Best institutions to study Criminalistics and Criminal Science
A program that focuses on the application of clinical and criminal laboratory science, investigative techniques, and criminology to the reconstruction of crimes and the analysis of physical evidence.
31 U.S. institutions graduated 622 Criminalistics and Criminal Science students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 43.0402, a specialization of Security Science and Technology (CIP 43.04), and leads most directly to the Detectives and Criminal Investigators occupation (BLS SOC 33-3021).
About Criminalistics and Criminal Science programs
A program that focuses on the application of clinical and criminal laboratory science, investigative techniques, and criminology to the reconstruction of crimes and the analysis of physical evidence. Includes instruction in laboratory science, laboratory procedures, criminology and police science, evidentiary testing and analysis, computer applications, record-keeping, reconstruction techniques, evidence handling and storage, and applications to specific types of evidence and crimes.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Criminalistics and Criminal Science program, part of the Security Science and Technology field, focuses on the application of laboratory science and investigative techniques to analyze physical evidence and reconstruct crimes. This program is designed for students interested in careers in homeland security, law enforcement, and related protective services.
Students will gain knowledge in laboratory procedures, criminology, evidence handling, and computer applications. Core skills developed include critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication, preparing graduates for various roles in the criminal justice system.
Credentials awarded
What Criminalistics and Criminal Science graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree436 graduates / yr · 15 institutions70%
- Master's degree77 graduates / yr · 5 institutions12%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years66 graduates / yr · 3 institutions11%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year19 graduates / yr · 5 institutions3.1%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate13 graduates / yr · 2 institutions2.1%
- Associate's degree7 graduates / yr · 2 institutions1.1%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship4 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.6%
Graduates over time
Criminalistics and Criminal Science completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 508 |
| 2021 | 508 |
| 2022 | 578 |
| 2023 | 539 |
| 2024 | 573 |
| 2025 | 622 |
Top 31 institutions for Criminalistics and Criminal Science, 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 | Florida Gulf Coast University Fort Myers, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 85 | 57% | — | $28,173 |
| 2 | Florida International University Miami, FLPublicBachelor's | 66 | 74% | — | — |
| 3 | Jacksonville State University Jacksonville, ALPublicBachelor's | 64 | 55% | — | $27,926 |
| 4 | Caribbean Forensic and Technical College San Juan, PRPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 62 | 65% | $6,554 | — |
| 5 | Washburn University Topeka, KSPublicBachelor's | 39 | 53% | — | $39,252 |
| 6 | Saint Leo University Saint Leo, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 35 | 45% | $18,986 | — |
| 7 | Stevenson University Owings Mills, MDPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 30 | 68% | $26,556 | — |
| 8 | Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Bayamon Bayamon, PRPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 28 | 35% | $10,334 | $12,517 |
| 9 | Tiffin University Tiffin, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 27 | 40% | $24,126 | $38,994 |
| 10 | Seattle University Seattle, WAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 27 | 76% | $31,900 | $37,557 |
| 11 | Glenville State University Glenville, WVPublicBachelor's | 27 | 34% | — | $38,237 |
| 12 | Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Aguadilla Aguadilla, PRPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 21 | 43% | $8,433 | $11,973 |
| 13 | Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Ponce Mercedita, PRPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 17 | 41% | $9,980 | $23,578 |
| 14 | Alabama State University Montgomery, ALPublicBachelor's | 13 | 30% | — | — |
| 15 | Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GAPublicPost-degree cert. | 11 | 55% | — | — |
| 16 | Gannon University Erie, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 11 | 66% | $21,409 | — |
| 17 | George Washington University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 10 | 84% | $29,789 | — |
| 18 | Cedar Crest College Allentown, PAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 10 | 60% | $22,721 | — |
| 19 | Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Arecibo Arecibo, PRPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 39% | $9,729 | — |
| 20 | Tyler Junior College Tyler, TXPublicAssociate's | 6 | 27% | — | — |
| 21 | University of Massachusetts - Lowell Lowell, MAPublicDoctoral | 4 | 65% | — | — |
| 22 | Bossier Parish Community College Bossier City, LAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 3 | 15% | — | — |
| 23 | Bay Path University Longmeadow, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 44% | $16,859 | $32,326 |
| 24 | Mount Aloysius College Cresson, PAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 57% | $20,154 | — |
| 25 | Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Erie - Behrend College Erie, PAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 44% | — | — |
| 26 | Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Schuylkill Schuylkill Haven, PAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 32% | — | — |
| 27 | Radford University Radford, VAPublicPost-degree cert. | 2 | 49% | — | — |
| 28 | Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Barranquitas Barranquitas, PRPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 38% | $8,476 | — |
| 29 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 86% | — | $49,782 |
| 30 | Tarrant County College District Fort Worth, TXPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 1 | 34% | — | — |
