Students who graduate with a bachelor’s degree in behavioral psychology are qualified to pursue careers in such fields as business, education, mental health, research, marketing, law enforcement, public relations, and social services. They can find employment as social workers, research assistants, human resources specialists, child and adolescent psychologists, behavioral therapists, substance abuse counselors, and more. A bachelor’s degree also paves the way for a master’s degree in behavioral psychology or a related discipline.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is $53,710, while school counselors earn $61,710. The median annual salary for human resources specialists is $67,650.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average tuition for an undergraduate program is $7,998 at public universities and $34,923 at private institutions. It generally takes four years of full-time study to complete this degree.
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The Intelligent.com Higher Education Team is dedicated to providing students with independent, equitable school and program rankings and well-researched resources. Our expert-driven articles cover topics related to online colleges and programs, paying for school, and career outlooks. We use data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, the National Center for Education Statistics, and other reputable educational and professional organizations. Our academic advisory team reviews content and verifies accuracy throughout the year for the most current information. Partnerships do not influence rankings or editorial decisions.
- Analyzed over 2,000 national, accredited, and nonprofit colleges and universities
- 800+ rankings pages are reviewed and updated yearly
- Content is informed by reputable sources, surveys, and interviews with academic advisors and other experts
- Over 100 data points are reviewed for accuracy and quality throughout the year, including sources
How we rank schools
Our list features the best online Behavioral Psychology degree programs at top colleges nationwide. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions.
We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, reputation, and the student resources provided for online students. We collected data from trusted sources like the National Center for Education Statistics, individual school and program websites, school admissions counselors, and other data sources. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100 based on the following criterion:
Academic Quality:
- Admission rate versus enrollment rate
- Retention rate of students who return after year one
- Accreditation status (regional and programmatic)
- Nonprofit status, both private and public institutions
Graduation Rate
- Overall graduation rate
- Total number of currently enrolled students, including diversity metrics
- Student-to-faculty ratio
Cost and ROI
- In-state and out-of-state per-credit tuition rates and fees
- Required credits to graduate
- Earning potential after graduation
- Availability of federal student loans, scholarships, and other financial aid options
Student Resources
- Available student services for online-only and hybrid programs
- On-campus amenities like tutoring centers and the number of libraries
Read more about our ranking methodology.
Best 6 Online Bachelor's in Behavioral Psychology Programs
FiltersInstitution Type
Status
- Intelligent Score
- Alphabetically By University Name
- Acceptance Rate
- Enrollment
- In-state Graduate Tuition
- Out-of-state Graduate Tuition
- In-state Undergraduate Tuition
- Out-of-state Undergraduate Tuition
Central Methodist University
Intelligent Score: 99.90In-state: $5,950
Out-of-state: $5,950
In-state: $6,075
Out-of-state: $6,075
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
$270
Online
Higher Learning Commission
120
Ball State University
Intelligent Score: 96.62In-state: $9,482
Out-of-state: $26,470
In-state: $9,328
Out-of-state: $9,328
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
Resident: $336
Non-Resident: $561
Online
Higher Learning Commission
120
Wilmington University
Intelligent Score: 95.26In-state: $11,430
Out-of-state: $11,430
In-state: $8,784
Out-of-state: $8,784
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
$409
Online
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
120
Mercy University
Intelligent Score: 94.28In-state: $40,712
Out-of-state: $40,712
In-state: $47,865
Out-of-state: $47,865
SAT: 1020-1230
ACT: 23-27
$892
Online, On-Campus
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
120
Bellevue University
Intelligent Score: 92.02In-state: $7,176
Out-of-state: $7,176
In-state: $10,710
Out-of-state: $10,710
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
$449
Online, On-Campus
Higher Learning Commission
127
Saint Francis University
Intelligent Score: 91.53In-state: $38,728
Out-of-state: $38,728
In-state: $25,000
Out-of-state: $25,000
SAT: 1010-1220
ACT: 22-26
$1,283
Online
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
128
How to Choose an Online Bachelor’s in Behavioral Psychology Program
Choose your area of study
This degree may be offered as a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science. Also, many programs will allow you to select a concentration and focus your studies on a particular niche in this field, such as counseling, childhood development, organizational psychology, developmental psychology, applied behavior analysis, or neuroscience and behavior. If you already know what you would like to do after you graduate, look for programs that closely match these career goals.
