by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Behavioral Sciences involves the study of Behavioral Sciences. A Program With A Combined Or Undifferentiated Focus On The Social Sciences, Psychology, And Biomedical Sciences To Study Complex Problems Of Human Individual And Social Growth And Behavior. Continue reading for the important information every behavioral sciences major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering behavioral sciences programs.
In the U.S., behavioral sciences draws strong interest, with 5,391 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Behavioral Sciences Schools ranking analyzes these 117 schools to determine the best overall colleges for behavioral sciences students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of behavioral sciences programs later in this article.
Coursework for Behavioral Sciences develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations behavioral sciences graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a behavioral sciences program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a behavioral sciences major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several behavioral sciences 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 sciences 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 sciences careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in behavioral sciences can lead to a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to behavioral sciences.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to behavioral sciences.
| 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% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of behavioral sciences graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb 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 sciences graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers behavioral sciences 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 sciences programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased behavioral sciences school rankings to help you.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