| 31 | Indiana Institute of Technology - College of Professional Studies Fort Wayne, INPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 1 | 28% | $19,930 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Security Science and Technology field (CIP 43.04) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 16 states & territories
Where Criminalistics and Criminal Science graduates come from. Each state links to all Security Science and Technology programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 3 | 186 | Florida Gulf Coast University85 / yr |
| Puerto Rico | 6 | 138 | Caribbean Forensic and Technical College62 / yr |
| Alabama | 2 | 77 | Jacksonville State University64 / yr |
| Kansas | 1 | 39 | Washburn University39 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 6 | 30 | Gannon University11 / yr |
| Maryland | 1 | 30 | Stevenson University30 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 27 | Tiffin University27 / yr |
| Washington | 1 | 27 | Seattle University27 / yr |
| West Virginia | 1 | 27 | Glenville State University27 / yr |
| Georgia | 1 | 11 | Georgia Southern University11 / yr |
| District of Columbia | 1 | 10 | George Washington University10 / yr |
| Texas | 2 | 7 | Tyler Junior College6 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 2 | 7 | University of Massachusetts - Lowell4 / yr |
| Louisiana | 1 | 3 | Bossier Parish Community College3 / yr |
| Virginia | 1 | 2 | Radford University2 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 1 | Indiana Institute of Technology - College of Professional Studies1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 33-3021, Detectives and Criminal Investigators, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Criminalistics and Criminal Science program can pursue careers as Detectives and Criminal Investigators, among other roles. The job outlook shows little or no change, with approximately 7,800 annual openings and a median wage of $93,580. Typical education for these positions includes a high school diploma or equivalent.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 43.0402
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Detectives and Criminal Investigatorsprimary SOC 33-3021 | $93,790 | -0.7% Little or no change | ~7,800 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers SOC 33-3051 | $76,210 | +3.1% About as fast as average | ~53,700 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other SOC 19-4099 | $62,280 | +3.5% About as fast as average | ~10,600 | Associate's degree |
Forensic Science Technicians SOC 19-4092 | $72,060 | +12.8% Much faster than average | ~2,900 | Bachelor's degree |
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1111 | $76,590 | +2.0% About as fast as average | ~1,200 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Criminalistics and Criminal Science 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
- Check victims for signs of life, such as breathing and pulse.
- Obtain facts or statements from complainants, witnesses, and accused persons and record interviews, using recording device.
- Secure deceased body and obtain evidence from it, preventing bystanders from tampering with it prior to medical examiner's arrival.
- Record progress of investigation, maintain informational files on suspects, and submit reports to commanding officer or magistrate to authorize warrants.
- Prepare reports that detail investigation findings.
- Prepare charges or responses to charges, or information for court cases, according to formalized procedures.
Tools and technology used
Other Security Science and Technology specializations
The 8 other 6-digit CIP codes under Security Science and Technology (CIP 43.04).
- Forensic Science and TechnologyCIP 43.04065,008 graduates / yr239 institutions
- Cyber/CIP 43.0403
Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism 2,457 graduates / yr126 institutions - Cybersecurity Defense Strategy/CIP 43.0404
Policy 1,710 graduates / yr66 institutions - Financial Forensics and Fraud InvestigationCIP 43.0405284 graduates / yr29 institutions
- Law Enforcement Intelligence AnalysisCIP 43.0408223 graduates / yr15 institutions
- Security Science and TechnologyCIP 43.0401partial data60 graduates / yr6 institutions
- Geospatial IntelligenceCIP 43.0407partial data19 graduates / yr6 institutions
- Security Science and TechnologyCIP 43.0499limited data1 graduates / yr1 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or shorter awards in this field.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Detective, Police Officer, Forensic Technician, and more.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The outlook shows little or no change, with around 7,800 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Criminalistics and Criminal Science?+
Criminalistics and Criminal Science is CIP 43.0402 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Security Science and Technology (CIP 43.04). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the application of clinical and criminal laboratory science, investigative techniques, and criminology to the reconstruction of crimes and the analysis of physical evidence. Includes instruction in laboratory science, laboratory procedures, criminology and police science, evidentiary testing and analysis, computer applications, record-keeping, reconstruction techniques, evidence handling and storage, and applications to specific types of evidence and crimes.
How many institutions offer Criminalistics and Criminal Science programs?+
31 U.S. institutions reported Criminalistics and Criminal Science graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 16 states & territories, awarding 622 credentials in the year. That is 6.0% of all Security Science and Technology graduates.
How much do Criminalistics and Criminal Science graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Detectives and Criminal Investigators occupation, which Criminalistics and Criminal Science most directly leads to, pays a median of $93,790 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Security Science and Technology field report median earnings of $32,326 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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