Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Forensic chemist education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a forensic chemist. Forensic chemists usually study chemistry, biology, or criminal justice. 82% of forensic chemists hold a bachelor's degree, and 13% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 286 real forensic chemist resumes to see exactly what forensic chemist education sections show.
The most common colleges for forensic chemists are the Middle Tennessee State University and the Middle Tennessee State University.
There are also many online forensic chemist courses to help get the education required to be a forensic chemist.
What education do you need to become a forensic chemist?
What degree do you need to be a forensic chemist?
- Bachelor's, 82%
- Master's, 13%
- Associate, 3%
- Doctorate, 2%
- Other Degrees, 0%
What should I major in to become a forensic chemist?
- Chemistry, 47%
- Biology, 13%
- Criminal Justice, 12%
- Other Majors, 20%
Most common colleges for forensic chemists
| Forensic chemist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Middle Tennessee State University | 10.96% |
| Tennessee State University | 9.59% |
| University of New Mexico | 9.59% |
| Eastern Kentucky University | 8.22% |
| University of Louisiana at Monroe | 6.85% |
Best majors for forensic chemists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chemistry | 47.2% |
| 2 | Biology | 12.8% |
| 3 | Criminal Justice | 11.9% |
| 4 | Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology | 8.1% |
| 5 | General Education, Specific Areas | 3.0% |
Best colleges for forensic chemists
The best colleges for forensic chemists are Northeastern University, Northwestern University, and University of Southern California.
A forensic chemist 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 chemists. 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 chemists.
1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
2. University of Georgia
Athens, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,830
Enrollment
29,474
3. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
4. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
5. University of California - San Diego
La Jolla, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,167
Enrollment
30,279
6. Washington State University
Pullman, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,584
Enrollment
25,675
7. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
8. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,522
Enrollment
13,760
9. North Dakota State University
Fargo, ND • Private
In-state tuition
$9,414
Enrollment
11,182
10. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
20 best online courses for forensic chemists
Advertising disclosure
1. Windows Registry Forensics
The Windows Registry Forensics course shows you how to examine the live registry, the location of the registry files on the forensic image, and how to extract files...
2. Computer Forensics
This three part InfoSec Specialization covers a wide variety of Computer Forensics topics. In the Digital Forensics Concepts course, you will learn about legal considerations applicable to computer forensics and how to identify, collect and preserve digital evidence. This course dives into the scientific principles relating to digital forensics and gives you a close look at on-scene triaging, keyword lists, grep, file hashing, report writing and the profession of digital forensic examination...
3. Digital Forensics Masterclass: Forensic Science 2023 DFMC+
Learn digital forensics and be computer forensics investigator / Certificate after completing course / DFMC+ / DFIR 2023...
4. Forensic accounting, fraud investigation and fraud analytics
The 14 hour course(50casestudies) helps to understand fraud examination, forensic audit,financial crime, data analytics...
5. Introduction to Forensic Science
We have all seen forensic scientists in TV shows, but how do they really work? What is the science behind their work? The course aims to explain the scientific principles and techniques behind the work of forensic scientists and will be illustrated with numerous case studies from Singapore and around the world. Some questions which we will attempt to address include: How did forensics come about? What is the role of forensics in police work? Can these methods be used in non-criminal areas?...
6. Digital Forensics Concepts
In the Digital Forensics Concepts course, you will learn about legal considerations applicable to computer forensics and how to identify, collect and preserve digital evidence. This course dives into the scientific principles relating to digital forensics and gives you a close look at on-scene triaging, keyword lists, grep, file hashing, report writing and the profession of digital forensic examination...
7. Computer Forensics and Digital Forensics Masterclass 2023+
Learn computer forensics, digital forensics, mobile forensics, windows forensics, linux forensics and other forensics...
8. Digital Forensics and Electronic Evidence
An introduction for legal professionals and other individuals with an interest in computer forensics...
9. Digital Forensics for Pentesters - Hands-on
Learn Digital forensic as it applies to pentesting and conducting a digital forensic investigative response...
10. Digital Forensics and Cyber-Crime Investigation
Computer Forensics...
11. Forensic Psychology - ACCREDITED CERTIFICATE
Become a specialist in criminal investigations and forensic profiling, start your career and add certificate to resume!...
12. Intermediate Computer Forensics
Learning Intermediate computer forensic skills and techniques...
13. Computer Forensics Fundamentals
An introduction to Computer Forensics, to demonstrate the process of going from the crime scene to the court room...
14. The Complete Computer Forensics Course for 2023 PRO: CFCT+
Start Computer Forensics Career now and see your Growth step by step and Unlock your potential. Digital Forensics Police...
15. SDF: Memory Forensics 1
Learn Windows memory forensics...
16. SDF: Memory Forensics 2
Learn Windows memory forensics...
17. Professional Accredited Forensic Psychology Diploma Course
A Fascinating Insight Into The Minds Of Criminals by Using Forensic Psychology. Fully Accredited Course...
18. Intro to Forensic Science
A survey of general forensics...
19. HR Analytics using MS Excel for Human Resource Management
Use Excel for HR Analytics, calculate HR metrics, build HR dashboards & ML models for Human Resource & People Analytics...
20. Web Analytics & Digital Marketing Analytics - Zero to Hero
Web Analytics course before Google Analytics - Guide & process blueprint for Web Analytics & Digital Marketing Analytics...
Top 10 most affordable universities for forensic chemists
The most affordable schools for forensic chemists are Florida State University, university of south florida, and university of florida.
If the best universities for forensic chemists 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 chemists.
1. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
2. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
3. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
4. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
5. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Cost of attendance
25,527
6. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
7. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
8. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
9. Minot State University
Minot, ND • Private
In-state tuition
$7,064
Cost of attendance
15,576
10. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for forensic chemists
The hardest universities for forensic chemists to get into are Northeastern University, Northwestern University, and University of Southern California.
Some great schools for forensic chemists 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 chemists 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. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
4. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
5. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
Admissions rate
23%
SAT average
1,398
6. Tufts University
Medford, MA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,461
7. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
8. University of Rochester
Rochester, NY • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,422
9. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
10. Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA • Private
Admissions rate
28%
SAT average
1,429
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for forensic chemists
The easiest schools for forensic chemists to get into are D'Youville College, wayland baptist university, and university of the incarnate word.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a forensic chemist 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 chemists.
1. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
2. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
3. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
4. Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, ME • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,069
5. La Roche College
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
99%
SAT average
1,008
6. Thomas More University
Crestview Hills, KY • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,099
7. Saint Martin's University
Lacey, WA • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,111
8. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
9. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
10. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
Average forensic chemist salary by education level
| Forensic chemist education level | Forensic chemist salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $59,497 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $51,522 |
| Doctorate Degree | $70,063 |
Forensic chemist education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common life, physical, and social science questions.
Search for forensic chemist jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025