Forensic Photographer Education Requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a forensic photographer. Forensic photographers usually study photography, criminal justice, or communication. 51% of forensic photographers hold a bachelor's degree, and 35% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 66 real forensic photographer resumes to see exactly what forensic photographer education sections show.

The most common colleges for forensic photographers are the Saint Leo University and the Saint Leo University.

There are also many online forensic photographer courses to help get the education required to be a forensic photographer.

What education do you need to become a forensic photographer?

What degree do you need to be a forensic photographer?

The most common degree for forensic photographers is bachelor's degree, with 51% of forensic photographers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 35% and associate degree degree at 7%.
  • Bachelor's, 51%
  • Associate, 35%
  • High School Diploma, 7%
  • Master's, 5%
  • Other Degrees, 2%

What should I major in to become a forensic photographer?

You should major in photography to become a forensic photographer. 27% of forensic photographers major in photography. Other common majors for a forensic photographer include criminal justice and communication.

Most common colleges for forensic photographers

Forensic photographers often get their degrees at Saint Leo University, Barry University, and Savannah College of Art and Design. Here are the most common colleges for forensic photographers in the US based on their resumes.
Forensic Photographer Common College
ascdesc
Percentages
ascdesc
Saint Leo University9.09%
Barry University9.09%
Savannah College of Art and Design4.55%
University of Nevada - Las Vegas4.55%
Austin Peay State University4.55%

Best majors for forensic photographers

Rank
ascdesc
Major
ascdesc
Percentages
ascdesc
1Photography26.9%
2Criminal Justice23.1%
3Communication7.7%
4Fine Arts5.8%
5Journalism3.8%

Best colleges for forensic photographers

The best colleges for forensic photographers are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Northeastern University.

A forensic photographer with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for forensic photographers. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become forensic photographers.

1. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-State Tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

Website

www.upenn.edu

Address

1 College Hall, Room 100, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6303

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $91,200 per year

Net Price: $25,033 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 8.41%
SAT Average - 1492
ACT Average - 34
Most Popular Majors
Communication
Fine Arts
Photography
Graphic Design

2. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

In-State Tuition

$10,610

Enrollment

40,329

Website

www.utexas.edu

Address

110 Inner Campus Drive, Austin, TX 78712

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $52,200 per year

Net Price: $16,505 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 38.52%
SAT Average - 1367
ACT Average - 30
Most Popular Majors
Communication
Fine Arts
Criminal Justice
Graphic Design

3. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

Website

www.usc.edu/

Address

University Park, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0012

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $61,400 per year

Net Price: $30,453 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 12.96%
SAT Average - 1445
ACT Average - 32
Most Popular Majors
Communication
Photography
Fine Arts
Graphic Design

4. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-State Tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

Website

www.northwestern.edu

Address

633 Clark St, Evanston, IL 60208

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $71,900 per year

Net Price: $24,840 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 8.47%
SAT Average - 1508
ACT Average - 34
Most Popular Majors
Journalism
Communication
Fine Arts
Photography

5. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-State Tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

Website

www.harvard.edu

Address

Massachusetts Hall, Cambridge, MA 02138

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $91,300 per year

Net Price: $15,561 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 4.73%
SAT Average - 1520
ACT Average - 34
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Journalism
Graphic Design
Fine Arts

20 best online courses for forensic photographers

Advertising Disclosure

1. Digital Forensics Concepts

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In the Digital Forensics Concepts course, you will learn about legal considerations applicable to computer forensics and how to identify, collect and preserve digital evidence. This course dives into the scientific principles relating to digital forensics and gives you a close look at on-scene triaging, keyword lists, grep, file hashing, report writing and the profession of digital forensic examination...

2. Computer Forensics

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This three part InfoSec Specialization covers a wide variety of Computer Forensics topics. In the Digital Forensics Concepts course, you will learn about legal considerations applicable to computer forensics and how to identify, collect and preserve digital evidence. This course dives into the scientific principles relating to digital forensics and gives you a close look at on-scene triaging, keyword lists, grep, file hashing, report writing and the profession of digital forensic examination...

3. Digital Forensics and Electronic Evidence

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4.4
(2,017)

An introduction for legal professionals and other individuals with an interest in computer forensics...

4. Adobe Photoshop CC For Photographers

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4.5
(268)

An essential Photoshop course for all photographers. Learn how to edit and manipulate your images with Photoshop CC...

5. Turn Photographs Into Digital Paintings Using Photoshop

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6. Digital Forensics Masterclass: Forensic Science 2023 DFMC+

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8. Digital Forensics and Cyber-Crime Investigation

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Computer Forensics...

9. Computer Forensics Fundamentals

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An introduction to Computer Forensics, to demonstrate the process of going from the crime scene to the court room...

10. Painting Watercolors From Photographs The Easy Way

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Turn your photographs into lively watercolor paintings. Create light and atmosphere in easy steps using a simple palette...

Top 10 most affordable universities for forensic photographers

The most affordable schools for forensic photographers are University of Florida, california state university - long beach, and suny farmingdale.

