88 Best colleges for Forensic Science in the United States

Updated: March 02, 2025

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in the United States ranked based on their research performance in Forensic Science. A graph of 321K citations received by 10.7K academic papers made by 88 universities in the United States 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

Michigan | East Lansing

For Forensic Science

#1 in North America

#3 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Average SAT: 1250
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 97%

2. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minnesota | Minneapolis

For Forensic Science

#2 in North America

#6 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 81%

3. University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Tennessee | Knoxville

For Forensic Science

#3 in North America

#7 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 46%
Average SAT: 1265
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 90%

4. Texas A&M University - College Station

Texas | College Station

For Forensic Science

#4 in North America

#10 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 77%

5. Iowa State University

Iowa State | Ames

For Forensic Science

#5 in North America

#13 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 89%

6. Cornell University

New York State | Ithaca

For Forensic Science

#6 in North America

#14 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,455

7. University of California - Davis

California | Davis

For Forensic Science

#8 in North America

#19 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Receiving Aid: 58%
Average Aid: $21,258
Enrollment: 39,707

8. Purdue University

Indiana | West Lafayette

For Forensic Science

#9 in North America

#20 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Average SAT: 1325
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 60%

9. Baylor College of Medicine

Texas | Houston

For Forensic Science

#10 in North America

#21 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Enrollment: 1,699
Male:Female: 41:59
Founded: 1900

10. University of Iowa

Iowa State | Iowa City

For Forensic Science

#11 in North America

#27 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 88%

11. Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania | University Park

For Forensic Science

#12 in North America

#28 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 54%
Average SAT: 1310
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 66%

12. University of North Texas

Texas | Denton

For Forensic Science

#15 in North America

#34 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 72%
Average SAT: 1105
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 91%

13. North Carolina State University at Raleigh

North Carolina | Raleigh

For Forensic Science

#17 in North America

#36 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Average SAT: 1380
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 68%

14. Yale University

Connecticut | New Haven

For Forensic Science

#18 in North America

#37 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,044

15. CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice

New York State | New York City

For Forensic Science

#19 in North America

#38 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Average SAT: 1125
Receiving Aid: 92%
Average Aid: $9,284

16. Duke University

North Carolina | Durham

For Forensic Science

#20 in North America

#45 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $23,422

17. University of California - Berkeley

California | Berkeley

For Forensic Science

#21 in North America

#46 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $25,951
Enrollment: 45,699

18. Ohio State University

Ohio | Columbus

For Forensic Science

#22 in North America

#48 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 51%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 75%

19. University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Nebraska | Lincoln

For Forensic Science

#23 in North America

#49 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1210
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 97%

20. University of Florida

Florida | Gainesville

For Forensic Science

#24 in North America

#50 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Average SAT: 1390
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 92%

21. University of Washington - Seattle

Washington | Seattle

For Forensic Science

#26 in North America

#57 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Receiving Aid: 55%
Average Aid: $14,390
Enrollment: 55,620

22. Washington University in St Louis

Missouri | St. Louis

For Forensic Science

#27 in North America

#58 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,440

23. West Virginia University

West Virginia | Morgantown

For Forensic Science

#28 in North America

#60 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1125
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 97%

24. Sam Houston State University

Texas | Huntsville

For Forensic Science

#29 in North America

#61 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1040
Average ACT: 22
Receiving Aid: 84%

25. Arizona State University - Tempe

Arizona | Tempe

For Forensic Science

#30 in North America

#63 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $11,992
Enrollment: 79,593

26. Florida International University

Florida | Miami

For Forensic Science

#31 in North America

#64 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 59%
Average SAT: 1155
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 92%

27. University of Illinois at Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Forensic Science

#32 in North America

#66 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 80%

28. SUNY at Albany

New York State | Albany

For Forensic Science

#33 in North America

#73 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Receiving Aid: 97%
Average Aid: $9,747
Enrollment: 16,880

29. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Arkansas | Little Rock

For Forensic Science

#34 in North America

#74 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Enrollment: 3,275
Male:Female: 27:73
Founded: 1879

30. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Wisconsin | Madison

For Forensic Science

#35 in North America

#75 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Average SAT: 1435
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 60%

31. University of Central Florida

Florida | Orlando

For Forensic Science

#36 in North America

#82 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 91%

32. University of California - Irvine

California | Irvine

For Forensic Science

#37 in North America

#83 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 26%
Receiving Aid: 71%
Average Aid: $21,533
Enrollment: 36,582

33. University of North Texas Health Science Center

Texas | Fort Worth

For Forensic Science

#38 in North America

#84 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Enrollment: 2,344
Male:Female: 33:67
Founded: 1970

34. Stanford University

California | Stanford

For Forensic Science

#39 in North America

#85 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $17,998

35. University of California - Riverside

California | Riverside

For Forensic Science

#40 in North America

#90 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Receiving Aid: 75%
Average Aid: $21,566
Enrollment: 26,426

36. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

Illinois | Champaign

For Forensic Science

#41 in North America

#91 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 44%
Average SAT: 1390
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 61%

37. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Virginia | Blacksburg

For Forensic Science

#42 in North America

#92 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 69%

38. University of Arizona

Arizona | Tucson

For Forensic Science

#43 in North America

#98 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1290
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 98%

39. University of Virginia

Virginia | Charlottesville

For Forensic Science

#44 in North America

#99 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1470
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 44%

40. University of Maryland - College Park

Maryland | College Park

For Forensic Science

#45 in North America

#106 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1445
Average ACT: 34
Receiving Aid: 65%

41. Johns Hopkins University

Maryland | Baltimore

For Forensic Science

#46 in North America

#115 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1555
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $22,844

42. University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Forensic Science

#47 in North America

#120 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,017

43. University of Hawaii at Manoa

Hawaii | Honolulu

For Forensic Science

#48 in North America

#121 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Average SAT: 1130
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 79%

44. University of Southern California

California | Los Angeles

For Forensic Science

#49 in North America

#123 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Average SAT: 1495
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $41,496

45. George Washington University

District of Columbia | Washington

For Forensic Science

#51 in North America

#128 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 44%
Average SAT: 1425
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $45,466

46. Washington State University

Washington | Pullman

For Forensic Science

#52 in North America

#131 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Receiving Aid: 91%
Average Aid: $10,370
Enrollment: 26,490

47. Rutgers University - New Brunswick

New Jersey | New Brunswick

For Forensic Science

#53 in North America

#132 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 71%

48. New York University

New York State | New York City

For Forensic Science

#54 in North America

#134 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Average SAT: 1525
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $30,730

49. University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester

Massachusetts | Worcester

For Forensic Science

#55 in North America

#149 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Enrollment: 1,394
Male:Female: 33:67
Founded: 1962

50. Drexel University

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Forensic Science

#56 in North America

#150 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $42,342

51. Kansas State University

Kansas State | Manhattan

For Forensic Science

#57 in North America

#151 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1150
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 95%

52. University of New Haven

Connecticut | West Haven

For Forensic Science

#61 in North America

#180 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1175
Net Price: $34,201
Receiving Aid: 100%

53. University of South Florida

Florida | Tampa

For Forensic Science

#62 in North America

#181 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 41%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 88%

54. Harvard University

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Forensic Science

#63 in North America

#191 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 3%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $17,900

55. University of California - Los Angeles

California | Los Angeles

For Forensic Science

#64 in North America

#192 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Receiving Aid: 60%
Average Aid: $22,441
Enrollment: 46,678

56. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Michigan | Ann Arbor

For Forensic Science

#65 in North America

#193 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 18%
Average SAT: 1440
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 66%

57. University of California-San Diego

California | San Diego

For Forensic Science

#66 in North America

#201 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Receiving Aid: 70%
Average Aid: $24,176
Enrollment: 42,376

58. University of California - San Francisco

California | San Francisco

For Forensic Science

#67 in North America

#202 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Enrollment: 3,126
Male:Female: 35:65
Founded: 1864

59. South Dakota State University

South Dakota | Brookings

For Forensic Science

#68 in North America

#203 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 99%
Average SAT: 1170
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 98%

