Soon after graduation, behavioral sciences degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $68,047. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Life Pacific College placed #8 among the best values for behavioral sciences. Located in the suburb of San Dimas, Life Pacific College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,118. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the behavioral sciences program here. Soon after graduation, behavioral sciences degree recipients from Life Pacific College generally make around $29,830. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Ashford University came in at #9 for value in behavioral sciences this year. Set in the city of San Diego, Ashford University is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,960. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $51,388 in student loans. Early-career behavioral sciences graduates make about $37,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Concordia University Irvine landed the #10 spot for behavioral sciences value this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,480. Typical student debt for behavioral sciences graduates is $24,583. Early-career behavioral sciences graduates make about $31,899. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Concordia University Irvine admits about 66% of applicants.
George Fox University earned the #11 position for value in behavioral sciences this year. Set in the town of Newberg, George Fox University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,320. Students borrow a median of $30,813 to complete the behavioral sciences program here. Soon after graduation, behavioral sciences degree recipients from George Fox University generally make around $34,613. Set against $30,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Southern California ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value behavioral sciences schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Typical student debt for behavioral sciences graduates is $15,625. Early-career behavioral sciences graduates make about $75,677. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
Narrow Behavioral Sciences Schools by State
More Behavioral Sciences Rankings
View All Behavioral Sciences Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
