by our College Data Analytics Team
[Gerontology](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/gerontology/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying gerontology schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose gerontology graduates go on to earn the most.
Leading the list is Western Oregon University, our #1 for gerontology graduate salaries in the Far Western Region. Western Oregon University is a public school located in the town of Monmouth. Gerontology graduates of Western Oregon University earn a median of about $49,507 a year early in their careers.
California State University Sacramento came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying gerontology schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a public institution. Gerontology graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of about $61,963 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Southern California one of the highest-paying schools for gerontology. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. Gerontology graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of about $74,764 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Ashford University earned it the #4 place for gerontology. Located in the city of San Diego, Ashford University is a private for-profit institution. Early-career gerontology graduates from Ashford University make a median of around $35,585 per year.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their gerontology graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 4 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.