Gerontology: is this associate's degree worth it?
National picture across 1 reporting college programs.
10-year estimate · Negative payoff
−$165,808 over 10 years
National scenario across reporting associate's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 2-year duration.
With these assumptions, the added earnings do not recover the cost within ten years.
Not availableModeled economic break-even
−154%Modeled 10-year ROI
$39,217Observed earnings · year 4
Not reachedMaximum annual price for positive 10-year payoff
Four useful answers about Gerontology
How much do Gerontology associate's degree graduates earn?
The national median is $39,217 four years after completion across reportable associate's degree programs in this federal field.
How much federal debt do graduates have?
A national median federal-debt figure is not reportable for this degree in the current release.
Does the college matter for Gerontology?
Yes. The middle half of reporting programs ranges from $39,217 to $39,217 in observed year-4 earnings.
What careers are related to Gerontology?
DegreeVerdict links this field to 4 displayed occupations using the official federal CIP–SOC crosswalk. Occupational wages are career context, not graduate salary promises.
PRICE SENSITIVITY
The price can change the verdict.
Hold observed earnings constant and see how the modeled ten-year payoff changes as annual price rises.
← Negative payoff$0Positive payoff →
$0Annual price−$147,830
$8,000Current college-wide context−$163,830
$9,000Current college-wide context−$165,830
$16,000Annual price−$179,830
$24,000Annual price−$195,830
$32,000Annual price−$211,830
$40,000Annual price−$227,830
Observed national outcomes
$39,217Median reported earnings · year 4
Not availableAverage reported earnings · year 5
Not availableMedian federal debt
21thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
Not availableIPEDS 2023–24 first-major awards across matched colleges
1With year-4 earnings
The award total covers 0 matched college records and is not extrapolated to colleges without a match.
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts, not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
OPEN PROFILE
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
- Year-4 earnings
- $45,378
- Federal debt
- $11,137
- Reporting programs
- 2
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $39,217
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $55,898
- Federal debt
- $26,973
- Reporting programs
- 7
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $61,113
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 4
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
Median
25th percentile$39,217National median$39,21775th percentile$39,217
1 programs report year‑4 earnings.DECISION CHECK
What to compare before choosing a program
The national result is only the starting point. Price, debt and the college-level earnings spread can materially change the payoff.
Choose colleges offering this exact degree
Narrow one field and credential by location, sector and debt, then compare two to four programs side by side.
1 matchesSelect up to four · showing 25 currently operating colleges
Open the full program search →See the spread, not just the national number.
1Northwood Technical College$39,217Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations, wages and demand
Official CIP–SOC links show where this field can lead. They do not imply that every graduate enters the same occupation.
Pay and projected demand
Related careers do not share one outlook
Bubble size = annual openings2025–35 national projection
Higher median wage ↑
-7%Projected employment growth →20%
Occupation wages describe workers in these jobs, not graduates of this degree. BLS projections are national estimates and do not guarantee hiring.
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary$107,310 median wage221,270 U.S. jobs · SOC 25-1071+17.9% projected employment, 2025–35 · 24.9k annual openingsTypical entry education: Doctoral or professional degree$59,270–$322,020 10th–90th percentileMedical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$103,410 median wage172,340 U.S. jobs · SOC 19-1042+12.6% projected employment, 2025–35 · 10.5k annual openingsTypical entry education: Doctoral or professional degree$64,800–$177,780 10th–90th percentileSocial Scientists and Related Workers, All Other$101,110 median wage37,100 U.S. jobs · SOC 19-3099-0.2% projected employment, 2025–35 · 2.7k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$66,120–$160,300 10th–90th percentileSocial Work Teachers, Postsecondary$77,570 median wage12,610 U.S. jobs · SOC 25-1113+2.6% projected employment, 2025–35 · 1.1k annual openingsTypical entry education: Doctoral or professional degree$48,200–$126,790 10th–90th percentile
BLS May 2025 wages and 2025–35 employment projections. Career context is separate from graduate outcomes.
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario, not an individual aid offer.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | 10-year ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northwood Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Rice Lake, WI | $39,217 | Not available | -154% | Negative payoff |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.