by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 30 U.S. colleges awarded 363 degrees and certificates in Forensic Chemistry. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 94% of graduates. College Factual ranks 8 schools in its 2027 Best Forensic Chemistry Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $46,311 one year after completing, rising to $74,187 after four years.
Studying Forensic Chemistry covers Forensic Chemistry. A Program That Focuses On The Application Of Chemical Techniques And Instrumentation To The Analysis And Evaluation Of Physical Evidence To Aid In Criminal Investigations. Includes Instruction In Analytical, Inorganic, Organic, And Physical Chemistry; Biochemistry; Forensic Toxicology; Instrumental Analysis; Crime Scene Processing; Criminal Investigation; Forensic Laboratory Technology; And Applicable Law.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, forensic chemistry is a popular field of study, with 363 degrees awarded annually. 30 colleges award forensic chemistry degrees, an average of 12 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 75.
By level, the 363 awards include 4 associate degrees, 340 bachelor’s degrees and 19 master’s degrees.
Women earned 81% of forensic chemistry degrees and certificates in the latest year (293 of 363). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (234) and Hispanic or Latino (65), and international students earned 5.
College Factual ranks 8 schools in its 2027 Best Forensic Chemistry Schools ranking, including 8 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks forensic chemistry schools within 7 states. In all, 30 colleges offer forensic chemistry programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Forensic Chemistry Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common forensic chemistry credential is the bachelor’s degree: 340 of the 363 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to forensic chemistry call most for Reading Comprehension, Writing and Active Listening, and for knowledge of English Language, Mathematics and Chemistry, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Expression and Written Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a forensic chemistry degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 4 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 340 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 19 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to forensic chemistry, at 37.1%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 37.1% |
| Master’s degree | 18.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 13.1% |
| Doctoral degree | 12.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 5.5% |
| Some college courses | 3.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 3.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.8% |
Source: O*NET Online.
6 occupations are related to Forensic Chemistry, with an average median salary of $106,213; the strongest outlook belongs to Clinical Research Coordinators, at 10.4% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Clinical Trials Manager, Research Coordinator, Clinical Project Manager and Clinical Research Administrator.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to forensic chemistry, at 542,888.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary | 398,348 | 7.1% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Chemists | 91,666 | 3.1% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
| Forensic Science Technicians | 33,121 | 9.3% |
Forensic Chemistry graduates earn a median $46,311 one year after completing their program, $74,187 after four years and $72,061 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $46,311 |
| 4 years | $74,187 |
| 5 years | $72,061 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to forensic chemistry is Water Resource Specialists, with a median salary of $179,716.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Forensic Science Technicians | $85,117 |
| Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary | $69,509 |
| Chemists | $59,779 |
Forensic Chemistry has 10 similar majors in the Physical Sciences field, which together award 19,498 degrees a year; the largest are Chemistry, General (18,718), Chemistry, Other (574) and Polymer Chemistry (72). Browse all Physical Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Chemistry, General | 18,718 |
| Chemistry, Other | 574 |
| Polymer Chemistry | 72 |
| Chemical Physics | 44 |
| Analytical Chemistry | 38 |
| Environmental Chemistry | 21 |
| Organic Chemistry | 9 |
| Physical Chemistry | 9 |
| Theoretical Chemistry | 9 |
| Inorganic Chemistry | 4 |
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