2026 Best Value Applied Behavior Analysis Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Applied Behavior Analysis](/majors/psychology/clinical-counseling-applied-psychology/applied-behavior-analysis/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong applied behavior analysis education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 20 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value applied behavior analysis schools.
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2026 Best Value Applied Behavior Analysis Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in applied behavior analysis, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Applied Behavior Analysis Schools
Leading the list is University Of Michigan Dearborn, our #1 best value for applied behavior analysis in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Students borrow a median of $26,516 to complete the applied behavior analysis program here. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $62,536 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Students looking for strong value in applied behavior analysis will find it at Purdue University Global, which ranked #2. Purdue University Global is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,101, with out-of-state students paying around $14,412. Students borrow a median of $42,443 to complete the applied behavior analysis program here. Soon after graduation, applied behavior analysis degree recipients from Purdue University Global generally make around $39,572. That is a strong return on a $42,443 median debt.
Huntington University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in applied behavior analysis, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Huntington, Huntington University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,870. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates carry a median of $28,332 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied behavior analysis degree recipients from Huntington University generally make around $49,079. Set against $28,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Huntington University admits about 76% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in applied behavior analysis will find it at Wayne State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Students borrow a median of $26,689 to complete the applied behavior analysis program here. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $58,918 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Ball State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in applied behavior analysis, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Typical student debt for applied behavior analysis graduates is $27,075. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $64,930 early in their careers. Set against $27,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
National Louis University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value applied behavior analysis schools. National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $13,245 in tuition and fees. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates carry a median of $29,242 in student loans. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates of National Louis University earn a median of $57,591 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University came in at #7 for value in applied behavior analysis this year. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates carry a median of $26,378 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied behavior analysis degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $54,320. That is a strong return on a $26,378 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University came in at #8 for value in applied behavior analysis this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $57,368 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Kent landed the #9 spot for applied behavior analysis value this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates carry a median of $25,174 in student loans. Early-career applied behavior analysis graduates make about $58,818. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University placed #10 among the best values for applied behavior analysis. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Typical student debt for applied behavior analysis graduates is $25,213. Soon after graduation, applied behavior analysis degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $71,750. That is a strong return on a $25,213 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #11 for value in applied behavior analysis this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the applied behavior analysis program here. Soon after graduation, applied behavior analysis degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $58,516. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Dayton came in at #12 for value in applied behavior analysis this year. Located in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,140. Students borrow a median of $25,033 to complete the applied behavior analysis program here. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates of University Of Dayton earn a median of $50,838 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,033 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
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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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
