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Forensic scientist education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a forensic scientist. Forensic scientists usually study biology, chemistry, or criminal justice. 80% of forensic scientists hold a bachelor's degree, and 13% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 690 real forensic scientist resumes to see exactly what forensic scientist education sections show.
The most common colleges for forensic scientists are the University of New Haven and the University of New Haven.
There are also many online forensic scientist courses to help get the education required to be a forensic scientist.
What education do you need to become a forensic scientist?
What degree do you need to be a forensic scientist?
- Bachelor's, 80%
- Master's, 13%
- Associate, 4%
- Doctorate, 2%
- Other Degrees, 1%
What should I major in to become a forensic scientist?
- Biology, 29%
- Chemistry, 27%
- Criminal Justice, 19%
- Other Majors, 17%
Most common colleges for forensic scientists
| Forensic scientist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of New Haven | 9.62% |
| Pennsylvania State University | 8.65% |
| Temple University | 7.69% |
| Arizona State University | 6.73% |
| George Washington University, The | 5.77% |
Best majors for forensic scientists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Biology | 28.8% |
| 2 | Chemistry | 26.6% |
| 3 | Criminal Justice | 19.2% |
| 4 | Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology | 8.2% |
| 5 | Microbiology | 2.2% |
Best colleges for forensic scientists
The best colleges for forensic scientists are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University.
A forensic scientist 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 scientists. 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 scientists.
1. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Enrollment
9,142
2. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
3. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,522
Enrollment
13,760
4. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
5. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
6. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
7. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Enrollment
31,321
8. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
9. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$55,188
Enrollment
15,105
10. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
20 best online courses for forensic scientists
Advertising disclosure
1. 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?...
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. Computer Forensics and Digital Forensics Masterclass 2023+
Learn computer forensics, digital forensics, mobile forensics, windows forensics, linux forensics and other forensics...
5. 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...
6. Digital Forensics Masterclass: Forensic Science 2023 DFMC+
Learn digital forensics and be computer forensics investigator / Certificate after completing course / DFMC+ / DFIR 2023...
7. Digital Forensics and Cyber-Crime Investigation
Computer Forensics...
8. Computer Forensics Fundamentals
An introduction to Computer Forensics, to demonstrate the process of going from the crime scene to the court room...
9. Forensic accounting, fraud investigation and fraud analytics
The 14 hour course(50casestudies) helps to understand fraud examination, forensic audit,financial crime, data analytics...
10. 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...
11. Intermediate Computer Forensics
Learning Intermediate computer forensic skills and techniques...
12. SDF: Memory Forensics 1
Learn Windows memory forensics...
13. SDF: Memory Forensics 2
Learn Windows memory forensics...
14. 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...
15. Intro to Forensic Science
A survey of general forensics...
16. SDF: Windows Prefetch Forensics
Learn how an analyze Windows prefetch evidence...
17. Forensic Psychology & Offender Profiling (Fully Accredited)
A Comprehensive Introduction to the use of Forensic Psychology in the investigation of Serious and Serial Crime...
18. Professional Accredited Forensic Psychology Diploma Course
A Fascinating Insight Into The Minds Of Criminals by Using Forensic Psychology. Fully Accredited Course...
19. Forensic Psychology - ACCREDITED CERTIFICATE
Become a specialist in criminal investigations and forensic profiling, start your career and add certificate to resume!...
20. ISO 27001 (ISO/IEC 27001)
Master ISO 27001 and Information Security Management Systems (ISMS) with Clause-by-Clause Training + Annex A...
Top 10 most affordable universities for forensic scientists
The most affordable schools for forensic scientists are Hunter College of the City University of New York, california state university - bakersfield, and university of florida.
If the best universities for forensic scientists 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 scientists.
1. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
2. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
3. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
4. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
5. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
6. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
7. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
8. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
9. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
10. California State University - Fresno
Fresno, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,587
Cost of attendance
16,915
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for forensic scientists
The hardest universities for forensic scientists to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University.
Some great schools for forensic scientists 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 scientists 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. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
4. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
5. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
6. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
7. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
8. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
9. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
10. University of Chicago
Chicago, IL • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,520
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for forensic scientists
The easiest schools for forensic scientists to get into are Wayland Baptist University, notre dame college, and barry university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a forensic scientist 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 scientists.
1. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
2. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
3. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
4. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
5. Saint Martin's University
Lacey, WA • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,111
6. William Paterson University of New Jersey
Wayne, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
994
7. Our Lady of the Lake University
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,002
8. Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,053
9. La Roche College
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
99%
SAT average
1,008
10. Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, ME • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,069
Average forensic scientist salary by education level
| Forensic scientist education level | Forensic scientist salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $83,970 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $69,186 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $72,251 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $76,094 |
Forensic scientist education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025