Are you interested in a PhD in applied behavioral analysis? We rank the most affordable online PhD degree programs in applied behavioral analysis.
Also called behavioral engineering, applied behavioral analysis is a therapy using methods based on the science of learning and behavior. ABA is a set of principles that primarily focus on how behaviors can change, how it is affected by the environment, and how learning takes place.
This discipline requires the use of established principles of behavioral strategies, learning, and environmental modifications to teach and improve new behaviors.
Ultimately, the goal of applied behavioral analysis is to enhance and establish socially important behaviors. These behaviors include social, academic, communication, and daily living skills.
ABA therapists work with children with developmental issues. Everybody is most familiar with ABA therapists in the context of autism treatment.
However, ABA specialists can also secure employment in various fields.
Common careers in ABA include:
The average tuition of colleges and universities offering applied behavior analysis programs is $31,516 for undergraduate and $23,084 for graduate programs.
Average undergraduate in-state tuition is $11,083, and $31,516 for out-of-state tuition. Graduate students pay $12,477 for in-state enrollees and $23,084 for out-of-state.
Although these tuition fees may take you a step back and wonder if an online PhD in applied behavior analysis doctoral degree is worth the debt, opting for an in-state program, pursuing financial aid and scholarships, and choosing the right online program can significantly help cut the costs.
Accredited online colleges provide the same high-quality education as traditional brick-and-mortar schools. Online classes offering quality online education are becoming increasingly popular among students, especially busy professionals.
Find out about other in-demand Affordable Degree Programs.
Back to TopBefore enrolling in an online applied behavior analysis doctoral program and becoming a board-certified behavior analyst, there are several factors to consider.
Some PhD programs require a certain number of master’s degree online courses, or for others to retake their master’s online programs at their own institution.
Nevertheless, it is possible to find a doctorate program in ABA with a high ratio of online classes.
There are a number of ways to ensure that online doctorate programs in applied behavioral analysis are as affordable as possible.
The cost of online doctoral programs in ABA vary based on several factors. Most colleges and universities charge more for out-of-state students. However, there are some schools that offer flat-rate tuition, which means that in-state and out-of-state students pay the same per credit cost.
Earning an online doctorate in applied behavior analysis degree as opposed to a traditional on-campus doctorate degree makes it possible to save money on expenses like housing, transportation, and certain campus fees.
Online doctoral programs often make it possible to continue working in your field, which means you can complete your degree program while still earning a living. This can ultimately reduce your dependence on student loan debt.
Earning a PhD in applied behavior analysis through online doctoral programs is a great option for busy professionals who want to continue their education while juggling work and family life.
If affordability is a particular concern, and it is making you reluctant to pursue an online PhD in applied behavior analysis, you may be able to take advantage of financial aid, including grants, scholarships, and loans.
For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website. It is especially important that you choose online doctoral programs that are accredited in order to qualify.
Many schools offering an online PhD doctoral degree in ABA also have assistantship opportunities for their graduate students. Assistantships may give teaching opportunities in exchange for tuition waivers and a stipend. Each school is different, so check into the online ABA doctorate degree program you are interested in.
Bottom Line: An affordable online PhD in applied behavioral analysis doctoral degree is possible when you factor in things like in-state tuition, financial aid, grants, and assistantships.
The following graph depicts the average salaries of Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors for each percentile in the U.S.
Source: U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
SVG Attribution: Wikipedia
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
88%
Graduation
66%
Student body
73K
Median SAT/ACT
1210/24
Arizona State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Arizona State University is a Phoenix-based public research university. It offers more than 350 degree programs across 17 colleges and over 170 cross-discipline centers and institutes for undergraduate students, as well as roughly 400 graduate degree and certificate programs.
ASU’s online Doctorate in Behavioral Health (Clinical) prepares students for a successful career in the modern health industry. This program with a clinical concentration is designed to support master’s-level clinicians by providing them with advanced learning opportunities in medical literacy, behavioral interventions, and entrepreneurship. The tuition fee is $2,326 per credit hour.
