2026 Best Value Applied Behavior Analysis Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in applied behavior analysis, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Applied Behavior Analysis Schools
California State University Northridge earned the #1 spot for value among applied behavior analysis schools in the Far Western Region. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the applied behavior analysis program here. Soon after graduation, applied behavior analysis degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $81,871. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in applied behavior analysis will find it at California State University Sacramento, which ranked #2. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates carry a median of $17,492 in student loans. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $49,907 early in their careers. Set against $17,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Students looking for strong value in applied behavior analysis will find it at College Of Southern Nevada, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,358, with out-of-state students paying around $13,024. Typical student debt for applied behavior analysis graduates is $9,980. Soon after graduation, applied behavior analysis degree recipients from College Of Southern Nevada generally make around $35,850. That is a strong return on a $9,980 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Portland State University earned it the #4 place for applied behavior analysis. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,475 to complete the applied behavior analysis program here. Soon after graduation, applied behavior analysis degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $47,717. That is a strong return on a $26,475 median debt. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Fresno Pacific University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value applied behavior analysis schools. Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $36,660 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,596 to complete the applied behavior analysis program here. Early-career applied behavior analysis graduates make about $60,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
California State University Monterey Bay placed #6 among the best values for applied behavior analysis. Set in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,779 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,379. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates carry a median of $14,622 in student loans. Early-career applied behavior analysis graduates make about $49,032. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
San Diego State University landed the #7 spot for applied behavior analysis value this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,417 to complete the applied behavior analysis program here. Early-career applied behavior analysis graduates make about $51,162. Set against $16,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
Azusa Pacific University earned the #8 position for value in applied behavior analysis this year. Located in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $44,458. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates carry a median of $23,709 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied behavior analysis degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University generally make around $58,302. Set against $23,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Oregon Institute Of Technology earned the #9 position for value in applied behavior analysis this year. Set in the town of Klamath Falls, Oregon Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,260, compared with $37,196 for out-of-state students. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates carry a median of $38,546 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied behavior analysis degree recipients from Oregon Institute Of Technology generally make around $26,591. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Oregon ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value applied behavior analysis schools. University Of Oregon is a very large public school located in the city of Eugene. Students from in state pay about $15,320 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,516 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for applied behavior analysis graduates is $22,034. Early-career applied behavior analysis graduates make about $44,628. Set against $22,034 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
National University landed the #11 spot for applied behavior analysis value this year. National University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,284. Typical student debt for applied behavior analysis graduates is $30,426. Early-career applied behavior analysis graduates make about $57,834. That is a strong return on a $30,426 median debt.
Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System landed the #12 spot for applied behavior analysis value this year. Set in the suburb of Aliso Viejo, Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,540. Students borrow a median of $27,471 to complete the applied behavior analysis program here. Soon after graduation, applied behavior analysis degree recipients from Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System generally make around $65,898. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Southern California came in at #13 for value in applied behavior analysis this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied behavior analysis degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $71,497. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
Pepperdine University came in at #14 for value in applied behavior analysis this year. Located in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,918. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates carry a median of $23,645 in student loans. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates of Pepperdine University earn a median of $67,205 early in their careers. Set against $23,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
[Applied Behavior Analysis](/majors/psychology/clinical-counseling-applied-psychology/applied-behavior-analysis/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong applied behavior analysis education at a price that pays off.
