by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 34 U.S. colleges awarded 220 degrees and certificates in Adult Development & Aging. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 71% of graduates. College Factual ranks 6 schools in its 2027 Best Adult Development & Aging Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $33,342 one year after completing, rising to $46,113 after four years.
A degree in Adult Development & Aging explores 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. 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.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, adult development & aging is a widely-pursued major, with 220 degrees awarded annually. 34 colleges award adult development & aging degrees, an average of 6 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 37.
By level, the 220 awards include 2 certificates, 58 associate degrees, 2 bachelor’s degrees, 156 master’s degrees and 2 doctorates.
Women earned 93% of adult development & aging degrees and certificates in the latest year (205 of 220). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (98) and Hispanic or Latino (48), and international students earned 2.
College Factual ranks 6 schools in its 2027 Best Adult Development & Aging Schools ranking, including 1 for associate degrees and 1 for master’s degrees. It also ranks adult development & aging schools within 2 states. In all, 34 colleges offer adult development & aging programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Adult Development & Aging Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common adult development & aging credential is the master’s degree: 156 of the 220 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to adult development & aging call most for Speaking, Active Listening and Reading Comprehension, and for knowledge of English Language, Education and Training and Psychology, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Written Comprehension, Oral Expression and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an adult development & aging degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 2 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 58 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 2 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 156 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 2 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to adult development & aging, at 38.8%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 38.8% |
| Master’s degree | 28.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 20.2% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 5.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 4.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.4% |
| Some college courses | 0.7% |
| First professional degree | 0.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
6 occupations are related to Adult Development & Aging, with an average median salary of $67,914; the strongest outlook belongs to Clinical Neuropsychologists, at 8.9% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Home and Family Living Professor, Child Development Instructor, Home Economics Teacher and Sewing Teacher.
The occupation related to adult development & aging with the most projected jobs is Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, at 1,267,153.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,267,153 | 0.4% |
| Clinical Neuropsychologists | 216,013 | 8.9% |
| Neuropsychologists | 186,493 | 6.5% |
| Transportation Planners | 43,539 | 4.1% |
| Psychologists, All Other | 30,286 | 4.1% |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | 24,588 | 6.1% |
Adult Development & Aging graduates earn a median $33,342 one year after completing their program, $46,113 after four years and $44,419 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $33,342 |
| 4 years | $46,113 |
| 5 years | $44,419 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to adult development & aging, with a median salary of $99,604.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $99,604 |
| Neuropsychologists | $83,690 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $73,521 |
| Clinical Neuropsychologists | $57,643 |
| Transportation Planners | $50,855 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $42,168 |
Adult Development & Aging has 10 similar majors in the Family, Consumer & Human Sciences field, which together award 45,678 degrees a year; the largest are Child Care Provider/Assistant (23,628), Human Development and Family Studies, General (9,399) and Child Development (4,807). Browse all Family, Consumer & Human Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Child Care Provider/Assistant | 23,628 |
| Human Development and Family Studies, General | 9,399 |
| Child Development | 4,807 |
| Child Care and Support Services Management | 4,048 |
| Family and Community Services | 1,725 |
| Family Systems | 911 |
| Early Childhood and Family Studies | 497 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services, Other | 428 |
| Parent Education Services | 157 |
| Developmental Services Worker | 78 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
