Mortician education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a mortician. Morticians usually study mortuary science, biology, or general studies. 33% of morticians hold a associate degree, and 31% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 209 real mortician resumes to see exactly what mortician education sections show.

The most common colleges for morticians are the Wayne State University and the Wayne State University.

There are also many online mortician courses to help get the education required to be a mortician.

What education do you need to become a mortician?

What degree do you need to be a mortician?

The most common degree for morticians is associate degree, with 33% of morticians earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 31% and bachelor's degree degree at 25%.

Associate, 33%

Bachelor's, 31%

High School Diploma, 25%

Doctorate, 3%

Other Degrees, 8%

What should I major in to become a mortician?

You should major in mortuary science to become a mortician. 35% of morticians major in mortuary science. Other common majors for a mortician include biology and general studies.

Mortuary Science, 35%

Biology, 12%

General Studies, 10%

Business, 8%

Other Majors, 35%

Most common colleges for morticians

Morticians often get their degrees at Wayne State University, Grand Canyon University, and Texas Southern University. Here are the most common colleges for morticians in the US based on their resumes.

Mortician common college	Percentages
Wayne State University	13.33%
Grand Canyon University	6.67%
Texas Southern University	6.67%
Clark Atlanta University	6.67%
Arizona College - Mesa	6.67%

Show more common mortician colleges

Best majors for morticians

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Mortuary Science	35.1%
2	Biology	11.7%
3	General Studies	10.4%
4	Business	7.8%
5	Nursing	3.9%

Show more common mortician majors

Best colleges for morticians

The best colleges for morticians are St. John's University, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, and Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

A mortician with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for morticians. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become morticians.

1. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

2. St. John's University

Queens, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$41,760

Enrollment

11,907

3. Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Carbondale, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$14,704

Enrollment

9,447

20 best online courses for morticians

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Top 10 most affordable universities for morticians

The most affordable schools for morticians are Ferris State University, southern illinois university carbondale, and suny college of technology at canton.

If the best universities for morticians are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for morticians.

1. Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$11,788

Cost of attendance

22,715

2. Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Carbondale, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$14,704

Cost of attendance

27,945

3. SUNY College of Technology at Canton

Canton, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,389

Cost of attendance

22,302

4. Wayne State University

Detroit, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$13,097

Cost of attendance

23,848

5. Arkansas State University

Jonesboro, AR • Private

In-state tuition

$8,607

Cost of attendance

21,375

6. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Cost of attendance

26,443

7. Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, MO • Private

In-state tuition

$17,600

Cost of attendance

30,117

8. University of Central Oklahoma

Edmond, OK • Private

In-state tuition

$7,489

Cost of attendance

23,009

9. St. John's University

Queens, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$41,760

Cost of attendance

52,721

10. Point Park University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$31,450

Cost of attendance

42,216

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for morticians

The hardest universities for morticians to get into are St. John's University, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, and Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Some great schools for morticians are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for morticians based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. St. John's University

Queens, NY • Private

Admissions rate

73%

SAT average

1,181

2. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

Admissions rate

52%

SAT average

1,336

3. Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Carbondale, IL • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,124

4. Wayne State University

Detroit, MI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,127

5. Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, MO • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,117

6. Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,070

7. Arkansas State University

Jonesboro, AR • Private

Admissions rate

77%

SAT average

1,189

8. Point Park University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

65%

SAT average

1,098

9. Gannon University

Erie, PA • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,129

10. SUNY College of Technology at Canton

Canton, NY • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

997

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for morticians

The easiest schools for morticians to get into are Lindenwood University, ferris state university, and southern illinois university carbondale.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a mortician without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for morticians.

1. Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, MO • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,117

2. Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,070

3. Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Carbondale, IL • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,124

4. SUNY College of Technology at Canton

Canton, NY • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

997

5. St. John's University

Queens, NY • Private

Admissions rate

73%

SAT average

1,181

6. Wayne State University

Detroit, MI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,127

7. Gannon University

Erie, PA • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,129

8. University of Central Oklahoma

Edmond, OK • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,105

9. Thiel College

Greenville, PA • Private

Admissions rate

76%

SAT average

973

10. Point Park University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

65%

SAT average

1,098

Average mortician salary by education level

According to our data, morticians with a Associate degree earn the highest average salary, at $59,305 annually. Morticians with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $57,804.

Mortician education level	Mortician salary
High School Diploma or Less	$46,391
Bachelor's Degree	$57,804
Some College/ Associate Degree	$59,305

Mortician education FAQs

What is the best college for Morticians?

Have more questions? See all answers to common personal care and attendants questions.

Search for mortician jobs

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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