2026 Best Value Gerontology Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Gerontology master’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 175 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor analyzed schools to produce 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 Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Webster University tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Gerontology master's degree schools in the United States. Based in Saint Louis, MO, Webster University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $31,750. The median Gerontology program debt is $25,939. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,876. That is a strong return on a $25,939 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%. Read more about Webster University
Saint Cloud State University came in at #2 on this year's best-value Gerontology ranking in the United States. Set in Saint Cloud, MN, Saint Cloud State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. The median Gerontology program debt is $25,076. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,813 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,076 median debt. About 95% of those who apply are admitted. More on Saint Cloud State University
Kansas State University came in at #3 on this year's best-value Gerontology ranking in the United States. Kansas State University is a public school based in Manhattan, KS. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Kansas State University Gerontology students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,262. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants. Read the full report on Kansas State University
Out of the 175 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #4 spot. This public school is set in Bowling Green, OH. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Graduates carry a median of $26,973 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,896 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%. See the full Bowling Green State University Main Campus profile
A rank of #5 makes University Of Nebraska At Omaha one of the best values in the United States. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a public school based in Omaha, NE. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Typical Gerontology student debt is $21,783. Median earnings reach $53,909 ten years out. Set against $21,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of Nebraska At Omaha
California State University Long Beach ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Gerontology schools. This public school is set in Long Beach, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. The median Gerontology program debt is $15,671. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $64,403. That is a strong return on a $15,671 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants. Read more about California State University Long Beach
University Of Utah came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Set in Salt Lake City, UT, University Of Utah is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete their Gerontology program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $67,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants. Get the full University Of Utah report
Miami University Oxford ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Gerontology schools. This public school is set in Oxford, OH. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,519, with out-of-state students paying around $38,965. Typical Gerontology student debt is $24,177. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $55,076. Set against $24,177 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%. Read the full report on Miami University Oxford
Eastern Illinois University offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. Eastern Illinois University is a public school based in Charleston, IL. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Eastern Illinois University Gerontology students take on a median of $24,293 in debt. Eastern Illinois University alumni report median earnings of $51,989 a decade after entry. Set against $24,293 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 65% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Eastern Illinois University
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #10 among the best-value Gerontology schools in the United States. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a public school based in Greensboro, NC. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. The median Gerontology program debt is $24,977. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $48,160. That is a strong return on a $24,977 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%. See the full University Of North Carolina At Greensboro profile
Iowa State University landed the #11 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Ames, IA, Iowa State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Students borrow a median of $23,495 to complete their Gerontology program here. Median earnings reach $63,386 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $23,495 median debt. Iowa State University has an acceptance rate of 89%. Get the full Iowa State University report
Texas State University San Marcos placed #12 among the best-value Gerontology schools in the United States. Located in San Marcos, TX, Texas State University San Marcos is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Graduates carry a median of $23,659 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,906 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 89% of those who apply are admitted. More on Texas State University San Marcos
University Of Southern California offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. Set in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $71,647. The median Gerontology program debt is $15,625. Median earnings reach $92,498 ten years out. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants. Read more about University Of Southern California
San Francisco State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Gerontology schools. San Francisco State University is a public school based in San Francisco, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Typical Gerontology student debt is $17,024. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $68,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted. More on San Francisco State University
Nova Southeastern University came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. Set in Fort Lauderdale, FL, Nova Southeastern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,700. Typical Gerontology student debt is $25,021. Median earnings reach $59,209 ten years out. Set against $25,021 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Nova Southeastern University has an acceptance rate of 73%. See the full Nova Southeastern University profile
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Gerontology schools. Set in Charlotte, NC, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Graduates carry a median of $24,673 in student loans. Median earnings reach $57,289 ten years out. Set against $24,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 80% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Wilmington, NC. Students from in state pay about $7,277 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,152. Students borrow a median of $23,013 to complete their Gerontology program here. Median earnings reach $54,967 ten years out. Set against $23,013 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington admits about 64% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of North Carolina At Wilmington
University Of Massachusetts Boston offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. Located in Boston, MA, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,898 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. University Of Massachusetts Boston Gerontology students take on a median of $26,236 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $65,865. Set against $26,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%. See the full University Of Massachusetts Boston profile
Georgetown University placed #19 among the best-value Gerontology schools in the United States. Set in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,089. Students borrow a median of $16,483 to complete their Gerontology program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $103,494 ten years after entry. Set against $16,483 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Georgetown University report
Georgia State University came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. Georgia State University is a public school based in Atlanta, GA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,664, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Georgia State University Gerontology students take on a median of $26,091 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $47,384. Set against $26,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants. Read more about Georgia State University
University Of South Florida Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a public school based in Tampa, FL. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $57,743. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of South Florida Main Campus profile
Capella University came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. Based in Minneapolis, MN, Capella University is a private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees. Typical Gerontology student debt is $35,998. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,189. That is a strong return on a $35,998 median debt. Read the full report on Capella University
Portland State University placed #23 among the best-value Gerontology schools in the United States. Read the full report on Portland State University
University Of Missouri St Louis placed #24 among the best-value Gerontology schools in the United States. More on University Of Missouri St Louis
University Of Nevada Las Vegas landed the #25 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full University Of Nevada Las Vegas report
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Gerontology Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
Indiana State University landed the #26 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Indiana State University report
Central Carolina Technical College came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Central Carolina Technical College report
Springfield College placed #28 among the best-value Gerontology schools in the United States. See the full Springfield College profile
Niagara University offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. Read the full report on Niagara University
University Of Nevada Reno ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Gerontology schools. See the full University Of Nevada Reno profile
Collin County Community College District ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Gerontology schools. Read more about Collin County Community College District
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. Get the full The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey report
Texas Tech University landed the #33 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Texas Tech University profile
Idaho State University offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. Get the full Idaho State University report
Pennsylvania Western University landed the #35 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Pennsylvania Western University
Edgewood College
Edgewood College offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. See the full Edgewood College profile
University Of Kansas landed the #37 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full University Of Kansas profile
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #38 in this year's value ranking. More on University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Winthrop University ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best-value Gerontology schools. More on Winthrop University
University Of Maryland Baltimore came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on University Of Maryland Baltimore
Ashford University landed the #41 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Ashford University
Stark State College offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. Read more about Stark State College
Indiana University Bloomington placed #43 among the best-value Gerontology schools in the United States. Read more about Indiana University Bloomington
La Salle University landed the #44 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about La Salle University
Capital Community College landed the #45 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Capital Community College report
Cedar Crest College placed #46 among the best-value Gerontology schools in the United States. See the full Cedar Crest College profile
Suny College At Oswego offered strong value this year, earning the #47 position. See the full Suny College At Oswego profile
Cuny Medgar Evers College came in at #48 in this year's value ranking. More on Cuny Medgar Evers College
University Of Georgia offered strong value this year, earning the #49 position. See the full University Of Georgia profile
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater offered strong value this year, earning the #50 position. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Related Gerontology Value Rankings
Compare value rankings at 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 Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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).