Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) are in high demand, especially as our understanding of autism spectrum disorders and developmental disorders has grown. If you have a passion for special education and want to pursue a career in applied behavior analysis, you have plenty of options that are both fully online and affordable. This article explores 25 affordable ABA master’s programs that are 100 percent online, as well as affordable ABA certificate programs and special education programs with an ABA emphasis.
Before we explore the programs themselves, you may be wondering what you can expect with your salary as a BCBA. The good news is that demand continues to rise. BCBA certification demand has increased yearly since 2010, according to data from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary for a BCBA in the United States is $89,075 per year as of early 2026. Entry-level positions typically start around $74,000, while experienced BCBAs can earn upwards of $132,500. That’s up from prior years. Salaries vary quite a bit by state and setting, though. BCBAs working in school districts, for instance, earn an average of $102,690 per year.
Important update for 2026: If you’ve been researching ABA programs, you may have come across references to ABAI’s Verified Course Sequence, or VCS. The VCS system ended on December 31, 2025. Starting in 2026, the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) handles coursework verification directly through what’s called the Pathway 2 Coursework Attestation System. What does that mean for you? Basically, a full-time faculty member at your program who holds active BCBA certification will verify that your coursework meets the requirements, rather than that going through ABAI. Most programs listed below have already made the switch. If you see a program described as “ABAI-verified” or “VCS-approved” in this article, that reflects its status under the previous system, and the program still qualifies you for the BCBA exam.
Affordable Online ABA Programs
At a Glance: Affordable Online ABA Master’s Programs
The table below provides a quick comparison of the programs featured in this article, sorted from lowest to highest tuition per credit. For more details on any program, scroll down to the full write-ups below.
| Program | University | Tuition/Credit | Total Credits | Est. Total Cost | GRE Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M.S. in ABA | Purdue Global | $420 | 45 credits | ~$18,900 | No |
| M.A. in ABA | SE Missouri State | $428 | 48 credits | ~$20,544 | No |
| M.A. in ABA | Univ. of South Florida | $431 | 41 credits | ~$17,689 | No |
| M.S. in ABA | National University | $456 | 45 quarter credits | ~$20,520 | No |
| M.S. in ABA | Mary Baldwin Univ. | $495 | 42 credits | ~$20,790 | No |
| M.S. in ABA | Capella University | $510 | 60 credits | ~$30,600 | No |
| M.Ed. in SpEd/ABA | Bowling Green State | $536 (res.) | ~30 credits | ~$16,080 | No |
| M.A. in ABA | Univ. of North Texas | $570 | 60 credits | ~$34,200 | No |
| M.S. in ABA | Univ. of Washington | $589 | 38 credits | ~$22,382 | No |
| M.S. in Psych/ABA | Walden University | $590 | 63 quarter credits | ~$37,170 | No |
| M.Ed. in BA | Lehigh University | $660 | 33 credits | ~$21,780 | No |
| M.S. in ABA/Autism | Russell Sage College | $685 | 30 credits | ~$20,550 | No |
| M.A. in ABA | Ball State University | $696 | 36-42 credits | ~$25,056-$29,232 | No |
| M.S. in ABA | York College of PA | $695 | 33 credits | ~$22,935 | No |
| M.S. in ABA | St. Cloud State | $733 | 39 credits | ~$28,587 | No |
| M.S. in ABA | Bay Path University | $755 | 36 credits | ~$27,180 | No |
| M.A. in SpEd/ABA | Arizona State Univ. | $765 | 30 credits | ~$22,950 | No |
| M.Ed. in ABA | Arcadia University | $780 | 33 credits | ~$25,740 | No |
| M.A. in ABS | Univ. of Kansas | $795 | 36 credits | ~$28,620 | No |
| M.A. in ABA | Niagara University | $815 | 27 credits | ~$22,005 | No |
Note: Tuition figures are verified against program websites as of March 2026 and may not include additional fees. Contact each program directly for the most current pricing.
How to Choose an Affordable Online ABA Program
With this many programs to choose from, it helps to know what to look for.