Arizona State University prepares students for success with internships, research opportunities, and entrepreneurial endeavors.
Arizona State University is great for students who:
Want a large university feel, but with small classes.
Arizona State University might not be a good fit for students who:
Are not comfortable living in-campus during their first year. All freshmen are required to stay in-campus.
Tuition + fees
$14K
Graduation
50%
Student body
33K
Capella University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Capella University is a private, for-profit online university based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is an accredited online university offering Ph.D., professional doctorate, master’s, and bachelor’s programs for adults who are seeking to advance their respective careers.
Capella University offers is online Doctor of Philosophy in Behavior Analysis for those who strive to achieve the highest levels of academic and clinical or research leadership. This program helps students expand beyond the theoretical and perform research that can help them make a positive contribution to their field. The tuition is $14,767.
Capella University offers FlexPath, a learning format designed to fit into someone’s busy life. Students can set their deadlines and do their coursework at their own pace.
Capella University is great for students who:
Motivated and looking for cost-effective ways to improve their education.
Capella University might not be a good fit for students who:
Expect little coursework just because it’s an online university. There is a lot more work than expected.
Tuition + fees
$37K
Acceptance
77%
Graduation
78%
Student body
4K
Endicott College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts offers offers 6 associate degree programs, 36 bachelor programs, 21 concentrations, and 45 minors. This private school also has 40 master’s degree programs and 4 doctorate programs. Between the undergraduate and graduate-level programs, Endicott College offers 13 certificate programs.
Endicott College offers a Ph.D. in Applied Behavior Analysis. This research-based program is designed to prepare students to become university professors or scientist-practitioners specializing in developmental disabilities within the public policy and education sectors. The tuition is $6,363 per semester.
Endicott College has a dedicated resource department to support a student’s experience in the school, the Gull Parent and Family Resource Page.
Endicott College is great for students who:
Want to attend college and have fun too.
Endicott College might not be a good fit for students who:
are not comfortable with small class sizes.
Tuition + fees
$13K
Student body
<1K
The Chicago School’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, with its main campus in Chicago, Illinois, used to mainly focus on the professional application of psychology. At present, it offers more than 30 academic programs in different professional fields like health care, psychology, health services, counseling, education, and nursing.
The school’s online Ph.D. in Applied Behavior Analysis provides students with a solid foundation in the experimental analysis of behavior, radical behaviorism, and Applied Behavior Analysis. This also prepares them with the skills necessary in bringing about socially significant behavioral changes through evidence-based program development. The tuition fee is $1,449 per credit hour.
This is a very selective institution, with an admission rate range of 30-40%
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is great for students who:
Are looking for supportive and dedicated instructors and counselors.
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology might not be a good fit for students who:
are not comfortable with cold weather. Winter is freezing cold in Chicago.
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
88%
Graduation
63%
Student body
18K
Median SAT/ACT
1160/23
University of Nevada, Reno’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
The University of Nevada-Reno is a public land-grant research university in Reno, Nevada, and the state’s flagship public university and primary land grant institution. It has 13 colleges and schools, 40 academic departments, and more than 460 programs.
The school’s doctorate program in applied behavioral analysis is unique in that, it is partially conducted online, while other parts are sponsored by off-campus locations such as the sponsor’s worksite. This is called a satellite program, thus, requiring students to come to school to attend face-to-face classes occasionally. The tuition fee is $274.75 per credit hour for resident students and $302.25 per credit hour for non-residents.
The school is known for its very high research activity in civil engineering, earthquake, and large-scale structures testing and modeling.
The University of Nevada-Reno is great for students who:
Don’t like being in a very crowded school.
The University of Nevada-Reno might not be a good fit for students who:
Prefer going to large universities.
