Most Funeral Service and Mortuary Science programs take two years to complete. Graduates start earning $49,316 right after finishing, climbing to $60,056 four years out.
This page covers Funeral Service and Mortuary Science as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Personal Services and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Funeral Service and Mortuary Science is a focused area of study within Personal Services. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $60,056 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 77 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 2,451 students complete it each year, most walking away with a associate's. Training is practical and skills-based, with a fast path from classroom to job site.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$49,316
Median Earnings · 4yr
$60,056
Colleges Offering
77
Graduates / Year
2,451
Avg Net Price / yr
$13,559
How Much Do Funeral Service and Mortuary Science Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Funeral Service and Mortuary Science, a typical graduate earns $60,056, near the national median for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $44,599 and $75,625, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Source: College Scorecard.
Earnings grow steadily as you advance past entry-level roles. The four-year figure is a better long-term target.
$60,056
4-Year National Median
Near the national median for college graduates.
$61,578
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Funeral Service and Mortuary Science graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out a moderate amount, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Region and union membership drive the gap more than any other factor. Union jobs in high-cost metros pay significantly more than non-union positions elsewhere.
$44,59925th pct.
$60,056Median
$75,62575th pct.
Why This Program Pays Off Fast
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $60,056 against an estimated $54,236 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
Based on outcomes from 14 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 2,451 students who complete Funeral Service and Mortuary Science programs each year, the majority (74%) earn a associate's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
74%
Associate's74%
Certificate17%
Bachelor's9%
What Can You Do With a Funeral Service and Mortuary Science Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Funeral Service and Mortuary Science graduates show up in 2 different occupations, and Funeral Service Manager pays the most at $78,790/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Service OrientationSocial PerceptivenessActive ListeningTime ManagementReading Comprehension
Day-to-day responsibilities
Plan, direct, or coordinate the services or resources of funeral homes. Includes activities such as determining prices for services or merchandise and managing the facilities of funeral homes.
Consult with families or friends of the deceased to arrange funeral details, such as obituary notice wording, casket selection, or plans for services.
Schedule funerals, burials, or cremations.
Deliver death certificates to medical facilities or offices to obtain signatures from legally authorized persons.
Social PerceptivenessActive ListeningService OrientationSpeakingCoordination
Day-to-day responsibilities
Perform various tasks to arrange and direct individual funeral services, such as coordinating transportation of body to mortuary, interviewing family or other authorized person to arrange details, selecting pallbearers, aiding with the selection of officials for religious rites, and providing transportation for mourners.
Oversee the preparation and care of the remains of people who have died.
Obtain information needed to complete legal documents, such as death certificates or burial permits.
Perform embalming duties, as necessary.
Top Colleges for Funeral Service and Mortuary Science
Not sure where to study Funeral Service and Mortuary Science? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Funeral Service and Mortuary Science graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Personal Services Programs
Funeral Service and Mortuary Science is not the only path through Personal Services: 4 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Funeral Service and Mortuary Science program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
Funeral Service and Mortuary Science Degree: Pros & Cons
The data on Funeral Service and Mortuary Science shows 1 measurable strengths and 1 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Above-average earningsFour-year median of $60,056 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science programs.
CONS
Licensure often requiredMany positions in this field require trade licenses, certifications, or apprenticeship completion. These add time and cost beyond the academic credential.
Funeral Service and Mortuary Science Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Funeral Service and Mortuary Science graduates earn?
$60,056 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $44,599 and $75,625, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for a Funeral Service and Mortuary Science degree?
$49,316 in the first year out. That grows to $60,056 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with a Funeral Service and Mortuary Science degree?
Funeral Service Manager is one path, and it pays a median of $78,790 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does a Funeral Service and Mortuary Science program take?
Two years full-time at a community college for a Funeral Service and Mortuary Science associate degree. Many students use it as a stepping stone, transferring to a four-year school afterward to finish a bachelor's.
How many colleges offer Funeral Service and Mortuary Science?
77 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is a Funeral Service and Mortuary Science degree worth it?
$60,056 median earnings four years out against $13,559 a year in average net price. That is a fast payback, and it holds up especially well at lower-cost schools. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Funeral Service and Mortuary Science and Personal Services?
Funeral Service and Mortuary Science is the narrower of the two: Personal Services covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Funeral Service and Mortuary Science-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Funeral Service and Mortuary Science graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Funeral Service and Mortuary Science graduates consistently look for technical proficiency, safety compliance, and hands-on problem-solving. Certifications, apprenticeships, and demonstrated practical experience typically carry as much weight as academic credentials in this field. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for Funeral Service and Mortuary Science graduates?
It can be. At a median salary of $60,056, graduate study in Funeral Service and Mortuary Science tends to meaningfully raise long-term income, particularly through specialized or professional programs tied to high-demand roles. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Funeral Service and Mortuary Science graduates?
Outlook is moderate overall: related occupations average +3.6% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Funeral Service Manager is among the strongest-growth roles at +4.1%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.
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