Best colleges for Gerontology in California
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Southern California, California State University - Long Beach and San Diego State University award the most Gerontology degrees and certificates in California: 147, 5 and 5 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 8 California colleges offer Gerontology and award 166 degrees and certificates a year in all.
Gerontology is the study of the biological, cognitive, cultural, psychological, and social aspects of aging. This interdisciplinary field prepares students to understand the complexities of aging and its impact on individuals and society.…
Top institution, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California State University - Sacramento Sacramento Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $38,461 | 2 | 56% | — | $21,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Gerontology degrees in California
Top 8 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Southern California Los Angeles Private not-for-profit | 147 | Not reported |
| 2 | California State University - Long Beach Long Beach Public | 5 | Not reported |
| 3 | San Diego State University San Diego Public | 5 | Not reported |
| 4 | San Francisco State University San Francisco Public | 4 | Not reported |
| 5 | California State University - Sacramento Sacramento Public | 2 | $38,461 |
| 6 | California State University - Fullerton Fullerton Public | 1 | Not reported |
| 7 | California State University - Northridge Northridge Public | 1 | Not reported |
| 8 | National University San Diego Private not-for-profit | 1 | Not reported |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists (SOC 19-1042).
Top skills
What Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists earn in California
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Gerontology programs in California.
Which California colleges award the most Gerontology degrees?+
University of Southern California (147 graduates a year), California State University - Long Beach (5 graduates a year) and San Diego State University (5 graduates a year) award the most Gerontology degrees and certificates in California, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 8 California colleges offer Gerontology.
How much do Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists earn in California?+
The average annual wage for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists in California is $140,120 (median $136,990), across about 29,830 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Gerontology program?+
Gerontology is the study of the biological, cognitive, cultural, psychological, and social aspects of aging. This interdisciplinary field prepares students to understand the complexities of aging and its impact on individuals and society.…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop speaking, reading comprehension, writing, active learning, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists?+
The national job outlook is about +17.3% growth with around 27,400 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Doctoral or professional degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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