Best Universities for Forensic Science in North America

Updated: February 29, 2024

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in North America ranked based on their research performance in Forensic Science. A graph of 258K citations received by 10.5K academic papers made by 96 universities in North America was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. Michigan State University

United States | Michigan

For Forensic Science

#1 in the United States

#2 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 94%

2. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

United States | Minnesota

For Forensic Science

#2 in the United States

#4 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 82%

3. University of Tennessee - Knoxville

United States | Tennessee

For Forensic Science

#3 in the United States

#6 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Average SAT: 1250
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 91%

4. Iowa State University

United States | Iowa State

For Forensic Science

#4 in the United States

#10 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Average SAT: 1220
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 89%

5. Texas A&M University - College Station

United States | Texas

For Forensic Science

#5 in the United States

#13 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 74%

6. University of California - Davis

United States | California

For Forensic Science

#6 in the United States

#14 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 37%
Receiving Aid: 63%
Average Aid: $20,548
Enrollment: 39,679

7. Cornell University

United States | New York State

For Forensic Science

#7 in the United States

#18 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,060

8. University of Iowa

United States | Iowa State

For Forensic Science

#8 in the United States

#19 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 91%

9. Simon Fraser University

Canada | British Columbia

For Forensic Science

#1 in Canada

#22 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Founded: 1965

10. Purdue University

United States | Indiana

For Forensic Science

#9 in the United States

#25 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 53%
Average SAT: 1335
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 60%

11. Baylor College of Medicine

United States | Texas

For Forensic Science

#10 in the United States

#32 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Enrollment: 1,610
Male:Female: 40:60
Founded: 1900

12. University of Saskatchewan

Canada | Saskatchewan

For Forensic Science

#2 in Canada

#33 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 20,953
Founded: 1907

13. Pennsylvania State University

United States | Pennsylvania

For Forensic Science

#11 in the United States

#34 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 1300
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 68%

14. Ohio State University

United States | Ohio

For Forensic Science

#12 in the United States

#35 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 53%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 83%

15. University of Toronto

Canada | Ontario

For Forensic Science

#3 in Canada

#36 in the World

Enrollment: 27,651
Founded: 1827

16. University of Montreal

Canada | Quebec State

For Forensic Science

#4 in Canada

#37 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 41%
Enrollment: 66,972
Founded: 1878

17. University of Nebraska - Lincoln

United States | Nebraska

For Forensic Science

#13 in the United States

#38 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 95%

18. CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice

United States | New York State

For Forensic Science

#14 in the United States

#40 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 51%
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $9,043
Enrollment: 13,921

19. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

United States | Arkansas

For Forensic Science

#15 in the United States

#43 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Enrollment: 3,240
Male:Female: 28:72
Founded: 1879

20. University of North Texas

United States | Texas

For Forensic Science

#16 in the United States

#44 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1120
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 95%

21. North Carolina State University at Raleigh

United States | North Carolina

For Forensic Science

#17 in the United States

#46 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Average SAT: 1370
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 80%

22. Duke University

United States | North Carolina

For Forensic Science

#18 in the United States

#48 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $23,694

23. Yale University

United States | Connecticut

For Forensic Science

#19 in the United States

#50 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $18,647

24. University of Florida

United States | Florida

For Forensic Science

#20 in the United States

#56 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 23%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 94%

25. University of Wisconsin - Madison

United States | Wisconsin

For Forensic Science

#21 in the United States

#57 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1425
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 58%

26. University of British Columbia

Canada | British Columbia

For Forensic Science

#5 in Canada

#60 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 52%
Enrollment: 20,893
Founded: 1908

27. Washington University in St Louis

United States | Missouri

For Forensic Science

#22 in the United States

#63 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $23,432

28. University of California - Berkeley

United States | California

For Forensic Science

#23 in the United States

#64 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Receiving Aid: 60%
Average Aid: $21,669
Enrollment: 45,307

29. University of Washington - Seattle

United States | Washington

For Forensic Science

#24 in the United States

#68 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 48%
Receiving Aid: 58%
Average Aid: $14,731
Enrollment: 52,319

30. University of Illinois at Chicago

United States | Illinois

For Forensic Science

#25 in the United States

#69 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 81%

31. University of North Texas Health Science Center

United States | Texas

For Forensic Science

#26 in the United States

#71 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Enrollment: 2,337
Male:Female: 34:66
Founded: 1970

32. University of Central Florida

United States | Florida

For Forensic Science

#27 in the United States

#73 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 41%
Average SAT: 1280
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 96%

33. West Virginia University

United States | West Virginia

For Forensic Science

#28 in the United States

#74 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1110
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 97%