60. University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Texas | Houston

For Forensic Science

#69 in North America

#205 in the World

Enrollment: 5,048
Male:Female: 30:70
Founded: 1972

61. University of Kentucky

Kentucky | Lexington

For Forensic Science

#70 in North America

#214 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 92%
Average SAT: 1185
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 97%

62. University of Alabama

Alabama | Tuscaloosa

For Forensic Science

#71 in North America

#216 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 84%

63. Auburn University

Alabama | Auburn

For Forensic Science

#73 in North America

#228 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Average SAT: 1310
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 81%

64. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Louisiana | Baton Rouge

For Forensic Science

#74 in North America

#230 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 93%

65. Columbia University

New York State | New York City

For Forensic Science

#75 in North America

#235 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $20,869

66. University of Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Forensic Science

#76 in North America

#236 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Average SAT: 1360
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 87%

67. University of Alabama at Birmingham

Alabama | Birmingham

For Forensic Science

#77 in North America

#237 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1265
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 97%

68. Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia | Richmond

For Forensic Science

#78 in North America

#243 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1150
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 100%

69. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

Indiana | Indianapolis

For Forensic Science

#80 in North America

#256 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1135
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 91%

70. University of Missouri - Columbia

Missouri | Columbia

For Forensic Science

#81 in North America

#262 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 90%

71. University of Georgia

Georgia | Athens

For Forensic Science

#83 in North America

#270 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 37%
Average SAT: 1275
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 84%

72. University of Texas at Austin

Texas | Austin

For Forensic Science

#84 in North America

#272 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Average SAT: 1360
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 69%

73. University of New Mexico

New Mexico | Albuquerque

For Forensic Science

#85 in North America

#275 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Average SAT: 1030
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 100%

74. Towson University

Maryland | Towson

For Forensic Science

#86 in North America

#279 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Average SAT: 1160
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 82%

75. Seton Hall University

New Jersey | South Orange

For Forensic Science

#88 in North America

#283 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1310
Average ACT: 29
Net Price: $31,642

76. University at Buffalo

New York State | Buffalo

For Forensic Science

#89 in North America

#286 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Average SAT: 1295
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 86%

77. Colorado State University - Fort Collins

Colorado | Fort Collins

For Forensic Science

#91 in North America

#292 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Receiving Aid: 74%
Average Aid: $10,554
Enrollment: 33,500

78. Albany State University

Georgia | Albany

For Forensic Science

#92 in North America

#293 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $7,513
Enrollment: 6,544

79. Montana State University

Montana | Bozeman

For Forensic Science

#93 in North America

#298 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1165
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 91%

80. University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Massachusetts | Amherst

For Forensic Science

#94 in North America

#299 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Average SAT: 1390
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 87%

81. Wayne State University

Michigan | Detroit

For Forensic Science

#95 in North America

#302 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Average SAT: 1150
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 97%

82. Texas State University

Texas | San Marcos

For Forensic Science

#96 in North America

#304 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1085
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 82%

83. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

North Carolina | Chapel Hill

For Forensic Science

#97 in North America

#306 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1450
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 58%

84. Oregon State University

Oregon | Corvallis

For Forensic Science

#99 in North America

#309 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Receiving Aid: 92%
Average Aid: $9,922
Enrollment: 35,622

85. University of Louisville

Kentucky | Louisville

For Forensic Science

#100 in North America

#310 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1135
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 97%

86. University of Nevada - Reno

Nevada | Reno

For Forensic Science

#102 in North America

#318 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Receiving Aid: 94%
Average Aid: $6,658
Enrollment: 21,778

87. Boston College

Massachusetts | Boston

For Forensic Science

#103 in North America

#332 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Average SAT: 1485
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $32,590

88. Marymount University

Virginia | Arlington

For Forensic Science

#104 in North America

#334 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Net Price: $28,147
Receiving Aid: 98%
Average Aid: $28,003

The best cities to study Forensic Science in the United States based on the number of universities and their ranks are East Lansing, Minneapolis, Knoxville, and College Station.