Behavioral Sciences: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Behavioral Sciences is an interdisciplinary field dedicated to understanding the multifaceted nature of human behavior, development, and social interaction. By integrating insights from psychology, social sciences, and biomedical research, this program equips students with the analytical tools to explore both individual and collective human experiences across diverse contexts.
- Psychological Foundations: Explores the cognitive, emotional, and motivational processes that shape individual behavior, including learning, perception, memory, and personality development.
- Social and Cultural Dynamics: Investigates how societal structures, cultural norms, and group interactions influence behavior, identity formation, and interpersonal relationships.
- Biomedical Influences on Behavior: Examines the physiological and neurological underpinnings of human actions, including the impact of genetics, brain function, and health on psychological states.
- Developmental Perspectives: Studies the stages and mechanisms of human growth across the lifespan, from infancy through aging, with attention to physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional milestones.
- Research and Analytical Methods: Develops proficiency in qualitative and quantitative research techniques, data interpretation, and ethical inquiry to evaluate behavioral phenomena in real-world settings.
Behavioral Sciences Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Behavioral Sciences Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Behavioral Sciences degrees, including Psychologists, All Other, Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other and Life Scientists, All Other. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 442,510 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychologists, All Other 19-3039 | $117,580 | $51,410 - $163,570 | 17,790 | $56.53 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other 19-3099 | $100,340 | $62,570 - $160,810 | 36,970 | $48.24 |
| Life Scientists, All Other 19-1099 | $87,800 | $52,360 - $168,860 | 7,320 | $42.21 |
| Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1066 | $80,330 | $47,870 - $158,900 | 41,610 | N/A |
| Social and Community Service Managers 11-9151 | $78,240 | $50,020 - $129,820 | 195,490 | $37.61 |
| Social Science Research Assistants 19-4061 | $58,040 | $36,410 - $100,620 | 32,940 | $27.90 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other 21-1099 | $54,940 | $36,470 - $83,210 | 110,390 | $26.41 |
Behavioral Sciences Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $60,825 in West Virginia to $101,680 in District of Columbia—a 67% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, California, and Virginia. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 442,510 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Behavioral Sciences by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Behavioral Sciences programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Behavioral Sciences is found at Purdue University Global (1,179 graduates), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill (569 graduates), San Jacinto Community College (391 graduates), Teachers College at Columbia University (TC) (346 graduates), and University of Iowa (318 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 5,367 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purdue University Global |
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
|
1,179 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdueglobal.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
569 | Chapel Hill, North Carolina | Public | unc.edu |
| San Jacinto Community College |
Associate's
|
391 | Pasadena, Texas | Public | sanjac.edu |
| Teachers College at Columbia University (TC) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
346 | New York, New York | Private | tc.columbia.edu |
| University of Iowa |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
318 | Iowa City, Iowa | Public | uiowa.edu |
| Imperial Valley College (IVC) |
Associate's
|
163 | Imperial, California | Public | imperial.edu |
| Ashford University (UAGC) |
Bachelor's
|
153 | San Diego, California | Private | uagc.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
138 | Austin, Texas | Public | utexas.edu |
| Washington University in St Louis (WashU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Doctorate (Professional)
|
114 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | wustl.edu |
| South Mountain Community College (SMCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
88 | Phoenix, Arizona | Public | southmountaincc.edu |
| Endicott College |
Master's
|
81 | Beverly, Massachusetts | Private | endicott.edu |
| University of Kansas (KU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
80 | Lawrence, Kansas | Public | ku.edu |
| Harvard University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
80 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | harvard.edu |
| Baylor University |
Master's
|
76 | Waco, Texas | Private | baylor.edu |
| University of Pennsylvania (Penn) |
Master's
|
74 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | upenn.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
73 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| Glendale Community College (GCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
71 | Glendale, Arizona | Public | gccaz.edu |
| Elizabethtown College |
Bachelor's
|
58 | Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania | Private | etown.edu |
| United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) |
Bachelor's
|
54 | USAF Academy, Colorado | Public | usafa.edu |
| Daemen University |
Master's
|
