If you've got an interest in how the human mind works, combined with a drive to help others, then Behavioral Psychology is the degree you're looking for. Almost all degree programs offer the opportunity for students to specialize in a certain category of behavioral psychology such as psychoanalytical theories, developmental psychology, and more. A degree in Behavioral Psychology is applicable to the current job market because it spans specializations such as social work, law enforcement, teaching, research, marketing, counseling, and more. Employment rates in the field of Behavioral Psychology have been going steadily up over the past few years.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, psychologists can earn a yearly wage of $95,610 on average. Many degree programs offer internships for students as well as assistance with career training in their chosen field. This means that most students who graduate will be able to find a job or move on to a graduate program within six months of graduating. In fact, with an ever-growing job market students have a good chance to find a profitable and rewarding career they can enjoy. Take a look at the 5 Best Bachelors in Behavioral Psychology!
Selection Criteria
The 5 Best Bachelor's in Behavioral Psychology come from schools all over the United States, ranging from Kansas to New York. All have been chosen because they give students the best chance at success in their careers. All schools are ranked according to specific factors including Degree of Investment Return, Student and Alumni Evaluation, Cost Value, Matriculation, and Academic Success. The degree of investment return uses particular data to determine the salary of individuals in careers that are specific to the degree ranked. The cost value takes into account the net price and availability of financial aid and those factors are applied to the ranking. Matriculation categorizes the competitiveness of acceptance rates within a particular degree program. Finally, academic success is determined by the number of students that stay at a particular school after their freshman year. All of these considerations affect the ranking of the following universities.
Ranking Factors
Best Value Schools publishes college degree rankings with the belief of how one's higher education should be, both, affordable and an investment of continued value for the students who pursue them. The staff of BVS collects data from reputable sources in order to calculate Net Price and the short and long-term value of every ranked degree. Collected data is simplified into weighted categories before scoring, and then scaled through a BVS Score up to 100. The weighted categories are:
- Degree Investment Return (25%)
- Student & Alumni Evaluation (25%)
- Cost Value (25%)
- Matriculation (10%)
- Academic Success (15%)
No matter what degree you decide on, we hope our research and support has made the selection process easier. There are numerous resources BVS utilizes to collect information on degrees, and we encourage you to check them out for yourself!
Here are the 5 Best Bachelor's in Behavioral Psychology for 2019!
#5. Central Methodist University – College of Graduate and Extended Studies – Fayette, Missouri
Bachelor of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis
In the center of the cozy town of Fayette is Central Methodist University which offers over 40 programs of study with traditional and online classes. The University's campus life emphasizes honesty, integrity, responsibility, and a sense of community. With class sizes of just 15 students per class, professors are available to answer questions and help students with individual attention. CMU focuses on real-world learning and internship opportunities for the students in their chosen career path. The Bachelor of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis is a completely online degree which allows students of all kinds the opportunity to complete their degree through CMU. The ABA program consists of 120 credit hours which includes 21 credits of general education and 42 credits of major requirements.
The ABA degree program focuses on the autism spectrum and how to work with children on that spectrum as well as children with developmental delays, behavioral challenges, and more. Students in the program learn contemporary research as well as how to conduct and use behavioral assessments in their chosen field. Students also have many opportunities for hands-on learning and internships through the ABA program which prepares them for their future career. Over 90 percent of CMU's students become employed or move on to graduate school soon after completing their bachelor's degree. With a foundation set by CMU, students go on to become honest and responsible community members on whatever path they choose.
Net Price: $10,850
Score: 89.1
#4. Wilmington University – New Castle, Delaware
Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Science
Close to the Delaware River sits a collection of beautiful brick buildings that makeup Wilmington University. The university sets a foundation of integrity, innovation, and education in over 150 degree and certificate programs, with over 130 available completely online. WilmU offers fusion classes both online and in-person as well as traditional and non-traditional class forms. Classes are offered in 15-week, seven-week, and weekend formats. This variety allows students a maximum amount of flexibility in their schedule. The program is friendly to high school graduates, transfer students, and mature students. The average class size is typically around 17 students allowing for an intimate one-on-one learning environment.
