Skip to main content

Cheapest Behavioral Sciences Colleges

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

California State University-Dominguez Hills stands out with a remarkably low $3,659 net price for Behavioral Sciences, making it the most affordable option by a significant margin. The next closest public institution costs $8,463 at Purdue University Northwest, creating a substantial $4,800 gap that could influence where students pursue their studies. While earnings for Behavioral Sciences graduates range from $29,771 to $36,041, the field connects directly to California's growing healthcare and social services sectors, where behavioral health specialists are increasingly needed in community mental health centers and integrated care facilities. UNC Chapel Hill offers an interesting contrast with a 92.10% graduation rate despite charging $12,983, while University of Phoenix shows the challenges facing for-profit education with only a 19.50% graduation rate. The data reveals how public universities dominate the affordable end of the spectrum, with most charging between $8,000-15,000 in net costs.
50
Programs
$3,659 – $23,261
Net Price Range
$31,945
Avg. Program Earnings
51.1%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Behavioral Sciences Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,659 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
2 $8,463 $8,419 44.0% 72.8%
3 $10,865 $9,045 39.8% 99.2%
4 $11,056 $7,746 50.9% 69.4%
5 $11,580 $7,439 66.7% 55.4%
6 $12,878 $8,342 53.1% 89.6%
7 $12,882 $7,424 50.1% 94.2%
8 $12,983 $8,989 92.1% 17.1%
9 $13,571 $9,552 19.5%
10 $13,741 $7,992 64.7% 76.7%
11 $13,879 $12,830 33.3%
12 $14,106 $7,812 14.3%
13 $14,294 $10,780 29.9% 97.9%
14 $14,459 $29,790 54.8% 70.9%
15 $14,715 $9,192 49.9% 93.5%
16 $14,879 $29,264 43.6% 60.7%
17 $14,975 $5,808 37.2%
18 $15,133 $10,506 35.7% 80.3%
19 $15,355 $12,330 22.6%
20 $15,450 $5,971 42.7% 80.1%
21 $15,770 $22,106 48.1% 85.9%
22 $16,135 $36,650 54.7% 54.4%
23 $16,177 $10,020 51.2% 86.3%
24 $16,358 $9,412 35.5%
25 $16,607 $14,560 74.5% 46.9%
26 $16,669 $6,430 49.5% 36.3%
27 $16,780 $16,160 35.8% 87.4%
28 $16,816 $59,076 97.3% 3.2%
29 $17,123 $19,896 33.3%
30 $17,365 $11,700 68.8% 87.8%
31 $17,485 $13,304 50.8% 70.6%
32 $18,161 $63,340 94.6% 7.3%
33 $18,251 $28,976 56.8% 94.4%
34 $18,597 $33,710 65.9% 91.3%
35 $19,173 $41,720 72.8% 73.1%
36 $19,245 $27,938 41.4% 71.4%
37 $19,300 $32,890 46.4% 74.8%
38 $19,678 $11,678 87.6% 31.4%
39 $19,685 $24,606 59.7% 95.6%
40 $19,692 $21,316 12.7%
41 $19,868 $35,050 32.9% 52.7%
42 $20,004 $34,595 61.7% 72.5%
43 $20,709 $44,360 56.0% 75.7%
44 $20,748 $26,156 55.6% 86.0%
45 $21,055 $26,100 23.0%
46 $21,398 $10,964 73.1% 86.0%
47 $21,983 $21,696 23.5% 94.8%
48 $22,185 $15,700 68.3% 76.9%
49 $22,343 $20,462 56.8% 94.5%
50 $23,261 $19,112 76.4% 87.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the dramatic cost difference between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

CSU-Dominguez Hills charges just $3,659 compared to $15,450 at the high end, largely due to California's substantial state funding for public universities. Public institutions receive taxpayer support that private colleges lack, allowing them to offer lower net prices. The $11,791 difference between cheapest and most expensive represents nearly four years of tuition at the most affordable school.

How do graduation rates vary among these affordable programs?

Graduation rates span from 14.30% at UNH College of Professional Studies Online to 92.10% at UNC Chapel Hill, showing that affordability doesn't predict success. Most schools fall between 40-70% graduation rates, with Cal Poly Pomona achieving 66.70% despite charging only $11,580 net. Online and for-profit programs tend to show lower completion rates in this data set.

Does attending a more expensive school lead to higher earnings?

The data shows no clear correlation between program cost and graduate earnings. Metropolitan State University of Denver produces the highest-earning graduates at $36,041 while charging $14,294, while University of Wisconsin-Green Bay graduates earn $29,771 despite similar costs at $12,878. University of Phoenix charges $13,571 but graduates earn only $31,015, demonstrating that price doesn't guarantee better financial outcomes.

Where do most affordable Behavioral Sciences programs tend to be located?

California dominates the most affordable options with three schools in the top ten, including the cheapest overall program at CSU-Dominguez Hills. Public universities across varied regions from Maine to Texas offer competitive pricing, with most clustering in the $8,000-15,000 range. The geographic spread suggests affordable options exist nationwide rather than concentrating in low-cost regions.

What acceptance rates do these budget-friendly programs typically maintain?

Most affordable programs maintain high acceptance rates, with 11 of the 15 schools accepting over 70% of applicants. UNC Chapel Hill stands as the notable exception with only 17.11% acceptance despite moderate costs, while University of Maine at Fort Kent accepts 99.24% of applicants. The pattern suggests that affordability often correlates with accessibility rather than selectivity.

More Behavioral Sciences Rankings

Best Value Behavioral Sciences Behavioral Sciences Under $20,000

Related

All Behavioral Sciences Programs All College Rankings Highest-Paying Majors 2026

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