Forensic Science and Technology

CIP Code: 43.0406

A forensic science and technology degree prepares graduates for careers in Criminal justice and law enforcement teachers, postsecondary, Forensic science technicians, Life, physical, and social science technicians, all other. 228 colleges and universities offer this program.

Annual Degrees Awarded
4,612
Colleges Offering 228
Avg. Career Salary $66,347
Top Career Salary $71,470

Forensic Science and Technology Salary by College

Nationally, bachelor’s graduates in this field earn a median $57,805 four years after graduating (middle half: $41,536–$76,538). Where you study it matters: across 45 colleges with reported results, pay ranges from $42,459 to $101,401.

Sort by:

#College4 yrs afterWage-adjusted1 yr afterMedian debtOutcome Rating
1Champlain College Burlington, VT$101,401$104,147$70,586$27,000B
3Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach Daytona Beach, FL$98,996$105,369$55,259$19,500A
2Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott Prescott, AZ$98,996$101,720$55,259$19,500A
4Florida State University Tallahassee, FL$93,841$99,882$58,249$18,750A
5Robert Morris University Moon Township, PA$90,206$91,740$69,872$26,948B
6Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania Bloomsburg, PA$73,289$74,536$52,887$25,000C
7Towson University Towson, MD$71,484$62,736——C+
8Syracuse University Syracuse, NY$69,491$66,141$31,750$27,000A
9SUNY College at Plattsburgh Plattsburgh, NY$69,321$65,979——C
10Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus University Park, PA$66,084$67,208$49,782$27,000A
11Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL$64,194$63,070$51,202—A
12University of New Haven West Haven, CT$63,360$57,044$40,889$27,000C
13George Mason University Fairfax, VA$63,182$57,533$42,100$23,251B+
14University of North Dakota Grand Forks, ND$62,726$64,986——B+
16West Virginia University Morgantown, WV$62,455$73,888$44,255$24,121B+
15West Virginia University Institute of Technology Beckley, WV$62,455$73,888$44,255$24,121B
17University of Maryland Global Campus Adelphi, MD$62,022$54,432$47,496$25,391C+
18University of Central Florida Orlando, FL$61,633$65,600——B+
19Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA$61,026$55,570$37,501$24,583C
20Chestnut Hill College Philadelphia, PA$60,744$61,777$46,079$24,342C
21Farmingdale State College Farmingdale, NY$60,464$57,549$38,789$15,000B+
22CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice New York, NY$60,416$57,504$44,092$15,500C
23University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, NE$58,037$59,984$29,231$25,125B
24Tiffin University Tiffin, OH$57,509$61,371$38,994$27,000F
25Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ$57,384$58,963$37,481$27,000C
26American Public University System Charles Town, WV$57,237$67,715$49,622$32,062C+
27Seattle University Seattle, WA$56,265$51,752$37,557$22,250A
28Bay Path University Longmeadow, MA$56,262$49,545$32,326$27,000C+
29Indiana University-Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN$55,988$60,065$44,718$27,000C+
30Mercyhurst University Erie, PA$55,665$56,612——D
31University of Central Oklahoma Edmond, OK$54,876$61,613$38,710$21,000C
32Hilbert College Hamburg, NY$54,589$51,957$32,374$27,000F
33Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NC$54,246$58,214—$21,500C
34Texas A & M University-College Station College Station, TX$53,792$54,691$38,792—A
35Florida Gulf Coast University Fort Myers, FL$52,096$55,450$28,173$19,099C+
36Saint Edward's University Austin, TX$51,977$52,845——B
37University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS$51,956$63,039——C
38Husson University Bangor, ME$51,772$55,020——D
39University of Wisconsin-Platteville Platteville, WI$50,368$52,410$38,013$21,005B
40Jacksonville State University Jacksonville, AL$50,281$57,073$27,926$23,250D
41Bellevue University Bellevue, NE$49,052$50,697$42,104—B
42Glenville State University Glenville, WV$48,388$57,246$38,237$29,750F
43Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FL$47,847$50,927$37,231$34,630C+
44Washburn University Topeka, KS$44,534$46,234$39,252$21,250C
45The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, TX$42,459$43,168$23,495$24,060C

Bachelor’s degrees. Wage-adjusted = pay ÷ √(state wage index). Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data.

What Can You Do With a Forensic Science and Technology Degree?

Graduates with this degree pursue careers in the following fields:

$66,347
Average Salary Across Careers
$71,470
Highest Paying Career
3
Career Paths Available

Best Colleges for Forensic Science and Technology

Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees awarded. These are the top-rated colleges that produce the most graduates in forensic science and technology.

