by our College Data Analytics TeamBehavioral Science involves the study of individual and social growth and behavior. This will be done through the social sciences, psychology, and biomedical sciences. This interdisciplinary major will teach you different perspectives on human behavior as you explore and interpret the human experience.
This major requires focus and determination for success. Students will take a variety of seemingly unrelated classes and work to connect thoughts and ideas across disciplines. The combination of subjects will allow you to better understand humans and their interactions.
A major in Behavioral Science covers Behavioral Sciences. Read on to learn the essential details every behavioral science student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering behavioral science programs.
Nationwide, behavioral science is a popular field of study, with 5,391 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Behavioral Science Schools ranking analyzes these 117 schools to determine the best overall colleges for behavioral science students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of behavioral science programs later in this article.
Coursework for Behavioral Science build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations behavioral science graduates commonly enter.
A major in Behavioral Sciences requires an interest in people. Students will go out into the field to interact with and observe people. You will also work to create and design tests and analyze results. Research and writing papers is a large part of this major. It is important for students to remain objective as they learn to observe the behavior and decision making of an individual.
In addition to working with people, you will also be spending a lot of time analyzing data, crunching numbers and performing experiments in the lab. Students should be comfortable with math, science and writing lab reports.
Curiosity and a desire for objective truth will help you succeed in this major. Work on your listening skills as you learn from your peers, professors and other people. Develop excellent communication skills in order to help you in a future career.
The skill set built by a behavioral science program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a behavioral science major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several behavioral science 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 | 47 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 887 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,881 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 2,382 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 194 |
People currently working in careers related to behavioral science tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Post-doctoral training | 39.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 26.7% |
| Master’s degree | 15.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 14.5% |
| Some college courses | 1.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.0% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.2% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in behavioral science careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in Behavioral Sciences will prepare you to work in many different careers because of your broad set of skills. Graduates are often found working in healthcare facilities and hospitals. Private companies also hire Behavioral Scientists as coaches, analysts, and marketers. You may also work in a private treatment practice.
Majoring in behavioral science can lead to numerous career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to behavioral science.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to behavioral science.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary | 513,614 | -3.0% |
| Clinical Neuropsychologists | 216,013 | 8.9% |
| Neuropsychologists | 186,493 | 6.5% |
| Social and Community Service Managers | 181,916 | 13.3% |
| Social Science Research Assistants | 153,535 | 4.7% |
| Life Scientists, All Other | 151,522 | -2.5% |
| Transportation Planners | 43,539 | 4.1% |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | 38,623 | 13.1% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of behavioral science graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $39,033 |
| 4 years | $37,486 |
| 5 years | $43,291 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for behavioral science graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers behavioral science grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Social and Community Service Managers | $156,089 |
| Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary | $98,479 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $97,541 |
| Neuropsychologists | $83,690 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $75,358 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $73,521 |
| Clinical Neuropsychologists | $57,643 |
| Transportation Planners | $50,855 |
With 117 different behavioral science programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased behavioral science school rankings to help you.
Students interested in behavioral science, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Behavioral Sciences | 5,391 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 30,141 |
| Biological and Physical Sciences | 28,033 |
| Data Analytics | 12,891 |
| MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES | 10,355 |
| Data Science | 7,716 |
| International/Globalization Studies | 5,740 |
| Nutrition Sciences | 5,456 |
| Sustainability Studies | 4,374 |
| Cognitive Science | 3,121 |
| Natural Sciences | 2,648 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
