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Gerontologyat Kansas State University

Graduates earn $37,623/yr in their first year — about 1.0% above the national Gerontology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $638K; scenarios range from $568K to $649K depending on AI disruption.

Manhattan, KS Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
48 AVERAGE
48
Optimistic
47
Pessimistic
Earnings
$37,623
1-year post-graduation
ROI
14.3x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$638K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
55% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Kansas State University

Studying Gerontology at K-State places you in one of the few dedicated programs nationally, giving you a distinct advantage in a field experiencing growing demand as the population ages. Your education here will equip you for diverse roles, from direct elder care and program management in senior living facilities to policy development within government agencies or research. The career paths reflect this broad utility, with many graduates advancing into leadership, teaching, or specialized scientific roles. While initial salaries might reflect the regional labor market, the program's strong interdisciplinary foundation prepares you for significant long-term growth, particularly if you pursue advanced degrees or leadership positions. The noted AI risk likely applies more to administrative support roles than the essential human connection central to gerontology. Focus your studies and internships on a specific niche—be it policy, direct care, or research—to maximize your impact and earning potential.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$568K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score47/100
Earnings Multiple13.0x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$638K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score48/100
Earnings Multiple14.6x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$649K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score48/100
Earnings Multiple14.8x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Kansas State University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Gerontology graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
+17.3% 10-yr growth · 27,400 openings/yr
$105,620/yr
Moderate
2
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
+8.7% 10-yr growth · 9,600 openings/yr
$100,590/yr
High
3
Social scientists and related workers, all other
-1.7% 10-yr growth · 3,200 openings/yr
$100,340/yr
High
4
Social work teachers, postsecondary
+2.3% 10-yr growth · 1,300 openings/yr
$76,210/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Gerontology

How Kansas State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
University of Maryland Global Campus
MD · Public
53
DW Score
$44K
1-yr earn
17.4x
ROI
California State University-Sacramento
CA · Public
50
DW Score
$38K
1-yr earn
19.4x
ROI
Ashford University
CA · Private for-profit
25
DW Score
$34K
1-yr earn
5.8x
ROI
Bowling Green State University-Main Campus
OH · Public
29
DW Score
$33K
1-yr earn
7.2x
ROI
Also at Kansas State University

Other top programs at Kansas State University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Kansas State University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

FAQ

Frequently asked about Gerontology at Kansas State University

How does Kansas State University's Gerontology program score?

This program scores 48/100 — on the lower end for Gerontology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is Gerontology to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Gerontology careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 49% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.