Best institutions to study Forensic Science and Technology
A program that focuses on the application of the physical, biomedical, and social sciences to the analysis and evaluation of physical evidence, human testimony and criminal suspects.
239 U.S. institutions graduated 5,008 Forensic Science and Technology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 43.0406, a specialization of Security Science and Technology (CIP 43.04), and leads most directly to the Forensic Science Technicians occupation (BLS SOC 19-4092).
About Forensic Science and Technology programs
A program that focuses on the application of the physical, biomedical, and social sciences to the analysis and evaluation of physical evidence, human testimony and criminal suspects. Includes instruction in forensic medicine, forensic dentistry, anthropology, psychology, entomology, pathology, forensic laboratory technology and autopsy procedures, DNA and blood pattern analysis, crime scene analysis, crime scene photography, fingerprint technology, document analysis, witness and suspect examination procedures, applicable law and regulations, and professional standards and ethics.
See also: 42.2812 - Forensic Psychology., 40.0510 - Forensic Chemistry., 44.0703 - Forensic Social Work., 45.0205 - Forensic Anthropology.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Forensic Science and Technology program, a subset of Security Science and Technology, focuses on applying various scientific disciplines to analyze physical evidence and human testimony in criminal investigations. This program is ideal for students interested in careers within homeland security, law enforcement, firefighting, and related protective services.
Students in this program gain essential skills in critical thinking, scientific analysis, and effective communication. Coursework covers a range of topics, including forensic medicine, crime scene analysis, DNA and blood pattern analysis, and the ethical standards applicable to forensic investigations.
Credentials awarded
What Forensic Science and Technology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree2,073 graduates / yr · 104 institutions41%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year992 graduates / yr · 68 institutions20%
- Master's degree949 graduates / yr · 47 institutions19%
- Associate's degree516 graduates / yr · 59 institutions10%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years207 graduates / yr · 16 institutions4.1%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate186 graduates / yr · 12 institutions3.7%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship64 graduates / yr · 2 institutions1.3%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years14 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.3%
- Post-master's certificate7 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Forensic Science and Technology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 3,735 |
| 2021 | 3,955 |
| 2022 | 4,238 |
| 2023 | 4,275 |
| 2024 | 4,529 |
| 2025 | 5,008 |
Top 50 institutions for Forensic Science and Technology, 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 | University of New Haven West Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Bachelor'sMaster's | 297 | 63% | $32,614 | $40,889 |
| 2 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 160 | 89% | — | — |
| 3 | Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences Tulsa, OKPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 156 | — | — | — |
| 4 | University of Central Oklahoma Edmond, OKPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 151 | 37% | — | $38,710 |
| 5 | Caribbean Forensic and Technical College San Juan, PRPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 124 | 65% | $6,554 | — |
| 6 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 121 | 43% | $21,535 | $37,481 |
| 7 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 109 | 84% | — | $38,792 |
| 8 | West Virginia University Morgantown, WVPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 109 | 65% | — | $44,255 |
| 9 | East Los Angeles College Monterey Park, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 104 | 37% | — | — |
| 10 | George Mason University Fairfax, VAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 99 | 68% | — | $42,100 |
| 11 | National University San Diego, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 96 | 43% | $31,817 | — |
| 12 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZPublicMaster's | 96 | 0% | — | — |
| 13 | Farmingdale State College Farmingdale, NYPublicBachelor's | 89 | 53% | — | $38,789 |
| 14 | CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice New York, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 81 | 56% | — | $44,092 |
| 15 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 72 | 78% | — | — |
| 16 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 71 | 63% | — | $37,501 |
| 17 | San Jose State University San Jose, CAPublicBachelor's | 67 | 69% | — | — |
| 18 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 67 | 86% | — | $49,782 |
| 19 | Miami Dade College Miami, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 66 | 46% | — | — |
| 20 | University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MSPublicBachelor's | 60 | 49% | — | — |
| 21 | Stevenson University Owings Mills, MDPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 57 | 68% | $26,556 | — |
| 22 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert.Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 56 | 84% | $28,851 | $31,750 |
| 23 | American Public University System Charles Town, WVPrivate for-profitBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 55 | 57% | $10,199 | $49,622 |
| 24 | Indiana University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, INPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 54 | 54% | — | $44,718 |
| 25 | Wake Technical Community College Raleigh, NCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 54 | 33% | — | — |
| 26 | Southern Crescent Technical College Griffin, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 53 | 58% | — | — |
| 27 | Utah Valley University Orem, UTPublicBachelor'sAssociate's | 52 | 45% | — | — |