52 | Amherst, New York | Private | daemen.edu |
| University of Tulsa (TU) |
Bachelor's
|
52 | Tulsa, Oklahoma | Private | utulsa.edu |
| University of Houston (UHCL) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
49 | Houston, Texas | Public | uhcl.edu |
| Yale University |
Master's
|
48 | New Haven, Connecticut | Private | yale.edu |
| Brown University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
47 | Providence, Rhode Island | Private | brown.edu |
| Loyola University Chicago (LUC) |
Associate's
|
44 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | luc.edu |
| San Jose State University (SJSU) |
Bachelor's
|
38 | San Jose, California | Public | sjsu.edu |
| University of Phoenix (UOPX) |
Bachelor's
|
38 | Phoenix, Arizona | Private | phoenix.edu |
| Hofstra University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
34 | Hempstead, New York | Private | hofstra.edu |
| Franklin and Marshall College (F&M) |
Bachelor's
|
31 | Lancaster, Pennsylvania | Private | fandm.edu |
| Murray State College (MSC) |
Associate's
|
29 | Tishomingo, Oklahoma | Public | mscok.edu |
| Western Illinois University (WIU) |
Master's
|
28 | Macomb, Illinois | Public | wiu.edu |
| American River College (ARC) |
Associate's
|
27 | Sacramento, California | Public | arc.losrios.edu |
| Vincennes University (VU) |
Associate's
|
24 | Vincennes, Indiana | Public | vinu.edu |
| University of West Georgia (UWG) |
Bachelor's
|
23 | Carrollton, Georgia | Public | westga.edu |
| Rowan University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
23 | Glassboro, New Jersey | Public | rowan.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMBC) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
22 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | umbc.edu |
| George Fox University |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Newberg, Oregon | Private | georgefox.edu |
| University of Wisconsin (UWO) |
Other Award
|
21 | Oshkosh, Wisconsin | Public | uwosh.edu |
| University of Baltimore (UBalt) |
Master's
|
20 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | ubalt.edu |
| Eastern Washington University (EWU) |
Master's
Other Award
|
20 | Cheney, Washington | Public | ewu.edu |
| California State University (CSUDH) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Carson, California | Public | csudh.edu |
| Concordia University (CUI) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Irvine, California | Private | cui.edu |
| Life Pacific University (LPUS) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | San Dimas, California | Private | lifepacific.edu |
| Mohave Community College (MCC) |
Associate's
|
18 | Kingman, Arizona | Public | mohave.edu |
| Johns Hopkins University (JHU) |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | jhu.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Master's
|
17 | Lowell, Massachusetts | Public | uml.edu |
| University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies |
Associate's
|
17 | Manchester, New Hampshire | Public | cps.unh.edu |
| Hill College |
Associate's
|
17 | Hillsboro, Texas | Public | hillcollege.edu |
| Clovis Community College (CCC) |
Associate's
|
16 | Clovis, New Mexico | Public | clovis.edu |
| Purdue University Northwest (PNW) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Hammond, Indiana | Public | pnw.edu |
| Snow College |
Associate's
|
15 | Ephraim, Utah | Public | snow.edu |
| Fitchburg State University |
Postbac Cert.
|
14 | Fitchburg, Massachusetts | Public | fitchburgstate.edu |
| Saint Francis University (SFU) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Loretto, Pennsylvania | Private | francis.edu |
| Chabot College (CC) |
Associate's
|
13 | Hayward, California | Public | chabotcollege.edu |
| University of Miami (UM) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
13 | Coral Gables, Florida | Private | miami.edu |
| California Baptist University (CBU) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Riverside, California | Private | calbaptist.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
12 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| Colorado School of Mines |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
12 | Golden, Colorado | Public | mines.edu |
| New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Newark, New Jersey | Public | njit.edu |
| Lewis-Clark State College (LC State) |
Associate's
|
11 | Lewiston, Idaho | Public | lcsc.edu |
| Missouri Baptist University (MBU) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | mobap.edu |
| Campbell University |
Associate's
|
11 | Buies Creek, North Carolina | Private | campbell.edu |
| Temple College |
Associate's
|
11 | Temple, Texas | Public | templejc.edu |
| Athens State University |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Athens, Alabama | Public | athens.edu |
| Central Washington University (CWU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
10 | Ellensburg, Washington | Public | cwu.edu |
| Carroll University |
Master's
|
10 | Waukesha, Wisconsin | Private | carrollu.edu |
| MiraCosta College |
Associate's
|
9 | Oceanside, California | Public | miracosta.edu |
| San Francisco State University (SFSU) |
Master's
|
9 | San Francisco, California | Public | sfsu.edu |
| East-West University (EWU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | eastwest.edu |
| Concordia University-Nebraska |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Seward, Nebraska | Private | cune.edu |
| Sisseton Wahpeton College (SWC) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
9 | Sisseton, South Dakota | Public | swcollege.edu |
| Northern Arizona University (NAU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
8 | Flagstaff, Arizona | Public | nau.edu |
| Northwestern University |
Postbac Cert.
