Behavioral Sciences programs
CIP 3017 · Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies · ranked by median earnings four years after completion
27 institutions report graduate earnings for Behavioral Sciences programs (College Scorecard, 2024-25). Across them the median is $48,436 four years after completion, with a typical debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.50× and 83% of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold. Indicatively, 4 of the 28 programs with both earnings and a benchmark fall below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026); the rest clear it.
| # | Institution | Earn 4yr | % > threshold | Median debt | Debt/earn | Earnings premium | 2 of 3 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harvard UniversityMA · Doctoral | $125,925 n=16 | — | — | — | Above +66% | — |
| 2 | Washington University in St LouisMO · Master's | $75,887 n=41 | 92% 1yr | $96,748 | 1.27× | Above +31% | — |
| 3 | University of Washington-Seattle CampusWA · Master's | $72,822 n=54 | 89% 1yr | $37,327 | 0.51× | Below -3% | — |
| 4 | University of North TexasTX · Grad cert | $62,923 n=18 | 82% 1yr | — | — | Below -4% | — |
| 5 | Antioch UniversityOH · Master's | $62,066 n=24 | — | $63,615 | 1.02× | Below -1% | — |
| 6 | University of KansasKS · Bachelor's | $58,883 n=59 | 78% 5yr | $23,600 | 0.40× | Above +62% | Clears 2/2 |
| 7 | Northern Michigan UniversityMI · Bachelor's | $57,325 n=17 | — | $25,000 | 0.44× | Above +64% | — |
| 8 | George Fox UniversityOR · Bachelor's | $56,440 n=34 | 74% 5yr | $19,739 | 0.35× | Above +54% | Clears 2/2 |
| 9 | University of California-Santa CruzCA · Bachelor's | $54,606 n=159 | 48% 1yr | $17,000 | 0.31× | Above +42% | — |
| 10 | University of Houston-Clear LakeTX · Bachelor's | $51,151 n=59 | 56% 1yr | $21,936 | 0.43× | Above +43% | — |
| 11 | York College of PennsylvaniaPA · Bachelor's | $50,634 n=25 | 78% 5yr | $25,000 | 0.49× | Above +34% | Clears 2/2 |
| 12 | Wilmington UniversityDE · Bachelor's | $50,081 n=122 | 70% | $21,880 | 0.44× | Above +30% | Clears 2/2 |
| 13 | California Baptist UniversityCA · Bachelor's | $48,922 n=27 | — | $25,000 | 0.51× | Above +27% | — |
| 14 | University of Phoenix-ArizonaAZ · Bachelor's | $48,657 n=1,766 | 100% | $43,313 | 0.89× | Above +32% | Clears 2/2 |
| 15 | Concordia University-NebraskaNE · Bachelor's | $48,215 n=17 | — | $26,865 | 0.56× | Above +30% | Clears 2/2 |
| 16 | Life Pacific UniversityCA · Bachelor's | $47,612 n=29 | — | $26,750 | 0.56× | Above +24% | — |
| 17 | Saint Francis UniversityPA · Bachelor's | $47,316 n=17 | — | $26,500 | 0.56× | Above +26% | — |
| 18 | University of Wisconsin-Green BayWI · Bachelor's | $46,125 n=111 | 93% | $21,250 | 0.46× | Above +18% | Clears 2/2 |
| 19 | Concordia University-IrvineCA · Bachelor's | $46,098 n=30 | 100% 5yr | $20,750 | 0.45× | Above +20% | Clears 2/2 |
| 20 | Ashford UniversityCA · Bachelor's | $45,157 n=438 | 89% | $40,083 | 0.89× | Above +17% | Below 1/2 |
| 21 | Mid-America Christian UniversityOK · Bachelor's | $44,719 n=16 | 50% 5yr | $35,000 | 0.78× | Above +26% | Below 1/2 |
| 22 | Missouri Baptist UniversityMO · Bachelor's | $44,069 n=22 | — | $23,816 | 0.54× | Above +23% | Clears 2/2 |
| 23 | University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeWI · UG cert | $44,026 n=18 | 85% 5yr | $19,629 | 0.45× | Above +13% | Clears 2/2 |
| 24 | Loyola University ChicagoIL · Associate | $41,634 n=47 | — | $5,903 | 0.14× | Above +10% | — |
| 25 | Columbia CollegeSC · Bachelor's | $39,738 n=19 | — | $18,760 | 0.47× | Above +15% | Below 1/2 |
| 26 | Purdue University NorthwestIN · Bachelor's | $37,956 n=23 | — | $14,500 | 0.38× | Above +1% | — |
| 27 | University of Phoenix-ArizonaAZ · Associate | $37,151 n=154 | 100% | $23,813 | 0.64× | Above +1% | Below 1/2 |
| 28 | Rowan UniversityNJ · Bachelor's | $35,817 n=21 | — | $22,476 | 0.63× | Below -10% | — |
% > threshold is ED's own share of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold, taken from the best available measurement window (4-, 5- or 1-year) pooled across all nine College Scorecard Field-of-Study releases; a chip marks any figure not on the 4-year window. Earnings premium compares median earnings four years out to the U.S. Census ACS median for a high-school graduate (undergraduate credentials) or bachelor's-degree holder (graduate credentials) in the institution's state. 2 of 3 yrs flags programs below that benchmark in two of the latest three reported cohort-years — the statutory trigger under the 2025 federal earnings-premium test (effective July 1, 2026). Indicative estimates; the Department of Education's official determination may differ. Figures lag the current year by 2–3 years.
| State | Median earn 4yr | Programs |
|---|---|---|
| California | $47,612 | 5 |
States with at least 3 reporting Behavioral Sciences programs, by median graduate earnings.
Which colleges have the highest-paying Behavioral Sciences programs?
By median earnings four years after completion, the highest-paying Behavioral Sciences programs in this dataset are Harvard University ($125,925), Washington University in St Louis ($75,887), University of Washington-Seattle Campus ($72,822). Earnings reflect College Scorecard field-of-study data (2024-25) and vary by credential level and location.
Are Behavioral Sciences programs at risk under the federal earnings-premium test?
Indicatively, 4 of the 28 Behavioral Sciences programs with both earnings and a state/national benchmark have median graduate earnings below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026), under which a program can lose Title IV eligibility if its graduates earn less than a typical worker without the credential for 2 of 3 years. This estimate uses College Scorecard earnings vs U.S. Census ACS medians; the Department of Education's official determination uses its own cohort definition and may differ.
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Source: U.S. Department of Education — College Scorecard Field of Study, 2014–15 through 2022–23 cohorts plus the most-recent snapshot (2024-25); threshold pass-rates pooled across all nine releases. Earnings-premium benchmarks from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS). Compiled by Ibex Insights. See the methodology.