Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science

What Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science does

Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science (CCMS) is a private, non-profit, tax-exempt educational institution founded in 1882 in Cincinnati, Ohio, and accredited by both the Higher Learning Commission (regional) and the American Board of Funeral Service Education (professional). It offers two degree pathways — a four-year Bachelor of Mortuary Science (B.M.S.) and a two-year Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) — plus a distance education program (HLC-approved September 29, 2025; ABFSE accreditation pending) that delivers remote coursework with in-person clinical training. The college operates from a single Cincinnati campus (645 W. North Bend Road, built 1995) with a specialized Educational Cremation Center completed in September 2023 featuring an FTIII Cremator for hands-on cremation, alkaline hydrolysis, pet loss, and hospitality training. A clinical partnership with the University of Cincinnati Body Donation Program provides embalming case volume that materially differentiates CCMS from competing mortuary science programs.

CCMS's business model is tuition-driven with semester billing, a $250 non-refundable confirmation deposit, and broad federal aid participation (Pell Grants, Direct Loans, FSEOG, Federal Work Study, Ohio College Opportunity Grant). Cohort enrollment is intentionally capped at 60 students to maintain a low student-to-instructor ratio (17:1 in 2024). Secondary revenue streams include continuing education courses (Ohio Master FD/E training, Crematory Operator Certification Refresher), proprietary textbooks published by the affiliated Cincinnati Foundation for Mortuary Education, clinical outreach services, and merchandise sales. The go-to-market is direct-to-consumer admissions year-round with two cohorts annually (January and August), augmented by articulation agreements, veterans benefits participation (GI Bill), community-led social media engagement, and event-driven outreach (job fairs co-sponsored with OFDA/IFDA/FDAK, annual golf classic).

The institution reported 113 total enrolled students in 2024 (up from 102 in 2022), a 97-98% timely graduation rate, 93-95% graduate employment rate, and National Board Examination first-time pass rates of 87% (Arts) and 88% (Sciences), materially above national averages of 78% and 73%. CCMS is governed by the Cincinnati Foundation for Mortuary Education (which absorbed the institution's assets in 1970), has no private equity or venture backing, and does not publish financial statements.

Name

Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science

Legal name

Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science

Website

https://ccms.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1882

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science is a private, non-profit, 1882-founded college in Cincinnati, Ohio that offers accredited B.M.S. and A.A.S. degree programs plus distance education, training future funeral directors through hands-on embalming, cremation, and clinical instruction.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Cincinnati

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Degree Program Tuition: Tuition and fees for Bachelor of Mortuary Science (B.M.S.) and Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree programs. Students apply financial aid including Federal Pell Grants, Federal Direct Student Loans, Ohio College Opportunity Grant for eligible Ohio residents. Semester-by-semester tuition breakdowns available on cost of attendance page.
2. Continuing Education Courses: Professional development and continuing education courses for funeral service professionals including Ohio Master FD/E Training & Certification, Crematory Operator Certification Refresher, and specialized seminars such as Embalming During the Civil War
3. Textbook and Merchandise Sales: Sale of textbooks published by Cincinnati Foundation for Mortuary Education ($40 per copy for Mortuary Law and Funeral Service Merchandising for students with discount code). CCMS branded merchandise available through Populi bookstore. Non-refundable book purchases with damaged inventory replacement policy.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science (CCMS) is a specialized private, non-profit college offering degree programs in mortuary science, including a four-year Bachelor of Mortuary Science (B.M.S.), a two-year Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.), and distance/online degree pathways. The college provides hands-on clinical training in embalming, cremation, restorative art, and funeral service through on-site laboratories and an Educational Cremation Center, preparing graduates for state licensure and National Board Examinations across all 50 states. CCMS also delivers continuing education courses for practicing funeral professionals and ancillary clinical and career services.

