University Headquarters (HQ) is an industry-leading, independent educational organization that provides independent college rankings using a proprietary formula to create first class unbiased rankings. The team at University HQ strives to provide accurate and trustworthy rankings that highlights affordable programs in forensic science.
Are you considering earning a degree in forensic science? This is a good choice for people interested in aiding with criminal investigations. Forensic science professionals often collect and analyze evidence found on-site by taking photographs, making sketches, recording observations, determining what items should be collected, and cataloging findings. If this seems appealing or aligns well with your ultimate career goals, it is time to find an accredited forensic science degree program.
Degrees of this type can lead to extremely impactful career opportunities. Students learn to help solve crimes, aiding the prosecution of guilty parties and offering comfort to victims. Forensic science programs ccan also provide students with foundational knowledge that can help them pursue a career in criminal justice or legal studies, but many forensic science technicians begin by earning a bachelor’s degree in one of the natural sciences before enrolling in a master-level program to specialize.
It’s important to note that on-the-job training is likely to be required after graduation. Whether you aspire to examine crime scenes or work in a lab, it’s common for new investigators to work under more experienced professionals until they become more familiar with how to collect and document evidence in the real world. You can also receive training in a laboratory specialty, which rarely takes more than a year to complete. Additionally, those seeking to become forensic science technicians may need to pass a proficiency examination or seek approval from an accrediting body before being allowed to work independently.
Careers relating to forensic science universally require some level of higher education. Earning a degree of any kind can be expensive, so it’s important to keep affordability in mind as you finalize your academic and career goals.
Top 50 Affordable Forensic Science Colleges and Universities
1
San Jose State University
Score: 84.23
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,992
- Out-of-State:$19,872
- Net Price: $14,219
- Acceptance Rate: 77%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 68%
- Total Enrollment: 35,751
- Undergrad Students: 26,863
- Graduate Students: 8,888
- Grads Salary: $91,000
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
2
Texas A&M University-College Station
Score: 84.22
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,099
- Out-of-State:$40,328
- Net Price: $20,375
- Acceptance Rate: 63%
- Retention Rate: 95%
- Graduation Rate: 84%
- Total Enrollment: 74,014
- Undergrad Students: 57,512
- Graduate Students: 16,502
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
3
Illinois Institute of Technology
Score: 82.9
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $51,763
- Out-of-State:$51,763
- Net Price: $28,702
- Acceptance Rate: 61%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 75%
- Total Enrollment: 6,943
- Undergrad Students: 3,125
- Graduate Students: 3,818
- Grads Salary: $91,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
4
The Pennsylvania State University
Score: 82.4
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $20,234
- Out-of-State:$40,188
- Net Price: $26,747
- Acceptance Rate: 55%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 83%
- Total Enrollment: 50,028
- Undergrad Students: 41,745
- Graduate Students: 8,283
- Grads Salary: $81,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
5
University of Central Florida
Score: 80.6
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,368
- Out-of-State:$22,467
- Net Price: $13,108
- Acceptance Rate: 41%
- Retention Rate: 93%
- Graduation Rate: 76%
- Total Enrollment: 68,346
- Undergrad Students: 58,662
- Graduate Students: 9,684
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 29:1
6
George Mason University
Score: 79.4
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,815
- Out-of-State:$39,397
- Net Price: $18,479
- Acceptance Rate: 90%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 71%
- Total Enrollment: 39,049
- Undergrad Students: 27,014
- Graduate Students: 12,035
- Grads Salary: $82,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
7
Saint Anselm College
Score: 79.11
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $46,810
- Out-of-State:$46,810
- Net Price: $35,080
- Acceptance Rate: 82%
- Retention Rate: 89%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
- Total Enrollment: 1,977
- Undergrad Students: 1,959
- Graduate Students: 18
- Grads Salary: $83,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
8
North Carolina A&T State University
Score: 78.32
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,748
- Out-of-State:$20,408
- Net Price: $9,189
- Acceptance Rate: 56%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 57%
- Total Enrollment: 13,487
