Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service

  • The mission of the Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service is to prepare students for entry level positions in the funeral service profession. The Institute accomplishes this mission through offering the Associate of Applied Science Degree and the Certificate in Funeral Directing. The Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service has fulfilled this mission since 1936 and will continue to do so in the future.

School Highlights

Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service serves 256 students (91% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 20:1 is higher than the state community college average of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 38% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 71%.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Enrollment: 256 students
  • In-state tuition: $10,904
  • Out-state tuition: $10,904
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Student:teacher ratio: 20:1
  • Minority enrollment: 38%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

School Overview

The teacher population of 13 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service
(TX) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associates Colleges
Associates Colleges
Institution Level
Less than 2 yrs
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
13 staff
262 staff
This chart displays total faculty of Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service and community college average number of faculty in Texas by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Student Body

The student population of Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service has declined by 10% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 20:1 has decreased from 22:1 over five years.
The Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service diversity score of 0.55 is less than the state average of 0.69. The school's diversity has declined by 11% over five years.
Total Enrollment
256 students
4,669 students
This chart displays the total enrollment of Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service and community college average number of enrollment of Texas by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
20:1
17:1
This chart displays the student staff ratio of Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service and community college average student staff ratio of Texas by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Full-Time Students
234 students
1,310 students
This chart displays the total number of Full-time students enrollment of Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service and average number of community college Full-time students enrollment of Texas by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Part-Time Students
22 students
3,359 students
This chart displays the total number of Part-time students enrollment of Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service and average number of community college Part-time students enrollment of Texas by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
This chart displays the Full-time students and Part-time students enrollment breakdown of Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service.
This chart displays community college average Full-Time students and Part-Time students enrollment breakdown of Texas.
# Enrollment Undergraduate
355 students
344 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
234 students
1,289 students
This chart displays the total number of Full-time undergraduate students enrollment of Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service and average number of community college Full-time undergraduate  students enrollment of Texas by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
16 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
n/a
3,151 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
50 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
252 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
1%
n/a
% Asian
1%
5%
This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service and the percentage of Asian community college students in Texas by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Hispanic
18%
46%
This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service and the percentage of Hispanic community college students in Texas by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Black
18%
12%
This chart displays the percentage of Black students in Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service and the percentage of Black community college students in Texas by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% White
62%
29%
This chart displays the percentage of White students in Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service and the percentage of White community college students in Texas by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Two or more races
n/a
2%
% Non Resident races
n/a
2%
% Unknown races
n/a
4%
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service.
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Texas.
Diversity Score
0.55
0.69
This chart displays the diversity score of Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service and the community college average diversity score of Texas by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
47%
26%
This chart displays completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service and community college average completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of Texas by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
2.44%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$38,500
$34,600
This chart displays average graduate earnings (10 Years) of Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service and community college average graduate earnings (10 Years) of Texas by year, disaggregated by student subgroups with the latest 2012-13 school year data.

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

The public in-state tuition of $10,904 is more than the state average of $4,390. The in-state tuition has declined by 12% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $10,904 is more than the state average of $6,601. The out-state tuition has declined by 12% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$10,904
$4,390
This chart displays tuition fees for an in-state student of Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service and the public community college average tuition fees for an in-state student of Texas by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Out-State Tuition Fees
$10,904
$6,601
This chart displays tuition fees for an out-of-state student of Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service and the public community college average tuition fees for an out-of-state student of Texas by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
54%
83%
This chart displays the percent of students who is receiving some financial aid in Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service and the percent of community college students who is receiving some financial aid in Texas by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Median Debt for Graduates
$9,500
$10,765
This chart displays median debt for students who have completed a certificate or degree in Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service and average median debt for community college students who have completed a certificate or degree in Texas by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Median Debt for Dropouts
$4,750
$5,500
This chart displays median debt for students who have not completed a certificate or degree in Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service and average median debt for community college students who have not completed a certificate or degree in Texas by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Acceptance Rate
100%
69%
This chart displays the percent admitted of Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service and the community college average percent admitted of Texas by year, with the latest 2009-10 school year data.
Source: 2021 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

School Notes

  • The Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service is a vocational, post secondary teaching institution with its primary purpose being to educate individuals interested in the subjects comprising the mortuary arts and sciences curriculum as set out by the American Board of Funeral Service Education for licensure and a career in funeral service, embalming, or both. In 1936 Mr. R. Victor Landig accepted this challenge and opened the Landig College of Mortuary Science in Houston , Texas . The Landig College of Mortuary Science immediately became recognized as one of the leading and most respected colleges of Mortuary Science in the United States. In 1955 Mr. Landig had plans to move his college to Commonwealth Street located in downtown Houston, however personal health problems stopped Mr. Landig's plan of a new school on Commonwealth Street, however the new name was retained, the Commonwealth College of Science. Commonwealth Institute begins with a state-of-the-art learning facility, which includes preparation facilities for practical technical training. Our unique affiliation with Baylor College of Medicine, the University of Texas Medical School, and Harris County Department of Social Services allow students participation in over 1000 annual “real-life” funeral service experiences. Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service offers the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Funeral Service, General Education Courses and Certificate in Funeral Directing. Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service is accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education, a specialized accrediting agency recognized by the Council of Recognition of Post Secondary Accreditation and the U.S. Office of Education.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service cost?
Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service's tuition is approximately $10,904 for In-State students and $10,904 for Out-State students.
What is the acceptance rate of Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service?
The acceptance rate of Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service is 100%, which is higher than the state average of 69%.
In what neighborhood is Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service located?
Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service is located in the Commerce Park North neighborhood of Houston, TX.

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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Enrollment: 256 students
  • In-state tuition: $10,904
  • Out-state tuition: $10,904
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Student:teacher ratio: 20:1
  • Minority enrollment: 38%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

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Did You Know?

For Harris County, TX public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $8,579 per year for in-state students and $8,992 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $14,994 per year. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.

Harris County, TX community colleges have a diversity score of 0.56, which is lower than the national average of 0.71. The most diverse community college in Harris County, TX is Houston Community College. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.

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