Research schools and programs
You should only apply to institutions that have been approved by a DOE-recognized regional accrediting organization, such as the New England Commission of Higher Education or Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. These organizations evaluate schools to ensure they provide students with a high-quality education. Those who attend a school that isn’t regionally accredited may be unable to access financial aid or transfer credits to another institution if needed.
When gathering information about the academic components of various programs, take note of these factors as well:
- What is the cost of the program? Before you get too far into researching a program, check the cost of tuition. If it’s outside your budget, you needn’t spend time looking up information. While cost is an important factor, remember to weigh it against the academics and other factors on this list. The cheapest option may not be the best program.
- Where is the school located? Although you’ll be studying online, universities often have on-campus services, events, and activities that are available to online students as well. These include library access, fitness centers, career fairs, in-person orientations, sporting events, student clubs and organizations, and more. You may wish to take advantage of some of them. Additionally, some programs are offered only in a hybrid format, with students required to attend some classes in person. Therefore, a school’s location may be an essential element to consider when choosing a program.
To learn more about any schools that you’re interested in, you can visit the school’s website, contact an admissions counselor, follow the school on social media, or attend an in-person or virtual open house.
Prepare for tests and applications
Specific application requirements vary from school to school. Generally speaking, students have to submit, in addition to the application itself, official transcripts from their high school or other colleges they attended, SAT or ACT scores, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. And you should always contact an admissions counselor to ensure you have the most accurate information regarding program requirements and deadlines.
Select your program
To select your program, review the research you’ve done, make a list of your schools in order of preference, and begin applying. You may have a top-choice school, but there is no guarantee you’ll be accepted, so keep your options open. Also, keep in mind that many schools charge an application fee, and the money can add up if you are applying to multiple institutions.
Before making your final decision, review your needs and goals again. Do you plan to attend school full-time or part-time? Do you want your program to be as online as possible, or are you fine with a hybrid program that has a fair amount of in-person requirements? Some programs offer asynchronous courses, which can be completed at your own pace, while others only offer synchronous courses, which involve remotely attending lectures and completing assignments at the same time as other students — which of these two online learning formats do you prefer? Your school should accommodate your scheduling needs and learning preferences.
Determine how you’ll pay for your degree
Contact the school’s financial aid office to learn more about program cost. If you can’t pay for your degree upfront, there are plenty of other payment options.
First, fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You may be eligible for financial aid from the U.S. government in the form of grants, loans, and work-study programs.
If you have previously earned college credits from high school or an associate degree, you may be able to apply them to the program, reducing the number of courses you need to take. Members of the military often qualify for reduced tuition. Those who already work in the field should see if their employer offers tuition assistance benefits as well.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of online PhD programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like the U.S. News & World Report among others to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
Online Bachelor’s in Behavioral Psychology Programs That Might Interest You
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
What Can You Expect from an Online Bachelor’s in Behavioral Psychology Program?
While a psychology degree focuses on the human brain, a behavioral psychology program is an interdisciplinary approach to the study of human behavior. It explores and analyzes human actions and habits using psychology, sociology, anthropology, cognitive science, and other disciplines. It also examines how language and culture influence human behavior.
The skills learned in this degree program can be applied to any number of fields, including education, marketing, business, law enforcement, child development, drug counseling, and many more. The core curriculum includes liberal arts, writing, and science classes, with upper-level courses focusing on psychology-specific subjects.
An online learning management system (LMS) is used to deliver coursework. Many universities use Blackboard, Canvas, D2L Brightspace, or Moodle, but some have their own proprietary LMS. Students log on to access the course syllabus, schedules, reading and audio-video material, class assignments, announcements, grades, and more. There is also a chat function available along with message boards so students can communicate with instructors and one another.
