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Forensic pathologist education requirements
There are several educational requirements to become a forensic pathologist. Forensic pathologists usually study biology, chemistry, or business. 67% of forensic pathologists hold a bachelor's degree, and 20% hold an doctoral degree. We analyzed 27 real forensic pathologist resumes to see exactly what forensic pathologist education sections show.
The most common colleges for forensic pathologists are the Virginia Commonwealth University and the Virginia Commonwealth University.
There are also many online forensic pathologist courses to help get the education required to be a forensic pathologist.
What education do you need to become a forensic pathologist?
What degree do you need to be a forensic pathologist?
- Bachelor's, 67%
- Doctorate, 20%
- Other Degrees, 13%
What should I major in to become a forensic pathologist?
Most common colleges for forensic pathologists
| Forensic pathologist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Virginia Commonwealth University | 7.69% |
| University of Pennsylvania | 7.69% |
| Drake University | 7.69% |
| New York University | 7.69% |
| University of Nevada - Las Vegas | 7.69% |
Best majors for forensic pathologists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Biology | 27.8% |
| 2 | Chemistry | 16.7% |
| 3 | Business | 11.1% |
| 4 | Medicine | 11.1% |
| 5 | Physiology And Anatomy | 5.6% |
Best colleges for forensic pathologists
The best colleges for forensic pathologists are Stanford University, Harvard University, and Northwestern University.
A forensic pathologist 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 pathologists. 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 pathologists.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
3. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
4. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
5. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
6. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
7. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$53,740
Enrollment
5,567
8. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
9. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
10. University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA • Private
In-state tuition
$17,653
Enrollment
16,405
20 best online courses for forensic pathologists
1. 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...
2. 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...
3. Digital Forensics Masterclass: Forensic Science 2023 DFMC+
Learn digital forensics and be computer forensics investigator / Certificate after completing course / DFMC+ / DFIR 2023...
4. Computer Forensics and Digital Forensics Masterclass 2023+
Learn computer forensics, digital forensics, mobile forensics, windows forensics, linux forensics and other forensics...
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 and Cyber-Crime Investigation
Computer Forensics...
7. 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...
8. Digital Forensics and Electronic Evidence
An introduction for legal professionals and other individuals with an interest in computer forensics...
9. Forensic Psychology - ACCREDITED CERTIFICATE
Become a specialist in criminal investigations and forensic profiling, start your career and add certificate to resume!...
10. Forensic accounting, fraud investigation and fraud analytics
The 14 hour course(50casestudies) helps to understand fraud examination, forensic audit,financial crime, data analytics...
11. Computer Forensics Fundamentals
An introduction to Computer Forensics, to demonstrate the process of going from the crime scene to the court room...
12. Forensic Psychology & Offender Profiling (Fully Accredited)
A Comprehensive Introduction to the use of Forensic Psychology in the investigation of Serious and Serial Crime...
13. Intro to Forensic Science
A survey of general forensics...
14. SDF: Memory Forensics 2
Learn Windows memory forensics...
15. ICD 10 & 11 Medical Coding and Billing
Preparation for Medical Coding Certification Exam...
16. SDF: Memory Forensics 1
Learn Windows memory forensics...
17. Forensic Psychology: Criminal Profiling Certificate
Criminology Crash Course...
18. Medical Coding: ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Training
Learn medical coding and prepare yourself for today's healthcare workplace...
19. Intermediate Computer Forensics
Learning Intermediate computer forensic skills and techniques...
20. Medical Device Regulation 2017/745 EU regulatory affairs.
Understand regulations for medical devices in simple terms to gain market approval of a medical device in the EU...
Top 10 most affordable universities for forensic pathologists
The most affordable schools for forensic pathologists are University of Florida, hunter college of the city university of new york, and california state university - bakersfield.
If the best universities for forensic pathologists 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 pathologists.
1. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
2. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
3. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
4. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
5. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
6. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
7. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
8. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
9. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
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 pathologists
The hardest universities for forensic pathologists to get into are Stanford University, Harvard University, and Northwestern University.
Some great schools for forensic pathologists 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 pathologists 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. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
2. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
4. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
5. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
6. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
7. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
8. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
9. Yale University
New Haven, CT • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,517
10. Georgetown University
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,456
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for forensic pathologists
The easiest schools for forensic pathologists to get into are Barry University, d'youville college, and university of the incarnate word.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a forensic pathologist 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 pathologists.
1. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
2. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
3. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
4. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
5. Felician University
Lodi, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
999
6. Life University
Marietta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
94%
SAT average
979
7. Presentation College
Aberdeen, SD • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,050
8. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
9. Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,053
10. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
Average forensic pathologist salary by education level
| Forensic pathologist education level | Forensic pathologist salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $77,556 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $42,802 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $63,033 |
| Doctorate Degree | $97,099 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $47,824 |
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Updated January 8, 2025
