Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

Best Behavioral Sciences institutions in the US, ranked by earnings

Compare 116 U.S. colleges offering Behavioral Sciences by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 39 states.

Institutions
116
offering CIP 30.17
States offered
39
with a program page
With earnings data
15
College Scorecard
Degrees / yr
5,226
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$33,494
1 year after graduation
US pay · Social Science Research Assistants
$63,560
BLS OEWS 2024

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.

Learn more about Behavioral Sciences

What you'll learn

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 15 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Franklin and Marshall College
Lancaster, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$38,3912384%$27,178$19,000
2University of Phoenix - Arizona
Phoenix, AZ Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$38,0873821%$15,478$49,770
3University of Phoenix - California
Ontario, CA Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$38,087222%$49,770
4Ashford University
San Diego, CA Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$37,66115111%$26,445$51,388
5East - West University
Chicago, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$37,135916%$24,900
6University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS Public · Bachelor's degree
$36,2067469%$25,000
7George Fox University
Newberg, OR Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$34,6132172%$26,564$30,813
8San Jacinto Community College
Pasadena, TX Public · Associate degree
$33,49439130%$9,264
9University of Houston - Clear Lake
Houston, TX Public · Bachelor's degree
$32,9864952%$27,224
10Concordia University - Irvine
Irvine, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$31,8991958%$26,609$24,583
11Missouri Baptist University
Saint Louis, MO Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$30,1471148%$25,407$26,400
12Life Pacific University
San Dimas, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$29,8301940%$23,832$27,000
13Concordia University - Nebraska
Seward, NE Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$29,273365%$22,390$26,865
14Purdue University Northwest
Hammond, IN Public · Bachelor's degree
$28,3401643%$16,012
15University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI Public · Certificate degree
$26,331849%$24,721

Offered across 39 states

The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.

StateInstitutionsMedian earningsTop institution by earnings
Pennsylvania6$38,391Franklin and Marshall College
Arizona5$38,087University of Phoenix - Arizona
California15$37,661University of Phoenix - California
Illinois5$37,135East - West University
Kansaslimited1$36,206University of Kansas
Oregonlimited1$34,613George Fox University
Texas11$33,494San Jacinto Community College
Missouri4$30,147Missouri Baptist University
Nebraskalimited1$29,273Concordia University - Nebraska
Indiana3$28,340Purdue University Northwest
Wisconsin3$26,331University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Alabamalimited1
Arkansaslimited1
Colorado3
Connecticutlimited1
Delawarelimited1
Floridalimited2
Georgialimited2
Idaholimited1
Iowalimited1
Mainelimited2
Maryland3
Massachusetts4
Michigan4
Montanalimited1
New Hampshirelimited1
New Jersey3
New Mexicolimited1
New York9
North Carolina3
Ohiolimited2
Oklahomalimited2
Rhode Islandlimited1
South Carolinalimited2
South Dakotalimited2
Tennesseelimited2
Utahlimited1
Virginialimited2
Washington3

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.

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+4.4%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~5,200
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$58,040
typically Bachelor's degree
National employment
32,940
Social Science Research Assistants
US average pay
$63,560
annual, BLS OEWS 2024
US median pay
$58,040
annual

Top-paying metros

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
$84,670avg
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
$81,670avg
Bowling Green, KY
$81,400avg
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
$76,500avg
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
$72,530avg

Related careers

Social and Community Service Managers
$86,100 avg · 195,490 jobs
Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other
$58,360 avg · 110,390 jobs
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary
$93,530 avg · 41,610 jobs
Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other
$106,440 avg · 36,970 jobs
Social Science Research Assistants
$63,560 avg · 32,940 jobs
Psychologists, All Other
$111,340 avg · 17,790 jobs

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

Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Writing
Critical Thinking
Speaking
Science
Mathematics
Active Learning

Knowledge areas

English Language
Computers and Electronics
Administrative
Mathematics
Customer and Personal Service
Education and Training

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.

Tools & technology

Adobe IllustratorAdobe InDesignAppletreeC++Database softwareESRI ArcGIS softwareExtensible markup language XMLGraphics software

Concentrations within Behavioral Sciences

Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).

  • Behavioral Sciences
    CIP 30.1701

    A program with a combined or undifferentiated focus on the social sciences, psychology, and biomedical sciences to study complex problems of human individual and social growth and behavior.

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.

Related programs

Other programs in the same field of study.

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