Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service: $15,313 Tuition

$15,313Tuition

382Students

55%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$37,786Earnings

Private nonprofit2-yearData: 2023-24

About Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service

Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service trains the next generation of morticians and funeral directors in America's fourth-largest city. The college enrolls 382 students who learn embalming techniques, grief counseling, and funeral home management through hands-on programs. This specialized institution has built its reputation as one of the few colleges dedicated entirely to funeral service education. Students work in modern preparation labs and study business practices specific to the death care industry.

The financial picture requires careful consideration. Students face an average net price of $42,938, which remains steep regardless of family income level. Graduates earn a median of $37,786 ten years after completing their programs. The typical monthly loan payment sits at just $101 thanks to relatively low debt levels of $9,500. However, only about half of borrowers successfully repay their loans within the standard timeframe.

Women make up nearly 78% of the student body, reflecting broader demographic shifts in funeral service careers. The employment rate reaches an impressive 93.2%, showing strong job placement in an industry that remains recession-proof. Students operate on a quarter system that allows for accelerated completion of their specialized training.

Academics & Faculty

Commonwealth Institute specializes exclusively in funeral service education, training the next generation of morticians, funeral directors, and embalmers. The school operates on a quarter system that allows students to complete their associate degree quickly and enter the workforce. With a student-faculty ratio of 27:1, classes tend to be larger than typical community colleges, though the specialized curriculum creates tight-knit cohorts. The 54.5% six-year graduation rate reflects the demanding nature of the program, which combines business management, grief counseling, and embalming techniques. Students gain hands-on experience in preparation rooms and learn state regulations governing the funeral industry. The focused curriculum prepares graduates for licensing exams required in most states.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 27:1
Graduation Rate (6-year): 54.5%
Median Earnings (10 years): $37,786

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Funeral Service and Mortuary Science.	Associate	$33,138

View all 2 programs →

Campus Life

Commonwealth Institute sits in Houston's bustling urban core, where students trade traditional college quads for the nation's fourth-largest city. You'll need sunscreen year-round in this humid subtropical climate, where temperatures rarely dip below freezing. The 382-student body creates an intimate learning environment with a 27:1 student-faculty ratio, though most students commute rather than live on campus.

Women make up 77.75% of students, reflecting the funeral service industry's demographics. The diverse student body is 39% White, 31% Black, and 29% Hispanic. With 42% of students traveling from out-of-state, weekends often mean exploring Houston's museum district, sampling the legendary food scene, or networking with local funeral homes. The quarter system keeps coursework intense and focused. Students spend time in embalming labs, grief counseling workshops, and business management classes rather than traditional college parties. The 93.2% employment rate means most graduates are already thinking about their funeral home positions while still in school.

Setting: City-Large
Calendar System: Quarter

Campus Safety (2023)

2 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Domestic Violence	0	0	0	1
Motor Vehicle Theft	0	0	0	1

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 43°–63°F
July Avg: 75°–94°F
Annual Precipitation: 51.8"
Annual Snowfall: 0.1"

Student Demographics

Commonwealth Institute draws students serious about entering the death care profession, with women making up nearly four in five enrollees. The student body reflects Houston's diversity, with roughly equal numbers of white, Black, and Hispanic students creating a multicultural learning environment. Most students come from Texas, showing the institute's strong regional reputation for funeral service training. Over one-third qualify for Pell Grants, indicating the school serves working-class families seeking stable careers in an essential industry that requires specialized certification and compassionate professionals.

Men: 22.3%
Women: 77.8%
White: 39.0%
Black: 30.6%
Hispanic: 28.8%
Asian: 1.3%
In-State Students: 57.6%
Pell Grant Recipients: 35.6%

Location

Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service sits in Houston, the fourth-largest city in the United States with over 2.3 million residents. The school operates in America's energy capital, where the funeral service industry serves a diverse metropolitan area spanning multiple counties. Houston's humid subtropical climate and sprawling urban landscape create a year-round learning environment for aspiring funeral directors. The city's medical center, the largest in the world, provides unique opportunities for students to understand healthcare connections to funeral service. Over 42% of students come from outside Texas, drawn by the program's national reputation. Students considering colleges in Texas may also compare Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service with similar schools in the region.

Address: Houston, Texas 77090-5918

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $37,786
Median Earnings (5 years): $45,671
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $30,700
Loan Repayment Rate: 50.2%
Monthly Loan Payment: $101/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $9,500

Frequently Asked Questions

How competitive is admission to Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service?

The school maintains a 54.50% six-year graduation rate for its specialized funeral service programs. Commonwealth Institute focuses on training future morticians and funeral directors through hands-on learning in a field that requires both technical skills and emotional intelligence.

What does Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $42,938 annually, with tuition set at $15,313 regardless of residency status. Only 35.64% of students receive financial aid, reflecting the specialized nature of this career-focused program.

What is the student experience like at Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service?

Classes average 27 students per faculty member in this intimate learning environment of just 382 total students. The school operates on a quarter system, allowing students to progress quickly through their funeral service education in Houston's large urban setting.

How much do Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service graduates earn?

Graduates earn a median of $37,786 ten years after graduation, with strong employment prospects in the funeral service industry. The school boasts a 93.2% employment rate, reflecting consistent demand for trained funeral professionals.

Where do students at Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service come from?

Women make up 77.75% of the student body, while 57.58% of students are from Texas. The diverse student population is 39.01% White, 30.63% Black, and 28.80% Hispanic, reflecting the multicultural communities that funeral directors serve.

What makes Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service unique among colleges?

This specialized institution trains students exclusively for careers as morticians and funeral directors through focused professional programs. Students graduate with relatively low debt at a median of $9,500, entering a stable field that provides essential services to communities during difficult times.