2026 Best Forensic Psychology Schools in California
Forensic Psychology degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best forensic psychology schools.
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Best Schools for Forensic Psychology in California
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the forensic psychology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Forensic Psychology
California State University Fresno tops our 2026 ranking of the best forensic psychology schools. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 86 forensic psychology students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fresno in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, forensic psychology degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $49,502. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in forensic psychology from California State University Fresno
Alliant International University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best forensic psychology schools. This moderately-sized private for-profit university is located in the city of San Diego. About 13 forensic psychology degrees were awarded at Alliant International University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, forensic psychology degree recipients from Alliant International University generally make around $72,803. Typical student debt for the program is $21,234.
Read more about the forensic psychology program at Alliant International University
California Baptist University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in forensic psychology, ranking #3. Located in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 62% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 41 forensic psychology students who graduated with this degree at California Baptist University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, forensic psychology degree recipients from California Baptist University generally make around $55,299. Students borrow a median of $28,169 to complete this degree.
Read more about the forensic psychology program at California Baptist University
A rank of #4 makes University Of California Irvine one of the top schools for forensic psychology. This very large public university is located in the city of Irvine. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. University Of California Irvine awarded about 53 forensic psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Forensic Psychology graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $45,403 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete this degree.
See the full forensic psychology program report for University Of California Irvine
The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Irvine is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in forensic psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Irvine is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Anaheim. About 16 forensic psychology degrees were awarded at The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Irvine in the most recent year. Forensic Psychology graduates of The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Irvine earn a median of $57,435 early in their careers.
Read more about the forensic psychology program at The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Irvine
Touro University Worldwide landed the #6 spot for forensic psychology this year. Touro University Worldwide is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Los Alamitos. Roughly 29% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 24 forensic psychology students who graduated with this degree at Touro University Worldwide in the most recent data year. Forensic Psychology graduates of Touro University Worldwide earn a median of $61,331 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $32,289 to complete this degree.
Read more about the forensic psychology program at Touro University Worldwide
The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles came in at #7 for forensic psychology this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles awarded about 118 forensic psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Forensic Psychology graduates of The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles earn a median of $64,850 early in their careers. The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $32,107 in student loans.
Read more about the forensic psychology program at The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles
Northcentral University landed the #8 spot for forensic psychology this year. Set in the city of San Diego, Northcentral University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 56 forensic psychology degrees were awarded at Northcentral University in the most recent year. Students who receive their forensic psychology degree from Northcentral University earn around $45,417 in the first couple years of their career. Northcentral University graduates carry a median of $42,500 in student loans.
Read more about the forensic psychology program at Northcentral University
More Forensic Psychology Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 8 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.