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Forensic ballistics expert education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a forensic ballistics expert. Forensic ballistics experts usually study criminal justice, english, or biotechnology. 44% of forensic ballistics experts hold a bachelor's degree, and 28% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 36 real forensic ballistics expert resumes to see exactly what forensic ballistics expert education sections show.
The most common colleges for forensic ballistics experts are the George Mason University and the George Mason University.
There are also many online forensic ballistics expert courses to help get the education required to be a forensic ballistics expert.
What education do you need to become a forensic ballistics expert?
What degree do you need to be a forensic ballistics expert?
- Bachelor's, 44%
- Master's, 28%
- Doctorate, 24%
- Associate, 4%
What should I major in to become a forensic ballistics expert?
- Criminal Justice, 20%
- English, 10%
- Biotechnology, 7%
- Psychology, 7%
- Other Majors, 56%
Most common colleges for forensic ballistics experts
| Forensic ballistics expert common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| George Mason University | 18.75% |
| Fuller Theological Seminary | 12.50% |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico Arecibo | 6.25% |
| Baker College | 6.25% |
| University of Maryland - Baltimore County | 6.25% |
Best majors for forensic ballistics experts
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Criminal Justice | 20.0% |
| 2 | English | 10.0% |
| 3 | Biotechnology | 6.7% |
| 4 | Psychology | 6.7% |
| 5 | Business | 6.7% |
Best colleges for forensic ballistics experts
The best colleges for forensic ballistics experts are Northeastern University, Vanderbilt University, and Johns Hopkins University.
A forensic ballistics expert with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for forensic ballistics experts. 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 forensic ballistics experts.
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. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
4. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Enrollment
9,142
5. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Enrollment
31,503
6. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
7. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,522
Enrollment
13,760
8. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
9. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Enrollment
32,072
10. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
20 best online courses for forensic ballistics experts
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Top 10 most affordable universities for forensic ballistics experts
The most affordable schools for forensic ballistics experts are California State University - Bakersfield, california state university - long beach, and hunter college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for forensic ballistics experts 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 forensic ballistics experts.
1. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
2. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
3. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
4. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
5. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
6. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
7. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
8. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
9. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
10. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for forensic ballistics experts
The hardest universities for forensic ballistics experts to get into are Northeastern University, Vanderbilt University, and Johns Hopkins University.
Some great schools for forensic ballistics experts 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 forensic ballistics experts 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. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
2. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
3. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
4. Yale University
New Haven, CT • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,517
5. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
6. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
7. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
Admissions rate
23%
SAT average
1,398
8. Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA • Private
Admissions rate
28%
SAT average
1,429
9. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
10. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
42%
SAT average
1,380
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for forensic ballistics experts
The easiest schools for forensic ballistics experts to get into are Wayland Baptist University, william paterson university of new jersey, and saint martin's university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a forensic ballistics expert 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 forensic ballistics experts.
1. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
2. William Paterson University of New Jersey
Wayne, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
994
3. Saint Martin's University
Lacey, WA • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,111
4. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
5. La Roche College
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
99%
SAT average
1,008
6. Bluefield College
Bluefield, VA • Private
Admissions rate
95%
SAT average
980
7. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
8. The University of Texas Permian Basin
Odessa, TX • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,046
9. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
10. Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, ME • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,069
Average forensic ballistics expert salary by education level
| Forensic ballistics expert education level | Forensic ballistics expert salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $79,773 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $62,229 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $65,787 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $70,308 |
Forensic ballistics expert education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025