Start with BCBA eligibility. Make sure the program’s coursework qualifies you for the exam. Under the new Pathway 2 system, this means the program has a BCBA-certified faculty member who can attest to your coursework. Programs that were previously ABAI-verified or VCS-approved have been doing this for years, but newer programs can qualify too.
Then look at total cost, not just the per-credit price. A program charging $420 per credit but requiring 60 credits ($25,200) costs more than one at $695 per credit with 33 credits ($22,935). The comparison table above makes this easier to spot.
Also pay attention to how each program handles fieldwork. Some include supervised practicum hours in the curriculum; others expect you to find a placement on your own. If you don’t already have a fieldwork site lined up, that’s worth asking about before you apply.
And think about format. Some programs are fully asynchronous, some have live class sessions, and some use a cohort model with fixed start dates. If you’re working full-time or juggling family responsibilities, the schedule matters as much as the price tag.
Affordable ABA Masters Programs
Even if the starting salary for an ABA graduate is fairly reasonable, most future BCBAs likely want to keep their costs low when considering where to begin their journey into ABA. The cost of higher education has skyrocketed, even for programs that claim to be affordable. None of the programs on this list are more than $900 per credit, including online ABA graduate programs, and we’ve focused on those that are less than $800 per credit.
Program:
Online Master of Arts program in Applied Behavior Analysis
Modality: Online
Length: 20 Months
GRE required? No
BCBA Exam Eligible? Yes
Tuition: $431.43
Program Overview:
USF’s online M.A. in ABA comes in at $431.43 per credit as of 2025, making it one of the cheaper options here. The coursework qualifies you for the BCBA exam under Pathway 2, and the program takes about 20 months to complete. USF has historically been one of the largest ABA programs in the country, so there’s plenty of institutional experience behind it.
Program:
M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis
Modality: Online
Length: 2 years or less if accelerated option
GRE required? No
BCBA Exam Eligible? Yes
Tuition: $428 per credit; for accelerated, fees are at the undergraduate rate of $330.09 per credit
Program Overview:
Southeast Missouri State’s ABA program runs $428 per credit, but that number drops to $330.09 if you use the accelerated option (which lets credits count toward both your undergrad and graduate degrees). The program takes about 2 years normally, less if you start at the undergraduate level and go the accelerated route. Coursework qualifies you for the BCBA exam.
Program:
Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis Online
Modality: Online
Length: 1 year
GRE required? No
BCBA Exam Eligible? Yes
Tuition: $420 per credit
Program Overview:
At $420 per credit for 45 credits (~$18,900 total), Purdue Global is the cheapest option on this list. They’re also one of the biggest behavioral science master’s providers in the country, so the program is well-established. BCBA exam prep is baked into the curriculum through CBA learning modules, and they include a practice test too. Coursework covers what you need for the BCBA exam under Pathway 2.
Program:
M.S. in Psychology With an Applied Behavior Analysis Specialization
Modality: Online
Length: 21 months
GRE required? No
BCBA Exam Eligible? Yes
Tuition: $590 per credit
Program Overview:
Walden’s ABA program runs $590 per quarter credit and totals 63 quarter credits, so expect about 21 months to finish. They accept transfer credits and offer the Believe and Achieve scholarship, which can bring the cost down. The coursework covers what you need for the BCBA exam.
Capella University: M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis
- 60 credits
- Online
Program:
M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis
Modality: Online
Length: 60 credits
GRE required? No
BCBA Exam Eligible? Yes
Tuition: $510 per credit
Program Overview:
Capella charges $510 per credit for a 60-credit program (10 core courses plus 2 specialization courses). You can add a specialization in Autism Spectrum Disorder if that interests you. Financial aid and transfer credits are both accepted, which helps with the higher overall credit count. Coursework qualifies you for the BCBA exam.
Mary Baldwin University: M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis
- 2 years
- Online
Program:
M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis
Modality: Online
Length: 2 years
GRE required? No
BCBA Exam Eligible? Yes
Tuition: $495 per credit
Program Overview:
Mary Baldwin charges $495 per credit for a 37-credit program, fully online. What’s nice here is that fieldwork opportunities are built in, so you’re not left scrambling to find a placement on your own. The whole thing takes about two years. Coursework qualifies you for the BCBA exam.
