2026 Best Value Behavioral Science Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the behavioral science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Behavioral Science Schools
California State University Dominguez Hills tops our 2026 list of the best value behavioral science schools in the Far Western Region. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Behavioral Science graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. Behavioral Science 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Imperial Valley College earned it the #2 place for behavioral science. Set in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,126, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. Typical student debt for behavioral science graduates is $6,176. Early-career behavioral science graduates make about $42,617. Set against $6,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chabot College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in behavioral science, landing the #3 spot this year. Chabot College is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, compared with $8,686 for out-of-state students. Behavioral Science graduates carry a median of $14,122 in student loans. Soon after graduation, behavioral science degree recipients from Chabot College generally make around $85,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
American River College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value behavioral science schools. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the behavioral science program here. Behavioral Science graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. 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 science. 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, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for behavioral science graduates is $21,754. Soon after graduation, behavioral science 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 ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value behavioral science schools. 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, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #7 for value in behavioral science 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. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the behavioral science program here. Behavioral Science 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.
Life Pacific College landed the #8 spot for behavioral science value this year. Located in the suburb of San Dimas, Life Pacific College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,118. Behavioral Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career behavioral science graduates make about $29,830. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Ashford University landed the #9 spot for behavioral science 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. Students borrow a median of $51,388 to complete the behavioral science program here. Behavioral Science graduates of Ashford University earn a median of $37,661 early in their careers. Set against $51,388 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Concordia University Irvine ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value behavioral science schools. Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,480. Students borrow a median of $24,583 to complete the behavioral science program here. Behavioral Science graduates of Concordia University Irvine earn a median of $31,899 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
George Fox University came in at #11 for value in behavioral science this year. Located in the town of Newberg, George Fox University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,320. Students borrow a median of $30,813 to complete the behavioral science program here. Behavioral Science graduates of George Fox University earn a median of $34,613 early in their careers. Set against $30,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. George Fox University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Southern California landed the #12 spot for behavioral science value this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete the behavioral science program here. Early-career behavioral science graduates make about $75,677. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 10%.
Narrow Behavioral Science Schools by State
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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.
[Behavioral Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/behavioral-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong behavioral science education at a price that pays off.
