Funeral Service and Mortuary Science at Chandler-Gilbert Community College

Chandler, AZ · Public · Associate Degree

enrolling 7,626 students in Chandler, AZ.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $39,549/yr, roughly in line with the $42,964 national median for Funeral Service and Mortuary Science. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

With a 87.7x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most careers in Funeral Service and Mortuary Science involve physical, hands-on work that current AI cannot replicate.

With first-year pay of $39,549 far exceeding the $6,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Chandler-Gilbert Community College ranks #6 among 28 Funeral Service and Mortuary Science programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

Funeral Service and Mortuary Science has a registered apprenticeship option through Embalmer (Per Ser) with a median wage of $56,280/yr — worth exploring for students who prefer structured on-the-job training.

59 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
58
Low End
59
Score
60
High End
Earnings $39,549/yr (-8% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (83% shielded)
Job Market Small (7,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$414K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
87.7x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
4 of 4
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$4,716
Out-of-state: $17,916
Median Debt at Graduation
$6,500
2.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Funeral Service and Mortuary Science graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Funeral home managers $76,830 +4.1% 57%
Embalmers $56,280 +1.3% 96%
Morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers $49,800 +3.1% 84%
Funeral home managers
$76,830
+4.1% growth 57% AI-proof
Embalmers
$56,280
+1.3% growth 96% AI-proof
Morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers
$49,800
+3.1% growth 84% AI-proof

View all 4 career paths with full salary data →

About Funeral Service and Mortuary Science Careers

Your career often begins with an apprenticeship, where you learn the funeral service business from the ground up. You’ll assist with everything from setting up for services to the technical, hands-on work of embalming, using specialized tools and chemicals for preservation and restorative art. Once licensed, you’ll work as a Funeral Director or Mortician, guiding families through difficult decisions, coordinating services with cemeteries and clergy, and managing all the necessary legal paperwork. This deeply personal work of caring for the deceased and their families is a craft that cannot be automated or done from a distance.

Read the full Funeral Service and Mortuary Science career guide →

Compare & Explore

Funeral Service and Mortuary Science Overview

Funeral Service and Mortuary Science at Other Schools

Other Majors at Chandler-Gilbert Community College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 59/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Funeral Service and Mortuary Science at Chandler-Gilbert Community College?
This program scores 59/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Funeral Service and Mortuary Science graduates.
Will AI replace Funeral Service and Mortuary Science jobs?
Highly resilient. Funeral Service and Mortuary Science careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. Graduates retain 4 of 4 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
How affordable is Funeral Service and Mortuary Science at Chandler-Gilbert Community College?
At $6,500 in median debt, Funeral Service and Mortuary Science graduates from Chandler-Gilbert Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
What makes Chandler-Gilbert Community College's Funeral Service and Mortuary Science program stand out?
The #6 ranking out of 28 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →