by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Thanatology involves the study of A Program Of Study That Focuses On The Biological, Philosophical, Psychological, Sociological, And Theological Aspects Of Death, Dying, And Bereavement. Includes Instruction In Counseling, Ethics, Grief, Palliative And Hospice Care, Philosophy, Thanatology, And Theology. Read on to learn the key facts every thanatology student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering thanatology programs.
In the U.S., 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.
Programs in Thanatology develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations thanatology graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a thanatology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, 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% |
See 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.*
Studying thanatology prepares you for many career paths. Here 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.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
