by our College Data Analytics TeamForensic Chemistry was the 751st most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 247 degrees in this year alone. This is a difference of 17 over the prior year, a growth of 6.9%.
This year's Best Forensic Chemistry Schools ranking compares 9 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of forensic chemistry programs later in this article.
Forensic Chemistry majors are found most commonly in careers in which understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents is important. Required skills include communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience and giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most forensic chemistry degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Once you obtain your degree, additional forensic chemistry certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are various different levels of forensic chemistry degrees. Forensic Chemistry programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest forensic chemistry degree you can get. The time it takes to complete a forensic chemistry degree varies depending on the program.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to forensic chemistry, with approximately 45.0% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to forensic chemistry tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 45.1% |
| Master’s Degree | 14.0% |
| Doctoral Degree | 9.6% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 9.2% |
| Some College Courses | 8.3% |
About 82.0% of workers in careers related to forensic chemistry obtain at least bachelor's degrees. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in forensic chemistry have received.
The education level required is different depending on the forensic chemistry career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your forensic chemistry degree? Forensic Chemistry careers are expected to grow 8.8% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to forensic chemistry.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Chemists | 94,000 | 6.5% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 62,300 | 9.9% |
| Chemistry Professors | 28,900 | 9.9% |
| Forensic Science Technicians | 18,000 | 16.9% |
As you might expect, salaries for forensic chemistry graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for forensic chemistry graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers forensic chemistry grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | $139,680 |
| Chemistry Professors | $92,360 |
| Chemists | $83,850 |
| Forensic Science Technicians | $62,490 |
With over 49 different forensic chemistry degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased forensic chemistry school rankings to help you with this.
One of 11 majors within the Chemistry area of study, Forensic Chemistry has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Chemistry | 20,056 |
| Other Chemistry | 710 |
| Polymer Chemistry | 101 |
| Chemical Physics | 45 |
| Analytical Chemistry | 34 |