Product overview

Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science (CCMS) is a specialized mortuary science college offering multiple educational pathways: the Bachelor of Mortuary Science (B.M.S.) four-year degree, the Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) two-year degree, and a Distance Education online program for both degrees. The college operates on a single-campus model with specialized facilities including an Educational Cremation Center (ECC) for hands-on cremation and alkaline hydrolysis training, clinical labs for embalming and restorative art, and provides continuing education courses for professionals. Additional services include a Clinical Outreach Program serving funeral homes, an Anatomical Donation Program in partnership with the University of Cincinnati, and a Job Board for students and alumni.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bachelor of Mortuary Science (B.M.S.) A four-year undergraduate degree program that prepares students to become funeral directors. The curriculum exceeds accreditation standards and students obtain four additional credentials in addition to the degree.
• Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) A two-year associate degree program in mortuary science that provides foundational education and training for careers in funeral service.
• Distance Education Online Program Online program offering both Bachelor of Mortuary Science and Associate of Applied Science degrees remotely. Students complete clinical mortuary practice and embalming classes with a Preceptor Funeral Home near them, with required in-person evaluation at the Cincinnati facility.
• Continuing Education Courses

Quantifiable outcome

• 97-98% graduation rate (students completing program in 1.5x designated program length)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Kent State University College of Applied and Technical StudiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 September 2025New Individualized Program Pathway to Mortuary Science partnership announced September 29, 2025. Event held at Kent State University - Ashtabula to introduce the partnership with breakout sessions for potential students, advisors, and funeral professionals. Provides pathway for students to complete mortuary science education through Kent State's applied and technical studies program with CCMS credential completion.
• University of Cincinnati Body Donation ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with UC Body Donation Program enables CCMS students to gain unparalleled clinical experience in embalming. UC Program Director (Laura Garrison, 513-558-5612) coordinates with CCMS Clinical Lab for transport and processing of pre-registered donors. CCMS Clinical Director (Kiana Alford) manages receiving during normal business hours with on-call personnel after hours.
• OFDA (Ohio Funeral Directors Association)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of CCMS Fall Job & Networking Fair and annual Alumni & Friends Reception at OFDA Convention. OFDA hosts informational events for prospective students about CCMS education, licensing requirements, and apprenticeships.
• IFDA (Indiana Funeral Directors Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of CCMS Fall Job & Networking Fair alongside OFDA and FDAK
• FDAK (Funeral Directors Association of Kentucky)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of CCMS Fall Job & Networking Fair alongside OFDA and IFDA

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Worsham College of Mortuary Science: One of the oldest continuously operating mortuary science colleges (founded 1911) offering ABFSE-accredited associate degrees in Illinois. Directly competes with CCMS for funeral service licensure candidates in the Midwest.
• Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science: One of the few remaining private, specialized mortuary science colleges in the U.S., offering associate and bachelor's degree programs accredited by ABFSE. Directly competes with CCMS for the same niche student population pursuing funeral service licensure.
• American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service: New York City-based ABFSE-accredited mortuary science college offering associate degrees and continuing education. A direct specialty competitor serving the same national recruitment market for funeral service licensure.
• Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service: ABFSE-accredited mortuary science college based in Georgia offering associate degree and continuing education. A direct specialty-school competitor with overlapping curriculum, accreditation, and target student segments as CCMS.
• Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service: Houston-based mortuary science school offering ABFSE-accredited associate and bachelor's degree programs with online and on-ground options. Closely comparable in scope, accreditation, and curriculum structure to CCMS.

Others

• National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA): The largest U.S. funeral service industry trade association providing professional development, CE-accreditation oversight, and advocacy. Adjacent to CCMS as the upstream accreditation and continuing-education ecosystem in which CCMS operates.

Broad incumbents

• St. Petersburg College Funeral Services Program: Larger public college offering an ABFSE-accredited associate degree in funeral services as part of a broader institutional portfolio. Competes with CCMS for the same licensure-track students but through a public, multi-program community college model.
• Midlands Technical College Funeral Service Program: Public two-year college offering an ABFSE-accredited associate degree in funeral service. Competes in the same regional Southeast/Mid-Atlantic student market as CCMS's distance expansion thesis.
• Fayetteville Technical Community College Funeral Service Education: Public community college with a long-standing ABFSE-accredited associate degree in funeral service education. Comparable curriculum and licensure outcomes but operates within a broader public community college structure with different pricing economics.
• University of Minnesota Mortuary Science Program: One of the largest mortuary science programs in the U.S., housed within a major public university and offering ABFSE-accredited bachelor's degrees. Represents a much larger, public-institutional competing option to CCMS's specialized private model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC9l7OUxRfIe3vyKwNQecNbA
• Facebookfacebook.com/339538284838
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cincinnati-college-of-mortuary-science
• Instagraminstagram.com/ccms_1882
• Xx.com/CCMS_College

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science