Funeral Service and Mortuary Science at Mt Hood Community College

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38 suggests this program could work financially, though the full picture requires some informed guessing. Based on national patterns from similar funeral service programs, graduates might expect around $45,000 in first-year earnings against roughly $17,000 in debt—numbers that would typically allow manageable repayment. The funeral service field offers relative stability and predictable career paths, which matters when you're financing training through student loans.

The challenge is that Mt Hood is Oregon's only mortuary science program, leaving no in-state comparisons to help gauge its specific quality or outcomes. Nationally, funeral service programs cluster fairly tightly around these median figures, with top performers reaching just under $50,000 in first-year earnings. The field doesn't offer explosive income growth, but it provides consistent employment in an essential service industry. For students drawn to this profession, the estimated debt burden appears reasonable compared to earning potential.

Your child should investigate Mt Hood's specific job placement rates and licensing exam pass rates—data the school can provide even if the Department of Education can't publish graduate outcomes. These metrics matter enormously in licensed professions where failure to pass certification exams can derail career plans entirely. The estimated numbers suggest viable economics, but confirmation of the program's actual track record should precede any enrollment decision.