About the publication
About ABAdegree.org
We're a small, independent team that builds free research tools for people navigating careers in applied behavior analysis. No admissions office agenda, no recruiter spin. Just data, context, and honest guidance on the path to BCBA certification.
§ 01
Why ABAdegree.org exists.
If you've ever tried to research ABA programs online, you know the landscape: generic listicles that rank schools nobody's heard of, "guides" that are really just lead-gen forms, and salary data copy-pasted from the same BLS page with zero context. It's frustrating when you're trying to make a decision that costs tens of thousands of dollars and shapes the next decade of your career.
ABAdegree.org started because the founder, a psych grad who also happened to know how to build websites, got tired of sending friends and classmates to the same bad resources. The idea was simple: build the site we wished existed when we were figuring out our own paths through behavior analysis. One that treats readers like adults, cites its sources, and doesn't bury the honest trade-offs behind a "request info" button.
Every career guide, program ranking, and salary breakdown on this site is built from publicly verifiable data: BACB certification data, BLS statistics, ABAI accreditation records, and published program outcome reports. We link directly to our sources so you can check our work. That's the standard we hold ourselves to, and it's the standard we think students deserve.
§ 02
What we cover.
§ 03
Our editorial process.
Every page on ABAdegree.org goes through the same process. We're not a newsroom with a staff of 50. We're a small team that cares about getting it right, so we move methodically.
- 01
Primary source research
We start with official data: BACB certificant data, BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, ABAI accreditation directories, state behavior analyst licensure boards, and published program outcome reports. If we can't find a primary source, we don't publish the claim.
- 02
Accreditation verification
Every program we rank or recommend is verified against the relevant accreditation body. ABAI accreditation, BCBA Pathway 2 coursework status, and regional accreditors like HLC and SACSCOC. We link to these directories so you can verify status yourself.
- 03
Writing and context
We write for real people making real decisions. That means including the trade-offs, the honest salary ranges (not just the ceiling), the time commitments, and the debt loads. If a career path has downsides, we say so.
- 04
Regular updates
Content is reviewed and refreshed as new data becomes available. When BLS publishes updated salary figures, when accreditation statuses change, or when programs modify their tuition or format. Every page displays its last-updated date.
§ 04
Meet the founder.
Taylor Rupe
Founder & editor
- B.A.
- Psychology, UW Seattle
- B.S.
- Computer Science, Oregon State
Taylor studied psychology at the University of Washington in Seattle, where he developed a genuine interest in how people make decisions about education and careers, and a growing frustration with the quality of information available to students trying to navigate those decisions.
After completing a second degree in Computer Science at Oregon State University, he had the unusual combination of skills needed to do something about it: deep familiarity with the behavioral health education landscape, and the technical ability to build a research platform from scratch.
ABAdegree.org is the result. Taylor researches and writes the majority of the site's content, drawing on publicly available data from the BACB, BLS, ABAI, and state licensing boards. He also designed and built the site itself, from the ranking methodology to the front-end code.
The publication is published by Savo Media Group.
When he's not digging through IPEDS data or debugging CSS, Taylor is probably grinding OSRS, enjoying a walk in the PNW with his girlfriend, playing with his two cats, or explaining to someone that no, a psychology degree doesn't mean he can read minds.
§ 05
Advertising disclosure.
ABAdegree.org is an independently operated, advertising-supported website. Some of the programs featured on this site are from partners who compensate us. Here's what that means in practice.
- [01]
Rankings are editorial
Compensation does not influence our program rankings, scoring methodology, or the order in which programs appear. Rankings are determined by our composite scoring system based on accreditation, outcomes, affordability, and flexibility.
- [02]
We only feature accredited programs
Every school on this site holds current accreditation from a recognized accrediting body. We verify this independently and link to the relevant accreditation directory.
- [03]
Affiliate links are clearly contextualized
When we link to a program's website, we may earn a commission if you enroll. This doesn't change the price you pay. It does help us keep the site free and ad-light.
- [04]
Career and salary content is non-commercial
Our career guides, salary data, and educational resources are written entirely for informational purposes with no affiliate relationships.