Best colleges for Behavioral Sciences
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Behavioral Sciences by graduate earnings are Franklin and Marshall College ($38,391), University of Kansas ($36,206) and George Fox University ($34,613), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Franklin and Marshall College (Lancaster, PA): $38,391, 32 graduates a year
- University of Kansas (Lawrence, KS): $36,206, 81 graduates a year
- George Fox University (Newberg, OR): $34,613, 25 graduates a year
- University of Houston-Clear Lake (Houston, TX): $32,986, 41 graduates a year
- University of California-Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz, CA): $28,709, 464 graduates a year
Compare 123 U.S. colleges offering Behavioral Sciences by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 40 states.
Behavioral Sciences programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $32,986 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 30.17 and the Social Science Research Assistants occupation (BLS SOC).
About Behavioral Sciences programs
The Behavioral Sciences program focuses on understanding and analyzing human behavior through an interdisciplinary approach. It encompasses various fields such as psychology, cognitive science, neuroscience, and social science, making it ideal for students interested in exploring the complexities of human actions and interactions. This program is suitable for those who are curious about the factors that influence behavior and wish to apply this knowledge in practical settings.
Students in the Behavioral Sciences program will develop essential skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and active listening. Coursework typically includes statistical analysis, research methodologies, and the application of scientific principles to understand behavior, preparing graduates for various professional roles.
Top 13 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Franklin and Marshall College Lancaster, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $38,391 | 32 | 84% | $27,178 | $19,000 |
| 2 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KS Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,206 | 81 | 69% | — | $25,000 |
| 3 | George Fox University Newberg, OR Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $34,613 | 25 | 72% | $26,564 | $30,813 |
| 4 | University of Houston-Clear Lake Houston, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $32,986 | 41 | 52% | — | $27,224 |
| 5 | University of California-Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,709 | 464 | 75% | — | $17,500 |
| 6 | University of Phoenix-Arizona Phoenix, AZ Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree Online Small program | $38,087 | 12 | 21% | $15,478 | $49,770 |
| 7 | The University of Arizona Global Campus Chandler, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree Online | $37,661 | 174 | 11% | $26,445 | $51,388 |
| 8 | East-West University Chicago, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $37,135 | 11 | 16% | $24,900 | — |
| 9 | Concordia University - Irvine Irvine, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $31,899 | 13 | 58% | $26,609 | $24,583 |
| 10 | Missouri Baptist University Saint Louis, MO Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $30,147 | 6 | 48% | $25,407 | $26,400 |
| 11 | Life Pacific University San Dimas, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $29,830 | 19 | 40% | $23,832 | $27,000 |
| 12 | Concordia University - Nebraska Seward, NE Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $29,273 | 1 | 65% | $22,390 | $26,865 |
| 13 | Purdue University Northwest Hammond, IN Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $28,340 | 12 | 43% | — | $16,012 |
Top 2 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jacinto Community College Pasadena, TX Public · Associate degree | $33,494 | 368 | 30% | — | $9,264 |
| 2 | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI Public · Certificate Small program | $26,331 | 5 | 49% | — | $24,721 |
Specializations within Behavioral Sciences
1 of the 1 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 30.17 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
Offered across 40 states
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-4061, Social Science Research Assistants, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Behavioral Sciences program can expect a job outlook that is about as fast as average, with an estimated 5,200 annual openings. The median wage for positions in this field is approximately $58,040, and a typical education requirement is a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Behavioral Sciences
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 30.17.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 30.17 (Behavioral Sciences) maps to 7 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9151 | Social and Community Service Managers |
| 19-1099 | Life Scientists, All Other |
| 19-3039 | Psychologists, All Other |
| 19-3099 | Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other |
| 19-4061 | Social Science Research Assistantsprimary |
| 21-1099 | Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other |
| 25-1066 | Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Behavioral Sciences programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Design and create special programs for tasks such as statistical analysis and data entry and cleaning.
- Provide assistance with the preparation of project-related reports, manuscripts, and presentations.
- Prepare tables, graphs, fact sheets, and written reports summarizing research results.
- Perform descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses of data, using computer software.
- Verify the accuracy and validity of data entered in databases, correcting any errors.
- Develop and implement research quality control procedures.
Common questions
What is the focus of the Behavioral Sciences program?+
The program focuses on understanding and analyzing human behavior through an interdisciplinary approach.
What skills will I learn in this program?+
Students will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, and statistical analysis.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with an estimated 5,200 annual openings.
What is the typical education requirement for careers in this field?+
A typical education requirement is a Bachelor's degree.
How much do Behavioral Sciences graduates earn?+
Behavioral Sciences graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $32,986, College Scorecard (2019); the Social Science Research Assistants occupation pays about $66,140 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Behavioral Sciences?+
Behavioral Sciences maps to CIP 30.17 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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