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Forensic computer examiner education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a forensic computer examiner. Forensic computer examiners usually study criminal justice, nursing, or business. 57% of forensic computer examiners hold a bachelor's degree, and 19% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 345 real forensic computer examiner resumes to see exactly what forensic computer examiner education sections show.
The most common colleges for forensic computer examiners are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online forensic computer examiner courses to help get the education required to be a forensic computer examiner.
There are certain forensic computer examiner certifications that you should consider. These forensic computer examiner certifications include Certified Forensic Computer Examiner (CFCE) and Certified Computer Examiner (CCE).
What education do you need to become a forensic computer examiner?
What degree do you need to be a forensic computer examiner?
- Bachelor's, 57%
- Master's, 19%
- Associate, 16%
- Doctorate, 3%
- Other Degrees, 5%
What should I major in to become a forensic computer examiner?
- Criminal Justice, 28%
- Nursing, 11%
- Business, 9%
- Computer Science, 7%
- Other Majors, 45%
Most common colleges for forensic computer examiners
| Forensic computer examiner common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 11.67% |
| Champlain College | 10.00% |
| George Mason University | 8.33% |
| American InterContinental University | 5.00% |
| University of Central Florida | 5.00% |
Best majors for forensic computer examiners
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Criminal Justice | 27.6% |
| 2 | Nursing | 11.5% |
| 3 | Business | 8.9% |
| 4 | Computer Science | 7.3% |
| 5 | Information Technology | 7.3% |
Best colleges for forensic computer examiners
The best colleges for forensic computer examiners are Northeastern University, Vanderbilt University, and Johns Hopkins University.
A forensic computer examiner 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 computer examiners. 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 computer examiners.
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 - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Enrollment
9,142
4. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Enrollment
31,503
5. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
6. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,522
Enrollment
13,760
7. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
8. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
9. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Enrollment
32,072
10. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Enrollment
24,163
20 best online courses for forensic computer examiners
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Top 10 most affordable universities for forensic computer examiners
The most affordable schools for forensic computer examiners 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 computer examiners 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 computer examiners.
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. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
8. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
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 computer examiners
The hardest universities for forensic computer examiners to get into are Northeastern University, Vanderbilt University, and Johns Hopkins University.
Some great schools for forensic computer examiners 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 computer examiners 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 North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
Admissions rate
23%
SAT average
1,398
7. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
8. Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA • Private
Admissions rate
28%
SAT average
1,429
9. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
42%
SAT average
1,380
10. University of Tulsa
Tulsa, OK • Private
Admissions rate
41%
SAT average
1,321
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for forensic computer examiners
The easiest schools for forensic computer examiners 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 computer examiner 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 computer examiners.
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. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
7. Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, ME • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,069
8. Thomas More University
Crestview Hills, KY • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,099
9. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
10. The University of Texas Permian Basin
Odessa, TX • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,046
Average forensic computer examiner salary by education level
| Forensic computer examiner education level | Forensic computer examiner salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $75,217 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $64,844 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $67,035 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $69,750 |
Forensic computer examiner education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025