by our College Data Analytics Team
[Behavioral Sciences](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/behavioral-science/behavioral-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 22 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value behavioral sciences schools.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in behavioral sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in behavioral sciences, no school beat Clovis Community College this year. Located in the town of Clovis, Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,592, while out-of-state students pay about $3,344. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,082 in student loans. Early-career behavioral sciences graduates make about $44,390. Set against $11,082 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in behavioral sciences will find it at San Jacinto Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,490, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,264 in student loans. Behavioral Sciences graduates of San Jacinto Community College earn a median of $33,494 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hill College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in behavioral sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Hillsboro, Hill College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,862 in tuition and fees. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,250 in student loans. Early-career behavioral sciences graduates make about $39,212. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mohave Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in behavioral sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Kingman. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,208, with out-of-state students paying around $7,968. Typical student debt for behavioral sciences graduates is $14,766. Behavioral Sciences graduates of Mohave Community College earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. Set against $14,766 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Temple College one of the best values for behavioral sciences. Located in the city of Temple, Temple College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,000, while out-of-state students pay about $7,524. Students borrow a median of $16,617 to complete the behavioral sciences program here. Early-career behavioral sciences graduates make about $55,262. Set against $16,617 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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University Of Houston Clear Lake earned the #6 position for value in behavioral sciences this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,346 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,290. Typical student debt for behavioral sciences graduates is $27,224. Behavioral Sciences graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $32,986 early in their careers. Set against $27,224 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az earned the #7 position for value in behavioral sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,996 in student loans. Early-career behavioral sciences graduates make about $51,483. Set against $15,996 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Mountain Community College placed #8 among the best values for behavioral sciences. South Mountain Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,958. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,825.
University Of Phoenix Arizona came in at #9 for value in behavioral sciences this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,552. Students borrow a median of $38,643 to complete the behavioral sciences program here. Early-career behavioral sciences graduates make about $33,982. That is a strong return on a $38,643 median debt.
Murray State College came in at #10 for value in behavioral sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Tishomingo, Murray State College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,230, while out-of-state students pay about $11,430. Students borrow a median of $16,542 to complete the behavioral sciences program here. Soon after graduation, behavioral sciences degree recipients from Murray State College generally make around $43,916. That is a strong return on a $16,542 median debt.
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value behavioral sciences schools. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete the behavioral sciences program here. Behavioral Sciences graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $57,819 early in their careers. Set against $21,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Tulsa earned the #12 position for value in behavioral sciences this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, University Of Tulsa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $49,546. Typical student debt for behavioral sciences graduates is $23,638. Soon after graduation, behavioral sciences degree recipients from University Of Tulsa generally make around $66,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Tulsa admits about 62% of applicants.
Baylor University earned the #13 position for value in behavioral sciences this year. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $58,100 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for behavioral sciences graduates is $23,928. Soon after graduation, behavioral sciences degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $49,888. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 51%.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.