Funeral Service and Mortuary Science at Northampton County Area Community College

Bethlehem, PA · Public · Associate Degree

enrolling 7,512 students in Bethlehem, PA.

Program Analysis

Northampton County Area Community College's Funeral Service and Mortuary Science program produces graduates earning $39,949/yr — within striking distance of the $42,964 national average for this trade.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 39.4x 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 0% — this trade's hands-on core resists automation.

Ranked #15 of 28 Funeral Service and Mortuary Science programs, Northampton County Area Community College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

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.

50 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
50
Low End
50
Score
50
High End
Earnings $39,949/yr (-7% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (83% shielded)
Job Market Small (7,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$418K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
39.4x
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)
$10,620
Out-of-state: $29,460

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 Northampton County Area Community College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Funeral Service and Mortuary Science at Northampton County Area Community College?
At 50/100, the score looks reasonable — but Funeral Service and Mortuary Science is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
How AI-proof is a career in Funeral Service and Mortuary Science?
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.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →