2027 Best Value Behavioral Science Schools in California
[Behavioral Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/behavioral-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong behavioral science education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for behavioral science students.
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2027 Best Value Behavioral Science Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in behavioral science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Behavioral Science Schools
Imperial Valley College tops our 2027 list of the best value behavioral science schools in California. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Typical student debt for behavioral science graduates is $6,176. Behavioral Science graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $42,617 early in their careers. Set against $6,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value behavioral science schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the behavioral science program here. 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.
Students looking for strong value in behavioral science will find it at American River College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Typical student debt for behavioral science graduates is $14,105. Early-career behavioral science graduates make about $76,077. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of California Berkeley is a great value for students pursuing a degree in behavioral science, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for behavioral science graduates is $14,238. Behavioral Science 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. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in behavioral science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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 California Santa Cruz ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value behavioral science schools. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,035, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the behavioral science program here. Early-career behavioral science graduates make about $28,709. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Life Pacific College came in at #7 for value in behavioral science this year. Set in the suburb of San Dimas, Life Pacific College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,118. Behavioral Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career behavioral science graduates make about $29,830. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Concordia University Irvine came in at #8 for value in behavioral science this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,480. Typical student debt for behavioral science graduates is $24,583. Soon after graduation, behavioral science degree recipients from Concordia University Irvine generally make around $31,899. That is a strong return on a $24,583 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
More Behavioral Science Rankings
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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 · 8 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.