Potential courses you’ll take in an online bachelor’s in behavioral psychology degree program
- Cultural anthropology. This course examines the cultural origins, development, and diversity of humans. It delves into the similarities and differences between countries and cultures as well as how these factors shape societies and how people behave within them.
- Marriage and the family. Students in this course study marriage and family from a societal perspective, including different patterns of behavior across time and cultures. They examine current trends as well as their causes and consequences, and the course also covers such issues as domestic violence, divorce, gender roles, sex, and how the idea of traditional family life is changing in the 21st century.
- Social change. In this course, students study how and why social change occurs and how people adapt to these changes. They examine various factors that drive these changes, such as politics, technology, acculturation, globalization, immigration, conflict, economic changes, and changes in laws.
- Abnormal psychology. This course focuses on the causes and characteristics of abnormal human behavior and how it can be managed. It covers theoretical perspectives, major disorders, and treatments of these disorders as well as their impact, both socially and individually.
What Can I Do With an Online Behavioral Psychology Degree?
Career outlook
An online bachelor’s degree in behavioral psychology helps students develop skills they can apply to careers in a variety of fields, including counseling, social services, education, healthcare, and business. It also lays the groundwork for further study, such as a master’s in psychology, which will qualify students for clinical and research roles.
Many behavioral psychology graduates go on to work directly with people to help them address behavioral and mental health issues, including substance misuse and other addictions. However, the principles individuals learn in behavioral psychology programs can also be applied to fields such as marketing, where professionals use their understanding of human psychology and behavior to develop advertising and promotional campaigns to sell products and services.
- Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselor — Advise people on a range of issues, such as those relating to alcoholism, addictions, or depression, and provide support to help clients modify problem behaviors and improve mental health.
- Median annual salary: $53,710
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 18%
- New jobs projected: 42,000 per year
- Social and community service manager — Coordinate and supervise programs and organizations that support public well-being and direct workers who provide these services to the public.
- Median annual salary: $77,030
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 9%
- New jobs projected: 16,000 per year
- Advertising, promotions, or marketing manager — Conduct market research, plan advertising and promotional campaigns, and supervise marketing staff.
- Median annual salary: $156,580
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 6%
- New job projected: 34,000 per year
Online Bachelor’s in Behavioral Psychology Degree Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to an online bachelor’s in behavioral psychology degree program?
Applications can be submitted online through the school’s website or through the mail. All supporting documentation should be submitted along with the application fee. Instead of filling out a different application for each school, some universities — nearly 1,000 around the country — accept what is known as the Common Application, which allows you to apply to multiple schools at once. It’s always best to speak with an admissions counselor before applying.
How much does an online bachelor’s in behavioral psychology degree cost?
The average annual tuition for an undergraduate degree is $14,688. A school’s status as a public or private institution will also affect the base tuition rate — private schools are usually more expensive than public schools, though public schools tend to charge out-of-state students a much higher tuition rate than in-state students. Additional expenses include technology and software needed for online study, supplies, and books.
How long does it take to earn an online bachelor’s in behavioral psychology degree?
Most bachelor’s degree programs require about 120 credits, which full-time students usually complete in four years. If you already have an associate degree, you may be able to earn a bachelor’s in behavioral psychology degree in just two years. Some universities offer accelerated programs, enabling students to finish in less time.
Is an online behavioral psychology degree worth it?
A bachelor’s degree in behavioral psychology offers excellent preparation for students seeking a career in which they can help vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, or those dealing with mental and behavioral health challenges. Many entry-level positions in this field require a bachelor’s degree, so graduates are qualified for more positions than they would be otherwise. This degree also provides a strong foundation for further study at the graduate level if students want to seek clinical psychologist positions.
From a financial perspective, individuals with a bachelor’s degree earn a median weekly salary of $1,493, compared to $899 for those with only a high school diploma. Mental health counselors earn a median annual salary of $53,710, although the top 10 percent of earners in the field make more than $89,920 annually.
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