by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 2 U.S. colleges awarded 19 degrees and certificates in Thanatology. Its 8 related occupations pay an average median salary of $83,152 a year.
Studying 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.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., thanatology is a widely-pursued major, with 19 degrees awarded annually. 2 colleges award thanatology degrees, an average of 10 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 14.
All 19 of the awards are master’s degrees, the only level colleges reported.
Women earned 100% of thanatology degrees and certificates in the latest year (19 of 19). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (16) and multiracial (2).
O*NET rates Active Listening the most important skill for jobs related to thanatology, at 4.0 out of 5. The key knowledge areas are English Language, Psychology and Customer and Personal Service. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Speech Clarity.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a thanatology degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 19 |
Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to thanatology, at 20.9%.
| 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% |
Source: O*NET Online.
8 occupations are related to Thanatology, with an average median salary of $83,152; the strongest outlook belongs to Social and Community Service Managers, at 13.3% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Adjunct Instructor, Assistant Professor, Lecturer and Faculty Member.
The occupation related to thanatology with the most projected jobs is Postsecondary Teachers, All Other, at 964,215.
| 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% |
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to thanatology, with a median salary of $156,089.
| 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 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.