{"id":59,"title":"Top ABA Graduate Programs: A Comprehensive Guide","slug":"top-aba-graduate-programs-a-comprehensive-guide","lang":"en","description":"Choosing the right graduate program in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) can shape your entire career path as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). There’s a lot to consider when looking at schools, like tuition costs, exam outcomes, online options, and faculty support.","content":"

This guide breaks down the top ABA master’s and Ph.D. programs in the U.S. using four essential criteria:

First-time BCBA® exam pass rates
Student-to-faculty ratios
Online program flexibility & strength
Overall value (cost-effectiveness per successful graduate)

Whether you’re looking for the highest exam pass rate or the best value per tuition dollar, this blog will help you compare top programs at a glance.

Best ABA graduate programs by first-time BCBA exam pass rates

The BCBA exam is notoriously tough, so first-time pass rates are a strong indicator of program quality. The data below reflects 2024 first-time pass rates, as published by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB®), and highlights how well each program prepares its graduates for certification.

School	Format	Pass Rate	Candidates
California State University, Northridge	In‑Person	100%	13
Florida Institute of Technology	Online	100%	11
Marquette University	In‑Person	100%	10
McNeese State University	In‑Person & Online	100%	8
University of Alabama in Huntsville	Online	100%	10
University of British Columbia	In‑Person	100%	10
University of Kent	In‑Person & Online	100%	7
University of Pittsburgh	In‑Person	100%	10
University of South Wales	In‑Person	100%	6
Utah State University	In‑Person	100%	6
Florida State University	In‑Person	94%	18
University of Kansas	Online	93%	N/A
University of Southern California	In‑Person	93%	N/A

Tip: Pass rates can reflect strong curriculum design, faculty engagement, and fieldwork preparation.

ABA graduate programs with the best student-to-faculty ratios

Direct access to faculty and personalized supervision during fieldwork is critical in ABA. Programs with lower student-to-faculty ratios often offer better support for mastering clinical and ethical practices.

School	Format	Ratio	Pass Rate
Vanderbilt University	In‑Person	7:1	94%
University of Northern Colorado–Extended Campus	Online	13:1	92%
Baylor University	In‑Person	15:1	>90%
Northern Illinois University	In‑Person	15:1	83%
Florida State University–Panama City	In‑Person	21:1	100%

TIp: Smaller cohorts = more feedback, stronger practicum, and better preparation for clinical work.

Best online ABA master’s programs for flexibility & quality

Online programs are ideal for working professionals or those without access to a local ABA program, but quality varies. Here are the strongest online ABA programs, ranked by program features, tuition cost, and pass rates.

School	Program Features	Tuition	Pass Rate
University of South Florida	Asynchronous with fieldwork support	$600/credit	89%
St. Cloud State University	ABAI‑verified, strong alumni outcomes	$705/credit	90%
University of Washington–Seattle	Synchronous, tech‑forward delivery	$600/credit	88%
Simmons University	Scholarships up to $20K	$500–$700/credit	90%

Tip: Look for programs with verified course sequences (VCS) and support for supervised fieldwork hours.

How to find the highest value BCBA graduate program

Affordability matters, especially when paired with strong outcomes. We’ve created a “value score” by multiplying the average tuition per credit by the BCBA exam pass rate (minimum of 75%). The lower the number, the more cost-effective the program is per successful graduate.

School	Format	Pass Rate	Tuition	Value Score
Simmons University	Online	90%	$500–$700/credit	$450–$630
Florida Institute of Technology	Online	100%	$510/credit	$510 ✅ Top pass rate
University of South Florida	Online	89%	$600/credit	$534 ✅ Balanced value & outcome
St. Cloud State University	Online	90%	$705/credit	$635

Tip: If you’re on a budget, Simmons offers the best price point. For results and cost, USF strikes a great balance.

Overview of top ABA graduate programs

Top programs for exam success

Florida Institute of Technology, California State University Northridge, and Utah State University had 100% BCBA pass rates in 2024.

Best mentorship and low faculty-to-student ratios

Vanderbilt University (7:1) and Baylor University (15:1) provide strong access to faculty.

Top online flexibility with strong outcomes

University of South Florida, University of Washington–Seattle, and St. Cloud State University stand out for their quality and structure.

Best value for your money

The University of South Florida offers one of the lowest costs per graduate, balancing affordability with strong student outcomes.

Are you ready to become a BCBA?

If you're serious about becoming a BCBA, use this guide to compare options and identify the program that best fits your goals, whether that’s affordability, flexibility, or exam prep success.

Explore ABAI Verified Programs
Check BACB University Pass Rate Data
Talk to current students or alumni on LinkedIn to gain real-world insight into the program’s culture and workload.

Are you thinking about starting your ABA career soon? Start comparing admissions deadlines now! Many of these programs offer rolling or fall-only start dates.

Explore Action Behavior’s leading BCBA fellowship program

At Action Behavior Centers, we created the Everest Program to support aspiring behavior analysts on their climb to the BCBA summit. This no-cost, paid fellowship program offers fieldwork supervision, study support, and mentorship from clinical leaders, including Dr. Charna Mintz, Chief Clinical Officer; Dr. Gregory Hanley, Executive Director of Compassionate Care; and Dr. Linda LeBlanc, Executive Director of the Action Institute for Outcomes Research.

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