Est. Earnings (1yr)
$44,695
Est. from national median (23 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$17,063
Est. from national median (8 programs)

Analysis

Nationwide, funeral service programs typically place graduates around $45,000 in first-year earnings, and Ogeechee Technical College's estimated outcomes align closely with that national benchmark. What's particularly encouraging here is the estimated debt load of roughly $17,000—notably lower than the $20,000 national median for this specialized field. That translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38, meaning graduates would owe less than four months' worth of their first-year salary, a manageable starting point for entering this profession.

The four-year earnings figure of $49,215 suggests steady early-career progression in mortuary science. However, it's worth noting that Georgia's funeral service landscape appears more competitive than the national average—Gupton Jones College, the only peer program in the state with reported data, shows significantly lower first-year earnings at $23,293. This wide gap underscores how individual programs and regional market conditions can dramatically affect outcomes, and without actual data from Ogeechee Technical's own graduates, there's inherent uncertainty in these projections.

For families considering this path, the estimated figures suggest a reasonable financial investment if your child is committed to funeral service. The lower-than-average debt combined with national-level earning potential creates a foundation for sustainable entry into the profession, though you should verify actual placement rates and local job market conditions directly with the school before committing.

Where Ogeechee Technical College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all funeral service and mortuary science associates's programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Ogeechee Technical College$49,215
American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service$47,982$59,793+25%
FINE Mortuary College$52,580$56,293+7%
Tidewater Community College$39,431$55,536+41%
Gupton Jones College of Funeral Service$23,293$36,490+57%

Compare to Similar Programs in Georgia

Funeral Service and Mortuary Science associates's programs at peer institutions in Georgia (3 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Ogeechee Technical CollegeStatesboro$3,170$44,695*$49,215$17,063*
Gupton Jones College of Funeral ServiceDecatur$21,000$23,293*$36,490$20,000*0.86
National Median$44,695*$20,000*0.45
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with funeral service and mortuary science graduates

Funeral Home Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the services or resources of funeral homes. Includes activities such as determining prices for services or merchandise and managing the facilities of funeral homes.

$59,420/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers

Perform various tasks to arrange and direct individual funeral services, such as coordinating transportation of body to mortuary, interviewing family or other authorized person to arrange details, selecting pallbearers, aiding with the selection of officials for religious rites, and providing transportation for mourners.

$59,420/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Embalmers

Prepare bodies for interment in conformity with legal requirements.

Crematory Operators

Operate crematory equipment to reduce human or animal remains to bone fragments in accordance with state and local regulations. Duties may include preparing the body for cremation and performing general maintenance on crematory equipment. May use traditional flame-based cremation, calcination, or alkaline hydrolysis.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Ogeechee Technical College, approximately 42% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 23 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.