Compare 5 Behavioral Sciences. programs in the West. Average earnings: $40,017.
The highest-earning Behavioral Sciences program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $19K earnings gap across 5 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 $40,017 average. George Fox University follows at $47,713, while Metropolitan State University Of Denver produces graduates earning $40,021—demonstrating that outcomes vary significantly even within this specialized field.
For students, the math favors Concordia University-Irvine with a 12.5% payment burden on $24,247 in student debt, landing in the 'Manageable' category. However, when parent loans are included, all three top programs show concerning family burdens exceeding 25%—proof that financing strategy matters as much as program choice.
Highest program earnings: $49,240
Strong outcomes with 60% acceptance
12.5% payment burden | Manageable
27.8% 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 | $40,021 | 5 | $21,500 | Manageable | $13,743 | High | |
| #4 | $33,281 | 10 | $26,063 | High | $31,387 | High | |
| #5 | 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 →
