by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Organizational Behavior Studies explores Organizational Behavior Studies. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of The Behavior And Motivations Of Individuals Functioning In Organized Groups, And Its Application To Business And Industrial Settings. Includes Instruction In Organization Theory, Industrial And Organizational Psychology, Social Psychology, Sociology Of Organizations, Reinforcement And Incentive Theory, Employee Relations Strategies, Organizational Power And Influence, Organization Stratification And Hierarchy, Leadership Styles, And Applications Of Operations Research And Other Methodologies To Organizational Analysis. Continue reading for the essential details every organizational behavior studies major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering organizational behavior studies programs.
Nationwide, organizational behavior studies draws strong interest, with 3,447 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Organizational Behavior Studies Schools ranking analyzes these 112 schools to determine the best overall colleges for organizational behavior studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of organizational behavior studies programs later in this article.
Programs in Organizational Behavior Studies build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations organizational behavior studies graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a organizational behavior studies program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a organizational behavior studies major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several organizational behavior studies degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 5 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 102 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,813 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,311 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 201 |
People currently working in careers related to organizational behavior studies tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 62.4% |
| Master’s degree | 16.6% |
| Doctoral degree | 7.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 6.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 3.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.5% |
| Some college courses | 1.1% |
| First professional degree | 0.1% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in organizational behavior studies careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in organizational behavior studies prepares you for a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to organizational behavior studies.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to organizational behavior studies.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Human Resources Specialists | 405,890 | 11.8% |
| Human Resources Managers | 404,262 | -3.6% |
| Training and Development Managers | 394,938 | -0.4% |
| Compensation and Benefits Managers | 255,286 | 6.5% |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | 181,317 | 10.6% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of organizational behavior studies graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $56,722 |
| 4 years | $57,321 |
| 5 years | $65,449 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for organizational behavior studies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers organizational behavior studies grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Training and Development Managers | $139,524 |
| Compensation and Benefits Managers | $107,570 |
| Human Resources Managers | $95,702 |
| Human Resources Specialists | $90,840 |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $80,576 |
With 112 different organizational behavior studies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased organizational behavior studies school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in organizational behavior studies, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General | 17,602 |
| Human Resources Development | 1,604 |
| Labor and Industrial Relations | 1,540 |
| Human Resources Management and Services, Other | 950 |
| Labor Studies | 180 |
| Executive/Career Coaching | 101 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
