Best institutions to study Forensic Chemistry
A program that focuses on the application of chemical techniques and instrumentation to the analysis and evaluation of physical evidence to aid in criminal investigations.
30 U.S. institutions graduated 353 Forensic Chemistry students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 40.0510, a specialization of Chemistry (CIP 40.05), and leads most directly to the Chemists occupation (BLS SOC 19-2031).
About Forensic Chemistry programs
A program that focuses on the application of chemical techniques and instrumentation to the analysis and evaluation of physical evidence to aid in criminal investigations. Includes instruction in analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry; biochemistry; forensic toxicology; instrumental analysis; crime scene processing; criminal investigation; forensic laboratory technology; and applicable law.
See also: 43.0406 - Forensic Science and Technology.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Forensic Chemistry program focuses on applying chemical techniques and instrumentation to analyze and evaluate physical evidence in criminal investigations. This program is designed for students interested in the intersection of chemistry and law enforcement, providing essential skills for working in forensic laboratories and crime scene analysis.
Students will gain knowledge in analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry, as well as biochemistry and forensic toxicology. Coursework typically includes crime scene processing, forensic laboratory technology, and applicable law, equipping graduates with the skills needed for various roles in the forensic science field.
Credentials awarded
What Forensic Chemistry graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree330 graduates / yr · 25 institutions94%
- Master's degree19 graduates / yr · 5 institutions5.4%
- Associate's degree4 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.1%
Graduates over time
Forensic Chemistry completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 50 |
| 2013 | 52 |
| 2014 | 63 |
| 2015 | 103 |
| 2016 | 111 |
| 2017 | 158 |
| 2018 | 182 |
| 2019 | 174 |
| 2020 | 223 |
| 2021 | 233 |
| 2022 | 310 |
| 2023 | 328 |
| 2024 | 353 |
| 2025 | 353 |
Top 30 institutions for Forensic Chemistry, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicBachelor's | 75 | 68% | — | $38,766 |
| 2 | Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NCPublicBachelor's | 49 | 60% | — | $26,513 |
| 3 | Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Bowling Green, OHPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 45 | 64% | — | $43,840 |
| 4 | Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KYPublicBachelor's | 35 | 50% | — | $34,512 |
| 5 | Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TXPublicBachelor's | 25 | 55% | — | $43,940 |
| 6 | Towson University Towson, MDPublicBachelor's | 14 | 69% | — | $52,765 |
| 7 | Northern Michigan University Marquette, MIPublicBachelor's | 13 | 52% | — | — |
| 8 | Saint Anselm College Manchester, NHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 11 | 80% | $29,600 | — |
| 9 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KYPublicMaster's | 9 | 71% | — | — |
| 10 | University of Mississippi University, MSPublicBachelor's | 9 | 72% | — | $35,132 |
| 11 | Harrisburg University of Science and Technology Harrisburg, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 34% | $14,140 | — |
| 12 | California Baptist University Riverside, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 62% | $26,940 | — |
| 13 | Emmanuel College Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 68% | $29,723 | — |
| 14 | Western New England University Springfield, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 64% | $29,327 | — |
| 15 | Chestnut Hill College Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 49% | $29,887 | — |
| 16 | Alabama State University Montgomery, ALPublicBachelor's | 4 | 30% | — | — |
| 17 | Loyola University New Orleans New Orleans, LAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 59% | $22,906 | — |
| 18 | Holmes Community College Goodman, MSPublicAssociate's | 4 | 39% | — | — |
| 19 | Maryville University of Saint Louis Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 66% | $24,921 | — |
| 20 | Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 4 | 69% | $26,034 | — |
| 21 | Washburn University Topeka, KSPublicBachelor's | 3 | 53% | — | — |
| 22 | Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 55% | $32,031 | — |
| 23 | University of Central Oklahoma Edmond, OKPublicMaster's | 2 | 37% | — | — |
| 24 | University of Scranton Scranton, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 80% | $25,834 | — |
| 25 | Temple University Philadelphia, PAPublicMaster's | 2 | 75% | — | $42,022 |
| 26 | Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 75% | $19,899 | — |
| 27 | Missouri Baptist University Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 48% | $25,407 | — |
| 28 | Saint Peter's University Jersey City, NJPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 58% | $14,440 | — |
| 29 | Lincoln University Lincoln University, PAPublicBachelor's | 1 | 44% | — | — |
| 30 | Saint Edward's University Austin, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 63% | $24,630 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Chemistry field (CIP 40.05) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 20 states
Where Forensic Chemistry graduates come from. Each state links to all Chemistry programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 1 | 75 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion75 / yr |
