Funeral Service and Mortuary Science at Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science

Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science graduates earn about $44,000 their first year—roughly $5,000 below the national median for funeral service programs. The upside is modest debt of just under $26,000, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59. Within Ohio's limited market (only two schools offer this program), CCMS performs right at the state median, so if you're looking at Ohio options, there's little difference between your choices.

The trajectory shows steady growth to nearly $49,000 by year four, which narrows the gap with national figures but doesn't quite close it. This program ranks in the 24th percentile nationally for earnings, meaning three-quarters of similar programs produce higher-earning graduates. That's not necessarily a dealbreaker—funeral service is a stable, specialized field where location and family connections often matter more than your alma mater—but it does suggest CCMS graduates aren't commanding premium salaries.

For families committed to this career path, the program offers reasonable training at a price that won't bury you in debt. The field itself caps earnings potential relative to other bachelor's degrees, so the financial case hinges on your student's genuine interest in funeral service rather than comparing this to engineering or nursing programs. If they're certain about this career, the debt load is workable. If they're uncertain, the below-average earnings make this a risky exploration.