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Behavioral Sciences at Purdue University Northwest

Hammond, IN · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $28,340/yr (-18% vs median)

AI Risk High (36% exposed)

Job Market Large (48,400 openings/yr)

ROI 12.2x earnings multiple (6.6x out-of-state)

Ranked #14 of 18 Behavioral Sciences programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Behavioral Sciences graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$406K	$412K	$400K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	12.1x	12.2x	11.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	6.5x	6.6x	6.4x
Probability of Field Employment	52%	48%	39%
DegreeOutlook Score	27	26	29

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$33,676

Out-of-state: $62,480 (6.6x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$33,852

-1% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$14,500

6.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $28,340/yr fall 18% below the $34,439 national median for Behavioral Sciences. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 12.2x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 36% task exposure — and the 2% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $14,500 debt-to-$28,340 income ratio translates to about 6 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #14 out of 18 programs, Purdue University Northwest's financial outcomes for Behavioral Sciences trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About Purdue University Northwest

Purdue University Northwest has a 71% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving 5,786 students in Hammond, IN.

See all programs and financial aid at Purdue University Northwest →

Top Career Paths

Psychologists, all other $117,580/yr

Social scientists and related workers, all other $100,340/yr

Life scientists, all other $87,800/yr

View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Behavioral Sciences at Other Schools

Other Majors at Purdue University Northwest

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Purdue University Northwest's Behavioral Sciences program score?

This program scores 26/100 — on the lower end for Behavioral Sciences. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is Behavioral Sciences to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Behavioral Sciences careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 36% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why are Behavioral Sciences earnings lower at Purdue University Northwest?

Lower starting pay at Purdue University Northwest may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →