by our College Data Analytics TeamFind out the key facts every thanatology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering thanatology programs.
Across the country, thanatology is a widely-pursued major, with 6 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Thanatology Schools ranking analyzes these 3 schools to determine the best overall colleges for thanatology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of thanatology programs later in this article.
Coursework for Thanatology build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations thanatology graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a thanatology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a thanatology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several thanatology degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 6 |
People currently working in careers related to thanatology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 20.9% |
| Master’s degree | 19.4% |
| Doctoral degree | 18.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 18.8% |
| Post-doctoral training | 10.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 4.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.4% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 2.5% |
| First professional degree | 0.5% |
| Some college courses | 0.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in thanatology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in thanatology opens doors to a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to thanatology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to thanatology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | 964,215 | -0.1% |
| Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary | 513,614 | -3.0% |
| Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers | 369,233 | -0.1% |
| Religious Workers, All Other | 258,483 | -1.4% |
| Healthcare Social Workers | 251,555 | 12.1% |
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | 239,121 | -2.3% |
| Counselors, All Other | 229,390 | 4.5% |
| Social and Community Service Managers | 181,916 | 13.3% |
Salaries for thanatology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers thanatology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Social and Community Service Managers | $156,089 |
| Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary | $98,479 |
| Counselors, All Other | $81,766 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $78,044 |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $68,967 |
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $64,599 |
| Religious Workers, All Other | $58,956 |
| Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers | $58,312 |
With 3 different thanatology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased thanatology school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in thanatology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Thanatology | 6 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 30,141 |
| Biological and Physical Sciences | 28,033 |
| Data Analytics | 12,891 |
| MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES | 10,355 |
| Data Science | 7,716 |
| International/Globalization Studies | 5,740 |
| Nutrition Sciences | 5,456 |
| Behavioral Sciences | 5,391 |
| Sustainability Studies | 4,374 |
| Cognitive Science | 3,121 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
