Home › Wayne State University › Funeral Service and Mortuary Science

Funeral Service and Mortuary Science at Wayne State University

Detroit, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
43 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
43
Optimistic
43
Base Case
43
Pessimistic
Earnings $52,829/yr (8% vs median)
AI Risk Low (17% exposed)
Job Market Small (7,000 openings/yr)
ROI 9.6x earnings multiple (4.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #3 of 6 Funeral Service and Mortuary Science programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Funeral Service and Mortuary Science graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $550K $549K $519K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.6x 9.6x 9.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.5x 4.5x 4.3x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 50% 45%
DegreeOutlook Score 43 43 43

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$57,188
Out-of-state: $121,676 (4.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$59,092
-3% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,011
3.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $52,829 at Wayne State University come in 8% above the national median of $48,870 for Funeral Service and Mortuary Science programs.

A 9.6x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 6% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most career paths mapped to Funeral Service and Mortuary Science involve work that current AI cannot replicate.

With first-year pay of $52,829 far exceeding the $15,011 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Funeral Service and Mortuary Science is offered at just 6 schools in our analysis. Wayne State University's #3 ranking should be read in that context.

About Wayne State University

Wayne State University accepts 82% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 15,676 students in Detroit, MI. With 43% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at Wayne State University →

Top Career Paths

Funeral home managers $76,830/yr
Embalmers $56,280/yr
Morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers $49,800/yr
View all 4 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 6 schools offering Funeral Service and Mortuary Science →

Funeral Service and Mortuary Science at Other Schools

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities ($60,367) Mid-America College of Funeral Service ($56,427) University of Central Oklahoma ($45,804) Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science ($44,110) Southern Illinois University-Carbondale ($33,688)

Other Majors at Wayne State University

Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($82,524) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($78,738) Industrial Engineering ($77,815) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($77,371) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($74,793) Mechanical Engineering ($74,457) Civil Engineering ($73,488) Chemical Engineering ($71,373)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Funeral Service and Mortuary Science trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 43/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Funeral Service and Mortuary Science at Wayne State University?
At 43/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Funeral Service and Mortuary Science programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →