2027 Best Value Applied Behavior Analysis Master’s Degree Schools
[Applied Behavior Analysis](/majors/psychology/clinical-counseling-applied-psychology/applied-behavior-analysis/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 120 schools to find the best return on investment for applied behavior analysis students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Applied Behavior Analysis Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the applied behavior analysis degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Applied Behavior Analysis Schools
For return on investment in applied behavior analysis, no school beat Cuny Queens College this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Early-career applied behavior analysis graduates make about $68,068. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Northridge one of the best values for applied behavior analysis. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of South Florida Main Campus one of the best values for applied behavior analysis. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for applied behavior analysis graduates is $21,829. Soon after graduation, applied behavior analysis degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $65,597. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Sacramento earned it the #4 place for applied behavior analysis. 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, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for applied behavior analysis graduates is $17,492. Soon after graduation, applied behavior analysis degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $49,907. That is a strong return on a $17,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Utah Valley University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value applied behavior analysis schools. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Michigan Dearborn earned the #6 position for value in applied behavior analysis this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Typical student debt for applied behavior analysis graduates is $26,516. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $62,536 early in their careers. Set against $26,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University San Antonio came in at #7 for value in applied behavior analysis this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,654, compared with $23,255 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for applied behavior analysis graduates is $22,771. Early-career applied behavior analysis graduates make about $45,681. Set against $22,771 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Georgia earned the #8 position for value in applied behavior analysis this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for applied behavior analysis graduates is $21,792. Early-career applied behavior analysis graduates make about $64,962. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #9 spot for applied behavior analysis value this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,312 to complete the applied behavior analysis program here. Early-career applied behavior analysis graduates make about $62,131. Set against $23,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
California State University Monterey Bay came in at #10 for value in applied behavior analysis this year. Set in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,779, with out-of-state students paying around $20,379. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates carry a median of $14,622 in student loans. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates of California State University Monterey Bay earn a median of $49,032 early in their careers. Set against $14,622 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Fresno Pacific University came in at #11 for value in applied behavior analysis this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,660. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates carry a median of $24,596 in student loans. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates of Fresno Pacific University earn a median of $60,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana State University Shreveport earned the #12 position for value in applied behavior analysis this year. Located in the city of Shreveport, Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,327. Students borrow a median of $28,907 to complete the applied behavior analysis program here. Soon after graduation, applied behavior analysis degree recipients from Louisiana State University Shreveport generally make around $45,300. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Louisiana State University Shreveport admits about 50% of applicants.
Suny Empire State College earned the #13 position for value in applied behavior analysis this year. Suny Empire State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,648, with out-of-state students paying around $17,558. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates carry a median of $23,693 in student loans. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $58,140 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wayne State University came in at #14 for value in applied behavior analysis this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Students borrow a median of $26,689 to complete the applied behavior analysis program here. Soon after graduation, applied behavior analysis degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $58,918. Set against $26,689 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha came in at #15 for value in applied behavior analysis this year. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates carry a median of $21,783 in student loans. Early-career applied behavior analysis graduates make about $48,906. Set against $21,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Vanderbilt University earned the #16 position for value in applied behavior analysis this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Typical student debt for applied behavior analysis graduates is $13,975. Soon after graduation, applied behavior analysis degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Saint Cloud State University came in at #17 for value in applied behavior analysis this year. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,245. Typical student debt for applied behavior analysis graduates is $24,948. Soon after graduation, applied behavior analysis degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $57,888. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University placed #18 among the best values for applied behavior analysis. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Typical student debt for applied behavior analysis graduates is $16,417. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $51,162 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
Northern Arizona University landed the #19 spot for applied behavior analysis value this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans. Early-career applied behavior analysis graduates make about $47,056. That is a strong return on a $21,645 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University landed the #20 spot for applied behavior analysis value this year. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Typical student debt for applied behavior analysis graduates is $25,122. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $43,891 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,122 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Buffalo ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value applied behavior analysis schools. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $8,533 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates carry a median of $25,257 in student loans. Early-career applied behavior analysis graduates make about $39,412. That is a strong return on a $25,257 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
National Louis University came in at #22 for value in applied behavior analysis this year. Set in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,245. Typical student debt for applied behavior analysis graduates is $29,242. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates of National Louis University earn a median of $48,351 early in their careers. Set against $29,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Carlos Albizu University San Juan came in at #23 for value in applied behavior analysis this year. Carlos Albizu University San Juan is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Juan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,120. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates of Carlos Albizu University San Juan earn a median of $50,549 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Mary Baldwin College placed #24 among the best values for applied behavior analysis. Mary Baldwin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Staunton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,187. Typical student debt for applied behavior analysis graduates is $29,562. Soon after graduation, applied behavior analysis degree recipients from Mary Baldwin College generally make around $60,386. Set against $29,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bay Path College came in at #25 for value in applied behavior analysis this year. Set in the suburb of Longmeadow, Bay Path College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,302. Typical student debt for applied behavior analysis graduates is $29,811. Soon after graduation, applied behavior analysis degree recipients from Bay Path College generally make around $65,008. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bay Path College admits about 85% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Applied Behavior Analysis Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in applied behavior analysis:
Other Applied Behavior Analysis Degree Levels
Explore the best-value applied behavior analysis schools at other degree levels:
View All Applied Behavior Analysis Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 120 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 120 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.