| 28 | Mesa Community College Mesa, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 48 | 16% | — | — |
| 29 | Phoenix College Phoenix, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 47 | 14% | — | — |
| 30 | Grossmont College El Cajon, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 47 | 37% | — | — |
| 31 | Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FLPrivate not-for-profitAssociate'sBachelor's | 45 | 61% | $35,483 | $37,231 |
| 32 | Chattahoochee Technical College Marietta, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 45 | 38% | — | — |
| 33 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 43 | 73% | $33,454 | $51,202 |
| 34 | Loyola University Maryland Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 43 | 79% | $26,585 | — |
| 35 | Madonna University Livonia, MIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearMaster's | 42 | 60% | $16,904 | — |
| 36 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 42 | 65% | — | — |
| 37 | Hofstra University Hempstead, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 41 | 69% | $34,539 | — |
| 38 | Florida SouthWestern State College Fort Myers, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 35 | 39% | — | — |
| 39 | Rio Hondo College Whittier, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 33 | 25% | — | — |
| 40 | Hilbert College Hamburg, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 33 | 56% | $22,690 | $32,374 |
| 41 | University of Wisconsin - Platteville Platteville, WIPublicBachelor's | 33 | 56% | — | $38,013 |
| 42 | Broward College Fort Lauderdale, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 32 | 39% | — | — |
| 43 | The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, TXPublicBachelor's | 32 | 50% | — | $23,495 |
| 44 | Eastern Florida State College Melbourne, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 31 | 52% | — | — |
| 45 | University of Nebraska - Lincoln Lincoln, NEPublicBachelor's | 30 | 67% | — | $29,231 |
| 46 | Oklahoma State University - Main Campus Stillwater, OKPublicPost-degree cert. | 30 | 68% | — | — |
| 47 | Glendale Community College Glendale, AZPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 29 | 16% | — | — |
| 48 | University of Baltimore Baltimore, MDPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 29 | 38% | — | — |
| 49 | Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 29 | — | — | — |
| 50 | William Rainey Harper College Palatine, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 27 | 48% | — | — |
* 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 44 states & territories
Where Forensic Science and Technology graduates come from. Each state links to all Security Science and Technology programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-4092, Forensic Science Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Forensic Science and Technology program can pursue careers as forensic science technicians and other related roles. The job outlook for this field is promising, with an expected growth rate of 12.8% and approximately 2,900 annual openings. The median wage for forensic science technicians is $67,440, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 43.0406
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Forensic Science Techniciansprimary SOC 19-4092 | $72,060 | +12.8% Much faster than average | ~2,900 | Bachelor's degree |
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 |
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 Forensic Science and Technology 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
- Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity.
- Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques.
- Use photographic or video equipment to document evidence or crime scenes.
- Testify in court about investigative or analytical methods or findings.
- Use chemicals or other substances to examine latent fingerprint evidence and compare developed prints to those of known persons in databases.
- Measure and sketch crime scenes to document evidence.
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).
- 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 - Criminalistics and Criminal ScienceCIP 43.0402622 graduates / yr31 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 types of degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, a Master's degree, an Associate's degree, or an award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, writing, speaking, and various scientific techniques related to forensic analysis.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a forensic science technician, among other roles in law enforcement and protective services.
What is the job outlook for forensic science technicians?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 12.8% and around 2,900 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Forensic Science and Technology?+
Forensic Science and Technology is CIP 43.0406 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 the physical, biomedical, and social sciences to the analysis and evaluation of physical evidence, human testimony and criminal suspects. Includes instruction in forensic medicine, forensic dentistry, anthropology, psychology, entomology, pathology, forensic laboratory technology and autopsy procedures, DNA and blood pattern analysis, crime scene analysis, crime scene photography, fingerprint technology, document analysis, witness and suspect examination procedures, applicable law and regulations, and professional standards and ethics.
How many institutions offer Forensic Science and Technology programs?+
239 U.S. institutions reported Forensic Science and Technology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 44 states & territories, awarding 5,008 credentials in the year. That is 48.2% of all Security Science and Technology graduates.
How much do Forensic Science and Technology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Forensic Science Technicians occupation, which Forensic Science and Technology most directly leads to, pays a median of $72,060 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Security Science and Technology field report median earnings of $38,792 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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