2026 Best Value Behavioral Sciences Schools in California
[Behavioral Sciences](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/behavioral-science/behavioral-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 20 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for behavioral sciences students.
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2026 Best Value Behavioral Sciences Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in behavioral sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Behavioral Sciences Schools
Leading the list is California State University Dominguez Hills, our #1 best value for behavioral sciences in California. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Typical student debt for behavioral sciences graduates is $15,886. Soon after graduation, behavioral sciences degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $52,683. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. 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. Imperial Valley College is a large public school located in the rural area of Imperial. Students from in state pay about $1,126 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Soon after graduation, behavioral sciences degree recipients from Imperial Valley College generally make around $42,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Chabot College earned it the #3 place for behavioral sciences. Set in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $8,686. Typical student debt for behavioral sciences graduates is $14,122. 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.
American River College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in behavioral sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the behavioral sciences program here. Behavioral Sciences graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in behavioral sciences will find it at San Jose State University, which ranked #5. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Life Pacific College placed #6 among the best values for behavioral sciences. Life Pacific College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of San Dimas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,118. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the behavioral sciences program here. Behavioral Sciences graduates of Life Pacific College earn a median of $29,830 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Ashford University landed the #7 spot for behavioral sciences value this year. Located in the city of San Diego, Ashford University is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,960. Typical student debt for behavioral sciences graduates is $51,388. Soon after graduation, behavioral sciences degree recipients from Ashford University generally make around $37,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Concordia University Irvine earned the #8 position for value in behavioral sciences this year. Located in the city of Irvine, Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $43,480. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,583 in student loans. Behavioral Sciences graduates of Concordia University Irvine earn a median of $31,899 early in their careers. Set against $24,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Concordia University Irvine admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of Southern California placed #9 among the best values for behavioral sciences. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Typical student debt for behavioral sciences graduates is $15,625. Soon after graduation, behavioral sciences degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $75,677. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
