Best institutions to study 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.
34 U.S. institutions graduated 220 Adult Development and Aging students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 19.0702, a specialization of Human Development (CIP 19.07), and leads most directly to the Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other occupation (BLS SOC 19-3099).
About Adult Development and Aging programs
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.
See also: 42.2809 - Geropsychology., 30.1101 - Gerontology.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Adult Development and Aging program, part of the Human Development field, focuses on understanding the characteristics and needs of aging populations. This program is designed for individuals interested in supporting older adults in various settings, including family and institutional environments. It prepares students to address the social, economic, and psychological needs of aging individuals.
Students will gain knowledge in the biological and psychological stages of aging, dependent care provision, and related public policy issues. Coursework emphasizes community resources available for adults, equipping graduates with the skills necessary to effectively serve aging populations.
Credentials awarded
What Adult Development and Aging graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year113 graduates / yr · 19 institutions51%
- Associate's degree58 graduates / yr · 14 institutions26%
- Master's degree26 graduates / yr · 4 institutions12%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate17 graduates / yr · 3 institutions7.7%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years2 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.9%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.9%
- Bachelor's degree2 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.9%
Graduates over time
Adult Development and Aging completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 453 |
| 2013 | 434 |
| 2014 | 512 |
| 2015 | 506 |
| 2016 | 496 |
| 2017 | 473 |
| 2018 | 400 |
| 2019 | 405 |
| 2020 | 324 |
| 2021 | 299 |
| 2022 | 297 |
| 2023 | 265 |
| 2024 | 238 |
| 2025 | 220 |
Top 34 institutions for Adult Development and Aging, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ferris State University Big Rapids, MIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 37 | 47% | — | $35,216 |
| 2 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearPost-degree cert. | 28 | 68% | — | $36,445 |
| 3 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZPublicMaster's | 15 | 0% | — | — |
| 4 | North Shore Community College Danvers, MAPublicAssociate's | 13 | 18% | — | $34,978 |
| 5 | Chaffey College Rancho Cucamonga, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 12 | 36% | — | — |
| 6 | Eastern Washington University Cheney, WAPublicPost-degree cert.Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 10 | 43% | — | $28,589 |
| 7 | American River College Sacramento, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 9 | 37% | — | — |
| 8 | Pitt Community College Winterville, NCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 9 | 35% | — | — |
| 9 | CUNY Hostos Community College Bronx, NYPublicAssociate's | 8 | 16% | — | — |
| 10 | Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FLPublicPost-degree cert. | 7 | 63% | — | — |
| 11 | MiraCosta College Oceanside, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 41% | — | — |
| 12 | Pasadena City College Pasadena, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 48% | — | — |
| 13 | Wichita State University Wichita, KSPublicMaster's | 6 | 51% | — | — |
| 14 | Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg, PAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 21% | — | — |
| 15 | Utah Tech University Saint George, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 38% | — | — |
| 16 | East Los Angeles College Monterey Park, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 37% | — | $10,032 |
| 17 | Los Angeles Mission College Sylmar, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 4 | 20% | — | — |
| 18 | Central Connecticut State University New Britain, CTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 48% | — | — |
| 19 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VAPublicMaster's | 4 | 63% | — | — |
| 20 | Modesto Junior College Modesto, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 30% | — | $15,819 |
| 21 | Saddleback College Mission Viejo, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 48% | — | — |
| 22 | Wake Technical Community College Raleigh, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 3 | 33% | — | — |
| 23 | Cypress College Cypress, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 37% | — | — |
| 24 | Sacramento City College Sacramento, CAPublicAssociate's | 2 | 33% | — | — |
| 25 | Cleveland State University Cleveland, OHPublicDoctoral | 2 | 51% | — | — |
| 26 | Casper College Casper, WYPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 43% | — | — |
| 27 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicBachelor's | 1 | 68% | — | — |
| 28 | Coastline Community College Fountain Valley, CAPublicAssociate's | 1 | 34% | — | — |
| 29 | Minnesota State University - Mankato Mankato, MNPublicMaster's | 1 | 54% | — | — |
