2026 Best Value Applied Behavior Analysis Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in applied behavior analysis, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Applied Behavior Analysis Schools
Leading the list is California State University Northridge, our #1 best value for applied behavior analysis in California. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $81,871 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento is a great value for students pursuing a degree in applied behavior analysis, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Students borrow a median of $17,492 to complete the applied behavior analysis program here. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $49,907 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Fresno Pacific University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value applied behavior analysis schools. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,660. Students borrow a median of $24,596 to complete the applied behavior analysis program here. Soon after graduation, applied behavior analysis degree recipients from Fresno Pacific University generally make around $60,890. That is a strong return on a $24,596 median debt. Fresno Pacific University admits about 64% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Monterey Bay earned it the #4 place for applied behavior analysis. California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Seaside. Students from in state pay about $7,779 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,379. Students borrow a median of $14,622 to complete the applied behavior analysis program here. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates of California State University Monterey Bay earn a median of $49,032 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Diego State University earned it the #5 place for applied behavior analysis. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates carry a median of $16,417 in student loans. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $51,162 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,417 median debt. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
Azusa Pacific University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value applied behavior analysis schools. Located in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,458. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates carry a median of $23,709 in student loans. Early-career applied behavior analysis graduates make about $58,302. Set against $23,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
National University placed #7 among the best values for applied behavior analysis. National University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $13,284 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for applied behavior analysis graduates is $30,426. Soon after graduation, applied behavior analysis degree recipients from National University generally make around $57,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System placed #8 among the best values for applied behavior analysis. Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a large public school located in the suburb of Aliso Viejo. In-state tuition and fees average $12,540. Typical student debt for applied behavior analysis graduates is $27,471. Early-career applied behavior analysis graduates make about $65,898. Set against $27,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Southern California placed #9 among the best values for applied behavior analysis. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Typical student debt for applied behavior analysis graduates is $15,625. Early-career applied behavior analysis graduates make about $71,497. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
Pepperdine University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value applied behavior analysis schools. Located in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $69,918. Students borrow a median of $23,645 to complete the applied behavior analysis program here. Early-career applied behavior analysis graduates make about $67,205. That is a strong return on a $23,645 median debt. Pepperdine University admits about 63% of applicants.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
