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Elder Education Requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an elder. Elders usually study business, psychology, or social work. 48% of elders hold a bachelor's degree, and 18% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 1,216 real elder resumes to see exactly what elder education sections show.
The most common colleges for elders are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online elder courses to help get the education required to be an elder.
What education do you need to become an elder?
What degree do you need to be an elder?
- Bachelor's, 48%
- Associate, 18%
- High School Diploma, 12%
- Master's, 11%
- Other Degrees, 11%
What should I major in to become an elder?
- Business, 17%
- Psychology, 9%
- Social Work, 8%
- Theology, 8%
- Other Majors, 58%
Most common colleges for elders
Elder Common College  | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 14.29% |
| University of Northern Iowa | 5.71% |
| Bethel College | 5.71% |
| University of California, Santa Barbara | 5.71% |
| University of Southern Maine | 4.29% |
Best majors for elders
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business | 17.5% |
| 2 | Psychology | 8.9% |
| 3 | Social Work | 8.4% |
| 4 | Theology | 8.1% |
| 5 | Nursing | 6.8% |
Best colleges for elders
The best colleges for elders are University of Pennsylvania, Emory University, and Boston College.
An elder with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for elders. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become elders.
1. Emory University
Atlanta, GA • Private
In-State Tuition
$51,306
Enrollment
6,975
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-State Tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
3. Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA • Private
In-State Tuition
$55,464
Enrollment
9,639
4. Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
In-State Tuition
$38,178
Enrollment
6,008
5. Trevecca Nazarene University
Nashville, TN • Private
In-State Tuition
$25,598
Enrollment
2,189
20 best online courses for elders
Advertising Disclosure
1. Health After Cancer: Cancer Survivorship for Primary Care
This course presents basic principles of cancer survivorship to primary-care physicians. Developed by a team of experts in caring for cancer survivors, and narrated by a primary-care physician, this course provides practical tips and tools that can be easily integrated into medical practice. You will learn about the complex physical and psychosocial needs and concerns of the growing number of cancer survivors, along with the key role that primary care physicians have in guiding these patients...
2. Traditional herbal medicine in supportive cancer care: From alternative to integrative
Please join us for an exciting and innovative journey, examining one of the most important and often overlooked aspects of the oncology setting: Traditional Herbal Medicine in Supportive Cancer Care. This course is presented with short lectures offering a wide range of issues related to the principles and practice of herbal medicine in cancer care. The course includes interviews with leading world experts from the field of Integrative Oncology, from the U.S. and Canada, as well as Europe, the...
3. Speak Medical Spanish to Your Patients and Clients
Spanish essentials for healthcare; program teaches correct pronunciation, pain management and medication, among others...
4. Providing Trauma-Informed Care
Exploring psychological trauma and how to provide care and compassion to trauma survivors...
5. Palliative Care Always Capstone Course
The Palliative Care Always Capstone course is designed to let you test your knowledge about palliative and help others understand the value of palliative care, while showing your creative side. In this course, you will impact community awareness about palliative care, promote self-care and wellness, show-off your communication skills in a virtual environment, and finish the course off by proving your thoughts on ways to offer psychosocial support to a patient and family...
6. Health for All Through Primary Health Care
This course explores why primary health care is central for achieving Health for All. It provides examples of how primary health care has been instrumental in approaching this goal in selected populations and how the principles of primary health care can guide future policies and actions. Two of the most inspiring, least understood, and most often derided terms in global health discourse are “Health for All” and “Primary Health Care.” In this course, we will explore these terms in the context...
7. Home Health Aide, Nurse Aide, Caregiver Certification Course
Become A Certified Home Health Aide, Personal Care Aide, Nurse Aide/ Caregiver At The End Of This Course. Enroll Now!!...
8. Medical Terminology 101
For those in healthcare, billing, and more. Boost earning ability and marketable skills by learning to speak medicine...
9. Trauma Emergencies and Care
Welcome to Trauma Emergencies and Care. In this course, you will learn about some of the mechanics and physics of trauma on the human body, and how this can cause injury. You will continue to expand your new vocabulary with medical terminology, and learn how to describe the different injuries you may see. You will also learn about the trauma system itself- and when it is important to transport patients to a trauma center. Then we will dive into specific injuries based on what part of the body...
10. Palliative Care Always
Palliative Care Always is a specialization for health care practitioners, patients and caregivers. We’ve designed this specialization to demonstrate how palliative medicine integrates with patient care, and to help you develop primary palliative care skills. Over the next five courses, you will develop skills in symptom management, goals of care and effective communication to improve the quality of life for patients and families suffering with serious illness. Our hope is that you feel...
Top 10 most affordable universities for elders
The most affordable schools for elders are SUNY Farmingdale, baruch college of the city university of new york, and university of florida.
If the best universities for elders are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for elders.
1. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-State Tuition
$8,306
Cost of Attendance
16,091
2. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-State Tuition
$7,262
Cost of Attendance
14,046
3. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-State Tuition
$6,381
Cost of Attendance
21,034
4. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-State Tuition
$7,309
Cost of Attendance
16,714
5. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-State Tuition
$5,620
Cost of Attendance
18,136
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for elders
The hardest universities for elders to get into are University of Pennsylvania, Emory University, and Boston College.
Some great schools for elders are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for elders based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions Rate
8%
SAT Average
1,492
2. Emory University
Atlanta, GA • Private
Admissions Rate
19%
SAT Average
1,449
3. Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA • Private
Admissions Rate
28%
SAT Average
1,429
4. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions Rate
8%
SAT Average
1,508
5. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions Rate
22%
SAT Average
1,420
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for elders
The easiest schools for elders to get into are Barry University, nyack college, and oklahoma wesleyan university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an elder without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for elders.
1. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions Rate
91%
SAT Average
1,006
2. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions Rate
98%
SAT Average
999
3. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions Rate
68%
SAT Average
964
4. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions Rate
70%
SAT Average
849
5. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions Rate
90%
SAT Average
994
Average elder salary by education level
| Elder education level | Elder salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $33,009 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $31,328 |
| Doctorate Degree | $33,381 |
Elder Education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common community and social services questions.
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025