Gerontology at Kansas State University

Manhattan, KS · Public · Bachelor's Degree
48 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
48
Optimistic
48
Base Case
47
Pessimistic
Earnings $37,623/yr (1% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Large (41,500 openings/yr)
ROI 14.6x earnings multiple (5.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #3 of 5 Gerontology programs

Program Analysis

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.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Gerontology graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $649K $638K $568K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.8x 14.6x 13.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.8x 5.7x 5.1x
Probability of Field Employment 55% 51% 36%
DegreeOutlook Score 48 48 47

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$43,768
Out-of-state: $111,264 (5.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$71,532
-63% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,083
7.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$66,752
77% growth from Year 1

About Kansas State University

A 79% acceptance rate means Kansas State University is accessible to most applicants, serving 14,835 students in Manhattan, KS.

See all programs and financial aid at Kansas State University →

Top Career Paths

Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620/yr
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists $100,590/yr
Social scientists and related workers, all other $100,340/yr
View all 4 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Gerontology at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →