2026 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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong applied behavior analysis education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 166 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for applied behavior analysis students.
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2026 Best Value Applied Behavior Analysis Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in applied behavior analysis, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Applied Behavior Analysis Schools
Cuny Queens College earned the #1 spot for value among applied behavior analysis schools in the United States. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the applied behavior analysis program here. Early-career applied behavior analysis graduates make about $68,068. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in applied behavior analysis will find it at University Of South Florida Main Campus, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Early-career applied behavior analysis graduates make about $65,597. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value applied behavior analysis schools. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Early-career applied behavior analysis graduates make about $81,871. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
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. Students borrow a median of $17,492 to complete the applied behavior analysis program here. 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. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida Atlantic University earned it the #5 place for applied behavior analysis. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete the applied behavior analysis program here. Soon after graduation, applied behavior analysis degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $25,501. That is a strong return on a $13,500 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Dearborn landed the #6 spot for applied behavior analysis value this year. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for applied behavior analysis graduates is $26,516. Soon after graduation, applied behavior analysis degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $62,536. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
University Of Houston Clear Lake landed the #7 spot for applied behavior analysis value this year. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $8,346, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Typical student debt for applied behavior analysis graduates is $21,100. Soon after graduation, applied behavior analysis degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake generally make around $62,552. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Georgia ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value applied behavior analysis schools. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the applied behavior analysis program here. Soon after graduation, applied behavior analysis degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $64,962. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Eastern Kentucky University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value applied behavior analysis schools. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Typical student debt for applied behavior analysis graduates is $25,122. Soon after graduation, applied behavior analysis degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $43,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #10 position for value in applied behavior analysis this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Typical student debt for applied behavior analysis graduates is $23,312. Early-career applied behavior analysis graduates make about $62,131. That is a strong return on a $23,312 median debt. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value applied behavior analysis schools. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Typical student debt for applied behavior analysis graduates is $21,783. Soon after graduation, applied behavior analysis degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $48,906. Set against $21,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University San Antonio landed the #12 spot for applied behavior analysis value this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,654, while out-of-state students pay about $23,255. Students borrow a median of $22,771 to complete the applied behavior analysis program here. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates of Texas A And M University San Antonio earn a median of $45,681 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Arizona State University placed #13 among the best values for applied behavior analysis. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete the applied behavior analysis program here. Soon after graduation, applied behavior analysis degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $49,202. Set against $21,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana State University Shreveport earned the #14 position for value in applied behavior analysis this year. Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public school located in the city of Shreveport. In-state tuition and fees average $7,327. Students borrow a median of $28,907 to complete the applied behavior analysis program here. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates of Louisiana State University Shreveport earn a median of $45,300 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Monterey Bay landed the #15 spot for applied behavior analysis value this year. Set in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,779, while out-of-state students pay about $20,379. Students borrow a median of $14,622 to complete the applied behavior analysis program here. Soon after graduation, applied behavior analysis degree recipients from California State University Monterey Bay generally make around $49,032. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Monterey Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
Fresno Pacific University came in at #16 for value in applied behavior analysis this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,660. Typical student debt for applied behavior analysis graduates is $24,596. 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. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri St Louis placed #17 among the best values for applied behavior analysis. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates carry a median of $25,943 in student loans. Early-career applied behavior analysis graduates make about $56,723. That is a strong return on a $25,943 median debt. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
Suny Empire State College earned the #18 position for value in applied behavior analysis this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,648 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,558. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates carry a median of $23,693 in student loans. Early-career applied behavior analysis graduates make about $58,140. That is a strong return on a $23,693 median debt.
Wichita State University earned the #19 position for value in applied behavior analysis this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Typical student debt for applied behavior analysis graduates is $24,262. Soon after graduation, applied behavior analysis degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $49,278. That is a strong return on a $24,262 median debt. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of North Texas landed the #20 spot for applied behavior analysis value this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,583 to complete the applied behavior analysis program here. Soon after graduation, applied behavior analysis degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $54,808. That is a strong return on a $19,583 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Saint Cloud State University came in at #21 for value in applied behavior analysis this year. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Students borrow a median of $24,948 to complete the applied behavior analysis program here. Early-career applied behavior analysis graduates make about $57,888. That is a strong return on a $24,948 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Carlos Albizu University San Juan landed the #22 spot for applied behavior analysis value this year. Set in the city of San Juan, Carlos Albizu University San Juan is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $9,120 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, applied behavior analysis degree recipients from Carlos Albizu University San Juan generally make around $50,549. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Western Kentucky University came in at #23 for value in applied behavior analysis this year. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Typical student debt for applied behavior analysis graduates is $24,499. Soon after graduation, applied behavior analysis degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $44,778. Set against $24,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University placed #24 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Soon after graduation, applied behavior analysis degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $51,162. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 36%.
Wayne State University landed the #25 spot for applied behavior analysis value this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Typical student debt for applied behavior analysis graduates is $26,689. Early-career applied behavior analysis graduates make about $58,918. That is a strong return on a $26,689 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Applied Behavior Analysis Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s applied behavior analysis value ranking:
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 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 · 166 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 58 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.
