2026 Best Behavioral Science Schools in California
Behavioral Science programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 20 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for behavioral science students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Behavioral Science in California
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the behavioral science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Behavioral Science
Leading the list is University Of Southern California, our #1 school for behavioral science. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 behavioral science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, behavioral science degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $75,677. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in behavioral science from University Of Southern California
A rank of #2 makes San Jose State University one of the top schools for behavioral science. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. About 38 behavioral science degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year.
Get the full behavioral science details for San Jose State University
Concordia University Irvine came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best behavioral science schools. Located in the city of Irvine, Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 19 behavioral science degrees were awarded at Concordia University Irvine in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, behavioral science degree recipients from Concordia University Irvine generally make around $31,899. Students borrow a median of $24,583 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in behavioral science from Concordia University Irvine
A rank of #4 makes California State University Dominguez Hills one of the top schools for behavioral science. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Roughly 43% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Dominguez Hills awarded about 19 behavioral science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the behavioral science program make about $52,683 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete this degree.
Read more about the behavioral science program at California State University Dominguez Hills
Imperial Valley College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in behavioral science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public institution. Imperial Valley College awarded about 163 behavioral science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the behavioral science program make about $42,617 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $6,176.
Read more about the behavioral science program at Imperial Valley College
Chabot College came in at #6 for behavioral science this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public institution. There were roughly 13 behavioral science students who graduated with this degree at Chabot College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the behavioral science program make about $85,175 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,122.
See the full behavioral science program report for Chabot College
American River College earned the #7 position for behavioral science this year. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. American River College awarded about 27 behavioral science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their behavioral science degree from American River College earn around $76,077 in the first couple years of their career. American River College graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans.
More information about a degree in behavioral science from American River College
Life Pacific College came in at #8 for behavioral science this year. Set in the suburb of San Dimas, Life Pacific College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 38% of students finish within six years. Life Pacific College awarded about 19 behavioral science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, behavioral science degree recipients from Life Pacific College generally make around $29,830. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full behavioral science program report for Life Pacific College
Ashford University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best behavioral science schools. Ashford University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Roughly 10% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 151 behavioral science students who graduated with this degree at Ashford University in the most recent data year. Behavioral Science graduates of Ashford University earn a median of $37,661 early in their careers. Ashford University graduates carry a median of $51,388 in student loans.
See the full behavioral science program report for Ashford University
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 20 schools evaluated.
- 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.
