2027 Best Value Behavioral Sciences Master’s Degree Schools
[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 24 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value behavioral sciences schools.
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2027 Best Value Behavioral Sciences Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in behavioral sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Behavioral Sciences Schools
For return on investment in behavioral sciences, no school beat University Of California Berkeley this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Behavioral Sciences graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $70,847 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the best values for behavioral sciences. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Typical student debt for behavioral sciences graduates is $15,117. Soon after graduation, behavioral sciences degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $61,361. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 15%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Global earned it the #3 place for behavioral sciences. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,101, compared with $14,412 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $36,778 to complete the behavioral sciences program here. Behavioral Sciences graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $47,857 early in their careers. Set against $36,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Washington Seattle Campus one of the best values for behavioral sciences. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Behavioral Sciences graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $68,047 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Eastern Washington University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value behavioral sciences schools. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,586 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,754 in student loans. Behavioral Sciences graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $47,144 early in their careers. Set against $21,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Baltimore came in at #6 for value in behavioral sciences this year. University Of Baltimore is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $23,984 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for behavioral sciences graduates is $29,681. Early-career behavioral sciences graduates make about $56,837. That is a strong return on a $29,681 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Western Illinois University placed #7 among the best values for behavioral sciences. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Typical student debt for behavioral sciences graduates is $27,639. Early-career behavioral sciences graduates make about $47,926. That is a strong return on a $27,639 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Carroll University earned the #8 position for value in behavioral sciences this year. Located in the city of Waukesha, Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,890 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,904 to complete the behavioral sciences program here. Early-career behavioral sciences graduates make about $52,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Carroll University admits about 67% of applicants.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value behavioral sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,256, while out-of-state students pay about $31,225. Typical student debt for behavioral sciences graduates is $21,331. Early-career behavioral sciences graduates make about $49,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland Baltimore County admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell came in at #10 for value in behavioral sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,966, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. Students borrow a median of $25,574 to complete the behavioral sciences program here. Soon after graduation, behavioral sciences degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $66,985. That is a strong return on a $25,574 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
University Of Kansas earned the #11 position for value in behavioral sciences this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Typical student debt for behavioral sciences graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, behavioral sciences degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $36,206. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Pittsburg State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value behavioral sciences schools. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,744 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for behavioral sciences graduates is $22,669. Behavioral Sciences graduates of Pittsburg State University earn a median of $50,003 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pittsburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University earned the #13 position for value in behavioral sciences this year. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. In-state tuition and fees average $16,990. Students borrow a median of $28,781 to complete the behavioral sciences program here. Behavioral Sciences graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $47,887 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,781 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Daemen College came in at #14 for value in behavioral sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Amherst, Daemen College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,218. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $28,358 in student loans. Behavioral Sciences graduates of Daemen College earn a median of $63,542 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,358 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis earned the #15 position for value in behavioral sciences this year. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete the behavioral sciences program here. Behavioral Sciences graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $66,574 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
Yale University earned the #16 position for value in behavioral sciences this year. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,250. Typical student debt for behavioral sciences graduates is $14,357. Soon after graduation, behavioral sciences degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $74,578. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa placed #17 among the best values for behavioral sciences. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,463 in student loans. Behavioral Sciences graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $57,375 early in their careers. Set against $24,463 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #18 for value in behavioral sciences this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,120 to complete the behavioral sciences program here. Soon after graduation, behavioral sciences degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $58,402. Set against $25,120 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Brown University came in at #19 for value in behavioral sciences this year. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $71,312. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,025 in student loans. Soon after graduation, behavioral sciences degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $62,820. That is a strong return on a $13,025 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #20 spot for behavioral sciences value this year. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Behavioral Sciences graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $82,577 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Hofstra University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value behavioral sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Hempstead, Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,660. Students borrow a median of $24,848 to complete the behavioral sciences program here. Behavioral Sciences graduates of Hofstra University earn a median of $55,705 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,848 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Endicott College earned the #22 position for value in behavioral sciences this year. Endicott College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Beverly. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,650. Typical student debt for behavioral sciences graduates is $25,973. Soon after graduation, behavioral sciences degree recipients from Endicott College generally make around $55,361. Set against $25,973 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Endicott College admits about 71% of applicants.
Baylor University landed the #23 spot for behavioral sciences value this year. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,100. Students borrow a median of $23,928 to complete the behavioral sciences program here. Soon after graduation, behavioral sciences degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $49,888. That is a strong return on a $23,928 median debt. Baylor University admits about 51% of applicants.
Teachers College At Columbia University landed the #24 spot for behavioral sciences value this year. Located in the city of New York, Teachers College At Columbia University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Soon after graduation, behavioral sciences degree recipients from Teachers College At Columbia University generally make around $68,822.
Other Behavioral Sciences Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Behavioral Sciences rankings across degree levels:
View All Behavioral Sciences Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
