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Best Value Behavioral Sciences Colleges

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Johns Hopkins University stands as an anomaly in behavioral sciences affordability, charging $63,340 in tuition yet delivering a net cost of just $18,161 through substantial financial aid. This Baltimore institution achieves a 94.6% graduation rate while maintaining earnings of $30,771 for graduates. At the opposite end, Purdue University Northwest offers the lowest net cost at $8,463 with graduates earning $33,987 annually. The behavioral sciences field benefits from growing demand in healthcare settings, where professionals analyze patient behavior patterns and treatment responses. Public institutions dominate the most affordable options, with five schools offering net costs below $15,000. However, graduation rates vary dramatically across price points, from University of Phoenix's 19.5% to Johns Hopkins' near-perfect completion rate. The earnings range spans $25,194 to $38,289, reflecting varied career paths from research positions to clinical applications. Regional factors significantly impact both costs and outcomes, with Midwest public universities generally providing the strongest value proposition for behavioral sciences students.
50
Programs
$3,659 – $39,061
Net Price Range
$31,616
Avg. Program Earnings
54.5%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Behavioral Sciences Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $8,463 $33,987 $8,419 44.0% 72.8%
2 $11,056 $32,284 $7,746 50.9% 69.4%
3 $14,294 $36,041 $10,780 29.9% 97.9%
4 $12,878 $29,771 $8,342 53.1% 89.6%
5 $13,571 $31,015 $9,552 19.5%
6 $15,355 $32,925 $12,330 22.6%
7 $17,365 $29,685 $11,700 68.8% 87.8%
8 $18,161 $30,771 $63,340 94.6% 7.3%
9 $21,055 $32,925 $26,100 23.0%
10 $19,685 $30,047 $24,606 59.7% 95.6%
11 $29,981 $38,289 $40,940 68.7% 91.7%
12 $27,384 $33,281 $39,720 59.5% 79.9%
13 $25,321 $30,317 $13,160 8.8%
14 $24,016 $27,476 $39,330 64.1% 90.8%
15 $28,046 $31,848 $41,390 62.5% 69.0%
16 $23,650 $25,194 $21,450 53.5% 98.1%
17 $26,198 $36,842 77.1% 81.1%
18 $34,978 $47,146 75.5% 87.5%
19 $19,692 $21,316 12.7%
20 $39,061 $68,380 86.0% 36.2%
21 $31,671 $63,829 92.5% 11.3%
22 $27,663 $56,402 68.9% 76.2%
23 $20,748 $26,156 55.6% 86.0%
24 $24,791 $38,160 59.6% 82.1%
25 $22,185 $15,700 68.3% 76.9%
26 $19,173 $41,720 72.8% 73.1%
27 $20,004 $34,595 61.7% 72.5%
28 $26,572 $68,230 95.9% 5.1%
29 $19,300 $32,890 46.4% 74.8%
30 $15,133 $10,506 35.7% 80.3%
31 $14,879 $29,264 43.6% 60.7%
32 $14,459 $29,790 54.8% 70.9%
33 $23,790 $30,050 48.0% 67.7%
34 $19,678 $11,678 87.6% 31.4%
35 $14,715 $9,192 49.9% 93.5%
36 $35,506 $61,492 81.0% 47.7%
37 $16,358 $9,412 35.5%
38 $16,177 $10,020 51.2% 86.3%
39 $17,123 $19,896 33.3%
40 $14,975 $5,808 37.2%
41 $10,865 $9,045 39.8% 99.2%
42 $11,580 $7,439 66.7% 55.4%
43 $3,659 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
44 $16,607 $14,560 74.5% 46.9%
45 $22,343 $20,462 56.8% 94.5%
46 $26,925 $47,000 65.4% 73.5%
47 $12,882 $7,424 50.1% 94.2%
48 $13,741 $7,992 64.7% 76.7%
49 $21,983 $21,696 23.5% 94.8%
50 $24,116 $18,238 22.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the massive tuition discount at Johns Hopkins for behavioral sciences students?

Johns Hopkins reduces its $63,340 sticker price to a $18,161 net cost through extensive financial aid programs. The university's large endowment allows generous need-based assistance for qualified students. Despite the high earnings potential, graduates typically carry just $12,375 in debt. This combination of affordability and outcomes makes Hopkins an outlier among private institutions.

How do public university graduation rates compare across different price points?

Public institutions show significant variation in completion rates despite similar costs. University of Kansas achieves a 68.8% graduation rate with a $17,365 net cost, while Metropolitan State University of Denver manages only 29.9% completion at $14,294. University of Wisconsin-Green Bay reaches 53.1% graduation rates at $12,878 net cost. These differences often reflect admission selectivity and student support services.

Is the debt load at for-profit schools justified by earnings outcomes?

For-profit institutions carry concerning debt-to-earnings ratios in behavioral sciences programs. University of Phoenix graduates hold $43,313 in debt while earning $31,015 annually, creating a challenging repayment scenario. Ashford University presents similar concerns with $40,083 debt loads and $30,317 earnings. These ratios exceed recommended debt-to-income guidelines for sustainable repayment plans.

Does geographic location significantly impact behavioral sciences career earnings?

Regional salary differences appear throughout the data, with George Fox University in Oregon leading at $38,289 in graduate earnings. Denver-area graduates from Metropolitan State earn $36,041, reflecting strong regional demand for behavioral health professionals. Midwest programs like Concordia University-Nebraska show lower earnings at $27,476, though living costs typically offset some regional differences. Location matters for both career opportunities and salary expectations.

Where do acceptance rates create the best opportunities for admission?

Metropolitan State University of Denver accepts 97.9% of applicants while maintaining reasonable costs at $14,294 net price. York College of Pennsylvania offers 95.6% acceptance rates with moderate net costs of $19,685. University of Wisconsin-Green Bay provides 89.6% admission rates with strong value at $12,878. These high acceptance rates create accessible pathways into behavioral sciences education without sacrificing affordability.

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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.