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

Analysis

Funeral service is one of those steady, practical fields where the math usually works—and for San Antonio College's program, the estimated numbers suggest it likely follows that pattern. Based on comparable mortuary science programs nationally, graduates might expect around $44,695 in first-year earnings against roughly $17,000 in debt. That 0.38 debt-to-earnings ratio is quite manageable, meaning you'd owe less than 40% of a year's salary.

Texas has only five schools offering this associate's degree, and the reported outcomes from programs like Commonwealth Institute and Dallas Institute range from about $41,000 to $46,000 in first-year earnings—a fairly tight spread that suggests the field offers consistent entry-level pay regardless of which school you attend. San Antonio College's estimated figures fall right in the middle of that range. The estimated debt load here is actually lower than the state median of about $16,000, which matters for a career where earnings tend to remain stable rather than skyrocket over time.

The practical reality: mortuary science provides a clear path to middle-class work with minimal debt risk. While we can't know this specific program's exact outcomes, similar programs produce graduates who enter a recession-resistant field with reasonable financial footing. For students interested in this profession, the numbers suggest San Antonio College delivers what you'd expect—solid training without excessive borrowing.

Where San Antonio College Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Texas

Funeral Service and Mortuary Science associates's programs at peer institutions in Texas (5 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
San Antonio CollegeSan Antonio$3,412$44,695*—$17,063*—
Commonwealth Institute of Funeral ServiceHouston$15,313$46,268*$39,036$11,625*0.25
Dallas Institute of Funeral ServiceDallas$13,496$40,962*$39,428$20,000*0.49
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 San Antonio College, approximately 34% 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.