Coroner education requirements

Q: What degree do you need to be a coroner?

A coroner needs a minimum of a bachelor's degree in a relevant field of study in most states. Both education, certification, and means of appointment vary from state to state. A four-year degree in biology, chemistry or forensics is needed to qualify, in some states, to become a coroner. Some require no additional formal education to work in this field, while others do.

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a coroner. Coroners usually study criminal justice, nursing, or law enforcement. 37% of coroners hold a bachelor's degree, and 30% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 110 real coroner resumes to see exactly what coroner education sections show.

The most common colleges for coroners are the Weber State University and the Weber State University.

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

What education do you need to become a coroner?

What degree do you need to be a coroner?

The most common degree for coroners is bachelor's degree, with 37% of coroners earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 30% and associate degree degree at 12%.

Bachelor's, 37%

Associate, 30%

High School Diploma, 12%

Master's, 7%

Other Degrees, 14%

What should I major in to become a coroner?

You should major in criminal justice to become a coroner. 24% of coroners major in criminal justice. Other common majors for a coroner include nursing and law enforcement.

Criminal Justice, 24%

Nursing, 19%

Law Enforcement, 7%

General Studies, 5%

Other Majors, 45%

Most common colleges for coroners

Coroners often get their degrees at Weber State University, Pennsylvania State University, and California State University - San Bernardino. Here are the most common colleges for coroners in the US based on their resumes.

Coroner common college	Percentages
Weber State University	8.70%
Pennsylvania State University	8.70%
California State University - San Bernardino	8.70%
Western Washington University	4.35%
Hannibal-LaGrange University	4.35%

Show more common coroner colleges

Best majors for coroners

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Criminal Justice	24.1%
2	Nursing	19.0%
3	Law Enforcement	6.9%
4	General Studies	5.2%
5	Business	5.2%

Show more common coroner majors

Best colleges for coroners

The best colleges for coroners are University of Tulsa, Northeastern University, and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

A coroner with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for coroners. 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 coroners.

1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Enrollment

18,946

2. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$10,610

Enrollment

40,329

3. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Enrollment

31,503

4. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,522

Enrollment

13,760

5. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

6. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Enrollment

32,072

7. University of Central Florida

Orlando, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,368

Enrollment

58,392

8. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,886

Enrollment

34,637

9. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Enrollment

30,905

10. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Enrollment

31,321

20 best online courses for coroners

Advertising disclosure

1. International Law In Action: Investigating and Prosecuting International Crimes

‘Investigating and Prosecuting International Crimes’ is the second course in Leiden University’s new series on International Law in Action. The first course covered international courts and tribunals in The Hague in general. This second course provides an insider perspective into the work of international criminal courts and tribunals. You will learn about the investigation and prosecution of international crimes in The Hague. Atrocities produce unspeakable forms of violence. We will explore...

2. Introduction to International Criminal Law

-- About the Course -- From the Nuremberg trial to the case against Saddam Hussein, from the prosecution of Al-Qaeda terrorists to the trial of Somali pirates – no area of law is as important to world peace and security as international criminal law. Taught by one of the world’s leading experts in the field, this course will educate students about the fundamentals of international criminal law and policy. We will explore the contours of international crimes such as genocide, war crimes,...

3. Start a Social Media Marketing Agency from Home

4.7

(1,347)

Start Your Own Digital Marketing Agency even if you know nothing about marketing or agencies...

4. Body Language & Lie Detection: Read Body Language, Spot Lies

4.6

(343)

The Secrets Of Body Language & Nonverbal Communication Read Body Language To Win Any Social Interaction...

5. Medical Terminology and the Human Body Fundamentals

In this Introduction to Medical Terminology and the Human Body course, you will learn about the medical language that is used to describe the human body. Throughout each Lesson, the roots of terms are explained to help students understand how medical terminology works in healthcare and to increase their knowledge and understanding of the material discussed. This course will provide you with a better understanding and working knowledge of medicine that is required for understanding of medical...

6. Start your own recruitment agency from home - Beginner

4.5

(279)

Learn how to start a seven figure recruitment agency business from home **AWARD WINNING RECRUITMENT START UP COURSE**...

7. Criminology and Criminal Psychology Certified CSI+ Course

4.2

(339)

Learn Criminal Law and Start your career with certification of Criminal Law and Criminal Psychology, Learn Criminology...

