2026 Best Value Behavioral Sciences Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Behavioral Sciences](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/behavioral-science/behavioral-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find the best return on investment for behavioral sciences students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Behavioral Sciences Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the behavioral sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Behavioral Sciences Schools
For return on investment in behavioral sciences, no school beat University Of Kansas this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, behavioral sciences degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $36,206. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Iowa earned it the #2 place for behavioral sciences. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,463 to complete the behavioral sciences program here. Soon after graduation, behavioral sciences degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $57,375. Set against $24,463 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
A rank of #3 makes Washington University In St Louis one of the best values for behavioral sciences. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Behavioral Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Behavioral Sciences graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $67,122 early in their careers. Set against $17,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Students looking for strong value in behavioral sciences will find it at Missouri Baptist University, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Missouri Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,122. Typical student debt for behavioral sciences graduates is $26,400. Behavioral Sciences graduates of Missouri Baptist University earn a median of $30,147 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
