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# Best Gerontology Programs in the United States (2026)

Updated September 30, 2026

Part of [Best Interdisciplinary Studies Colleges in the United States](/rankings/best-interdisciplinary-studies-colleges/)

This page ranks the 7 Gerontology programs in the United States by median earnings of Gerontology graduates four years after completing. [University of Northern Iowa](/school/university-of-northern-iowa/majors/) leads the list at $63,876, followed by [California State University-Sacramento](/school/california-state-university-sacramento/majors/) at $60,868 and [Kansas State University](/school/kansas-state-university/majors/) at $60,172.

Across the listed schools, the median figure is $51,623, with a spread of $32,024 from the highest to the lowest reported value. For 2 of the 7 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one.

Public institutions account for 86% of the list, with 6 public schools and 1 private nonprofit program. California State University-Sacramento ranks 10th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, the strongest showing on the page.

California State University-Sacramento posts the lowest average net price at $9,338, while Western Oregon University reports the highest admission rate, admitting 98% of applicants.

## The ranked list

7 schools in list order

| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | University of Northern Iowa · Cedar Falls, IA | $63,876 | $15,901 | $10,863 | 92.7% |
|  | [University of Northern Iowa](/school/university-of-northern-iowa/majors/) reports [median earnings of $63,876](/school/university-of-northern-iowa/outcomes/) for its Gerontology graduates four years after completing, the highest on this list. |
| 2 | California State University-Sacramento · Sacramento, CA | $60,868 | $9,338 | $6,501 | 94.0% |
|  | [California State University-Sacramento](/school/california-state-university-sacramento/majors/) carries an [average net price of $9,338,](/school/california-state-university-sacramento/cost/) the lowest among the 7 programs, and ranks 10th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
| 3 | Kansas State University · Manhattan, KS | $60,172 | $19,406 | $13,178 | 81.7% |
|  | [Kansas State University](/school/kansas-state-university/majors/) [admits 82% of applicants](/school/kansas-state-university/admissions/) and its Gerontology graduates four years after completing earn a median of $60,172. |
| 4 | Bethune-Cookman University · Daytona Beach, FL | $51,623 | $12,030 | $10,896 | 88.2% |
|  | A private nonprofit university in Daytona Beach, [Bethune-Cookman University](/school/bethune-cookman-university/majors/) shows [median federal debt of $31,000](/school/bethune-cookman-university/cost/) across all of its borrowers who completed. |
| 5 | Bowling Green State University-Main Campus · Bowling Green, OH | $50,070 | $24,022 | $18,396 | 81.0% |
|  | [Bowling Green State University-Main Campus](/school/bowling-green-state-university-main-campus/majors/) ranks 5th on this list, with an [average net price of $18,396](/school/bowling-green-state-university-main-campus/cost/) for families earning under $30,000. |
| 6 | Western Oregon University · Monmouth, OR | $36,848 | $17,237 | $15,575 | 98.1% |
|  | Western Oregon University posts an admission rate of 98% and its Gerontology graduates four years after completing earn a median of $36,848. |
| 7 | University of South Florida · Tampa, FL | $31,852 | $9,812 | $4,122 | 43.2% |
|  | [University of South Florida](/school/university-of-south-florida/majors/) [ranks 63rd on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/university-of-south-florida/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $31,852 for its Gerontology graduates four years after completing. |

## How this list is ordered

Programs are ordered by the median earnings of their Gerontology graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only programs with a reported earnings cohort in the United States appear. The figure captures federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled. For 2 of the 7 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The range and median below cover the 7 schools with a published figure. University of Northern Iowa leads California State University-Sacramento by $3,008, while the spread from top to bottom reaches $32,024.

## Related rankings

-   [Best Interdisciplinary Studies Colleges in the United States](/rankings/best-interdisciplinary-studies-colleges/)
-   Interdisciplinary Studies Colleges for Social Mobility