Lehigh University: M.Ed. in Behavior Analysis
- 2 years
- Online
Program:
M.Ed. in Behavior Analysis
Modality: Online
Length: 2 years part-time, less if full-time
GRE required? No
BCBA Exam Eligible? Yes
Tuition: $660 per credit
Program Overview:
Lehigh’s tuition went up to $660 per credit in 2026, but for a private university it’s still reasonable. You can go full-time and finish in about a year, or take the part-time route and stretch it to two years. The program qualifies you for the BCBA exam under Pathway 2.
Program:
M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis
Modality: Online
Length: 30 credits
GRE required? No
BCBA Exam Eligible? Yes
Tuition: $570 per credit
Program Overview:
UNT’s M.A. is built around working professionals. You can take 1 to 3 courses at a time, all asynchronous, at $570 per credit. Going slower costs the same per credit, so you can pace it to fit your budget. One thing to know: fieldwork isn’t part of the curriculum here, so you’ll need to arrange your own supervised hours. Coursework qualifies you for the BCBA exam.
St. Cloud State University: M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis
- 2.5 years
- Online + Campus
Program:
M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis
Modality: Online and on-campus
Length: 2.5 years
GRE required? No
BCBA Exam Eligible? Yes
Tuition: $733 per credit
Program Overview:
St. Cloud State charges $733 per credit, which is on the higher side, but supervision is included in the curriculum. That’s a real plus if you want a more structured path to certification rather than having to find your own fieldwork site. The program runs about 2.5 years and is available both online and on-campus in Minnesota.
Program:
M.A. in Applied Behavioral Science
Modality: Online
Length: 2 to 3 years
GRE required? No
BCBA Exam Eligible? Yes
Tuition: $795 per credit
Program Overview:
Kansas is where applied behavior analysis started as a field, and that history shows up in the program. The faculty includes active researchers, and the department is one of the most established in the country. You pay for that reputation, though, at $795 per credit. The coursework qualifies you for the BCBA exam.
Arcadia University: Master of Education in Applied Behavior Analysis
- 18 months
- Online
Program:
M.Ed. in Applied Behavior Analysis
Modality: Online
Length: 18 months
GRE required? No
BCBA Exam Eligible? Yes
Tuition: $780 per credit
Program Overview:
Arcadia’s tuition is $780 per credit as of 2026. The program is built around flexibility. As their website puts it, your schedule should match your life, not the other way around. It’s 33 credits and takes about 18 months. Coursework qualifies you for the BCBA exam under Pathway 2.
Program:
M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism
Modality: Online
Length: 2 years
GRE required? No
BCBA Exam Eligible? Yes
Tuition: $685 per credit
Program Overview:
Russell Sage charges $685 per credit and covers both ABA and autism spectrum disorders. For a Northeast school, that’s relatively affordable. The program takes about 2 years and includes required fieldwork, so you’ll graduate with hands-on experience. Coursework qualifies you for the BCBA exam.
Niagara University: Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis
- 34 credits
- Online
Program:
M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis
Modality: Online
Length: 34 credits (including 150 hours of supervised fieldwork)
GRE required? No
BCBA Exam Eligible? Yes
Tuition: $815 per credit
Program Overview:
Niagara is the priciest on this list at $815 per credit (up from $775 last year), but it leans hard into practical experience. You’ll get at least 250 supervised practicum hours built into the program, and graduates can get a limited permit to continue accumulating professional experience toward full licensure. No GRE required.
National University: Master of Science in Applied Behavioral Analysis
- 18 months
- Online + Campus
Program:
Master of Science in Applied Behavioral Analysis
Modality: Online or on-campus
Length: 18 months
GRE required? Not required for students with a GPA over 2.5
BCBA Exam Eligible? Yes
Tuition: $456 per credit
Program Overview:
National University charges $456 per credit as of 2026, putting it among the cheaper options here. You can do it fully online or on-campus, and it takes about 18 months. No GRE if your GPA is 2.5 or higher. Coursework qualifies you for the BCBA exam.
