Funeral Service and Mortuary Science at Dallas Institute of Funeral Service

Dallas, TX · Private nonprofit · Associate Degree

with a smaller student body of 483 in Dallas, TX.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $40,962 track close to the $42,964 national median for Funeral Service and Mortuary Science programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 18.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Funeral Service and Mortuary Science programs nationally.

AI disruption models show minimal impact on this program's career paths. The gap between optimistic and pessimistic scenarios is just 13% — this trade's hands-on core resists automation.

At $12,586 in median debt against $40,962 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

Ranked #24 of 28 Funeral Service and Mortuary Science programs, Dallas Institute of Funeral Service falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $48,032 are relatively flat compared to the $40,962 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.

One registered apprenticeship pathway (Embalmer (Per Ser) with a median wage of $56,280/yr) connects to Funeral Service and Mortuary Science careers, offering a paid training alternative to the classroom model.

45 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
42
Low End
45
Score
45
High End
Earnings $40,962/yr (-5% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (83% shielded)
Job Market Small (7,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$493K
4.1% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
18.3x
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
$26,992
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,586
3.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,032
17% growth from Year 1

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

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Dallas Institute of Funeral Service's Funeral Service and Mortuary Science program score?
This program scores 45/100 — on the lower end for Funeral Service and Mortuary Science. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Will AI replace Funeral Service and Mortuary Science jobs?
Funeral Service and Mortuary Science rates as "AI-Proof" for AI resilience. With only 17% of tasks exposed to automation, the trade's physical demands provide a natural shield against AI displacement.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →