Cheapest Funeral Service and Mortuary Science Colleges

California's Cypress College offers the nation's most affordable funeral service education at just $4,683 net cost, while private institutions like University of Rio Grande charge $29,541. This six-fold price difference exists within an industry where the National Funeral Directors Association reports consistent demand across all regions. Graduation rates span from 32% to 85%, with University of Minnesota-Twin Cities achieving the highest completion rate despite charging $17,139. The field's stability stems from demographic trends, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects steady growth in funeral service occupations through 2032.

Programs

$4,683 – $29,541

Net Price Range

$36,915

Avg. Program Earnings

54.9%

Avg. Graduation Rate

11 Funeral Service and Mortuary Science Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Cypress College Cypress, California	$4,683	$1,150	35.1%
2	Wayne State University Detroit, Michigan	$14,773	$14,297	56.5%	75.3%
3	SUNY College of Technology at Canton Canton, New York	$15,001	$8,689	44.1%	94.9%
4	Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Carbondale, Illinois	$16,177	$13,244	56.3%	91.5%
5	University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, Minnesota	$17,139	$16,488	84.8%	74.9%
6	University of Central Oklahoma Edmond, Oklahoma	$18,990	$8,522	37.5%	69.9%
7	University of Iowa Iowa City, Iowa	$21,398	$10,964	73.1%	86.0%
8	Gannon University Erie, Pennsylvania	$23,206	$37,951	69.5%	80.9%
9	Point Park University Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	$24,791	$38,160	59.6%	82.1%
10	Mid-America College of Funeral Service Jeffersonville, Indiana	$25,456	$19,800	55.7%
11	University of Rio Grande Rio Grande, Ohio	$29,541	$20,560	32.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Cypress College so much cheaper than other funeral service programs?

Cypress College's $4,683 net cost reflects California's community college funding model and $1,150 in-state tuition. The program maintains a 35% graduation rate while offering the same licensing preparation as programs costing six times more.

How do earnings compare between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

University of Minnesota graduates earn $44,244 annually despite the school's moderate $17,139 net cost, while Southern Illinois University graduates earn $25,194 with similar pricing at $16,177. Cypress College does not report earnings data for comparison.

Is there a correlation between program cost and graduation rates?

The data shows no clear pattern, with University of Minnesota achieving 85% graduation rates at moderate cost while expensive University of Rio Grande graduates only 32% of students. Mid-range schools like Wayne State and Southern Illinois both graduate 56% of students.

Where do most affordable funeral service programs cluster geographically?

Public universities dominate the affordable options, with schools in California, Michigan, New York, Illinois, Minnesota, Oklahoma, and Iowa all under $22,000 net cost. Only three private institutions appear in the top 11 most affordable programs.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.