Ball State University: M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis
- 8-16 weeks
- Online
Program:
M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis
Modality: Online
Length: 8 to 16 weeks
GRE required? No
BCBA Exam Eligible? Yes
Tuition: $696 per credit
Program Overview:
Ball State’s program sits within the Teacher’s College and runs $696 per credit for 30 credits total. Classes are asynchronous and capped at 20 students, so you actually get some individual attention. You can pick between 8-week and 16-week session formats. Coursework qualifies you for the BCBA exam.
Bay Path University: Applied Behavior Analysis Masters
- 25-28 months
- Online
Program:
Applied Behavior Analysis Masters
Modality: Online
Length: 25 to 28 months
GRE required? No
BCBA Exam Eligible? Yes
Tuition: $755 per credit
Program Overview:
Bay Path runs $755 per credit with several degree tracks to choose from, including a 48-credit M.S. in ABA and shorter certificate options. No GRE required. All tracks include a capstone project, and the program offers up to 2,000 hours of supervised practice. Expect 25 to 28 months depending on which track you pick. Coursework qualifies you for the BCBA exam.
University of Washington: Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis
- 2-3 years
- Online
Program:
Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis
Modality: Online
Length: 2 to 3 years
GRE required? No
BCBA Exam Eligible? Yes
Tuition: $589 per credit
Program Overview:
UW charges $589 per credit, and here’s the thing: that rate is the same whether you’re a Washington resident or not. For out-of-state students, that’s unusual and worth noting. The program is 38 credits through UW’s College of Education. Coursework qualifies you for the BCBA exam.
Program:
M.Ed. in Special Education with Specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis
Modality: Online
Length: About 2 years
GRE required? No
BCBA Exam Eligible? Yes
Tuition: $536 (residents); $869 (non-resident)
Program Overview:
If you qualify for Ohio resident tuition, Bowling Green is hard to beat at $536 per credit. Non-residents pay $869, which is a big jump. You get both a special education degree and BCBA exam eligibility. About 30 credits total.
York College of Pennsylvania: Applied Behavior Analysis M.Ed.
- 1-2 years
- Online
Program:
M.Ed. in Applied Behavior Analysis
Modality: Online
Length: 1 to 2 years
GRE required? No
BCBA Exam Eligible? Yes
Tuition: $695 per credit
Program Overview:
York College charges $695 per credit and the program takes 1 to 2 years depending on your pace. One perk: you can complete your fieldwork and practicum hours at your current job if it’s an approved site, which is convenient if you’re already working in the field. Coursework qualifies you for the BCBA exam.
Program:
M.Ed. in Foundations in Behavior Analysis
Modality: Online
Length: 20 months
GRE required? No
BCBA Exam Eligible? Yes
Tuition: $761 per credit (non-resident)
Program Overview:
Cincinnati’s online program runs $761 per credit for non-residents of Ohio (residents pay less). It’s 10 courses, 30 credits, about 20 months. No campus visits required at any point. Coursework qualifies you for the BCBA exam under Pathway 2.
Featured ABA Programs
Affordable ABA Certificate Programs
Another option for those pursuing their certification as a BCBA is the graduate-level certificate. These programs are typically cheaper and shorter than traditional master’s degrees, though they are likely not eligible for financial aid as a traditional degree would be. Earning a graduate certificate is not the same as earning a masters, so the credits in the certificate may or may not satisfy the academic requirements to sit for the BCBA exam. Make sure you check the standards of your state to make sure you are choosing the right option for you.
East Stroudsburg University: Applied Behavior Analysis Certification
- 5 semesters
- Online
Program:
Applied Behavior Analysis Certification
Modality: Online
Length: 21 credits taking 5 semesters to complete
GRE required? No
BCBA Exam Eligible? Yes
Tuition: $526 (for ABA non-degree program)
Program Overview:
If you already have a graduate degree and just need ABA coursework to qualify for the BCBA exam, East Stroudsburg’s certificate at $526 per credit is worth a look. The coursework covers what you need under Pathway 2.