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
53%
Graduation
84%
Student body
44K
Median SAT/ACT
1326/30
University of Washington’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
The University of Washington, based in Seattle, is one of the older a public research universities on the West Coast. The school has more than 370 graduate programs across all three campuses and online. It also offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees through its 140 departments.
The online Applied Behavior Analysis Ph.D. program at the University of Washington strives to prepare ethical, competent, and professional behavior analysts who work with persons with developmental disabilities. This high-quality, synchronous online class will allow students to get as close to an in-person experience as possible. The tuition is $16,287.
The University of Washington is where you can find a world-renowned medical center and top-ranked programs in nursing, medicine, engineering, business, law, and social work.
The University of Washington is great for students who:
Hope to further their education while also enjoying their college years.
The University of Washington might not be a great fit for students who:
are not open to rigorous coursework. The school is academically hard, so it’s a must for students to be prepared to take on a heavier workload.
Tuition + fees
$12K
Student body
39K
Walden University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Walden University is a private online for-profit university based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It consists of seven colleges and one school. If you are a working professional—or anybody who needs the flexibility to earn a degree, Walden is a perfect choice.
The Applied Behavior Analysis Ph.D. program offers a course sequence verified by the Association for Behavior Analysis International. The program also teaches students to use the principles of human behavior to transform problem behaviors, improve lives, and build positive social skills. The tuition is $34,755.
Walden University is a pioneer in high-quality, distance education. Its program power the success of working professionals not only in America but also in more than 150 countries.
Walden University is great for students who:
Are willing to secure an actual professional-level degree.
Walden University might not be a great fit for students who:
Are not willing to do some hard work.
Tuition + fees
$16K
Student body
2K
Cambridge College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Cambridge College in Boston, Massachusetts maintains regional centers in Lawrence, Springfield, and Rancho Cucamonga, as well as Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. It is recognized as a pioneer in providing quality higher education to adult learners.
Cambridge College offers a Ph.D. in Applied Behavior Analysis with Specialization in Autism Spectrum Disorders Intervention. This program prepares students to serve in leadership positions in public entities and private companies that provide ABA services to underserved populations. The tuition is $1035 per credit hour.
For nearly 50 years, Cambridge College has been providing academically excellent, time-efficient, and affordable higher education to a diverse population of adult learners.
Cambridge College is great for students who:
Are part-time students with a full-time life.
Cambridge College might not be a good fit for students who:
Cannot find ample time to complete their online coursework.
Tuition + fees
$43K
Acceptance
84%
Graduation
71%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
1155/26
Simmons University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Simmons University is a private university located in Boston, Massachusetts. It offers more than 50 majors and programs across a wide range of disciplines. Its undergraduate programs are women-focused while the graduate programs are co-educational.
Simmons University offers a Ph.D. in Behavior Analysis online. The program is designed to train and position behavior analysts to make relevant contributions to the practice and science of behavior analysis. The tuition is $1,110 per credit hour.
The school is known for its progressive view on education.
Simmons University is great for students who:
Are strong and independent women who don’t mind being in a classroom with other intelligent women.
Simmons University might not be a good fit for students who:
Are big partygoers. Simmons is small, thus, big parties during weekends are seldom.
Tuition + fees
$19K
Acceptance
41%
Graduation
62%
Student body
7K
Median SAT/ACT
1080/25
Regent University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Regent University is a private Christian school in Virginia Beach. It offers high-quality degree programs online and on-campus in over 150 areas.
Regent University offers an online Ph.D. in Counseling and Psychological studies that will help advance students in international work. It includes the common core in statistics, research, and psychometrics. The tuition fee is $695 per credit hour.
The school is nationally rated “A” for its challenging and comprehensive liberal arts curriculum.
Regent University is great for students who:
are interested in politics.
Regent University might not be a good fit for students who:
Are not comfortable studying in a Christian school.
Student body
<1K
Saybrook University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Saybrook University in Pasadena, California offers 15 graduate degree programs through both on-campus and online education.