# College Location Degrees Awarded Repit Grade
1 The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX 139 A
2 Texas A & M University-College Station College Station, TX 54 B+
3 Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus University Park, PA 51 B+
4 University of Central Florida Orlando, FL 44 B+
5 Syracuse University Syracuse, NY 102 B
6 Farmingdale State College Farmingdale, NY 96 B
7 CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice New York, NY 76 B
8 George Mason University Fairfax, VA 75 B
9 Indiana University-Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN 45 B
10 University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, NE 38 B
11 San Jose State University San Jose, CA 36 B
12 Oklahoma State University-Main Campus Stillwater, OK 35 B
13 Eastern Florida State College Melbourne, FL 33 B
14 University of Central Oklahoma Edmond, OK 135 C+
15 West Virginia University Morgantown, WV 114 C+
16 Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA 95 C+
17 Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ 88 C+
18 Miami Dade College Miami, FL 74 C+
19 American Public University System Charles Town, WV 60 C+
20 University of Wisconsin-Platteville Platteville, WI 57 C+
21 Utah Valley University Orem, UT 53 C+
22 University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS 51 C+
23 St Petersburg College St. Petersburg, FL 46 C+
24 The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, TX 45 C+
25 Southern Crescent Technical College Griffin, GA 43 C+
26 Florida SouthWestern State College Fort Myers, FL 42 C+
27 Loyola University Maryland Baltimore, MD 35 C+
28 Hofstra University Hempstead, NY 32 C+
29 Pace University New York, NY 31 C+
30 Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL 31 C+

Largest Forensic Science and Technology Programs

Schools ranked by number of graduates. These institutions produce the most forensic science and technology graduates annually, including online and distance learning programs.

# College Location Degrees Awarded Repit Grade
1 University of New Haven West Haven, CT 251 C
2 The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX 139 A
3 University of Central Oklahoma Edmond, OK 135 C+
4 West Virginia University Morgantown, WV 114 C+
5 Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences Tulsa, OK 109 C
6 Syracuse University Syracuse, NY 102 B
7 Farmingdale State College Farmingdale, NY 96 B
8 Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA 95 C+
9 National University San Diego, CA 94 C
10 Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ 88 C+
11 CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice New York, NY 76 B
12 George Mason University Fairfax, VA 75 B
13 Miami Dade College Miami, FL 74 C+
14 Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZ 74 C
15 Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FL 69 C
16 Mesa Community College Mesa, AZ 69 C
17 East Los Angeles College Monterey Park, CA 69 C
18 American Public University System Charles Town, WV 60 C+
19 University of Wisconsin-Platteville Platteville, WI 57 C+
20 Stevenson University Owings Mills, MD 55 C
21 Texas A & M University-College Station College Station, TX 54 B+
22 Utah Valley University Orem, UT 53 C+
23 Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus University Park, PA 51 B+
24 University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS 51 C+
25 Fayetteville Technical Community College Fayetteville, NC 51 C
26 Wake Technical Community College Raleigh, NC 50 C
27 Grossmont College El Cajon, CA 48 C
28 St Petersburg College St. Petersburg, FL 46 C+
29 Indiana University-Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN 45 B
30 The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, TX 45 C+
4,612
Degrees Awarded Annually
228
Colleges Offering Program
3
Related Careers

About Forensic Science and Technology

Forensic Science and Technology is a degree program offered at 228 colleges and universities across the United States. Each year, approximately 4,612 students graduate with this degree.

Graduates with this degree can pursue careers such as criminal justice and law enforcement teachers, postsecondary, forensic science technicians, life, physical, and social science technicians, all other.

Program Classification

CIP Code 43.0406
Field (2-digit CIP) 43
Category (4-digit CIP) 43.04

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I do with a Forensic Science and Technology degree?
A Forensic Science and Technology degree can lead to careers as a criminal justice and law enforcement teachers, postsecondary, forensic science technicians, life, physical, and social science technicians, all other, and more. Top earners in related careers can make up to $71,470 annually.
How many colleges offer Forensic Science and Technology?
228 colleges and universities in the United States offer Forensic Science and Technology as a degree program. Each year, approximately 4,612 students graduate with this degree.
What are the best colleges for Forensic Science and Technology?
The best colleges for Forensic Science and Technology based on Repit's ratings include The University of Texas at Austin, Texas A & M University-College Station, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus, University of Central Florida, Syracuse University. Rankings are based on the college's overall Repit grade and the number of degrees awarded in this program.
What is the salary potential with a Forensic Science and Technology degree?
Graduates with a Forensic Science and Technology degree can expect average salaries around $66,347 in related careers, with top earners making up to $71,470. Actual salaries depend on the specific career path, experience level, and location.