Top 10 Master’s in Gerontology Online Degree Programs

gerontology degree online
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Gerontology is one of the fields in public health that is projected to proliferate in the coming years, from 12 to 19% between 2014-2024. As our population ages, more and more workers are needed to care for the elderly. Gerontology is a rewarding career that offers job opportunities in places like retirement communities, health care settings, nursing homes, government agencies, and long-term institutional care. The median salary for those in the field in 2015 was $52,380. Salaries may range from $45,840 for a Life Enrichment Professional (Recreation Therapist) to $94,500 for a Facility Director. (All figures from Bureau of Labor Statistics)

If you are interested in a career in gerontology but aren’t excited about daily trips to a college or university, an online school may be the perfect place for you. All of the gain, but less of the pain–no parking fees, no traffic. You will study and earn your degree on your own schedule while at the same time keeping up with your day-to-day obligations. Class sizes are relatively small so that your instructor will know who you are and will be able to give you close attention. When you graduate, your diploma will look exactly like the ones given to those who attend a traditional, brick-and-mortar institution.

Tuition figures for the year are the out of state, graduate tuition numbers that are reported to the National Center for Education Statistics, an information clearinghouse of the US government. Enrollment and student to faculty ratios also come from this source. Per credit hour tuition rates found in the school review information comes from the school’s website and may show a discount from the rate reported by the government.

Rating and Ranking Methodology

Tuition Points

  1. Under $30,000—1 point
  2. Under $27,000—2 points
  3. Under $24,000—3 points
  4. Under $21,000—4 points
  5. Under $18,000—5 points
  6. Under $15,000—6 points
  7. Under $12,000—7 points
  8. Under $9,000—8 points

Student to Faculty Ratio Points

  1. Above 35-1 point
  2. Above 30-2 point
  3. Above 25-3 points
  4. Above 20-4 points
  5. Above 15-5 points
  6. Above 10-6 points

National Recognition

  1. Top 100-1 point
  2. Top 40-2 point
  3. Top 30-3 points
  4. Top 20-4 points
  5. Top 10-5 points
  6. Top 5-6 points

Bonus for special tuition discount for online students

  1. Has special online discount for tuition-3 points
  2. Online students charged standard tuition-0 points

#10 – The George Washington University

Washington, District of Columbia

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Online

Website
Points: 7
Enrollment: 27,159
Tuition: $28,800

George Washington University

The George Washington University is one of the most expensive and prestigious institutions of higher learning in the United States. With a student to faculty ratio of 13 to 1, the school offers an online adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner degree that is a 53 credit hour program that includes coursework in nursing leadership and population health. The George Washington University charges an online graduate tuition rate of $1,295 per credit hour for this program. The school is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

#9 – Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan

Master of Science in Nursing Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist Online

Points: 8
Enrollment: 50,340
Tuition: $32,940

Michigan State University

Michigan State University was founded in 1855. With a student to faculty ratio of 17 to 1, the school offers an online master of science in nursing – adult-gerontology clinical nurse specialist that is a 42 credit hour program including coursework in statistics and clinical decision making. Michigan State University offers an online graduate tuition rate of $800.50 per credit hour, regardless of residency. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges.

#8 – University of Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah

Master of Science in Gerontology Online

Website
Points: 8
Enrollment: 31,860
Tuition: $22,848

University of Utah

The University of Utah is the flagship institution of higher learning for the Beehive State. With a student to faculty ratio of 16 to 1, the school offers an online master of science in gerontology that is a 33-34 credit hour program including coursework in optimal aging and advanced physiology. The University of Utah charges an out of state graduate online tuition rate of $5,495.36 for the first credit hour and $982.65 for each additional credit hour. The school is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

#7 – University of Texas Medical Branch

Galveston, Texas

Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Online

Website
Points: 8
Enrollment: 3,277
Tuition: $19,306

University of Texas Medical Branch

The University of Texas Medical Branch is part of the University of Texas system. With a student to faculty ratio of 23 to 1, the school offers an online adult/gerontology acute care nurse practitioner degree that is a 49 credit hour program including coursework in pathophysiology and pharmacology. The University of Texas Medical Branch charges an online out of state graduate tuition rate of $1,174.65 per credit hour for this program. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

#6 – Iowa State University

Ames, Iowa

Masters of Family and Consumer Sciences with Gerontology specialization Online

Website
Points: 11
Enrollment: 36,350
Tuition: $22,472

Iowa State University

Iowa State University was established in 1858. With a student to faculty ratio of 19 to 1, the school offers an online master of family and consumer sciences with gerontology specialization that is a 36 credit hour program including coursework in adult development and nutrition. Iowa State University offers an online graduate tuition rate of $311 per credit hour, regardless of residency. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges.

#5 – Kansas State University

Manhattan, Kansas

Master of Science in Gerontology Online

Website
Points: 11
Enrollment: 23,779
Tuition: $21,828

Kansas State University

Kansas State University is a land-grant institution that opened in 1863. With a student to faculty ratio of 18 to 1, the school offers an online master of science in gerontology that is a 36 credit hour program that includes coursework in public policy and aging in the family. Kansas State University offers an online graduate tuition rate of $563.30 per credit hour, regardless of residency. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

#4 – Wichita State University

Wichita, Kansas

Master of Arts in Aging Studies Online

Website
Points: 11
Enrollment: 14,166
Tuition: $12,704

Wichita State University

Wichita State University was established in 1895. With a student to faculty ratio of 19 to 1, the school offers an online master of arts in aging studies that is a 30 credit hour program that has three available concentrations: administration, public health, and social sciences. Wichita State University charges an online graduate out of state tuition rate of $723.46 per credit hour. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges.

#3 – Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

Master of Science in Human Development and Family Studies, emphasis on Gerontology Online

Website
Points: 13
Enrollment: 36,551
Tuition: $12,744

Texas Tech University

Texas Tech University was established in 1923. With a student to faculty ratio of 21 to 1, the school offers an online master of science in human development and family studies, emphasis on gerontology that is a 36 credit hour program including coursework in program evaluation and economics. Texas Tech University offers an online graduate tuition rate of $320 per credit hour, regardless of residency. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

#2 – University of Nebraska at Omaha

Omaha, Nebraska

Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies – Gerontology Concentration Online

Website
Points: 14
Enrollment: 15,627
Tuition: $12,987

University of Nebraska at Omaha

The University of Nebraska at Omaha serves as the Cornhusker State’s premier urban institution of higher learning. With a student to faculty ratio of 17 to 1, the school offers an online bachelor of multidisciplinary studies-gerontology concentration that is a 120 credit hour program including coursework in adult development and services for the elderly. The University of Nebraska at Omaha offers an online out of state undergraduate tuition rate of $500 per credit hour. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges.

#1 – Concordia University-Nebraska

Seward, Nebraska

Master of Healthcare Administration – Gerontology Concentration Online

Website
Points: 16
Enrollment: 2,757
Tuition: $9,919

Concordia University Nebraska

Concordia University-Nebraska was established in 1894. With a student to faculty ratio of 13 to 1, the school offers an online master of healthcare administration-gerontology concentration that is a 36 credit hour program that includes coursework in health information technology and social gerontology. Concordia University Nebraska offers an online graduate tuition rate of $500 per credit hour for this program. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges.

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