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