Florida Tech: Behavior Analyst Certification
- 4 semesters
- Online
Program:
Behavior Analyst Certification
Modality: Online
Length: 21 credits taking 4 semesters to complete
GRE required? No
BCBA Exam Eligible? Yes
Tuition: $510 per certificate credit hour
Program Overview:
Florida Tech has an ABA certification costing $510 per credit hour that is ABAI-verified and is designed for those who either have an undergraduate degree from an ABAI-accredited program or have a graduate degree in another field and want to specialize in behavior analysis. Program coursework includes principles of behavior analysis, ethics, measurement and experimental design, assessment and intervention, and behavior change procedures.
Lehigh University: Online Certificate in Behavior Analysis
- 1.5-2 years
- Online
Program:
Online Certificate in Behavior Analysis
Modality: Online
Length: 21 credits; 1.5 to 2 years
GRE required? No
BCBA Exam Eligible? Yes
Tuition: $630 per certificate credit hour
Program Overview:
Lehigh’s certificate runs $630 per credit, which is slightly less than their full M.Ed. If you already have a master’s in a related field and just need the behavior analysis coursework for the BCBA exam, this saves you money and time compared to a full degree.
Purdue Global: Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis
- 21 credits
- Online
Program:
Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis
Modality: Online
Length: 21 credits
GRE required? No
BCBA Exam Eligible? Yes
Tuition: $420 per certificate credit hour
Program Overview:
Purdue’s certificate matches their master’s rate at $420 per credit, which makes it the cheapest certificate option too. It’s 21 credits and aimed at people who already have a graduate degree but need the ABA-specific coursework for the BCBA exam.
Affordable Masters in Special Ed ABA Programs
Degree programs focusing specifically on ABA have become much more prevalent in the last few years. If you’re looking for a more broad education in special education but still want a program that satisfies academic requirements needed to sit for the BCBA exam, you might consider a master’s degree in special education with a focus in ABA, especially since there are plenty of affordable online programs of this type.
East Stroudsburg University: M.Ed. in Special Education with ABA Concentration
- 51-57 credits
- Online
Program:
M.Ed. in Special Education with ABA Concentration
Modality: Online
Length: 57 (non-thesis track) or 51 (thesis track) credits
GRE required? No
BCBA Exam Eligible? Yes
Tuition: $559 (resident); $817 (non-resident)
Program Overview:
East Stroudsburg has both a thesis and non-thesis track. Pennsylvania residents pay $559 per credit; non-residents pay $817. The ABA concentration qualifies you for the BCBA exam, so you get a special education degree and BCBA eligibility in one program.
Arizona State University: M.A. in Special Education With a Concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis
- 7.5 weeks per class
- Online
Program:
M.A. in Special Education With a Concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis
Modality: Online
Length: 30 credits and 7.5 weeks per class
GRE required? No
BCBA Exam Eligible? Yes
Tuition: $765 per credit
Program Overview:
ASU’s ABA program is 10 classes (30 credits) at $765 per credit, with each class running about 7.5 weeks. ASU has been doing online programs for a long time, so the infrastructure is there. Coursework qualifies you for the BCBA exam.
Endicott College: Applied Behavior Analysis Program (M.S.)
- 27 months
- Online
Program:
M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis
Modality: Online
Length: 27 months
GRE required? No
BCBA Exam Eligible? Yes
Tuition: $682 per credit
Program Overview:
Endicott charges $682 per credit for a program that takes about 27 months. It’s fully online out of Massachusetts. Coursework qualifies you for the BCBA exam.
Program:
M.Ed. in Special Education, Applied Behavior Analysis Concentration
Modality: Online
Length: 36 credits
GRE required? No
BCBA Exam Eligible? Yes
Tuition: $625 per credit
Program Overview:
PennWest charges $625 per credit for 36 credits (15 core, 21 concentration). No GRE needed. You can pick the straight ABA concentration or the ABA and Autism concentration if you want additional autism-specific coursework. Either way, you’ll have the coursework you need for the BCBA exam.
