Forensic toxicologist education requirements

Q: What degree do you need to be a forensic toxicologist?

You need a bachelor's degree in life or physical science to be a forensic toxicologist. At a minimum, you should pursue a bachelor's degree in a science such as chemistry, biochemistry, or biology. A degree specifically in forensic toxicology is not required, though you need to complete specific coursework that relates to the field. If you choose to pursue a degree in something other than forensic toxicology, be sure to take applicable courses such as: Chemistry Biology Biochemistry Biophysics Toxicology Pharmacology If you would like to further your education beyond a bachelor's degree, you can go on to obtain a master of science degree. The higher your level of education, the more job opportunities will be available to you, as well as higher wages. There are also professional certifications that you can apply for as a forensic toxicologist. To be eligible to apply for certification, you must have completed at least a bachelor's degree and have a minimum of three years of full-time work experience in a toxicology lab. The four certifications available are: Diplomate Forensic Toxicology Diplomate Forensic Drug Toxicology Diplomate Forensic Alcohol Toxicology Fellow Forensic Toxicology

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a forensic toxicologist. Forensic toxicologists usually study chemistry, biology, or biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology. 81% of forensic toxicologists hold a bachelor's degree, and 9% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 104 real forensic toxicologist resumes to see exactly what forensic toxicologist education sections show.

The most common colleges for forensic toxicologists are the Ohio University and the Ohio University.

There are also many online forensic toxicologist courses to help get the education required to be a forensic toxicologist.

What education do you need to become a forensic toxicologist?

What degree do you need to be a forensic toxicologist?

The most common degree for forensic toxicologists is bachelor's degree, with 81% of forensic toxicologists earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 9% and master's degree degree at 6%.

Bachelor's, 81%

Master's, 9%

Associate, 6%

Doctorate, 3%

Other Degrees, 1%

What should I major in to become a forensic toxicologist?

You should major in chemistry to become a forensic toxicologist. 29% of forensic toxicologists major in chemistry. Other common majors for a forensic toxicologist include biology and biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology.

Chemistry, 29%

Biology, 28%

Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology, 10%

Pharmacology, 5%

Other Majors, 28%

Most common colleges for forensic toxicologists

Forensic toxicologists often get their degrees at Ohio University, University of Illinois at Chicago, and Salisbury University. Here are the most common colleges for forensic toxicologists in the US based on their resumes.

Forensic toxicologist common college	Percentages
Ohio University	9.38%
University of Illinois at Chicago	6.25%
Salisbury University	6.25%
University of Florida	6.25%
University of California - Davis	6.25%

Show more common forensic toxicologist colleges

Best majors for forensic toxicologists

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Chemistry	29.0%
2	Biology	28.0%
3	Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology	9.7%
4	Pharmacology	5.4%
5	Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science	5.4%

Show more common forensic toxicologist majors

Best colleges for forensic toxicologists

The best colleges for forensic toxicologists are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Northeastern University.

A forensic toxicologist 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 toxicologists. 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 toxicologists.

1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Enrollment

18,946

2. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

3. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Enrollment

31,321

4. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

5. SUNY at Albany

Albany, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$10,011

Enrollment

13,434

6. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$10,610

Enrollment

40,329

7. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Enrollment

9,142

8. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

9. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,522

Enrollment

13,760

10. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

20 best online courses for forensic toxicologists

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Top 10 most affordable universities for forensic toxicologists

The most affordable schools for forensic toxicologists are Hunter College of the City University of New York, california state university - bakersfield, and university of florida.

If the best universities for forensic toxicologists 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 toxicologists.

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 - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

5. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

6. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

7. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

8. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

9. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

10. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for forensic toxicologists

The hardest universities for forensic toxicologists to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Northeastern University.

Some great schools for forensic toxicologists 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 toxicologists 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

SAT average

1,497

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

3. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

4. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

5. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

6. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,520

7. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

8. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

9. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

10. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,512

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for forensic toxicologists

The easiest schools for forensic toxicologists to get into are Gwynedd Mercy University, notre dame college, and wayland baptist university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a forensic toxicologist 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 toxicologists.

1. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

2. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

3. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

4. Thomas More University

Crestview Hills, KY • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,099

5. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

6. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

7. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

8. Saint Martin's University

Lacey, WA • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,111

9. William Paterson University of New Jersey

Wayne, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

994

10. Our Lady of the Lake University

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,002

Average forensic toxicologist salary by education level

According to our data, forensic toxicologists with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $85,952 annually. Forensic toxicologists with a Associate degree earn an average annual salary of $76,034.

Forensic toxicologist education level	Forensic toxicologist salary
Master's Degree	$85,952
High School Diploma or Less	$67,538
Bachelor's Degree	$71,283
Some College/ Associate Degree	$76,034

Forensic toxicologist education FAQs

What degree do you need to be a forensic toxicologist?

What is the best college for Forensic Toxicologists?

Have more questions? See all answers to common life, physical, and social science questions.

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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