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Forensic photographer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a forensic photographer. Forensic photographers usually study photography, criminal justice, or communication. 51% of forensic photographers hold a bachelor's degree, and 35% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 66 real forensic photographer resumes to see exactly what forensic photographer education sections show.
The most common colleges for forensic photographers are the Saint Leo University and the Saint Leo University.
There are also many online forensic photographer courses to help get the education required to be a forensic photographer.
What education do you need to become a forensic photographer?
What degree do you need to be a forensic photographer?
- Bachelor's, 51%
- Associate, 35%
- High School Diploma, 7%
- Master's, 5%
- Other Degrees, 2%
What should I major in to become a forensic photographer?
- Photography, 27%
- Criminal Justice, 23%
- Communication, 8%
- Fine Arts, 6%
- Other Majors, 36%
Most common colleges for forensic photographers
| Forensic photographer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Saint Leo University | 9.09% |
| Barry University | 9.09% |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | 4.55% |
| University of Nevada - Las Vegas | 4.55% |
| Austin Peay State University | 4.55% |
Best majors for forensic photographers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Photography | 26.9% |
| 2 | Criminal Justice | 23.1% |
| 3 | Communication | 7.7% |
| 4 | Fine Arts | 5.8% |
| 5 | Journalism | 3.8% |
Best colleges for forensic photographers
The best colleges for forensic photographers are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Northeastern University.
A forensic photographer 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 photographers. 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 photographers.
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
2. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
3. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
4. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
5. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
6. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,522
Enrollment
13,760
7. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
8. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
9. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
10. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,230
Enrollment
12,161
20 best online courses for forensic photographers
Advertising disclosure
1. 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...
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 and Electronic Evidence
An introduction for legal professionals and other individuals with an interest in computer forensics...
4. Adobe Photoshop CC For Photographers
An essential Photoshop course for all photographers. Learn how to edit and manipulate your images with Photoshop CC...
5. Turn Photographs Into Digital Paintings Using Photoshop
Step ahead of the competition by offering unique portrait art, paint in Photoshop from a photograph...
6. Digital Forensics Masterclass: Forensic Science 2023 DFMC+
Learn digital forensics and be computer forensics investigator / Certificate after completing course / DFMC+ / DFIR 2023...
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 Cyber-Crime Investigation
Computer Forensics...
9. Computer Forensics Fundamentals
An introduction to Computer Forensics, to demonstrate the process of going from the crime scene to the court room...
10. Painting Watercolors From Photographs The Easy Way
Turn your photographs into lively watercolor paintings. Create light and atmosphere in easy steps using a simple palette...
11. Photoshop for Photographers - Beginner to Professional
Learn and Master Photoshop for Photographers - Became Advanced User and Create Outstanding Images!...
12. 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...
13. How to be a Professional Outdoor and Nature Photographer
Learn how to turn your passion for nature and adventure photography into a thriving business...
14. SDF: Memory Forensics 1
Learn Windows memory forensics...
15. Intermediate Computer Forensics
Learning Intermediate computer forensic skills and techniques...
16. Photoshop Effects - How to Create Photo Effects
Create Photoshop Effects from scratch. Make popular photographic effects in Adobe Photoshop by doing practical projects...
17. Learning Computer Forensics With Infinite Skills
What to gain a solid understanding of Computer Forensics? This training course is the ideal way to get started...
18. Surviving Digital Forensics: Link Files
A computer forensic guide for understanding LINK file evidence on Windows computer systems...
19. Portrait Painting From Photograph - Colorful Watercolor
Learn How to Draw and Paint Colorful and Vibrant Portrait Paintings in Watercolor...
20. SDF: Windows Prefetch Forensics
Learn how an analyze Windows prefetch evidence...
Top 10 most affordable universities for forensic photographers
The most affordable schools for forensic photographers are University of Florida, california state university - long beach, and suny farmingdale.
If the best universities for forensic photographers 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 photographers.
1. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
2. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
3. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
4. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
5. Lehman College of the City University of New York
Bronx, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,210
Cost of attendance
14,359
6. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
7. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
8. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
9. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
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 photographers
The hardest universities for forensic photographers to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Northeastern University.
Some great schools for forensic photographers 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 photographers 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. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
3. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
4. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
5. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
6. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
7. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
8. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
9. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
10. Emory University
Atlanta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,449
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for forensic photographers
The easiest schools for forensic photographers to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, wayland baptist university, and curry college.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a forensic photographer 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 photographers.
1. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
2. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
3. Curry College
Milton, MA • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,026
4. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
5. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
6. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
7. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
8. Grand View University
Des Moines, IA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,060
9. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
10. Felician University
Lodi, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
999
Average forensic photographer salary by education level
| Forensic photographer education level | Forensic photographer salary |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or Less | $68,855 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $99,634 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $78,775 |
Forensic photographer education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025