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Forensic specialist education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a forensic specialist. Forensic specialists usually study criminal justice, psychology, or business. 54% of forensic specialists hold a bachelor's degree, and 21% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 431 real forensic specialist resumes to see exactly what forensic specialist education sections show.
The most common colleges for forensic specialists are the University of Florida and the University of Florida.
There are also many online forensic specialist courses to help get the education required to be a forensic specialist.
What education do you need to become a forensic specialist?
What degree do you need to be a forensic specialist?
- Bachelor's, 54%
- Master's, 21%
- Associate, 14%
- High School Diploma, 5%
- Other Degrees, 6%
What should I major in to become a forensic specialist?
- Criminal Justice, 24%
- Psychology, 17%
- Business, 9%
- Social Work, 8%
- Other Majors, 42%
Most common colleges for forensic specialists
| Forensic specialist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Florida | 9.52% |
| University of South Florida | 7.94% |
| New York University | 6.35% |
| University of Phoenix | 6.35% |
| Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania | 6.35% |
Best majors for forensic specialists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Criminal Justice | 23.7% |
| 2 | Psychology | 16.7% |
| 3 | Business | 9.3% |
| 4 | Social Work | 8.4% |
| 5 | Counseling Psychology | 5.6% |
Best colleges for forensic specialists
The best colleges for forensic specialists are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
A forensic specialist 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 specialists. 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 specialists.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
2. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Enrollment
9,142
3. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
4. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
5. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
6. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
7. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
8. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
9. University of Chicago
Chicago, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$58,230
Enrollment
6,600
10. Howard University
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$26,756
Enrollment
6,166
20 best online courses for forensic specialists
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19. Addiction & Mental Health (Dual Diagnosis) Integrative 12hrs
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20. Surviving Digital Forensics: Link Files
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Top 10 most affordable universities for forensic specialists
The most affordable schools for forensic specialists are California State University - Bakersfield, california state university - long beach, and california state university - los angeles.
If the best universities for forensic specialists 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 specialists.
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. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
4. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
5. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
6. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
7. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
8. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
9. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
10. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for forensic specialists
The hardest universities for forensic specialists to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
Some great schools for forensic specialists 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 specialists 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. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
4. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
5. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
6. University of Chicago
Chicago, IL • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,520
7. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
8. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
9. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
42%
SAT average
1,380
10. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for forensic specialists
The easiest schools for forensic specialists to get into are Wayland Baptist University, notre dame college, and william paterson university of new jersey.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a forensic specialist 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 specialists.
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. William Paterson University of New Jersey
Wayne, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
994
4. Saint Martin's University
Lacey, WA • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,111
5. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
6. Presentation College
Aberdeen, SD • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,050
7. Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,053
8. La Roche College
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
99%
SAT average
1,008
9. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
10. Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,072
Average forensic specialist salary by education level
| Forensic specialist education level | Forensic specialist salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $60,200 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $50,178 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $52,266 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $54,876 |
Forensic specialist education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025