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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Applied Behavior Analysis Schools in California

6 Colleges in the United States
1,228 Applied Behavior Analysis Degrees Awarded
$62,665 Avg Early-Career Salary

Applied Behavior Analysis programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 18 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best applied behavior analysis schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Applied Behavior Analysis in California

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall applied behavior analysis education in California.

Top Schools in Applied Behavior Analysis

1

University Of Southern California tops our 2026 ranking of the best applied behavior analysis schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. About 92% of students finish within six years. University Of Southern California awarded about 13 applied behavior analysis degrees in the most recent data year. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $71,497 early in their careers. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. More information about a degree in applied behavior analysis from University Of Southern California

2

California State University Sacramento is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in applied behavior analysis, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. About 10 applied behavior analysis degrees were awarded at California State University Sacramento in the most recent year. Students who receive their applied behavior analysis degree from California State University Sacramento earn around $49,907 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,492 to complete this degree. Get the full applied behavior analysis details for California State University Sacramento

3

Pepperdine University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in applied behavior analysis, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Pepperdine University awarded about 96 applied behavior analysis degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, applied behavior analysis degree recipients from Pepperdine University generally make around $67,205. Students borrow a median of $23,645 to complete this degree. See the full applied behavior analysis program report for Pepperdine University

4
National University crest
National University
San Diego, CA

National University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best applied behavior analysis schools. Located in the city of San Diego, National University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 50% of students finish within six years. About 780 applied behavior analysis degrees were awarded at National University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, applied behavior analysis degree recipients from National University generally make around $57,834. Students borrow a median of $30,426 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in applied behavior analysis from National University

5

Students looking for a strong applied behavior analysis program will find one at California State University Northridge, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. There were roughly 22 applied behavior analysis students who graduated with this degree at California State University Northridge in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, applied behavior analysis degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $81,871. Typical student debt for the program is $16,202. See the full applied behavior analysis program report for California State University Northridge

6

Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System came in at #6 for applied behavior analysis this year. Set in the suburb of Aliso Viejo, Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a large public institution. Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System awarded about 35 applied behavior analysis degrees in the most recent data year. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates of Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System earn a median of $65,898 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,471. Get the full applied behavior analysis details for Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System

7

The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles landed the #7 spot for applied behavior analysis this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles awarded about 218 applied behavior analysis degrees in the most recent data year. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates of The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles earn a median of $64,850 early in their careers. The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $32,107 in student loans. Read more about the applied behavior analysis program at The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles

8

Fielding Graduate University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best applied behavior analysis schools. Located in the city of Santa Barbara, Fielding Graduate University is a small private not-for-profit university. Fielding Graduate University awarded about 25 applied behavior analysis degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their applied behavior analysis degree from Fielding Graduate University earn around $59,510 in the first couple years of their career. See the full applied behavior analysis program report for Fielding Graduate University

9

Northcentral University placed #9 among the best applied behavior analysis schools. Northcentral University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. There were roughly 29 applied behavior analysis students who graduated with this degree at Northcentral University in the most recent data year. Applied Behavior Analysis graduates of Northcentral University earn a median of $45,417 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $42,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in applied behavior analysis from Northcentral University

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 18 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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