by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value behavioral science schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in behavioral science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Hill College the best value for a degree in behavioral science in Texas. Set in the town of Hillsboro, Hill College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,862. Typical student debt for behavioral science graduates is $15,250. Early-career behavioral science graduates make about $39,212. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Jacinto Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in behavioral science, landing the #2 spot this year. San Jacinto Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Students from in state pay about $2,490 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,264 to complete the behavioral science program here. Early-career behavioral science graduates make about $33,494. That is a strong return on a $9,264 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Temple College earned it the #3 place for behavioral science. Temple College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Temple. Students from in state pay about $3,000 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,524. Students borrow a median of $16,617 to complete the behavioral science program here. Early-career behavioral science graduates make about $55,262. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Houston Clear Lake one of the best values for behavioral science. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,346, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,224 to complete the behavioral science program here. Early-career behavioral science graduates make about $32,986. That is a strong return on a $27,224 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in behavioral science will find it at The University Of Texas At Austin, which ranked #5. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for behavioral science graduates is $21,275. Soon after graduation, behavioral science degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $57,819. Set against $21,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
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Baylor University placed #6 among the best values for behavioral science. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $58,100. Students borrow a median of $23,928 to complete the behavioral science program here. Soon after graduation, behavioral science degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $49,888. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Baylor University admits about 51% of applicants.
This list is compiled 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.