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Multi / Interdisciplinary · Behavioral Sciences Rank #14 of 18

Behavioral Sciencesat Purdue University Northwest

Graduates earn $28,340/yr in their first year — about 18.0% below the national Behavioral Sciences average. Base-case 10-year earnings $412K; scenarios range from $400K to $406K depending on AI disruption.

Hammond, IN Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
26 AT RISK
27
Optimistic
29
Pessimistic
Earnings
$28,340
1-year post-graduation
ROI
7.4x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$412K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
45% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Purdue University Northwest

The outcomes for this Behavioral Sciences program at Purdue Northwest primarily reflect the foundational nature of a bachelor's degree in this field, rather than a direct path to the higher-earning careers often associated with behavioral science. Many of the listed career paths, such as becoming a psychologist or social scientist, demand extensive graduate-level education, meaning your undergraduate degree alone won't qualify you for those roles. Graduates typically enter vital but lower-paying support positions in social services or community organizations, especially within the regional labor market. The program’s reputation, while part of the Purdue system, doesn't carry the same weight for direct career placement as the flagship campus. To maximize your prospects, you'll need a very clear strategy: either plan for graduate school from day one, or actively pursue internships and complementary minors that provide vocational skills for entry-level roles.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$400K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score29/100
Earnings Multiple11.9x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$412K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score26/100
Earnings Multiple12.2x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$406K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score27/100
Earnings Multiple12.1x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Purdue University Northwest's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Behavioral Sciences graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Psychologists, all other
+4.3% 10-yr growth · 3,900 openings/yr
$117,580/yr
Moderate
2
Social scientists and related workers, all other
-1.7% 10-yr growth · 3,200 openings/yr
$100,340/yr
High
3
Life scientists, all other
+3.7% 10-yr growth · 400 openings/yr
$87,800/yr
Low
4
Psychology teachers, postsecondary
+3.6% 10-yr growth · 4,000 openings/yr
$80,330/yr
Moderate
5
Social and community service managers
+6.4% 10-yr growth · 18,600 openings/yr
$78,240/yr
Moderate
6
Social science research assistants
+4.4% 10-yr growth · 5,200 openings/yr
$58,040/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Behavioral Sciences

How Purdue University Northwest stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Wilmington University
DE · Private nonprofit
37
DW Score
$39K
1-yr earn
8.7x
ROI
University of Phoenix-Arizona
AZ · Private for-profit
37
DW Score
$38K
1-yr earn
10.4x
ROI
University of Phoenix-California
CA · Private for-profit
34
DW Score
$38K
1-yr earn
University of Phoenix-Nevada
NV · Private for-profit
34
DW Score
$38K
1-yr earn
University of Phoenix-Texas
TX · Private for-profit
34
DW Score
$38K
1-yr earn
Also at Purdue University Northwest

Other top programs at Purdue University Northwest

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Purdue University Northwest, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Behavioral Sciences offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Behavioral Sciences trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Behavioral Sciences at Purdue University Northwest

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.