2026 Best Gerontology Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Gerontology graduate certificate degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 175 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor reviewed schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Gerontology Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
University Of Southern California tops our 2026 ranking of the best Gerontology graduate certificate degree schools in the United States. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $71,647. The median Gerontology program debt is $15,625. More on University Of Southern California
The strong Gerontology programs at Kansas State University earned it the #2 place in the United States. Set in Manhattan, KS, Kansas State University is a public institution. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Kansas State University Gerontology students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. Get the full Kansas State University report
Out of the 175 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #3 spot. Based in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,517. Columbia University In The City Of New York Gerontology students take on a median of $23,258 in debt. Read more about Columbia University In The City Of New York
Out of the 175 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #4 spot. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans. See the full University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus profile
You'll be in good company at Indiana University Bloomington, which ranked #5 this year. Located in Bloomington, IN, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Indiana University Bloomington Gerontology students take on a median of $20,542 in debt. Get the full Indiana University Bloomington report
George Mason University did well this year, earning the #6 position. George Mason University is a public school based in Fairfax, VA. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. George Mason University Gerontology students take on a median of $23,529 in debt. See the full George Mason University profile
Johns Hopkins University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Gerontology schools. Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit school based in Baltimore, MD. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Johns Hopkins University Gerontology students take on a median of $13,426 in debt. Get the full Johns Hopkins University report
University Of Utah landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Salt Lake City, UT. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Graduates carry a median of $20,798 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Utah
University Of North Texas did well this year, earning the #9 position. Located in Denton, TX, University Of North Texas is a public institution. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Typical Gerontology student debt is $21,817. See the full University Of North Texas profile
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Based in Greensboro, NC, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a public institution. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Graduates carry a median of $24,977 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Nova Southeastern University landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL, Nova Southeastern University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,700. The median Gerontology program debt is $25,021. Get the full Nova Southeastern University report
North Dakota State University Main Campus placed #12 among Gerontology schools in the United States. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public school based in Fargo, ND. About 64% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. North Dakota State University Main Campus Gerontology students take on a median of $25,153 in debt. Read the full report on North Dakota State University Main Campus
University Of Massachusetts Boston landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a public school based in Boston, MA. University Of Massachusetts Boston graduates 49% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,898, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. Typical Gerontology student debt is $26,236. Read more about University Of Massachusetts Boston
University Of Iowa came in at #14 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Iowa City, IA. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,463 in student loans. See the full University Of Iowa profile
Western Michigan University placed #15 among Gerontology schools in the United States. Based in Kalamazoo, MI, Western Michigan University is a public institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Western Michigan University Gerontology students take on a median of $27,981 in debt. See the full Western Michigan University profile
The University Of Tennessee landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. The University Of Tennessee is a public school based in Knoxville, TN. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. The University Of Tennessee Gerontology students take on a median of $22,859 in debt. More on The University Of Tennessee
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. Located in Milwaukee, WI, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee graduates 53% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Students borrow a median of $26,657 to complete their Gerontology program here. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #18 among Gerontology schools in the United States. This public school is set in Columbia, MO. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Students borrow a median of $21,818 to complete their Gerontology program here. More on University Of Missouri Columbia
University Of Nebraska At Omaha did well this year, earning the #20 position. This public school is set in Omaha, NE. About 49% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Typical Gerontology student debt is $21,783. More on University Of Nebraska At Omaha
University Of Kentucky landed the #21 spot in the United States this year. Located in Lexington, KY, University Of Kentucky is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. University Of Kentucky Gerontology students take on a median of $24,094 in debt. Read more about University Of Kentucky
Webster University came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Based in Saint Louis, MO, Webster University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $31,750. The median Gerontology program debt is $25,939. More on Webster University
University Of Georgia did well this year, earning the #23 position. Located in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete their Gerontology program here. More on University Of Georgia
Portland State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Gerontology schools. This public school is set in Portland, OR. Portland State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 53%. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Graduates carry a median of $26,475 in student loans. Read the full report on Portland State University
Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #25 among Gerontology schools in the United States. Based in Carbondale, IL, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Typical Gerontology student debt is $23,730. Read the full report on Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Eastern Michigan University placed #26 among Gerontology schools in the United States. Located in Ypsilanti, MI, Eastern Michigan University is a public institution. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,990. The median Gerontology program debt is $28,781. Read more about Eastern Michigan University
Rest of the Top 50 Best Gerontology Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #27 among Gerontology schools in the United States. Located in Charlotte, NC, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public institution. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte graduates 69% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,673 in student loans. See the full University Of North Carolina At Charlotte profile
Wright State University Main Campus came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Located in Dayton, OH, Wright State University Main Campus is a public institution. About 42% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,991, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. Typical Gerontology student debt is $25,836. Read the full report on Wright State University Main Campus
University Of Maine landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. Based in Orono, ME, University Of Maine is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,326, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. University Of Maine Gerontology students take on a median of $25,984 in debt. Read more about University Of Maine
Quinnipiac University placed #29 among Gerontology schools in the United States. Read more about Quinnipiac University
Western Oregon University did well this year, earning the #30 position. Read the full report on Western Oregon University
Winthrop University came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Get the full Winthrop University report
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College came in at #32 in this year's ranking. See the full Northeast Wisconsin Technical College profile
University Of Maryland University College came in at #33 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on University Of Maryland University College
Arizona State University came in at #34 in this year's ranking. Read more about Arizona State University
Georgia State University did well this year, earning the #35 position. Read more about Georgia State University
University Of Nevada Las Vegas ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Gerontology schools. See the full University Of Nevada Las Vegas profile
Ashford University ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Gerontology schools. Get the full Ashford University report
California State University Sacramento landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on California State University Sacramento
Oregon State University landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. Read more about Oregon State University
University Of Louisiana Monroe ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Gerontology schools. More on University Of Louisiana Monroe
Case Western Reserve University landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. More on Case Western Reserve University
Virginia Commonwealth University did well this year, earning the #42 position. More on Virginia Commonwealth University
Regent University came in at #43 in this year's ranking. See the full Regent University profile
Saint Xavier University placed #44 among Gerontology schools in the United States. Read more about Saint Xavier University
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Gerontology schools. Read more about Texas State University San Marcos
Capital Community College landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. Get the full Capital Community College report
Monmouth University landed the #47 spot in the United States this year. Read more about Monmouth University
Frederick Community College placed #48 among Gerontology schools in the United States. More on Frederick Community College
Iowa State University placed #49 among Gerontology schools in the United States. Get the full Iowa State University report
Bowling Green State University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #50 position. Read the full report on Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Related Gerontology Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Gerontology Schools (All Levels)
- Best Gerontology Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Gerontology Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Gerontology Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Gerontology Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Gerontology Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Gerontology Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 175 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).