Behavioral Sciences Colleges Under $20,000

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill stands apart in behavioral sciences affordability with a 92.10% graduation rate despite charging just $12,983 annually. This performance gap highlights how strategic program selection matters more than raw cost numbers. While California State University-Dominguez Hills offers the lowest net price at $3,659, graduation rates across these 20 programs range from 14.30% to 92.10%. The behavioral sciences field connects directly to America's growing mental health workforce, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting 13% growth in psychology occupations through 2032. Earnings data shows graduates typically start between $29,771 and $36,041, making program completion rates particularly important for return on investment. Public universities dominate this affordable tier, with schools like Cal Poly Pomona achieving 66.70% graduation rates at $11,580 net cost. However, acceptance rates vary dramatically from UNC Chapel Hill's selective 17.11% to University of Maine at Fort Kent's open-access 99.24%. Students weighing these options should consider that Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates earn $36,041 annually while University of Wisconsin-Green Bay graduates start at $29,771, despite similar program costs around $13,000.

Programs

$3,659 – $19,868

Net Price Range

$31,836

Avg. Program Earnings

50.3%

Avg. Graduation Rate

41 Behavioral Sciences Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	California State University-Dominguez Hills Carson, California	$3,659	$7,064	46.9%	89.1%
2	Purdue University Northwest Hammond, Indiana	$8,463	$8,419	44.0%	72.8%
3	University of Maine at Fort Kent Fort Kent, Maine	$10,865	$9,045	39.8%	99.2%
4	University of Houston-Clear Lake Houston, Texas	$11,056	$7,746	50.9%	69.4%
5	California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Pomona, California	$11,580	$7,439	66.7%	55.4%
6	University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Green Bay, Wisconsin	$12,878	$8,342	53.1%	89.6%
7	San Francisco State University San Francisco, California	$12,882	$7,424	50.1%	94.2%
8	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, North Carolina	$12,983	$8,989	92.1%	17.1%
9	University of Phoenix-Arizona Phoenix, Arizona	$13,571	$9,552	19.5%
10	San Jose State University San Jose, California	$13,741	$7,992	64.7%	76.7%
11	Martin University Indianapolis, Indiana	$13,879	$12,830	33.3%
12	University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies Online Manchester, New Hampshire	$14,106	$7,812	14.3%
13	Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, Colorado	$14,294	$10,780	29.9%	97.9%
14	Trevecca Nazarene University Nashville, Tennessee	$14,459	$29,790	54.8%	70.9%
15	Central Washington University Ellensburg, Washington	$14,715	$9,192	49.9%	93.5%
16	Tennessee Wesleyan University Athens, Tennessee	$14,879	$29,264	43.6%	60.7%
17	Columbia Southern University Orange Beach, Alabama	$14,975	$5,808	37.2%
18	The University of Tennessee Southern Pulaski, Tennessee	$15,133	$10,506	35.7%	80.3%
19	Wilmington University New Castle, Delaware	$15,355	$12,330	22.6%
20	University of West Georgia Carrollton, Georgia	$15,450	$5,971	42.7%	80.1%
21	Mercy University Dobbs Ferry, New York	$15,770	$22,106	48.1%	85.9%
22	Mount St. Joseph University Cincinnati, Ohio	$16,135	$36,650	54.7%	54.4%
23	University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Milwaukee, Wisconsin	$16,177	$10,020	51.2%	86.3%
24	Glenville State University Glenville, West Virginia	$16,358	$9,412	35.5%
25	University of California-Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, California	$16,607	$14,560	74.5%	46.9%
26	The University of Montana-Western Dillon, Montana	$16,669	$6,430	49.5%	36.3%
27	University of Holy Cross New Orleans, Louisiana	$16,780	$16,160	35.8%	87.4%
28	Harvard University Cambridge, Massachusetts	$16,816	$59,076	97.3%	3.2%
29	Mid-America Christian University Oklahoma City, Oklahoma	$17,123	$19,896	33.3%
30	University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas	$17,365	$11,700	68.8%	87.8%
31	Northern Michigan University Marquette, Michigan	$17,485	$13,304	50.8%	70.6%
32	Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, Maryland	$18,161	$63,340	94.6%	7.3%
33	Fontbonne University Saint Louis, Missouri	$18,251	$28,976	56.8%	94.4%
34	Andrews University Berrien Springs, Michigan	$18,597	$33,710	65.9%	91.3%
35	Saint Francis University Loretto, Pennsylvania	$19,173	$41,720	72.8%	73.1%
36	Rochester University Rochester Hills, Michigan	$19,245	$27,938	41.4%	71.4%
37	Dakota Wesleyan University Mitchell, South Dakota	$19,300	$32,890	46.4%	74.8%
38	The University of Texas at Austin Austin, Texas	$19,678	$11,678	87.6%	31.4%
39	York College of Pennsylvania York, Pennsylvania	$19,685	$24,606	59.7%	95.6%
40	Southwestern Christian University Bethany, Oklahoma	$19,692	$21,316	12.7%
41	Tabor College Hillsboro, Kansas	$19,868	$35,050	32.9%	52.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the 78-point graduation rate difference between top and bottom performers?

UNC Chapel Hill achieves 92.10% graduation rates with highly selective admissions at 17.11% acceptance, while University of New Hampshire's online program graduates just 14.30% of students. Admission selectivity often correlates with completion rates, as seen with Cal Poly Pomona's 66.70% graduation rate paired with 55.38% acceptance. Schools with acceptance rates above 90% typically show graduation rates between 29.90% and 53.10%.

How do behavioral sciences earnings compare across different program types?

Graduates earn between $29,771 and $36,041 annually, with Metropolitan State University of Denver leading at $36,041 despite a 29.90% graduation rate. Purdue University Northwest graduates earn $33,987 with manageable debt of $14,500, while University of Phoenix graduates face $43,313 in debt for $31,015 starting salaries. Public universities generally offer better debt-to-earnings ratios than private institutions.

Is geographic location affecting program costs and outcomes?

California schools show the widest cost variation, from $3,659 at CSU-Dominguez Hills to $13,741 at San Jose State. Texas offers strong value with University of Houston-Clear Lake at $11,056 net cost and 50.90% graduation rates. Regional job markets influence outcomes, with San Francisco Bay Area schools potentially offering better internship access despite higher living costs.

Does acceptance rate predict program quality in behavioral sciences?

The most selective program, UNC Chapel Hill at 17.11% acceptance, also has the highest graduation rate at 92.10%. However, University of Maine at Fort Kent accepts 99.24% of applicants but graduates only 39.80%. Mid-range selectivity often indicates balanced accessibility and rigor, like University of Houston-Clear Lake's 69.37% acceptance rate with 50.90% graduation rate.

Where can students find the best value in behavioral sciences education?

Cal Poly Pomona offers strong value with 66.70% graduation rates at $11,580 net cost, while UNC Chapel Hill provides elite education at $12,983. Students should avoid University of Phoenix's $43,313 debt load for modest $31,015 earnings. California residents benefit from multiple affordable options, with in-state tuition ranging from $7,064 to $7,992 at quality public universities.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.