8. The Complete Body Language for Business Course

4.5

(1,189)

Body language and Non-Verbal Training for Business Meetings, Public Speaking, Presenting, Media Interviews, and Panels...

9. Body Language: Your Path to Success

4.1

(568)

Body Language: The Secret To Success...

10. Start Your Own SEO Agency From Home - The Complete Blueprint

4.9

(1,206)

Learn how to start your own home SEO business from Londons Leading SEO agency owner. Follow my proven blueprint from A-Z...

11. Forensic Psychology: Criminal Profiling Certificate

4.4

(980)

Criminology Crash Course...

12. Body Language in the Workplace

4.3

(356)

Body Language Skills for a High Tech World...

13. CONFIDENCE and SELF ESTEEM: Develop Confident Body Language

4.5

(9,288)

Learn how to feel and look more CONFIDENT & COMFORTABLE with proven body language tools. TOP-Rated body language course...

14. Criminal Law in 120 Minutes: A Fast Track Course

4.6

(414)

A 2 hour fast track summary of Criminal Law, targeting all common law LL.B examinations!...

15. Complete Personal Development Personal Transformation Course

4.7

(2,015)

Live a More Fulfilling Life - Your Personal Development and Personal Transformation Can Start Now - Create Your Own Life...

16. Powerful, Confident Body Language for Business Women

4.5

(939)

Improve Your Nonverbal Communication in Business. Project More Confidence at Work. Feel More Confident in Business!...

17. HIIT & Body Weight Training: A 4-week Home Workout Program

4.4

(365)

Be your own Personal Trainer: Bodyweight Workouts that boosts testosterone, help with muscle building and/or weight loss...

18. Body Language: Appear Confident and Poised When You Speak

4.5

(376)

Body Language for Speakers: Learn how to look comfortable, confident and relaxed in any presentation opportunity...

19. Micro Expressions Training & Body Language for Lie Detection

4.3

(1,260)

How To Detect Facial Expressions and Body Language to Increase your Emotional Intelligence with an average of 10%...

20. Learn How To Budget - Personal budgeting made easy

4.5

(2,655)

Everything you need to KNOW and everything you need to DO to set and stick to a monthly budget...

Top 10 most affordable universities for coroners

The most affordable schools for coroners are Brigham Young University, california state university - long beach, and florida international university.

If the best universities for coroners 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 coroners.

1. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

2. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

3. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

4. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

5. Minot State University

Minot, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$7,064

Cost of attendance

15,576

6. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,886

Cost of attendance

17,645

7. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

8. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

9. California State University - Fresno

Fresno, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,587

Cost of attendance

16,915

10. Louisiana State University at Alexandria

Alexandria, LA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,668

Cost of attendance

14,488

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for coroners

The hardest universities for coroners to get into are University of Tulsa, Northeastern University, and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Some great schools for coroners 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 coroners 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. University of Tulsa

Tulsa, OK • Private

Admissions rate

41%

SAT average

1,321

2. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

3. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

Admissions rate

23%

SAT average

1,398

4. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

5. Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

58%

SAT average

1,304

6. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

Admissions rate

39%

SAT average

1,367

7. University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

59%

SAT average

1,367

8. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

9. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

New Brunswick, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

60%

SAT average

1,303

10. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

Admissions rate

49%

SAT average

1,347

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

The easiest schools for coroners to get into are Gwynedd Mercy University, adventhealth university, and la roche college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a coroner 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 coroners.

1. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

2. AdventHealth University

Orlando, FL • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,016

3. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

99%

SAT average

1,008

4. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

5. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

6. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,069

7. Thomas More University

Crestview Hills, KY • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,099

8. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

9. The University of Texas Permian Basin

Odessa, TX • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,046

10. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

Average coroner salary by education level

According to our data, coroners with a Doctorate degree earn the highest average salary, at $88,457 annually. Coroners with a Master's degree earn an average annual salary of $71,494.

Coroner education level	Coroner salary
Master's Degree	$71,494
High School Diploma or Less	$40,711
Bachelor's Degree	$58,745
Doctorate Degree	$88,457
Some College/ Associate Degree	$45,223

Coroner education FAQs

What degree do you need to be a coroner?

What is the best college for Coroners?

Have more questions? See all answers to common business and financial questions.

Search for coroner 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

Browse business and financial jobs