Funeral Service and Mortuary Science at Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science Inc

Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science graduates enter the field earning $50,340—nearly $6,000 above the national median for mortuary science programs and placing them in the 95th percentile nationally. The $21,812 in typical debt is manageable, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43, well below concerning thresholds. However, the small graduating class size (under 30 students) means these figures could shift significantly year to year.

The more puzzling element is what happens after graduation. Earnings drop to $46,147 by year four, an 8% decline that's unusual for a licensed profession. This could reflect graduates moving into different roles within the industry, regional market dynamics, or simply the volatility of small sample data. Within Pennsylvania, where the program ranks at the 60th percentile, it's competitive but not dominant—though it still outperforms Northampton County's program by over $10,000.

For families comfortable with the funeral services career path, the economics work: reasonable debt, strong starting salary, and immediate entry into a stable field. The earnings dip deserves attention during campus visits—ask administrators whether it reflects typical career progression or data quirks. If your child is committed to mortuary science, this program delivers solid preparation without the financial burden that plagues many career-focused degrees.