If the best universities for forensic photographers are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for forensic photographers.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-State Tuition

$6,381

Cost of Attendance

21,034

Website

www.ufl.edu/

Address

300 SW 13th Street, Gainesville, FL 32611

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $47,700 per year

Net Price: $8,057 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 38.75%
SAT Average - 1362
ACT Average - 30
Most Popular Majors
Communication
Fine Arts
Journalism
Graphic Design

2. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$6,798

Cost of Attendance

18,306

Website

www.csulb.edu

Address

1250 Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90840-0115

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $40,000 per year

Net Price: $8,982 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 31.21%
SAT Average - 1146
ACT Average - 23
Most Popular Majors
Communication
Fine Arts
Criminal Justice
Photography

3. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-State Tuition

$8,306

Cost of Attendance

16,091

Website

www.farmingdale.edu/

Address

2350 Broadhollow Road, Farmingdale, NY 11735-1021

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $44,800 per year

Net Price: $9,268 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 46.07%
SAT Average - 1091
ACT Average - 22
Most Popular Majors
Business
Criminal Justice
Biology
Graphic Design

4. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$6,749

Cost of Attendance

14,823

Website

www.calstatela.edu

Address

5151 State University Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90032

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $37,200 per year

Net Price: $4,175 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 41.52%
SAT Average - 978
ACT Average - 18
Most Popular Majors
Criminal Justice
Communication
Fine Arts
Visual And Performing Arts
L

5. Lehman College of the City University of New York

Bronx, NY • Private

In-State Tuition

$7,210

Cost of Attendance

14,359

Website

www.lehman.edu/

Address

250 Bedford Park Blvd West, T3-201, Bronx, NY 10468

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $36,700 per year

Net Price: $2,910 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 39.67%
SAT Average - 1045
Most Popular Majors
Communication
Fine Arts
Journalism
Graphic Design

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for forensic photographers

The hardest universities for forensic photographers to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Northeastern University.

Some great schools for forensic photographers are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for forensic photographers based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions Rate

8%

SAT Average

1,508

Website

www.northwestern.edu

Address

633 Clark St, Evanston, IL 60208

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $71,900 per year

Net Price: $24,840 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 8.47%
SAT Average - 1508
ACT Average - 34
Most Popular Majors
Journalism
Communication
Fine Arts
Photography

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions Rate

8%

SAT Average

1,492

Website

www.upenn.edu

Address

1 College Hall, Room 100, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6303

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $91,200 per year

Net Price: $25,033 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 8.41%
SAT Average - 1492
ACT Average - 34
Most Popular Majors
Communication
Fine Arts
Photography
Graphic Design

3. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions Rate

19%

SAT Average

1,466

Website

www.northeastern.edu

Address

360 Huntington Ave, 110CH, Boston, MA 02115

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $57,800 per year

Net Price: $31,855 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 19.34%
SAT Average - 1466
ACT Average - 33
Most Popular Majors
Communication
Criminal Justice
Graphic Design
Fine Arts

4. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions Rate

5%

SAT Average

1,520

Website

www.harvard.edu

Address

Massachusetts Hall, Cambridge, MA 02138

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $91,300 per year

Net Price: $15,561 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 4.73%
SAT Average - 1520
ACT Average - 34
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Journalism
Graphic Design
Fine Arts

5. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions Rate

13%

SAT Average

1,445

Website

www.usc.edu/

Address

University Park, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0012

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $61,400 per year

Net Price: $30,453 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 12.96%
SAT Average - 1445
ACT Average - 32
Most Popular Majors
Communication
Photography
Fine Arts
Graphic Design

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for forensic photographers

The easiest schools for forensic photographers to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, wayland baptist university, and curry college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a forensic photographer without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for forensic photographers.

1. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions Rate

84%

SAT Average

1,031

Website

https://www.msmu.edu

Address

12001 Chalon Road, Los Angeles, CA 90049

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $57,700 per year

Net Price: $29,267 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 83.82%
SAT Average - 1031
ACT Average - 20
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Sociology
Photography
Journalism

2. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions Rate

98%

SAT Average

1,003

Website

www.wbu.edu

Address

1900 W 7th St., Plainview, TX 79072

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $41,300 per year

Net Price: $21,855 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 98.04%
SAT Average - 1003
ACT Average - 19
Most Popular Majors
Criminal Justice
Biology
Fine Arts
Communication

3. Curry College

Milton, MA • Private

Admissions Rate

93%

SAT Average

1,026

Website

https://www.curry.edu

Address

1071 Blue Hill Ave, Milton, MA 02186-2395

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $44,800 per year

Net Price: $30,293 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 92.71%
SAT Average - 1026
ACT Average - 20
Most Popular Majors
Criminal Justice
Communication
Graphic Design
Fine Arts

4. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions Rate

90%

SAT Average

994

Website

www.notredamecollege.edu

Address

4545 College Rd, Cleveland, OH 44121-4293

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $37,000 per year

Net Price: $21,651 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 89.65%
SAT Average - 994
ACT Average - 19
Most Popular Majors
Criminal Justice
Biology
Communication
Graphic Design

5. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions Rate

88%

SAT Average

1,044

Website

www.uiw.edu

Address

4301 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $41,000 per year

Net Price: $23,441 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 87.94%
SAT Average - 1044
ACT Average - 20
Most Popular Majors
Criminal Justice
Communication
Fine Arts
Journalism

Average forensic photographer salary by education level

Forensic photographers with a Bachelor's degree earn more than those without, at $99,634 annually. With a Associate degree, forensic photographers earn a median annual income of $78,775 compared to $68,855 for forensic photographers with an High School Diploma degree.
Forensic Photographer education level
ascdesc
Forensic Photographer salary
ascdesc
High School Diploma or Less$68,855
Bachelor's Degree$99,634
Some College/ Associate Degree$78,775

Forensic Photographer Education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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