by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Adult Development & Aging explores Adult Development And Aging. A Program That Focuses On The Characteristics Of Aging Populations And The Needs Of Older Individuals In Family And Institutional Settings. Includes Instruction In The Biological And Psychological Stages Of Aging; The Provision Of Dependent Care; Serving The Social, Economic, And Psychological Needs Of Aging Adults; Related Public Policy Issues; And Adult Community Resources. Continue reading for the important information every adult development & aging student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering adult development & aging programs.
Across the country, adult development & aging is a widely-pursued major, with 238 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Adult Development & Aging Schools ranking analyzes these 37 schools to determine the best overall colleges for adult development & aging students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of adult development & aging programs later in this article.
Coursework for Adult Development & Aging build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations adult development & aging graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a adult development & aging program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a adult development & aging major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several adult development & aging degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 5 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 49 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 17 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 166 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 1 |
People currently working in careers related to adult development & aging tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 38.8% |
| Master’s degree | 28.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 20.2% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 5.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 4.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.4% |
| Some college courses | 0.7% |
| First professional degree | 0.2% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in adult development & aging careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in adult development & aging opens doors to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to adult development & aging.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to adult development & aging.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,267,153 | 0.4% |
| Clinical Neuropsychologists | 216,013 | 8.9% |
| Neuropsychologists | 186,493 | 6.5% |
| Transportation Planners | 43,539 | 4.1% |
| Psychologists, All Other | 30,286 | 4.1% |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | 24,588 | 6.1% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of adult development & aging graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $33,243 |
| 4 years | $38,875 |
| 5 years | $44,531 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for adult development & aging graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers adult development & aging grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $99,604 |
| Neuropsychologists | $83,690 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $73,521 |
| Clinical Neuropsychologists | $57,643 |
| Transportation Planners | $50,855 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $42,168 |
With 37 different adult development & aging programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased adult development & aging school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in adult development & aging, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Child Care Provider/Assistant | 22,533 |
| Human Development and Family Studies, General | 8,444 |
| Child Development | 4,599 |
| Child Care and Support Services Management | 3,901 |
| Family and Community Services | 1,267 |
| Family Systems | 765 |
| Early Childhood and Family Studies | 439 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services, Other | 429 |
| Parent Education Services | 126 |
| Developmental Services Worker | 59 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
