by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Geropsychology covers Geropsychology. A Program That Focuses On The Psychology Of Aging And Of Elderly Individuals And Populations, With Reference To Growth And Decline Across The Life Span. Includes Instruction In Gerontology, Developmental And Adult Psychology, Age-Related Development And Decline Of Cognitive Processes, Age-Related Psychological And Neurological Disorders, Social And Personality Development In Aging Populations And Individuals, And Applications To The Clinical Treatment And Care Of Older Adults. Continue reading for the key facts every geropsychology student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering geropsychology programs.
Nationwide, geropsychology is a popular field of study, with 3 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Geropsychology Schools ranking analyzes these 1 schools to determine the best overall colleges for geropsychology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of geropsychology programs later in this article.
Programs in Geropsychology build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations geropsychology graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a geropsychology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a geropsychology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several geropsychology 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 3 |
People currently working in careers related to geropsychology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 39.0% |
| Doctoral degree | 19.9% |
| Post-doctoral training | 12.0% |
| Master’s degree | 10.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 6.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 4.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.1% |
| Some college courses | 2.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.3% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in geropsychology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in geropsychology prepares you for a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to geropsychology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to geropsychology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary | 513,614 | -3.0% |
| Managers, All Other | 468,025 | 6.2% |
| Compliance Managers | 310,203 | 13.0% |
| Loss Prevention Managers | 265,210 | 2.2% |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | 206,415 | 9.9% |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | 128,884 | 5.2% |
| Wind Energy Development Managers | 107,541 | 10.1% |
| Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | 105,398 | -1.9% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of geropsychology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $54,756 |
| 4 years | $59,892 |
| 5 years | $67,036 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for geropsychology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers geropsychology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Wind Energy Development Managers | $169,952 |
| Loss Prevention Managers | $165,723 |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | $122,567 |
| Compliance Managers | $117,178 |
| Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | $99,321 |
| Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary | $98,479 |
| Managers, All Other | $95,684 |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | $77,828 |
With 1 different geropsychology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased geropsychology school rankings to help you.
Those considering geropsychology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Counseling Psychology | 11,691 |
| Applied Behavior Analysis | 6,914 |
| Clinical Psychology | 6,059 |
| School Psychology | 3,685 |
| Applied Psychology | 2,998 |
| Industrial and Organizational Psychology | 2,898 |
| Forensic Psychology | 2,667 |
| Educational Psychology | 1,979 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology, Other | 577 |
| Community Psychology | 520 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
