Funeral Service and Mortuary Science at Columbus Technical College

A $17,000 debt load for Columbus Technical College's Funeral Service program looks manageable against national benchmarks, though the earnings picture requires careful interpretation. The estimated first-year earnings of $44,695 derive from national medians across similar programs, but Georgia's actual data tells a sharply different story—Gupton Jones College, the only comparable program in the state with reported outcomes, shows graduates earning just $23,293. That's nearly half the national figure, suggesting the funeral service market in Georgia may pay considerably less than other regions.

If the lower Georgia earnings prove more accurate, this program's value proposition shifts significantly. A debt-to-earnings ratio that appears comfortable at 0.38 nationally would balloon to roughly 0.73 if Columbus Tech graduates earn closer to the state benchmark. For comparison, funeral service programs nationally show a median debt of $20,000, so Columbus Tech's estimated figure at least suggests lower borrowing than typical. With 54% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are price-sensitive, making that debt difference meaningful.

The essential question: will your child work in Georgia or relocate? Funeral service is a licensed profession with regional salary variations, and staying local could mean earning half what the national estimate suggests. Before committing, contact Columbus Tech directly for their actual graduate outcomes and talk to Georgia funeral directors about realistic starting salaries in Columbus and surrounding areas.