- Undergrad Students: 11,833
- Graduate Students: 1,654
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
9
Syracuse University
Score: 77.8
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $63,061
- Out-of-State:$63,061
- Net Price: $43,651
- Acceptance Rate: 52%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 83%
- Total Enrollment: 22,698
- Undergrad Students: 15,421
- Graduate Students: 7,277
- Grads Salary: $85,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
10
University of Rhode Island
Score: 77.01
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $16,408
- Out-of-State:$35,804
- Net Price: $20,695
- Acceptance Rate: 76%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 72%
- Total Enrollment: 17,473
- Undergrad Students: 14,768
- Graduate Students: 2,705
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
11
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Score: 76.48
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,470
- Out-of-State:$15,420
- Net Price: $5,001
- Acceptance Rate: 51%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 54%
- Total Enrollment: 13,921
- Undergrad Students: 12,061
- Graduate Students: 1,860
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
12
Saint Louis University
Score: 76.37
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $53,244
- Out-of-State:$53,244
- Net Price: $29,651
- Acceptance Rate: 85%
- Retention Rate: 87%
- Graduation Rate: 81%
- Total Enrollment: 15,755
- Undergrad Students: 10,662
- Graduate Students: 5,093
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
13
Towson University
Score: 75.95
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,306
- Out-of-State:$28,326
- Net Price: $14,443
- Acceptance Rate: 79%
- Retention Rate: 82%
- Graduation Rate: 70%
- Total Enrollment: 19,793
- Undergrad Students: 16,861
- Graduate Students: 2,932
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
14
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott
Score: 75.92
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $42,204
- Out-of-State:$42,204
- Net Price: $38,909
- Acceptance Rate: 68%
- Retention Rate: 78%
- Graduation Rate: 71%
- Total Enrollment: 3,162
- Undergrad Students: 3,120
- Graduate Students: 42
- Grads Salary: $91,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
15
Ohio Northern University
Score: 75.88
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $37,800
- Out-of-State:$37,800
- Net Price: $27,398
- Acceptance Rate: 54%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 72%
- Total Enrollment: 3,015
- Undergrad Students: 2,569
- Graduate Students: 446
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
16
West Virginia University
Score: 75.48
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,648
- Out-of-State:$27,360
- Net Price: $12,202
- Acceptance Rate: 88%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 62%
- Total Enrollment: 24,741
- Undergrad Students: 19,059
- Graduate Students: 5,682
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
17
Marian University-Fond Du Lac
Score: 75.36
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $39,100
- Out-of-State:$39,100
- Net Price: $22,554
- Acceptance Rate: 94%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 64%
- Total Enrollment: 3,701
- Undergrad Students: 2,633
- Graduate Students: 1,068
- Grads Salary: $83,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
18
Seton Hill University
Score: 75.36
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $41,414
- Out-of-State:$41,414
- Net Price: $24,576
- Acceptance Rate: 78%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 72%
- Total Enrollment: 1,988
- Undergrad Students: 1,627
- Graduate Students: 361
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
19
Maryville University of Saint Louis
Score: 75.32
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $27,166
- Out-of-State:$27,166
- Net Price: $26,757
- Acceptance Rate: 88%
- Retention Rate: 83%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 9,959
- Undergrad Students: 5,809
- Graduate Students: 4,150
- Grads Salary: $82,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
20
California State University-Fresno
Score: 75.12
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,980
- Out-of-State:$18,860
- Net Price: $7,507
- Acceptance Rate: 95%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 56%
- Total Enrollment: 23,999
- Undergrad Students: 21,354
- Graduate Students: 2,645
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
21
University of Mississippi
Score: 74.81
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,412
- Out-of-State:$26,980
- Net Price: $14,289
- Acceptance Rate: 97%
- Retention Rate: 89%
- Graduation Rate: 68%
- Total Enrollment: 22,300
- Undergrad Students: 17,302
- Graduate Students: 4,998
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
22
Cedarville University
Score: 74.38
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $36,078
- Out-of-State:$36,078
- Net Price: $25,462
- Acceptance Rate: 65%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 75%
- Total Enrollment: 4,960
