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 highlight the best programs for a masters in forensic science.
Why Earn a Master’s in Forensic Science?
If you're considering entering the field of forensics, it's an excellent idea to make a master's degree part of your long-term plans. There are many different fields within the realm of forensic science and a master's forensic science degree will allow you to focus your academic study on a specific aspect so you can find your niche after completing your general coursework and become proficient in that area.
Although a lower degree is usually enough to enter your field of choice, as you gain experience you'll find a master's degree is necessary to advance in most areas of forensics beyond support positions, such as those of forensic science technicians. Because forensic science is used to prove guilt or innocence in a court of law, those who are asked to testify about their findings must be considered an expert in their field. By earning a master's degree you will also earn the right to call yourself an expert in your chosen area of forensic science; whether that is in forensic biology, molecular biology, analytical chemistry, blood splatter, digital forensics, biological evidence, and other physical evidence or specific techniques or technologies you use in your career within forensic science laboratories or crime laboratories run by law enforcement agencies. As you can see, forensic professionals have plenty of paths to choose from as they strive for career advancement after graduating from their school with a degree or certificate in criminal justice and forensics. This is including careers as forensic professionals such as a forensic science technician, a medical examiner, laboratory managers, and other options.
Full-time students can complete the main general coursework of their curriculum content in the first two years of their on-campus or online program. After that, a program will provide access to criminal justice and forensics core courses, which will teach undergraduate or graduate students the skills they need to succeed as forensic professionals: forensic laboratory techniques, criminal justice laws and policies, and more info from within the forensic science field. They may also have the chance to earn relevant work experience in an internship.
Top 10 Best Online Masters in Forensic Science Programs
University of Florida
Score: 97.51
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,381
- Out-of-State:$28,659
- Net Price: $11,740
- Acceptance Rate: 23%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 90%
- Total Enrollment: 55,211
- Undergrad Students: 34,552
- Graduate Students: 20,659
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
University of Central Florida
Score: 83.56
- 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
Florida International University
Score: 83.22
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,565
- Out-of-State:$18,963
- Net Price: $9,881
- Acceptance Rate: 64%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 69%
- Total Enrollment: 55,609
- Undergrad Students: 45,688
- Graduate Students: 9,921
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 24:1
Arizona State University
Score: 81.86
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,051
- Out-of-State:$32,193
- Net Price: $14,808
- Acceptance Rate: 90%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 80,065
- Undergrad Students: 65,492
- Graduate Students: 14,573
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
Oklahoma State University
Score: 79.96
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,234
- Out-of-State:$25,754
- Net Price: $16,718
- Acceptance Rate: 71%
- Retention Rate: 83%
- Graduation Rate: 65%
- Total Enrollment: 25,372
- Undergrad Students: 20,786
- Graduate Students: 4,586
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
La Salle University
Score: 78.37
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $35,570
- Out-of-State:$35,570
- Net Price: $17,552
- Acceptance Rate: 94%
- Retention Rate: 69%
- Graduation Rate: 62%
- Total Enrollment: 4,049
- Undergrad Students: 2,773
- Graduate Students: 1,276
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
DeSales University
Score: 77
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $44,800
- Out-of-State:$44,800
- Net Price: $29,104
- Acceptance Rate: 77%
- Retention Rate: 78%
- Graduation Rate: 68%
- Total Enrollment: 2,991
- Undergrad Students: 2,225
- Graduate Students: 766
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Stevenson University
Score: 72.36
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $39,708
- Out-of-State:$39,708
- Net Price: $27,600
- Acceptance Rate: 84%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 65%
- Total Enrollment: 3,483
- Undergrad Students: 2,985
- Graduate Students: 498
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Champlain College
Score: 71.12
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $45,550
- Out-of-State:$45,550
- Net Price: $35,133
- Acceptance Rate: 56%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 64%
- Total Enrollment: 3,543
- Undergrad Students: 3,060
- Graduate Students: 483
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Saint Leo University
Score: 70.77
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $28,360
- Out-of-State:$28,360
- Net Price: $20,390
- Acceptance Rate: 80%
- Retention Rate: 54%
- Graduation Rate: 49%
- Total Enrollment: 10,242
- Undergrad Students: 7,320
- Graduate Students: 2,922
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
