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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Behavioral Science Master’s Degree Schools

13 Colleges in the United States
$23,494 Avg Student Debt
$68,328 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Behavioral Science Master's Degree Badge [Behavioral Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/behavioral-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 145 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for behavioral science students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Behavioral Science Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in behavioral science, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Behavioral Science Schools

1

Our analysis ranked University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill the best value for a degree in behavioral science in the United States. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the behavioral science program here. Behavioral Science graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $61,361 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned it the #2 place for behavioral science. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the behavioral science program here. Early-career behavioral science graduates make about $68,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

3

Eastern Washington University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in behavioral science, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,586, while out-of-state students pay about $26,583. Typical student debt for behavioral science graduates is $21,754. Soon after graduation, behavioral science degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $47,144. Set against $21,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

4

A rank of #4 makes Western Illinois University one of the best values for behavioral science. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Behavioral Science graduates carry a median of $27,639 in student loans. Soon after graduation, behavioral science degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $47,926. Set against $27,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.

5
Purdue University Global crest
Purdue University Global
West Lafayette, IN

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Global earned it the #5 place for behavioral science. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,101, compared with $14,412 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $36,778 to complete the behavioral science program here. Behavioral Science graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $47,857 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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6
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas came in at #6 for value in behavioral science this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for behavioral science graduates is $25,000. Behavioral Science graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $36,206 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.

7

University Of Maryland Baltimore County placed #7 among the best values for behavioral science. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,256, with out-of-state students paying around $31,225. Behavioral Science graduates carry a median of $21,331 in student loans. Soon after graduation, behavioral science degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore County generally make around $49,179. That is a strong return on a $21,331 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

8

University Of Baltimore placed #8 among the best values for behavioral science. Set in the city of Baltimore, University Of Baltimore is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, compared with $23,984 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for behavioral science graduates is $29,681. Early-career behavioral science graduates make about $56,837. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Baltimore admits about 79% of applicants.

9
Daemen College crest
Daemen College
Amherst, NY

Daemen College landed the #9 spot for behavioral science value this year. Daemen College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Amherst. Students from in state pay about $35,218 in tuition and fees. Behavioral Science graduates carry a median of $28,358 in student loans. Behavioral Science graduates of Daemen College earn a median of $63,542 early in their careers. Set against $28,358 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Massachusetts Lowell ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value behavioral science schools. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,966, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for behavioral science graduates is $25,574. Soon after graduation, behavioral science degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $66,985. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Lowell admits about 83% of applicants.

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11

Washington University In St Louis landed the #11 spot for behavioral science value this year. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Typical student debt for behavioral science graduates is $17,553. Early-career behavioral science graduates make about $66,574. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.

12
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Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University placed #12 among the best values for behavioral science. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,574 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for behavioral science graduates is $24,488. Early-career behavioral science graduates make about $68,802. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

13
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value behavioral science schools. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Students borrow a median of $24,463 to complete the behavioral science program here. Behavioral Science graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $57,375 early in their careers. Set against $24,463 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.

14
Carroll University crest
Carroll University
Waukesha, WI

Carroll University landed the #14 spot for behavioral science value this year. Located in the city of Waukesha, Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,890. Students borrow a median of $26,904 to complete the behavioral science program here. Early-career behavioral science graduates make about $52,404. Set against $26,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 67%.

15
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University placed #15 among the best values for behavioral science. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. In-state tuition and fees average $67,250. Behavioral Science graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. Early-career behavioral science graduates make about $74,578. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants.

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16
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania earned the #16 position for value in behavioral science this year. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete the behavioral science program here. Early-career behavioral science graduates make about $82,577. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.

17
Hofstra University crest
Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY

Hofstra University earned the #17 position for value in behavioral science this year. Set in the suburb of Hempstead, Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $57,660. Students borrow a median of $24,848 to complete the behavioral science program here. Early-career behavioral science graduates make about $55,705. Set against $24,848 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Hofstra University admits about 68% of applicants.

18
Endicott College crest
Endicott College
Beverly, MA

Endicott College landed the #18 spot for behavioral science value this year. Set in the suburb of Beverly, Endicott College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,650. Students borrow a median of $25,973 to complete the behavioral science program here. Early-career behavioral science graduates make about $55,361. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Endicott College admits about 71% of applicants.

19

Baylor University earned the #19 position for value in behavioral science this year. Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,100. Behavioral Science graduates carry a median of $23,928 in student loans. Behavioral Science graduates of Baylor University earn a median of $49,888 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted.

20

Teachers College At Columbia University earned the #20 position for value in behavioral science this year. Teachers College At Columbia University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Early-career behavioral science graduates make about $68,822.

Other Behavioral Science Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Behavioral Science rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Behavioral Science
Associate's Degrees in Behavioral Science
Bachelor's Degrees in Behavioral Science
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View All Behavioral Science Rankings >

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 145 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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