by our College Data Analytics TeamGerontology is about the study of human aging. You will learn about the biological, social, and behavioral changes that go along with aging.
While Geriatrics focuses on all of the medical issues that are associated with aging, Gerontology also incorporates social issues such as stigmas surrounding old age and the way the elderly are portrayed in historical literature, philosophy, and religion. You will learn how people can maintain good health in old age through exercise, eating well, and staying active mentally. The valuable information you learn will help you aid many individuals to healthier and happier lives.
Courses you can expect in to take will include: Biology of Aging, Aging and Health, Death and Dying, Biology of Adult Development, Society and Adult Development, Service Learning with the Elderly, Psychology of Aging, Sociology of Aging, and Power, Values, and Politics in Aging Society.
A degree in Gerontology involves the study of Gerontology. Continue reading for the key facts every gerontology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering gerontology programs.
Nationwide, gerontology is a widely-pursued major, with 870 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Gerontology Schools ranking analyzes these 109 schools to determine the best overall colleges for gerontology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of gerontology programs later in this article.
Programs in Gerontology build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations gerontology graduates commonly enter.
Students with an interest in Gerontology are people-persons. Many of your classes will require field work as a volunteer for an agency that works with older people. Patience and gentleness when working with others will lead you to success.
Students should learn to manage their time well as they juggle classes in biology, sociology, and psychology. Students will need to memorize important formulas and theories in order to apply them in different situations. You will be learning material from many different subjects so integrating the information is important.
This field requires a caring personality. You will come alongside others and help them deal with issues such as death of a loved one, illness and pain. Learn to collaborate with others in order to provide the best service possible. Different perspectives will help to open your mind to a vast amount of possible solutions.
Skills built by a gerontology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a gerontology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several gerontology 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 | 3 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 16 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 136 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 649 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 29 |
People currently working in careers related to gerontology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 38.0% |
| Master’s degree | 32.9% |
| Post-doctoral training | 13.8% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 8.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.6% |
| First professional degree | 2.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.4% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in gerontology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Many graduates who major in Gerontology continue their studies. Getting an advanced degree allows you to become an advanced-practice nurse, an occupational therapist, mental health counselor, physical therapist, or a public interest lawyer. For those who wish to land a job after graduating college, they may find positions working in senior centers, assisted living or nursing homes. They are also well prepared to work for government programs and other agencies that serve retired people. Due to the aging population, jobs working with senior citizens are expected to grow.
A degree in gerontology opens doors to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to gerontology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to gerontology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary | 839,680 | 7.7% |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | 125,815 | 8.9% |
| Transportation Planners | 43,539 | 4.1% |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | 24,588 | 6.1% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of gerontology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $47,164 |
| 4 years | $49,632 |
| 5 years | $55,960 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for gerontology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers gerontology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $111,314 |
| Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary | $65,510 |
| Transportation Planners | $50,855 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $42,168 |
With 109 different gerontology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased gerontology school rankings to help you.
Students interested in gerontology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Gerontology | 870 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 30,141 |
| Biological and Physical Sciences | 28,033 |
| Data Analytics | 12,891 |
| MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES | 10,355 |
| Data Science | 7,716 |
| International/Globalization Studies | 5,740 |
| Nutrition Sciences | 5,456 |
| Behavioral Sciences | 5,391 |
| Sustainability Studies | 4,374 |
| Cognitive Science | 3,121 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
