Funeral Service and Mortuary Science at Florida State College at Jacksonville

At $17,000 in estimated debt, this program appears manageable—though it's worth noting that comparable funeral service programs in Florida typically see debt closer to $23,000. The estimated first-year earnings of roughly $45,000 land below what similar programs in Florida produce (around $49,000), suggesting this program may lag behind its in-state competition. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38 is solid by community college standards, meaning graduates would need less than five months of gross earnings to cover their total borrowing.

The challenge here is determining whether these estimates hold true for Florida State College specifically. With only three schools in Florida offering this program and St. Petersburg College reporting higher earnings for its graduates, the question becomes whether Jacksonville's program provides the same pathway into the profession. Funeral service is a stable field with clear licensing requirements, but local connections and internship networks matter considerably for job placement.

For parents, this means acknowledging significant uncertainty. If the actual outcomes match these estimates, you're looking at a reasonable investment—a specialized credential with acceptable debt in a profession with steady demand. But without verified data from this specific program, you're betting on peer performance translating locally. If your student is committed to mortuary science, verify the school's licensing pass rates and ask about job placement directly before committing.