At $42,938/yr net price, Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service graduates earn $37,786/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $3,786/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $42,938 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $171,752 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $37,786/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$3,786/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 45.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 54.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $42,862/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $43,890/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funeral Service and Mortuary Science. | Associate | $33,138 | $9,500 |
The Risk Factor
54.5% of students at Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
The math at Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service does not work. You pay $42,938 a year in net price, and ten years after enrolling the median graduate earns $37,786. You are spending more for one year than you will make in one year of work after finishing. That is a hard gap to justify on financial terms alone.
There is only one program here: Funeral Service and Mortuary Science, an associate degree. Graduates earn about $33,138, below the school-wide median. If you enroll, this is the outcome you are signing up for. There is no higher-paying major to pivot toward, no bachelor's track that changes the numbers. The single-program nature means your return is fixed to one narrow field.
The one bright spot is debt. Median debt is $9,500, low by any standard. Most of the cost is being covered by grants, family contributions, or sources other than loans, so you likely will not leave buried in payments. That keeps a weak return from becoming a financial disaster.
Net price barely moves by income. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay $42,862. between $30,000 and $48,000, you pay $43,890 , slightly more. Low-income families get almost no break here, and the higher earners in that bracket actually pay more. Do not count on aid to close the gap.
This school makes sense if you already know you want to work in funeral service and you value the low debt over the low earnings. The 54.5% graduation rate means nearly half who start do not finish, so the price assumes a completion that is far from guaranteed. If you are undecided about your career or need earnings to justify the cost, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service worth the cost?
With graduates earning $37,786 annually against a net price of $42,938 per year, the financial return is challenging. The low median debt of $9,500 helps, but you'll likely earn less than what you pay annually for school.
What is the job outlook for Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service graduates?
Funeral service programs lead to stable employment in a recession-proof field, but pay is modest. Graduates typically earn around $33,138 in mortuary science roles, which limits how quickly you can pay off educational costs.
How much debt do Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service students graduate with?
The median debt is relatively low at $9,500, which makes this school less risky than many alternatives. However, with starting salaries under $40,000, even this smaller debt load takes time to manage.
What is the graduation rate at Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service?
Only 54.5% of students graduate, which is concerning for such a specialized program. This suggests many students struggle to complete their studies or find the program isn't the right fit.