| North Carolina | 1 | 49 | Western Carolina University49 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 45 | Bowling Green State University - Main Campus45 / yr |
| Kentucky | 2 | 44 | Eastern Kentucky University35 / yr |
| Texas | 2 | 26 | Sam Houston State University25 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 6 | 23 | Harrisburg University of Science and Technology8 / yr |
| Maryland | 1 | 14 | Towson University14 / yr |
| Mississippi | 2 | 13 | University of Mississippi9 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 13 | Northern Michigan University13 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 2 | 12 | Emmanuel College6 / yr |
| New Hampshire | 1 | 11 | Saint Anselm College11 / yr |
| California | 1 | 6 | California Baptist University6 / yr |
| Missouri | 2 | 5 | Maryville University of Saint Louis4 / yr |
| Alabama | 1 | 4 | Alabama State University4 / yr |
| Louisiana | 1 | 4 | Loyola University New Orleans4 / yr |
| Kansas | 1 | 3 | Washburn University3 / yr |
| Florida | 1 | 2 | Palm Beach Atlantic University2 / yr |
| Oklahoma | 1 | 2 | University of Central Oklahoma2 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 1 | Illinois Institute of Technology1 / yr |
| New Jersey | 1 | 1 | Saint Peter's University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-2031, Chemists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Forensic Chemistry program can pursue careers as chemists, forensic science technicians, or natural sciences managers. The job outlook in this field is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 4.9% and approximately 6,300 annual openings. The median wage for these roles is around $84,150, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 40.0510
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Chemistsprimary SOC 19-2031 | $91,240 | +4.9% About as fast as average | ~6,300 | Bachelor's degree |
Natural Sciences Managers SOC 11-9121 | $167,220 | +3.7% About as fast as average | ~8,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Forensic Science Technicians SOC 19-4092 | $72,060 | +12.8% Much faster than average | ~2,900 | Bachelor's degree |
Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1052 | $93,250 | +2.2% About as fast as average | ~1,900 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Forensic Chemistry programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Develop, improve, or customize products, equipment, formulas, processes, or analytical methods.
- Analyze organic or inorganic compounds to determine chemical or physical properties, composition, structure, relationships, or reactions, using chromatography, spectroscopy, or spectrophotometry techniques.
- Induce changes in composition of substances by introducing heat, light, energy, or chemical catalysts for quantitative or qualitative analysis.
- Conduct quality control tests.
- Write technical papers or reports or prepare standards and specifications for processes, facilities, products, or tests.
- Maintain laboratory instruments to ensure proper working order and troubleshoot malfunctions when needed.
Tools and technology used
Other Chemistry specializations
The 11 other 6-digit CIP codes under Chemistry (CIP 40.05).
- ChemistryCIP 40.050118,075 graduates / yr1,168 institutions
- ChemistryCIP 40.0599551 graduates / yr58 institutions
- Polymer ChemistryCIP 40.0507partial data72 graduates / yr7 institutions
- Chemical PhysicsCIP 40.050842 graduates / yr13 institutions
- Analytical ChemistryCIP 40.0502partial data38 graduates / yr8 institutions
- Environmental ChemistryCIP 40.050919 graduates / yr10 institutions
- Organic ChemistryCIP 40.0504limited data9 graduates / yr2 institutions
- Physical ChemistryCIP 40.0506partial data9 graduates / yr4 institutions
- Theoretical ChemistryCIP 40.0511partial data9 graduates / yr3 institutions
- Inorganic ChemistryCIP 40.0503limited data4 graduates / yr1 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Cheminformatics/
Chemistry Informatics40.0512
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Common questions
What degree do I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, with options for a Master's or Associate's degree.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in science, critical thinking, mathematics, and technical writing.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a chemist, forensic science technician, or in other related roles.
What is the job outlook for forensic chemistry graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.9% and 6,300 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Forensic Chemistry?+
Forensic Chemistry is CIP 40.0510 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Chemistry (CIP 40.05). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the application of chemical techniques and instrumentation to the analysis and evaluation of physical evidence to aid in criminal investigations. Includes instruction in analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry; biochemistry; forensic toxicology; instrumental analysis; crime scene processing; criminal investigation; forensic laboratory technology; and applicable law.
How many institutions offer Forensic Chemistry programs?+
30 U.S. institutions reported Forensic Chemistry graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 20 states, awarding 353 credentials in the year. That is 1.8% of all Chemistry graduates.
How much do Forensic Chemistry graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Chemists occupation, which Forensic Chemistry most directly leads to, pays a median of $91,240 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Chemistry field report median earnings of $42,022 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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