WilmU's Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Science program focuses on social issues in addition to environmental and cultural influences on both group and personal behaviors. The BS degree is interdisciplinary combining psychology, sociology, and cultural anthropology through coursework, hands-on work, and internships that set students up for success. Graduate students will have the potential to move into career work with families, minority populations, individuals with addiction, crisis intervention services, and more. These career fields have an 11.5 percent job growth rate according to WilmU's website.
Net Price: $14,955
Score: 91.1
#3. Mercy College – New York, New York
Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Science
Situated in the hustle and bustle of New York City sits Mercy College with additional campuses in Dobbs Ferry, the Bronx, Manhattan, and Yorktown Heights. Having multiple campuses allows students to have easy access to the city and all it has to offer. Mercy's mission to provide educational access to everyone makes the student body incredibly diverse, tuition more affordable, and a multitude of possibilities for scholarships. Mercy also focuses on real-world learning and community service in its program "Mercy Gives Back". The college offers 40 online degree programs, including the Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Science. With a 19:1 student-to-faculty ratio, undergraduate classes average less than 30 students allowing for a more personalized instruction for each individual.
The Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Science program, which is friendly to transfer and online students alike, combines concepts of psychology and sociology in 120-credits. The program has four required courses and eight electives which allows students to focus on their interests and career goals. The college also focuses on student internships and networking opportunities that further open career options for graduates. Mercy's Behavioral Science degree prepares students for careers in education, human services, business, government, and law enforcement. This degree offers specializations in Community Health, Gerontology, and Health Services Management.
Net Price: $16,246
Score: 95.5
#2. University of Kansas– Lawrence, Kansas
Bachelor of Arts/General Studies in Applied Behavioral Science
The University of Kansas is situated in the center of Lawrence with a lush green campus that becomes a second home to students and faculty alike. KU prides itself in being a research institution as well as a learning institution, with students from undergraduate to graduate levels able to focus on research of any kind. The university has both state and federally funded research centers and is apart of the Association of American Universities. KU's Department of Applied Behavioral Science offers both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of General Studies degree. Students are expected to meet specific requirements such as 33-credit hours, a class in Applied Behavioral Science as well as Procedures of Behavior Modification and Therapy, and a minimum GPA of 2.3. As a part of the program, students pick a related area that they wish to specialize in such as Basic Research and Conceptual Foundations or Youth Development and Juvenile Justice. The ABS department also offers an online program to prepare students to meet the BACB's requirements as a Registered Behavior Technician.
The course offerings for the ABS program are vast and allow students to take courses that interest them. With a 17:1 student to faculty ratio, the class sizes allow students to ask more questions and delve into the course material. The program also offers Study Abroad courses which work with the Global Scholars Program and allow students to travel anywhere from Costa Rica, Ireland, Shanghai, Peru, Sydney, or London, all while working toward their BA or BGS.
Net Price: $15,966
Score: 97.2
#1. Bellevue University – Bellevue, Nebraska
Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Science
Bellevue University, a large school with a small-town feel, is located in Bellevue, Nebraska. The campus is as welcoming to freshman students as it is to adult learners, with its small class sizes and a focus on practical learning. BU's Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Science is accessible to on-campus students as well as online! The BS program focuses on the human services field and prepares students for concepts in psychology, sociology, treatment strategies, and counseling. The program also includes classes in multicultural diversity and ethics. With a focus on real-world learning, the Behavioral Science program puts students in an accelerated cohort which moves through the 127-credits required in a 72 week time period.
This BS program sets students up for an eventual progression to a Master of Art in Human Services or a Master of Science in Clinical Counseling. Since the BS program uses an accelerated cohort rather than a more traditional program it is designed for students who want to get their degree faster or those who already have an Associates degree or equivalent. The program is incredibly friendly to transfer students, mature students, and online learners. Graduates can go on to the Master's program or enter the workforce with potential career opportunities in Social Service, Social Work, and Counseling where students can go on to make an average salary of $46,050 a year.
Net Price: $11,359 or $415 per credit hour
Score: 100.0