34. University of Virginia

United States | Virginia

For Forensic Science

#29 in the United States

#75 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1470
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 54%

35. SUNY at Albany

United States | New York State

For Forensic Science

#30 in the United States

#81 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Average SAT: 1220
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 97%

36. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

United States | Illinois

For Forensic Science

#31 in the United States

#84 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1415
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 64%

37. Stanford University

United States | California

For Forensic Science

#32 in the United States

#86 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $18,279

38. Sam Houston State University

United States | Texas

For Forensic Science

#33 in the United States

#87 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1050
Average ACT: 21
Receiving Aid: 87%

39. University of Arizona

United States | Arizona

For Forensic Science

#34 in the United States

#88 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1255
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 98%

40. Florida International University

United States | Florida

For Forensic Science

#35 in the United States

#89 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 64%
Average SAT: 1155
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 91%

41. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

United States | Virginia

For Forensic Science

#36 in the United States

#90 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Average SAT: 1335
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 71%

42. University of California - Irvine

United States | California

For Forensic Science

#37 in the United States

#93 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 21%
Receiving Aid: 80%
Average Aid: $17,411
Enrollment: 35,937

43. Arizona State University - Tempe

United States | Arizona

For Forensic Science

#38 in the United States

#95 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $12,381
Enrollment: 80,065

44. University of California - Riverside

United States | California

For Forensic Science

#39 in the United States

#104 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Receiving Aid: 79%
Average Aid: $22,042
Enrollment: 26,809

45. Washington State University

United States | Washington

For Forensic Science

#40 in the United States

#110 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Receiving Aid: 88%
Average Aid: $10,689
Enrollment: 27,539

46. University of Southern California

United States | California

For Forensic Science

#41 in the United States

#115 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1500
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $36,808

47. University of Hawaii at Manoa

United States | Hawaii

For Forensic Science

#42 in the United States

#116 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Average SAT: 1180
Average ACT: 21
Receiving Aid: 80%

48. University of Alberta

Canada | Alberta

For Forensic Science

#6 in Canada

#122 in the World

Enrollment: 31,185
Founded: 1908

49. New York University

United States | New York State

For Forensic Science

#43 in the United States

#134 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $29,499

50. University of Pennsylvania

United States | Pennsylvania

For Forensic Science

#44 in the United States

#138 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,123

51. Kansas State University

United States | Kansas State

For Forensic Science

#45 in the United States

#141 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Receiving Aid: 94%
Average Aid: $8,537
Enrollment: 19,722

52. Johns Hopkins University

United States | Maryland

For Forensic Science

#46 in the United States

#145 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $24,034

53. University of Guelph

Canada | Ontario

For Forensic Science

#7 in Canada

#150 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Founded: 1964

54. George Washington University

United States | District of Columbia

For Forensic Science

#47 in the United States

#152 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1410
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $42,723

55. University of Maryland - College Park

United States | Maryland

For Forensic Science

#48 in the United States

#162 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1440
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 63%

56. McGill University

Canada | Quebec State

For Forensic Science

#8 in Canada

#164 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 46%
Enrollment: 37,888
Founded: 1821

57. University of Alabama at Birmingham

United States | Alabama

For Forensic Science

#49 in the United States

#168 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1305
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 96%

58. Rutgers University - New Brunswick

United States | New Jersey

For Forensic Science

#50 in the United States

#174 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 70%

59. University of New Haven

United States | Connecticut

For Forensic Science

#51 in the United States

#175 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Average SAT: 1180
Net Price: $33,135
Receiving Aid: 100%

60. University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler

United States | Texas

For Forensic Science

#52 in the United States

#178 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1947

61. University of South Florida

United States | Florida

For Forensic Science

#53 in the United States

#186 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 44%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 90%

62. University of Kentucky

United States | Kentucky

For Forensic Science

#54 in the United States

#189 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Average SAT: 1180
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 96%

63. Carleton University

Canada | Ontario

For Forensic Science

#9 in Canada

#190 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Enrollment: 9,109
Founded: 1942

64. University of Missouri - Columbia

United States | Missouri

For Forensic Science

#55 in the United States

#199 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 91%

65. University of Massachusetts - Amherst

United States | Massachusetts

For Forensic Science

#56 in the United States

#200 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 64%
Average SAT: 1370
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 91%

66. South Dakota State University

United States | South Dakota

For Forensic Science

#57 in the United States

#202 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1133
Average ACT: 22
Receiving Aid: 100%

67. University of New Mexico

United States | New Mexico

For Forensic Science

#58 in the United States

#203 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 96%
Average ACT: 22
Receiving Aid: 97%
Average Aid: $9,280

