2026 Best Value Behavioral Sciences Master’s Degree Schools
[Behavioral Sciences](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/behavioral-science/behavioral-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 145 schools to find the best return on investment for behavioral sciences students.
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2026 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
Our analysis ranked University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill the best value for a degree in behavioral sciences in the United States. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical student debt for behavioral sciences graduates is $15,117. Early-career behavioral sciences graduates make about $61,361. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Washington Seattle Campus one of the best values for behavioral sciences. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. 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. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Eastern Washington University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in behavioral sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,586, while out-of-state students pay about $26,583. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,754 in student loans. Early-career behavioral sciences graduates make about $47,144. Set against $21,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Students looking for strong value in behavioral sciences will find it at Western Illinois University, which ranked #4. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,639 in student loans. Early-career behavioral sciences graduates make about $47,926. That is a strong return on a $27,639 median debt. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
Purdue University Global came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value behavioral sciences schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,101 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. Students borrow a median of $36,778 to complete the behavioral sciences program here. Early-career behavioral sciences graduates make about $47,857. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Kansas landed the #6 spot for behavioral sciences value this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the behavioral sciences program here. Early-career behavioral sciences graduates make about $36,206. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County came in at #7 for value in behavioral sciences this year. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,256, compared with $31,225 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,331 to complete the behavioral sciences program here. Soon after graduation, behavioral sciences degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore County generally make around $49,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Baltimore came in at #8 for value in behavioral sciences this year. University Of Baltimore is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $23,984. Students borrow a median of $29,681 to complete the behavioral sciences program here. Soon after graduation, behavioral sciences degree recipients from University Of Baltimore generally make around $56,837. Set against $29,681 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Daemen College placed #9 among the best values for behavioral sciences. Daemen College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Amherst. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,218. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $28,358 in student loans. Early-career behavioral sciences graduates make about $63,542. That is a strong return on a $28,358 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell landed the #10 spot for behavioral sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,966, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $25,574 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Washington University In St Louis placed #11 among the best values for behavioral sciences. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,790. Typical student debt for behavioral sciences graduates is $17,553. 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. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Rowan University placed #12 among the best values for behavioral sciences. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. In-state tuition and fees average $16,574, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,488 in student loans. Soon after graduation, behavioral sciences degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $68,802. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Iowa landed the #13 spot for behavioral sciences value this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,463 in student loans. Soon after graduation, behavioral sciences degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $57,375. That is a strong return on a $24,463 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Carroll University came in at #14 for value in behavioral sciences this year. Set in the city of Waukesha, Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,890. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,904 in student loans. Early-career behavioral sciences graduates make about $52,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Yale University landed the #15 spot for behavioral sciences value this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. 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. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Pennsylvania placed #16 among the best values for behavioral sciences. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Hofstra University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value behavioral sciences schools. Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hempstead. In-state tuition and fees average $57,660. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,848 in student loans. 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 ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value behavioral sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Beverly, Endicott College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,650. Typical student debt for behavioral sciences graduates is $25,973. Behavioral Sciences graduates of Endicott College earn a median of $55,361 early in their careers. Set against $25,973 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Baylor University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value behavioral sciences schools. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,100. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,928 in student loans. Early-career behavioral sciences graduates make about $49,888. That is a strong return on a $23,928 median debt. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted.
Teachers College At Columbia University earned the #20 position for value in behavioral sciences this year. Set in the city of New York, Teachers College At Columbia University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. 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
This ranking is produced 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 · 145 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
