2027 Best Value Behavioral Science Schools in the The Plains States Region

[Behavioral Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/behavioral-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for behavioral science students.
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2027 Best Value Behavioral Science Schools in the The Plains States 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
University Of Kansas tops our 2027 list of the best value behavioral science schools in the The Plains States Region. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the behavioral science program here. Behavioral Science graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $36,206 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Pittsburg State University one of the best values for behavioral science. Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pittsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400, compared with $19,744 for out-of-state students. Behavioral Science graduates carry a median of $22,669 in student loans. Early-career behavioral science graduates make about $50,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pittsburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Washington University In St Louis earned it the #3 place for behavioral science. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Behavioral Science graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Soon after graduation, behavioral science degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $67,122. That is a strong return on a $17,553 median debt. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Iowa one of the best values for behavioral science. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. 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.
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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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.