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | Evanston, Illinois | Private | northwestern.edu |
| William Paterson University of New Jersey |
Other Award
|
8 | Wayne, New Jersey | Public | wpunj.edu |
| Texas Tech University (TTU) |
Postbac Cert.
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | Lubbock, Texas | Public | ttu.edu |
| The University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHealth) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | Houston, Texas | Public | uth.edu |
| Richard Bland College (RBC) |
Associate's
|
8 | South Prince George, Virginia | Public | rbc.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) |
Other Award
|
8 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Public | uwm.edu |
| University of Maine (UMFK) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Fort Kent, Maine | Public | umfk.maine.edu |
| City College of San Francisco (CCSF) |
Associate's
|
6 | San Francisco, California | Public | ccsf.edu |
| Shasta College |
Associate's
|
6 | Redding, California | Public | shastacollege.edu |
| University of Chicago (UChicago) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | uchicago.edu |
| The University of Montana (UMW) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Dillon, Montana | Public | umwestern.edu |
| University of Mount Saint Vincent (UMSV) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Bronx, New York | Private | mountsaintvincent.edu |
| Pace University |
Master's
|
6 | New York, New York | Private | pace.edu |
| Houston Christian University (HCU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
6 | Houston, Texas | Private | hc.edu |
| Cornell University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Ithaca, New York | Private | cornell.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
| The University of Tennessee Southern (UT Southern) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Pulaski, Tennessee | Public | utsouthern.edu |
| Trevecca Nazarene University (TNU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | trevecca.edu |
| The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Galveston, Texas | Public | utmb.edu |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus |
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Denver, Colorado | Public | ucdenver.edu |
| Columbia University in the City of New York |
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | New York, New York | Private | columbia.edu |
| Mercy University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Dobbs Ferry, New York | Private | mercy.edu |
| Columbia College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Columbia, South Carolina | Private | columbiasc.edu |
| Emory University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Atlanta, Georgia | Private | emory.edu |
| Rochester University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Rochester Hills, Michigan | Private | rochesteru.edu |
| University of Delaware (UD) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Newark, Delaware | Public | udel.edu |
| Andrews University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Berrien Springs, Michigan | Private | andrews.edu |
| Northern Michigan University (NMU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Marquette, Michigan | Public | nmu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Behavioral Sciences programs
How much can I earn with a Behavioral Sciences degree?
Salaries for Behavioral Sciences graduates vary by role and location. Psychologists, All Other earn a median of $117,580 annually, while Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other earn around $100,340. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $101,680 compared to $60,825 in West Virginia. Approximately 442,510 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Behavioral Sciences programs?
Currently 117 accredited institutions offer Behavioral Sciences degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Purdue University Global (1,179 graduates), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill (569 graduates), and San Jacinto Community College (391 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Behavioral Sciences growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 1,340 in 2010 to 5,391 in 2023-24. This represents a 302% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Behavioral Sciences degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Psychologists, All Other, Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other, and Life Scientists, All Other. Related occupations employ approximately 442,510 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Related Interdisciplinary Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Interdisciplinary field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
Classical and Ancient Studies
A program that focuses on the study of the classical ancient civilizations of the ancient Near East, Europe, and the Mediterranean Sea, such...
Classical and Ancient Studies
Any program in classical and ancient studies not listed above.
Intercultural and Diversity Studies
A program that focuses on the dynamic social relations between and among majority and minority groups and different minority groups, and ways to...
Cognitive Science
A program that focuses on the study of the mind and the nature of intelligence from the interdisciplinary perspectives of computer science, philosophy,...
Contemplative Studies
A program that focuses on the philosophical, psychological, and scientific bases of human contemplative experience. Includes instruction in cognitive science, meditation, mindfulness, neuroscience,...
Cultural Studies and Critical Theory
An interdisciplinary program that focuses on the analysis and critique of culture in its varied forms, including values, ideas, belief systems, and expressive...