by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Applied Behavior Analysis involves the study of Applied Behavior Analysis. A Program That Focuses On The Application Of Principles Of Learning And Behavior To Enhance The Development, Abilities, And Choices Of Children And Adults; And That Prepares Individuals To Address The Behavioral Needs Of Individuals, Especially Those With Developmental Disabilities And Autism. Includes Instruction In Behavior Analysis And Learning, Behavioral And Functional Assessment, Developmental Psychology, Applied Behavioral Analysis In Developmental Disabilities And Autism, Applied Behavioral Analysis In Mental Health And Aging, Research Methods, Evaluation Of Interventions, And Professional And Ethical Issues. Continue reading for the essential details every applied behavior analysis student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering applied behavior analysis programs.
Nationwide, applied behavior analysis draws strong interest, with 6,914 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Applied Behavior Analysis Schools ranking analyzes these 137 schools to determine the best overall colleges for applied behavior analysis students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of applied behavior analysis programs later in this article.
Studies in Applied Behavior Analysis emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations applied behavior analysis graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a applied behavior analysis program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a applied behavior analysis major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several applied behavior analysis 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 | 9 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 497 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 6,181 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 178 |
People currently working in careers related to applied behavior analysis tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 33.5% |
| Post-doctoral training | 20.1% |
| Doctoral degree | 14.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 8.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 7.3% |
| Master’s degree | 7.3% |
| Some college courses | 5.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.2% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.2% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in applied behavior analysis careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in applied behavior analysis opens doors to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to applied behavior analysis.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to applied behavior analysis.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching Assistants, Special Education | 656,798 | 9.5% |
| Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary | 513,614 | -3.0% |
| Managers, All Other | 468,025 | 6.2% |
| Compliance Managers | 310,203 | 13.0% |
| Loss Prevention Managers | 265,210 | 2.2% |
| Clinical Neuropsychologists | 216,013 | 8.9% |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | 206,415 | 9.9% |
| Neuropsychologists | 186,493 | 6.5% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of applied behavior analysis graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $54,756 |
| 4 years | $59,892 |
| 5 years | $67,036 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for applied behavior analysis graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers applied behavior analysis grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Wind Energy Development Managers | $169,952 |
| Loss Prevention Managers | $165,723 |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | $122,567 |
| Compliance Managers | $117,178 |
| Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | $99,321 |
| Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary | $98,479 |
| Teaching Assistants, Special Education | $96,801 |
| Managers, All Other | $95,684 |
With 137 different applied behavior analysis programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased applied behavior analysis school rankings to help you.
Students interested in applied behavior analysis, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Counseling Psychology | 11,691 |
| Clinical Psychology | 6,059 |
| School Psychology | 3,685 |
| Applied Psychology | 2,998 |
| Industrial and Organizational Psychology | 2,898 |
| Forensic Psychology | 2,667 |
| Educational Psychology | 1,979 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology, Other | 577 |
| Community Psychology | 520 |
| Health/Medical Psychology | 447 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