| 30 | Nash Community College Rocky Mount, NCPublicAssociate's | 1 | 41% | — | — |
| 31 | Piedmont Community College Roxboro, NCPublicAssociate's | 1 | 20% | — | — |
| 32 | Rhode Island College Providence, RIPublicBachelor's | 1 | 48% | — | — |
| 33 | Utah State University Logan, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 59% | — | $26,561 |
| 34 | Indiana Institute of Technology - College of Professional Studies Fort Wayne, INPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 28% | $19,930 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Human Development field (CIP 19.07) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 18 states
Where Adult Development and Aging graduates come from. Each state links to all Human Development programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 11 | 53 | Chaffey College12 / yr |
| Arizona | 3 | 44 | University of Arizona28 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 37 | Ferris State University37 / yr |
| North Carolina | 4 | 14 | Pitt Community College9 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 13 | North Shore Community College13 / yr |
| Washington | 1 | 10 | Eastern Washington University10 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 8 | CUNY Hostos Community College8 / yr |
| Utah | 2 | 7 | Utah Tech University6 / yr |
| Florida | 1 | 7 | Florida Atlantic University7 / yr |
| Kansas | 1 | 6 | Wichita State University6 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 6 | Harrisburg Area Community College6 / yr |
| Connecticut | 1 | 4 | Central Connecticut State University4 / yr |
| Virginia | 1 | 4 | Virginia Commonwealth University4 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 2 | Cleveland State University2 / yr |
| Wyoming | 1 | 2 | Casper College2 / yr |
| Minnesota | 1 | 1 | Minnesota State University - Mankato1 / yr |
| Rhode Island | 1 | 1 | Rhode Island College1 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 1 | Indiana Institute of Technology - College of Professional Studies1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-3099, Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Adult Development and Aging program can pursue careers as social scientists, psychologists, or educators in family and consumer sciences. While the job outlook shows a slight decline of 1.7%, there are approximately 3,200 annual openings, with a median wage of $100,340 typically requiring a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 19.0702
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Otherprimary SOC 19-3099 | $101,110 | -1.7% Decline | ~3,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Psychologists, All Other SOC 19-3039 | $110,840 | +4.3% About as fast as average | ~3,900 | Master's degree |
Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1192 | $75,870 | +3.4% About as fast as average | ~200 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Related careers
Other Human Development specializations
The 10 other 6-digit CIP codes under Human Development (CIP 19.07).
- Child Care Provider/CIP 19.0709
Assistant 23,628 graduates / yr397 institutions - Human Development and Family StudiesCIP 19.07019,267 graduates / yr172 institutions
- Child DevelopmentCIP 19.07064,749 graduates / yr224 institutions
- Child Care and Support Services ManagementCIP 19.07084,048 graduates / yr236 institutions
- Family and Community ServicesCIP 19.07071,706 graduates / yr67 institutions
- Family SystemsCIP 19.0704903 graduates / yr18 institutions
- Early Childhood and Family StudiesCIP 19.0711489 graduates / yr22 institutions
- Human Development, Family Studies, and Related ServicesCIP 19.0799424 graduates / yr29 institutions
- Parent Education ServicesCIP 19.0712partial data157 graduates / yr3 institutions
- Developmental Services WorkerCIP 19.071078 graduates / yr11 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn an award of at least 12 weeks, an Associate's degree, a Master's degree, or a Postbaccalaureate certificate.
How many colleges offer this program?+
There are 34 colleges offering the Adult Development and Aging program in the U.S.
What is the average number of graduates per year?+
Approximately 220 students graduate from this program each year.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can work as a social scientist, psychologist, or family and consumer sciences teacher.
What is the CIP code for Adult Development and Aging?+
Adult Development and Aging is CIP 19.0702 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Human Development (CIP 19.07). NCES defines it as: 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.
How many institutions offer Adult Development and Aging programs?+
34 U.S. institutions reported Adult Development and Aging graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 18 states, awarding 220 credentials in the year. That is 0.5% of all Human Development graduates.
How much do Adult Development and Aging graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other occupation, which Adult Development and Aging most directly leads to, pays a median of $101,110 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Human Development field report median earnings of $28,589 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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