This private university offers an online Ph.D. in Applied Psychophysiology. The program is designed to teach students several significant knowledge of the biological basis of behavior and evaluate psychophysiological recording methodologies. The tuition fee is $1,514 per credit.
All of its programs are very experiential and heart-centered.
Saybrook University is great for students who:
Are interested in the psychology field.
Saybrook University might not be a good fit for students who:
Are looking for student unions, as the school lacks one.
Tuition + fees
$23K
Acceptance
99%
Graduation
62%
Student body
79K
Median SAT/ACT
1145/25
Liberty University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Liberty University is a private Baptist university in Lynchburg, Virginia. Its world-class campus offers more than 300 undergraduate and graduate programs, and the school offers generous scholarships and financial aid, plus exciting opportunities to worship, serve, and have fun.
Liberty University’s School of Behavioral Sciences offers an online Ph.D. in psychology designed to help students become researchers and psychologists who exude ethics and academic excellence while integrating biblical values into their practice. The tuition fee is $595 per credit.
The school is committed to providing affordable and accessible education to everyone. That’s why it has frozen its tuition for the fifth year in a row through the 2023-24 academic year and waived the test-score admission requirement.
Liberty University is great for students who:
Are looking for affordable and high-quality education.
Liberty University might not be a good fit for students who:
are not open about getting molded.
Tuition + fees
$6K
Acceptance
49%
Graduation
75%
Student body
44K
Median SAT/ACT
1240/27
University of South Florida’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
The University of South Florida, with its main campus located in Tampa, is a public research university. It one of the 12-member State University System of Florida. It offers 180 undergraduate majors and degree programs at the graduate, specialist, and doctoral levels.
USF offers an online Ph.D. in Applied Behavior Analysis. Students will complete a series of courses designed to meet ABAI accreditation requirements. These courses will provide a solid foundation in behavior analysis theory and practice as well. The tuition is $15,864.
According to the National Science Foundation, USF is the leader in cutting-edge research in science, medicine, engineering, and technology.
The University of South Florida is great for students who:
are driven and enthusiastic, and those who love having fun just as much as learning.
The University of South Florida might not be a good fit for students who:
are not comfortable with a large student body.
Tuition + fees
$6K
Acceptance
30%
Graduation
91%
Student body
48K
Median SAT/ACT
1375/31
University of Florida’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
A public land-grant school, the University of Florida in Gainesville has a highly diverse student body representing all 50 states and more than 130 countries. The school offers more than 120 undergraduate majors and 250 graduate degree programs.
UF’s online Ph.D. in psychology with a concentration in behavior analysis. The program represents a collegial apprenticeship model where students can closely work with faculty members to achieve research goals and develop as professionals. The tuition is $129.18 per credit hour.
UF is globally and nationally recognized as the leader in academic excellence, both online and on-campus.
The University of Florida is great for students who:
Are self-motivated as the curriculum can be very difficult.
The University of Florida might not be a good fit for students who:
Easily gets overwhelmed. UF is a massive school, and it’s easy to lose oneself in all the things going around.
Tuition + fees
$13K
Student body
8K
Northcentral University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Northcentral University, a private online university based in San Diego, California. offers on-campus or online degrees and has more than 60 programs to choose from.
Northcentral University’s online Doctorate in Psychology with a concentration in Social Policy and Behavioral Health Administration. This advanced program is research-intensive, helping grad students advance their critical thinking and communication skills. The tuition fee is $3,444.
The school offers higher education to working professionals anywhere in the world and does not require physical residency.
Northcentral University is great for students who:
are outgoing and love to help. The school’s location in downtown Minneapolis makes room for volunteer work.
Northcentral University might not be a good fit for students who:
Are not comfortable with a Christian university.
