Top ABA Graduate Programs: A Comprehensive Guide
Top ABA Graduate Programs: A Comprehensive Guide
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Everest Program highlights:
- Paid RBT training & certification
- Discounted tuition through partner universities
- Student loan repayment assistance
- No-cost supervision hours (restricted & unrestricted)
- Incentive pay for unrestricted hours
- Study materials, BDS modules, & live prep sessions
- Paid study time off the schedule
- Bonuses for passing the BCBA exam
Ready to reach your BCBA goals? Learn more today!
At Action Behavior Centers (ABC), we help children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) reach milestone moments. Compassionate care is at the heart of everything we do, and our highly trained clinicians deliver evidence-based applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy tailored to each child’s unique needs.
Our autism services include diagnostic support, 1:1 individualized care, parent training, school readiness programs, and Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI) across hundreds of centers in Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Texas. Because no family should have to wait for help, ABC offers immediate access to care. Contact us today to get started.
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At Action Behavior Centers, we provide applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy, a gold standard approach for helping children with autism. Our evidence-based therapies are carefully crafted to meet your child’s needs and unlock their strengths and abilities.