- Undergrad Students: 4,533
- Graduate Students: 427
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
23
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Score: 74.31
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,108
- Out-of-State:$27,748
- Net Price: $16,805
- Acceptance Rate: 79%
- Retention Rate: 82%
- Graduation Rate: 65%
- Total Enrollment: 23,805
- Undergrad Students: 19,189
- Graduate Students: 4,616
- Grads Salary: $72,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
24
Southern Wesleyan University
Score: 74.22
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $27,870
- Out-of-State:$27,870
- Net Price: $17,639
- Acceptance Rate: 51%
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Graduation Rate: 60%
- Total Enrollment: 1,175
- Undergrad Students: 896
- Graduate Students: 279
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
25
Loyola University Maryland
Score: 74.21
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $55,480
- Out-of-State:$55,480
- Net Price: $33,312
- Acceptance Rate: 83%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 79%
- Total Enrollment: 5,238
- Undergrad Students: 3,977
- Graduate Students: 1,261
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
26
University of North Dakota
Score: 73.67
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,951
- Out-of-State:$15,570
- Net Price: $17,359
- Acceptance Rate: 83%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 63%
- Total Enrollment: 13,876
- Undergrad Students: 9,928
- Graduate Students: 3,948
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
27
Waynesburg University
Score: 73.46
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $29,460
- Out-of-State:$29,460
- Net Price: $22,281
- Acceptance Rate: 76%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 60%
- Total Enrollment: 1,366
- Undergrad Students: 1,116
- Graduate Students: 250
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
28
Loyola University New Orleans
Score: 73.32
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $47,240
- Out-of-State:$47,240
- Net Price: $23,808
- Acceptance Rate: 78%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 4,397
- Undergrad Students: 3,289
- Graduate Students: 1,108
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
29
The University of Findlay
Score: 73.31
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $39,646
- Out-of-State:$39,646
- Net Price: $24,069
- Acceptance Rate: 86%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 65%
- Total Enrollment: 4,869
- Undergrad Students: 3,795
- Graduate Students: 1,074
- Grads Salary: $78,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
30
Hofstra University
Score: 73.24
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $55,450
- Out-of-State:$55,450
- Net Price: $35,036
- Acceptance Rate: 69%
- Retention Rate: 83%
- Graduation Rate: 68%
- Total Enrollment: 10,238
- Undergrad Students: 6,110
- Graduate Students: 4,128
- Grads Salary: $81,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
31
Pace University
Score: 73.12
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $51,424
- Out-of-State:$51,424
- Net Price: $33,363
- Acceptance Rate: 83%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 61%
- Total Enrollment: 13,609
- Undergrad Students: 8,223
- Graduate Students: 5,386
- Grads Salary: $89,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
32
West Virginia University Institute of Technology
Score: 72.89
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,064
- Out-of-State:$20,120
- Net Price: $9,529
- Acceptance Rate: 65%
- Retention Rate: 56%
- Graduation Rate: 34%
- Total Enrollment: 1,481
- Undergrad Students: 1,481
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $86,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
33
University of Scranton
Score: 72.83
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $52,309
- Out-of-State:$52,309
- Net Price: $35,526
- Acceptance Rate: 84%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 80%
- Total Enrollment: 4,731
- Undergrad Students: 3,593
- Graduate Students: 1,138
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
34
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Score: 72.77
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,832
- Out-of-State:$21,864
- Net Price: $16,834
- Acceptance Rate: 87%
- Retention Rate: 82%
- Graduation Rate: 64%
- Total Enrollment: 21,639
- Undergrad Students: 13,032
- Graduate Students: 8,607
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
35
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Score: 72.71
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,315
- Out-of-State:$17,274
- Net Price: $15,595
- Acceptance Rate: 85%
- Retention Rate: 78%
- Graduation Rate: 61%
- Total Enrollment: 6,486
- Undergrad Students: 6,028
- Graduate Students: 458
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
36
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,449
- Out-of-State:$33,717
- Net Price: $11,462
- Acceptance Rate: 83%
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Graduation Rate: 56%
- Total Enrollment: 25,979