Tuition + fees
$14K
Graduation
9%
Student body
28K
University of Arizona Global Campus’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
The University of Arizona Global Campus, formerly called Ashford University, school offers 10 degree paths to over 200 undergrad majors, 10 grad certificates, and 60 fully online degrees at the undergrad and graduate levels.
UAGC offers a Ph.D. in Psychology with a concentration in health and wellness. This program will help students develop skills in improving employees’ work-life balance. Students must defend an Applied Doctoral Project or Dissertation for this program. The program cost is $510 per credit.
Over the years, UAGC has grown and transformed from a small, traditional college into a national institution committed to supporting working professionals.
The University of Arizona Global Campus is great for students who:
Are busy adults who can no longer find the time to go to a traditional school.
The University of Arizona Global Campus might not be a good fit for students who:
Are looking for a school that will be able to help them find a job after graduation.
Tuition + fees
$18K
Acceptance
83%
Graduation
45%
Student body
94K
Grand Canyon University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Grand Canyon University, a for-profit Christian private university, is in Phoenix, Arizona. With over 200 programs from nine distinct colleges, the school offers the education each student needs to reach their goals and grow in their given field.
GCU offers an online Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology and Instruction Degree emphasis program. The coursework covers topics relevant to building and analyzing desired learning outcomes, including social cognition and assessments. The tuition is $715 per credit.
GCU is accessible, multicultural, and affordable.
Grand Canyon University is great for students who are:
Looking for great professors that take their time doing their lectures.
Grand Canyon University might not be a good fit for students who are:
Are not Christians.
Tuition + fees
$23K
Acceptance
88%
Graduation
65%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1140/24
Freed–Hardeman University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Freed-Hardeman University is associated with the Churches of Christ and operates as a private school. It is located in Henderson, Tennessee. The school offerssmore than 40 undergraduate degrees, concentrated into 35 majors within 23 broad fields of study.
FHU offers a Doctor of Behavioral Health degree. This program prepares current and future healthcare providers for a transforming healthcare marketplace. There is no dissertation in this program, although there is a capstone research project. The tuition is $650 per credit hour.
FHU was recognized for its solid sense of spirituality on campus. Every student has a Bible class every semester and worships with faculty at the daily chapel.
Freed-Hardeman University is great for students who:
Are Christians wanting to live the way God wants them to.
Freed-Hardeman University might not be a good fit for students who:
are non-Christians.
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
93%
Graduation
56%
Student body
23K
Median SAT/ACT
1200/25
Utah State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Utah State University is a public land-grant and space grant Carnegie R1 research university. Its main campus can be found in Logan, Utah. USU offers at least 200 programs across nine degree-granting colleges.
USU’s Ph.D. in Behavior Analysis provides students with a firm understanding of translational, conceptual, basic, and applied domains of behavior analysis. This also promotes interdisciplinary and translational approaches to behavior analysis. The graduate tuition is $404 per credit.
Utah State University is globally recognized for its technological and intellectual leadership.
Utah State University is great for students who are:
Independent, fun-loving, and not afraid to work hard and then have fun when the day is done.
Utah State University might not be a good fit for students who:
Cannot balance tough academics and fun free time.
Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies offers online, post-graduate education in the field of integrated behavioral healthcare. This private, non-profit, DEAC-accredited university is known for its outstanding Doctor of Behavioral Health.
The Doctor of Behavioral Health at Cummings Graduate Institute is aimed at equipping integrated care professionals to deliver whole-person and patient-centered care competently and efficiently to a wide array of diverse populations and specialty medical settings. The tuition is $400 per credit hour.
One of the most notable features of CGI’s Doctor of Behavioral Health is that it’s anchored on the Biodyne Model, a patient-centered, whole-person approach to behavioral health developed by CGI’s found Dr. Nicholas Cummings.
Cummings Graduate Institute is great for students who:
Want to help make a change in a broken healthcare system.
Cummings Graduate Institute might not be a good fit for students who:
Cannot keep up with the tough academic rigors of the school.