2026 Best Value Gerontology Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Gerontology doctoral degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 175 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor evaluated schools to compile this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Gerontology Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the best-value schools below:
Leading the list is University Of Nebraska At Omaha, our #1 best-value Gerontology school in the United States. Set in Omaha, NE, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Typical Gerontology student debt is $21,783. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $53,909. That is a strong return on a $21,783 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%. Read the full report on University Of Nebraska At Omaha
A rank of #2 makes University Of Maryland Baltimore County one of the best values in the United States. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a public school based in Baltimore, MD. Students from in state pay about $13,256 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,225. University Of Maryland Baltimore County Gerontology students take on a median of $21,331 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $69,960. Set against $21,331 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland Baltimore County has an acceptance rate of 72%. Read more about University Of Maryland Baltimore County
A rank of #3 makes Miami University Oxford one of the best values in the United States. Based in Oxford, OH, Miami University Oxford is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,519, with out-of-state students paying around $38,965. The median Gerontology program debt is $24,177. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,076 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Miami University Oxford admits about 75% of applicants. Read the full report on Miami University Oxford
University Of Kansas came in at #4 on this year's best-value Gerontology ranking in the United States. Based in Lawrence, KS, University Of Kansas is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. University Of Kansas Gerontology students take on a median of $23,608 in debt. University Of Kansas alumni report median earnings of $61,945 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants. Get the full University Of Kansas report
You'll get strong value at Iowa State University, which ranked #5 this year. Set in Ames, IA, Iowa State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Typical Gerontology student debt is $23,495. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $63,386. Set against $23,495 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 89% of those who apply are admitted. More on Iowa State University
University Of Massachusetts Boston landed the #6 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Boston, MA, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans. Median earnings reach $65,865 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Boston has an acceptance rate of 84%. Read the full report on University Of Massachusetts Boston
University Of Southern California landed the #7 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete their Gerontology program here. University Of Southern California alumni report median earnings of $92,498 a decade after entry. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 10% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Southern California report
University Of Kentucky ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Gerontology schools. This public school is set in Lexington, KY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $59,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of Kentucky
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a public school based in Tampa, FL. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete their Gerontology program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,743 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 43% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of South Florida Main Campus
Abilene Christian University placed #10 among the best-value Gerontology schools in the United States. Read more about Abilene Christian University
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value Gerontology schools. Get the full University Of North Carolina At Charlotte report
Ashford University landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Ashford University
California State University Northridge landed the #13 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on California State University Northridge
Capella University offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. More on Capella University
Idaho State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Gerontology schools. More on Idaho State University
Western Oregon University offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. Read the full report on Western Oregon University
Winthrop University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Gerontology schools. More on Winthrop University
Manchester College came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Manchester College
Niagara University offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. Read more about Niagara University
University Of South Alabama placed #20 among the best-value Gerontology schools in the United States. Read more about University Of South Alabama
Central Carolina Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. More on Central Carolina Technical College
University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value Gerontology schools. More on University Of Mississippi Main Campus
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. Read more about University Of Missouri Columbia
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey placed #24 among the best-value Gerontology schools in the United States. Read more about The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Gerontology Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
Widener University Main Campus ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best-value Gerontology schools. See the full Widener University Main Campus profile
Texas Tech University landed the #27 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Texas Tech University
East Tennessee State University placed #28 among the best-value Gerontology schools in the United States. See the full East Tennessee State University profile
North Dakota State University Main Campus ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best-value Gerontology schools. See the full North Dakota State University Main Campus profile
Suny College At Brockport placed #30 among the best-value Gerontology schools in the United States. See the full Suny College At Brockport profile
Rhode Island College landed the #31 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Rhode Island College
University Of Iowa placed #32 among the best-value Gerontology schools in the United States. More on University Of Iowa
Oklahoma State University Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. See the full Oklahoma State University Main Campus profile
Columbus State University offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. Get the full Columbus State University report
Northeastern Illinois University came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. See the full Northeastern Illinois University profile
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best-value Gerontology schools. Read more about East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. More on Southern Illinois University Carbondale
University Of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences came in at #38 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on University Of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences
University Of Utah landed the #39 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about University Of Utah
Clackamas Community College placed #40 among the best-value Gerontology schools in the United States. More on Clackamas Community College
Frederick Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #41 position. Read more about Frederick Community College
Georgia State University ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Gerontology schools. Read the full report on Georgia State University
Washington State University landed the #43 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Washington State University profile
Quincy College
Quincy College offered strong value this year, earning the #44 position. Read the full report on Quincy College
University Of La Verne placed #45 among the best-value Gerontology schools in the United States. Read more about University Of La Verne
Cedar Crest College ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best-value Gerontology schools. Get the full Cedar Crest College report
Saint Xavier University came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Saint Xavier University
Utah Valley University landed the #48 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Utah Valley University
Monmouth University ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best-value Gerontology schools. More on Monmouth University
Saint Cloud State University offered strong value this year, earning the #50 position. Read more about Saint Cloud State University
Related Gerontology Value Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Value Gerontology Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Gerontology Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Gerontology Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Gerontology Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Gerontology Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Gerontology Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Gerontology Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 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).