Funeral Service and Mortuary Science at Des Moines Area Community College

The funeral service industry offers stable, specialized work, but evaluating Des Moines Area Community College's program means looking at what comparable programs nationally suggest about outcomes. With estimated first-year earnings around $44,700 and debt of roughly $17,000, similar mortuary science programs typically produce a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38—meaning graduates carry debt equal to about five months of their first-year salary.

That ratio falls comfortably below the concerning 1.0 threshold where debt equals or exceeds annual earnings. Nationally, funeral service programs at community colleges show median earnings clustering around $45,000, which aligns with DMCC's estimates. The field requires licensing and apprenticeship hours beyond the degree, so these figures represent entry points rather than career peaks. Most funeral service professionals see earnings grow as they gain experience and potentially move into management or ownership roles.

For families considering this program, the combination of relatively modest debt and specialized training for a steady profession suggests reasonable value—assuming your child is genuinely drawn to this work. Funeral service isn't a career most people stumble into; it requires specific temperament and commitment to serving families during difficult times. If that calling is there, the estimated financial picture from peer programs indicates you're unlikely to face crushing debt for specialized credentials in a field with consistent demand.