Program:
Online Masters in Special Education With a Focus in Applied Behavior Analysis
Modality: Online
Length: 42 credit hours
GRE required? No
BCBA Exam Eligible? Yes
Tuition: $730 per credit
Program Overview:
UMass Global charges $730 per credit for 42 credits, fully online. No GRE required. You graduate with a special education degree and the ABA coursework needed for the BCBA exam, which is useful if you want both credentials.
The University of Arizona: Special Education: Applied Behavior Analysis Master of Arts
- Minimum 16 months
- Online
Program:
M.A. in Special Education, Applied Behavior Analysis
Modality: Online
Length: Minimum 16 months
GRE required? No
BCBA Exam Eligible? Yes
Tuition: $653 per credit
Program Overview:
This 36-credit program can take as little as 16 months to complete, depending on the method the student chooses, and costs $653 per credit. No GMAT or GRE is required to apply, and no residency is required to complete the program. The coursework is verified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board and qualifies students to sit for the BCBA exam. In place of a thesis, students complete an applied graduate project of their choice under the supervision of a faculty member.
Frequently Asked Questions About Affordable Online ABA Programs
How much does an online ABA master’s program typically cost?
The programs in this article range from about $420 per credit to around $815 per credit, with most falling somewhere in the $500–$700 range. Total program costs depend on how many credits are required — a 33-credit program at $500 per credit would run you about $16,500 before fees, while a 60-credit program at $510 per credit would be closer to $30,600. Keep in mind that many schools offer scholarships, financial aid, and tuition reduction programs that can bring the cost down further.
Can I become a BCBA with an online ABA degree?
Yes. Every master’s program listed in this article prepares you for the BCBA certification exam. You’ll still need to complete supervised fieldwork hours (typically 1,500 to 2,000 hours) on top of your coursework, though. Some programs include fieldwork as part of the curriculum; others leave it to you to arrange on your own.
What changed with the VCS system in 2026?
ABAI’s Verified Course Sequence (VCS) system, which used to verify that a program’s coursework met BACB exam requirements, ended on December 31, 2025. The BACB now handles this directly through the Pathway 2 Coursework Attestation System. A BCBA-certified faculty member at your program attests that your coursework qualifies. The programs themselves still cover the same content; it’s just a different verification process. If you completed your VCS attestation before the December 2025 deadline, you can use it toward your certification application until December 31, 2026.
How long does it take to complete an online ABA master’s program?
Most online ABA programs take between one and two years to complete, depending on whether you attend full-time or part-time. Some accelerated programs, like Purdue Global’s, can be completed in as little as one year. Others, especially those with built-in practicum requirements, may take closer to two years or slightly longer. Certificate programs are typically shorter — often completable in three to five semesters.
Do I need a GRE score to apply?
Most of the programs on this list do not require the GRE. This has become increasingly common across ABA graduate programs. That said, requirements can change, so it’s always a good idea to check the program’s current admissions page before applying.
What’s the difference between an ABA master’s degree and an ABA certificate?
An ABA master’s degree is a full graduate degree, typically 30 to 60 credits, that qualifies you to pursue BCBA certification. An ABA certificate, on the other hand, is a shorter credential — usually 15 to 27 credits — designed for students who already hold a master’s degree in a related field like psychology, education, or social work. The certificate provides the ABA-specific coursework you need to meet BCBA exam requirements without having to complete an entirely new master’s degree. Certificate programs are generally cheaper and faster, but they may not be eligible for the same financial aid as a traditional degree program.
Is an online ABA program as good as an on-campus one?
In terms of preparing you for the BCBA exam, yes — the coursework is the same. Online programs offer the advantage of flexibility, which is especially valuable if you’re working or have family commitments. The main difference comes down to the practicum experience. On-campus programs often have established practicum partnerships, while online students may need to find supervised fieldwork placements in their local area. Many online programs do offer support in locating practicum sites, so be sure to ask about that when you’re evaluating programs.
What can I do with a BCBA certification?
Most BCBAs work with children with autism spectrum disorders in clinics, schools, or in-home settings, but the field goes well beyond autism. BCBAs also work in organizational behavior management, gerontology, substance abuse treatment, and developmental disability services. School districts, hospitals, private practices, and nonprofits all hire BCBAs, and demand has been growing steadily for over a decade.