by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Mortuary Science & Embalming/Embalmer involves the study of Mortuary Science And Embalming/embalmer. A Program That Prepares Individuals For Licensure As Embalmers And Morticians. Includes Instruction In Pathogenic Microbiology, Systematic Pathology, Thanatochemistry, Gross Anatomy, Clinical Mortuary Science, Embalming, Restorative Art, Applicable Laws And Regulations, And Special Services Such As Cremation And Preparations Required By Specific Religious Communities. Read on to learn the essential details every mortuary science & embalming/embalmer student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering mortuary science & embalming/embalmer programs.
Nationwide, mortuary science & embalming/embalmer draws strong interest, with 64 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Mortuary Science & Embalming/Embalmer Schools ranking analyzes these 5 schools to determine the best overall colleges for mortuary science & embalming/embalmer students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of mortuary science & embalming/embalmer programs later in this article.
Coursework for Mortuary Science & Embalming/Embalmer develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations mortuary science & embalming/embalmer graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a mortuary science & embalming/embalmer program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a mortuary science & embalming/embalmer major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several mortuary science & embalming/embalmer 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 35 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 29 |
People currently working in careers related to mortuary science & embalming/embalmer tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 86.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 13.6% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in mortuary science & embalming/embalmer careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying mortuary science & embalming/embalmer opens doors to a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to mortuary science & embalming/embalmer.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to mortuary science & embalming/embalmer.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Embalmers | 481,073 | -3.2% |
| Crematory Operators | 261,399 | 7.8% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of mortuary science & embalming/embalmer graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $44,303 |
| 4 years | $46,034 |
| 5 years | $51,822 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for mortuary science & embalming/embalmer graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers mortuary science & embalming/embalmer grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Crematory Operators | $48,579 |
| Embalmers | $35,965 |
With 5 different mortuary science & embalming/embalmer programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased mortuary science & embalming/embalmer school rankings to help you.
Those considering mortuary science & embalming/embalmer, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Funeral Service and Mortuary Science, General | 2,332 |
| Funeral Direction/Service | 252 |
| Funeral Service and Mortuary Science, Other | 28 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
