
Worsham College of Mortuary Science traces its history to 1911 and has maintained a specialized focus on education for funeral service. It is based in Wheeling, Illinois, rather than operating as a broad-based college with many unrelated majors.
That history matters because the school's academic structure is built around preparation for a particular profession. Prospective students should evaluate its curriculum and credentials against the licensing rules in the state where they intend to work; a program's long history does not, by itself, establish current licensing eligibility.
Worsham is a specialized mortuary science college, not a university divided into multiple academic schools. Its instruction centers on funeral service, combining scientific subjects with the legal, business, and interpersonal responsibilities of the profession.
Applicants comparing programs should examine Worsham's current catalog for the exact credential, course sequence, laboratory requirements, and supervised practical experience attached to their intended enrollment path. This is particularly important for students who already have college credits: prior coursework may satisfy a general education requirement without replacing a required mortuary science course.
Worsham College of Mortuary Science is in Wheeling, a suburb northwest of Chicago. Its location may give students access to funeral service employers across the Chicago metropolitan area, but the practicality of a placement depends on its location and the student's transportation options.
Students planning to commute should consider travel time to both classes and any required off-campus practical experience. Those relocating to the area should compare housing and transportation costs in Wheeling and neighboring communities before treating tuition as their full cost of attendance.
Worsham's educational purpose is to prepare students for work in funeral service. That professional focus places scientific knowledge alongside ethical practice, regulatory responsibilities, and service to families.
Students should read the college's current mission statement and catalog in conjunction with its course requirements. A stated commitment to professional preparation is a description of the institution's aims, not a guarantee that a graduate will pass a licensing examination or obtain employment.
Name of the institution
Worsham College of Mortuary ScienceLevel of institution
At least 2 but less than 4 yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
Suburb: LargeInstitutional Category
Degree-granting, associate's and certificatesInstitution size category
Under 1,000School type
Two-year collegeMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
QuartersFoundation year
1911Worsham College of Mortuary Science is institutionally accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education Committee on Accreditation, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Certificate of at least 1 year, but less than 2 years
Associate's degreeData last updated on November 5, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.