68. University of Pittsburgh

United States | Pennsylvania

For Forensic Science

#59 in the United States

#207 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 87%

69. University of Texas at Austin

United States | Texas

For Forensic Science

#60 in the United States

#211 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 31%
Average SAT: 1365
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 89%

70. Johnson University

United States | Tennessee

For Forensic Science

#61 in the United States

#213 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Average SAT: 1088
Average ACT: 22
Net Price: $21,012

71. Drexel University

United States | Pennsylvania

For Forensic Science

#62 in the United States

#214 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $39,267

72. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

United States | Michigan

For Forensic Science

#63 in the United States

#215 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 18%
Average SAT: 1440
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 74%

73. University at Buffalo

United States | New York State

For Forensic Science

#64 in the United States

#216 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 86%

74. Virginia Commonwealth University

United States | Virginia

For Forensic Science

#65 in the United States

#222 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Average SAT: 1160
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 90%

75. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

United States | Indiana

For Forensic Science

#66 in the United States

#223 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Average SAT: 1150
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 91%

76. University of California-San Diego

United States | California

For Forensic Science

#67 in the United States

#225 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $20,782
Enrollment: 42,006

77. Harvard University

United States | Massachusetts

For Forensic Science

#68 in the United States

#227 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 3%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $19,491

78. Auburn University

United States | Alabama

For Forensic Science

#69 in the United States

#228 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 44%
Average SAT: 1300
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 79%

79. Laval University

Canada | Quebec State

For Forensic Science

#10 in Canada

#231 in the World

Enrollment: 45,000
Founded: 1852

80. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

United States | Louisiana

For Forensic Science

#70 in the United States

#234 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 98%

81. Dalhousie University

Canada | Nova Scotia

For Forensic Science

#11 in Canada

#239 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Enrollment: 30,867
Founded: 1818

82. University of Alabama

United States | Alabama

For Forensic Science

#71 in the United States

#243 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 87%

83. University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester

United States | Massachusetts

For Forensic Science

#72 in the United States

#244 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Enrollment: 1,352
Male:Female: 34:66
Founded: 1962

84. University of Georgia

United States | Georgia

For Forensic Science

#73 in the United States

#245 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Average SAT: 1320
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 94%

85. Columbia University

United States | New York State

For Forensic Science

#74 in the United States

#247 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $22,058

86. University of California - Los Angeles

United States | California

For Forensic Science

#75 in the United States

#248 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Receiving Aid: 57%
Average Aid: $21,766
Enrollment: 46,430

87. Albany State University

United States | Georgia

For Forensic Science

#76 in the United States

#249 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $11,026
Enrollment: 6,334

88. Colorado State University - Fort Collins

United States | Colorado

For Forensic Science

#77 in the United States

#253 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Average SAT: 1185
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 84%

89. University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

United States | Texas

For Forensic Science

#78 in the United States

#258 in the World

Enrollment: 5,354
Male:Female: 29:71
Founded: 1972

90. Wayne State University

United States | Michigan

For Forensic Science

#79 in the United States

#259 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Average SAT: 1150
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 98%

91. University of Louisville

United States | Kentucky

For Forensic Science

#80 in the United States

#260 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Average SAT: 1170
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 98%

92. Western University

Canada | Ontario

For Forensic Science

#12 in Canada

#266 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 31%
Enrollment: 21,836
Founded: 1878

93. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

United States | North Carolina

For Forensic Science

#81 in the United States

#267 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1440
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 59%

94. University of Arkansas

United States | Arkansas

For Forensic Science

#82 in the United States

#270 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1125
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 77%

95. University of Ottawa

Canada | Ontario

For Forensic Science

#13 in Canada

#276 in the World

Enrollment: 42,027
Founded: 1848

96. University of Quebec, Trois-Rivieres

Canada | Quebec State

For Forensic Science

#14 in Canada

#277 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 14,000
Founded: 1969

Liberal Arts & Social Sciences subfields in North America

Anthropology1028

Archaeology1392

Broadcast Journalism318

Classics and Ancient History792

Communications and Public Relations860

Criminology and Criminal Justice557

Early Childhood Education431

Education Majors1108

Gender Studies752

Human Rights Law299

Intellectual Property and Patent Law283

International Law286

International Relations and Diplomacy326

Journalism and Digital Media377

Law Enforcement395

Library and Information science966

Linguistics1330

Media Studies596

Military science480

Negotiation and Conflict Resolution318

Occupational Safety and Health340

Political Economy437

Political Science1686

Public Policy / Administration508

Radio and Television broadcasting317

Special Education395

Sports / Exercise science319

Theology / Divinity / Religious studies1150

Urban and Regional planning220