- Undergrad Students: 17,727
- Graduate Students: 8,252
- Grads Salary: $72,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
37
Cedar Crest College
Score: 72.64
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $44,934
- Out-of-State:$44,934
- Net Price: $23,500
- Acceptance Rate: 84%
- Retention Rate: 73%
- Graduation Rate: 62%
- Total Enrollment: 1,324
- Undergrad Students: 953
- Graduate Students: 371
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
38
Roberts Wesleyan University
Score: 72.54
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $37,504
- Out-of-State:$37,504
- Net Price: $23,341
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 68%
- Total Enrollment: 1,573
- Undergrad Students: 1,048
- Graduate Students: 525
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
39
Centenary University
Score: 72.17
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $37,732
- Out-of-State:$37,732
- Net Price: $21,935
- Acceptance Rate: 97%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 62%
- Total Enrollment: 1,498
- Undergrad Students: 1,026
- Graduate Students: 472
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
40
Duquesne University
Score: 72.12
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $47,146
- Out-of-State:$47,146
- Net Price: $33,919
- Acceptance Rate: 87%
- Retention Rate: 84%
- Graduation Rate: 78%
- Total Enrollment: 8,107
- Undergrad Students: 5,095
- Graduate Students: 3,012
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
41
Virginia Commonwealth University
Score: 72.08
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $16,458
- Out-of-State:$39,042
- Net Price: $21,294
- Acceptance Rate: 91%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 65%
- Total Enrollment: 28,082
- Undergrad Students: 20,958
- Graduate Students: 7,124
- Grads Salary: $72,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
42
Eastern Kentucky University
Score: 71.1
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,130
- Out-of-State:$20,820
- Net Price: $10,806
- Acceptance Rate: 64%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 49%
- Total Enrollment: 14,324
- Undergrad Students: 12,072
- Graduate Students: 2,252
- Grads Salary: $69,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
43
Salem State University
Score: 71
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,978
- Out-of-State:$18,961
- Net Price: $19,277
- Acceptance Rate: 93%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 55%
- Total Enrollment: 6,539
- Undergrad Students: 5,078
- Graduate Students: 1,461
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
44
Trine University
Score: 70.99
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $35,600
- Out-of-State:$35,600
- Net Price: $24,276
- Acceptance Rate: 92%
- Retention Rate: 78%
- Graduation Rate: 65%
- Total Enrollment: 4,088
- Undergrad Students: 3,819
- Graduate Students: 269
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
45
Husson University
Score: 70.92
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $22,194
- Out-of-State:$22,194
- Net Price: $19,978
- Acceptance Rate: 91%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 60%
- Total Enrollment: 3,065
- Undergrad Students: 2,429
- Graduate Students: 636
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
46
York College of Pennsylvania
Score: 70.88
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $24,606
- Out-of-State:$24,606
- Net Price: $20,916
- Acceptance Rate: 96%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 65%
- Total Enrollment: 3,656
- Undergrad Students: 3,335
- Graduate Students: 321
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
47
Eastern New Mexico University
Score: 70.86
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,863
- Out-of-State:$8,843
- Net Price: $8,702
- Acceptance Rate: 28%
- Retention Rate: 62%
- Graduation Rate: 41%
- Total Enrollment: 5,106
- Undergrad Students: 3,833
- Graduate Students: 1,273
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
48
Middle Tennessee State University
Score: 70.84
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,506
- Out-of-State:$29,042
- Net Price: $13,062
- Acceptance Rate: 73%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 55%
- Total Enrollment: 20,086
- Undergrad Students: 17,438
- Graduate Students: 2,648
- Grads Salary: $68,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
49
Florida Gulf Coast University
Score: 70.63
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,118
- Out-of-State:$25,162
- Net Price: $10,834
- Acceptance Rate: 74%
- Retention Rate: 81%
- Graduation Rate: 59%
- Total Enrollment: 15,969
- Undergrad Students: 14,130
- Graduate Students: 1,839
- Grads Salary: $63,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
50
Bowling Green State University
Score: 70.61
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,081
- Out-of-State:$22,070
- Net Price: $20,485
- Acceptance Rate: 79%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 61%
- Total Enrollment: 16,920
- Undergrad Students: 13,853
- Graduate Students: 3,067
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
