by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 73 U.S. colleges awarded 2,646 degrees and certificates in Funeral & Mortuary Science. Associate degrees are the most popular award, at 65% of graduates. College Factual ranks 56 schools in its 2027 Best Funeral & Mortuary Science Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $44,303 one year after completing, rising to $54,248 after four years.
Experiencing the death of a family member or loved one is difficult and emotional for most people. Families and friends rely on funeral directors to arrange services and handle the logistics of the funeral. If you are a compassionate person who would like to provide this personal service, consider majoring in Funeral and Mortuary Science.
In this major, you will take classes in embalming, funeral service management, biology, chemistry, and psychology to learn everything from handling the funeral to preparing legal documents to consulting with the family. It is just as important to understand how to prepare the deceased and run a funeral home and it is to speak with families with tact and understanding. Those involved in the funeral services industry are providing a personal service to the community and must learn how to deal with this delicate matter.
Along with the option to major in general Funeral Service and Mortuary Science, students have the option to specialize in areas such as Funeral Service or Mortuary Science and Embalming.
A major in Funeral & Mortuary Science involves the study of Funeral Service And Mortuary Science.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., funeral & mortuary science is a popular field of study, with 2,646 degrees awarded annually. 73 colleges award funeral & mortuary science degrees, an average of 36 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 209.
By level, the 2,646 awards include 477 certificates, 1,708 associate degrees, 259 bachelor’s degrees and 202 master’s degrees.
Women earned 75% of funeral & mortuary science degrees and certificates in the latest year (1,975 of 2,646). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (1,647) and Black or African American (444), and international students earned 5.
College Factual ranks 56 schools in its 2027 Best Funeral & Mortuary Science Schools ranking, including 46 for associate degrees and 8 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks funeral & mortuary science schools within 28 states. In all, 73 colleges offer funeral & mortuary science programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Funeral & Mortuary Science Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common funeral & mortuary science credential is the associate degree: 1,708 of the 2,646 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to funeral & mortuary science call most for Active Listening, Speaking and Social Perceptiveness, and for knowledge of Customer and Personal Service, English Language and Administration and Management, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Comprehension, Oral Expression and Problem Sensitivity.
Since most Funeral and Mortuary Science professional work with grieving family members, strong interpersonal skills are a must. Death can be very emotional, making compassion a top priority for those pursuing a career in this professional. Time management and organization are other required skills since professionals are often working with multiple families at once.
A career within Funeral and Mortuary Science is a full time job. Funeral directors often work long hours, nights, and on weekends to ensure arrangements are properly made and all details are complete. This career is often stressful as funerals are often arranged within a few days after death.
The requirements to become licensed as a funeral director vary from state to state, so it is best to contact the licensing board of the state you intend to practice in when choosing between programs to ensure you are fulfilling all requirements. Typically, students must have at least 2 years in an American Board of Funeral Service Education certified program and complete a 1-3 year internship after graduation before taking a licensing exam. The licensing exam may be state administered or be a national board exam. Although the length of the internship and type of exam vary, both aspects are required.
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How long a funeral & mortuary science degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 477 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1,708 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 259 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 202 |
Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to funeral & mortuary science, at 72.5%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 72.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 12.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 9.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.3% |
| Some college courses | 0.9% |
Source: O*NET Online.
4 occupations are related to Funeral & Mortuary Science, with an average median salary of $80,602; the strongest outlook belongs to Crematory Operators, at 7.8% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Embalmer, Licensed Embalmer, Funeral Director and Licensed Funeral Director.
Almost all graduates with a degree in Funeral and Mortuary Science go into the funeral services industry. Graduates often pursue a career as a funeral director or embalmer. The economy does not play a large role in the need for funeral services, so jobs in this field grow at a steady pace. Graduates who are willing to relocate or have the skills to embalm should find jobs quickly.
The occupation related to funeral & mortuary science with the most projected jobs is Embalmers, at 481,073.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Embalmers | 481,073 | -3.2% |
| Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers | 369,233 | -0.1% |
| Crematory Operators | 261,399 | 7.8% |
| Funeral Home Managers | 213,374 | -0.7% |
Funeral & Mortuary Science graduates earn a median $44,303 one year after completing their program, $54,248 after four years and $51,822 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $44,303 |
| 4 years | $54,248 |
| 5 years | $51,822 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to funeral & mortuary science is Funeral Home Managers, with a median salary of $179,553.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Funeral Home Managers | $179,553 |
| Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers | $58,312 |
| Crematory Operators | $48,579 |
| Embalmers | $35,965 |
Funeral & Mortuary Science includes 4 concentrations that together award 2,646 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Funeral Service and Mortuary Science, General (2,338), Funeral Direction/Service (232) and Mortuary Science and Embalming/Embalmer (51). It has 4 similar majors in the Personal & Culinary Services field, which together award 159,817 degrees a year; the largest are Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services (133,218), Culinary Arts and Related Services (25,836) and Casino Operations and Services (711). Browse all Personal & Culinary Services majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Funeral Service and Mortuary Science, General | 2,338 |
| Funeral Direction/Service | 232 |
| Mortuary Science and Embalming/Embalmer | 51 |
| Funeral Service and Mortuary Science, Other | 25 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | 133,218 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | 25,836 |
| Casino Operations and Services | 711 |
| Culinary, Entertainment, and Personal Services, Other | 52 |
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