Compare 15 Behavioral Sciences. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $37,213. Top programs: $49,240+.
The highest-earning Behavioral Sciences program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $19K earnings gap across 15 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
Concordia University-Irvine's Behavioral Sciences program leads with graduates earning $49,240, well above the $37,213 average across all programs. George Fox University follows at $47,713, while University of Kansas rounds out the top three at $42,992—proving strong outcomes aren't limited to elite institutions.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Concordia University-Irvine graduates borrow $24,247 and face a 12.5% payment burden, landing in the 'Manageable' category. When parent loans are included, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay leads with a 27.4% family burden, showing the best choice depends on who's paying.
Highest program earnings: $49,240
Strong outcomes ($47,713) with 96% acceptance
12.5% payment burden | Manageable
27.4% family burden | High burden
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Concordia University-IrvinePrivate | $49,240 | 16 | $24,247 | Manageable | $26,000 | High |
| #2 | George Fox UniversityPrivate | $47,713 | 39 | $24,250 | Manageable | $33,547 | High |
| #3 | University Of KansasPublic | $42,992 | 96 | $21,000 | Manageable | $32,347 | High |
| #4 | $40,021 | 5 | $21,500 | Manageable | $13,743 | High | |
| #5 | $39,560 | 63 | $18,500 | Manageable | $13,480 | High | |
| #6 | $38,391 | 44 | $19,000 | Manageable | $51,114 | High | |
| #7 | $38,130 | 12 | $25,750 | Challenging | $18,850 | High | |
| #8 | Missouri Baptist UniversityPrivate | $36,026 | 13 | $22,500 | Challenging | $17,265 | High |
| #9 | $33,987 | 16 | $21,229 | High | $14,984 | High | |
| #10 | $33,281 | 10 | $26,063 | High | $31,387 | High | |
| #11 | Columbia CollegePrivate | $33,045 | 7 | $22,750 | High | $13,551 | High |
| #12 | East-West UniversityPrivate | $32,925 | 10 | $26,986 | High | $11,146 | High |
| #13 | $32,284 | 45 | $17,831 | High | $14,731 | High | |
| #14 | Johns Hopkins UniversityPrivate | $30,771 | 28 | $10,250 | Manageable | $29,048 | High |
| #15 | Life Pacific UniversityPrivate | $29,830 | 26 | $22,395 | High | $17,305 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
