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10 Cheapest Online Forensic Science Degree In 2024

Cheapest Online Forensic Science Degree

Looking for Cheapest Online Forensic Science Degree? then you have landed on right article. A career in forensic science can be quite rewarding for people who are interested in a variety of areas. It includes disciplines like chemistry, biology, computer technology, psychology, anthropology, DNA science, and law enforcement. However, success in this multidimensional field necessitates specific training.

Many professionals begin with entry-level jobs and associate’s degrees. However, to advance to leadership positions such as lab director or manager, greater education becomes required.

Pursuing an online forensic science degree allows professionals to balance jobs and education. This method allows students to directly apply their knowledge to their current roles.

The Cheapest online forensic science degree is generally inexpensive, making it enticing to people interested in criminal forensics. Investing in a higher education that improves employment possibilities while avoiding excessive debt is invaluable. 

List of 10 Best Cheapest Online Forensic Science Degrees

If you are looking for the most affordable online forensic science degrees then you are at the right place. Below are a few of them, let’s have a look: 

1. SUNY Canton

  • Institution: State University of New York (SUNY) at Canton
  • Founded: 1906
  • Location: Near the New York-Canadian border, accessible from Montreal and Ottawa
  • Campus Building: Cook Hall Academic 
  • Focus: Offers programs in Science, Health, and Criminal Justice

SUNY Canton’s Bachelor of Technology in Criminal Investigation prepares students for professions in forensics. Graduates must complete a unique internship in a variety of criminal investigation situations. 

The curriculum includes investigative skills training, fingerprint technology, homicide investigation management, and investigative photography techniques. SUNY Canton now offers an online crime scene investigation certificate at the associate level.

The State University of New York (SUNY) at Canton, founded in 1906, is a member of the SUNY system. The campus, located near the New York-Canadian border, is easily accessible from Montreal and Ottawa. Cook Hall, which houses students from the School of Science, Health, and Criminal Justice, has modern scientific and medical facilities.

2. Miami Dade College

  • Established: 1959
  • Location: Greater Miami area, Florida, United States
  • Campuses: Eight campuses across the greater Miami area
  • Student Population: Over 165,000 students, making it the largest college in the Florida College System and the second largest in the United States

You can get a Bachelor of Applied Science in Public Safety Management with a focus on Crime Scene Investigation from Miami Dade College online. People with at least an associate’s degree and a GPA of 2.0 can apply to this school. Crime Science Technology, Criminal Evidence, Crime Scene Safety, and Fingerprint Technology are some important subjects taught. 

Most of the time, students finish the 60-credit specialty degree in two years. Graduates are well-prepared for jobs in public safety, such as those with the Secret Service, the FBI, ICE, and the Marshall Service.

Miami Dade College is a public school that has been around since 1959 and has eight campuses in the greater Miami area. 

There are more than 165,000 students, making it the biggest college in the Florida College System and the second largest in the United States. People know that Miami Dade College’s online degree program is easy to get into and doesn’t cost much money.

3. Arizona State University

Arizona State University
Arizona State University
  • Founded: 1885
  • Location: Phoenix, Arizona, USA
  • Program Focus: Forensic Psychology
  • Program Duration: 120 credit hours

You can get a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a focus in Forensic Psychology from Arizona State University Online. The program takes 120 credit hours to finish. For quick growth, courses are set up in terms of seven and a half weeks. 

The New College of Interdisciplinary is the academic center of this school. It combines courses from the fields of criminal justice and mental health. At the same time, each course is meant to give students a well-rounded education and useful skills.

Arizona State University is a public university that has a long history that goes back 27 years, to when Arizona was still a territory. It was founded in 1885 as a land grant school. The university has more than five buildings in and around Phoenix. 

It also runs regional learning centers all over the state. Phoenix State University was ranked 61st out of 1,800 public colleges by US News & World Report in 2017. ASU is one of the biggest schools in the US because it has so many students.

4. Florida State University

Florida State University
Florida State University
  • Founded: 1851
  • Location: Tallahassee, Florida
  • Campus Building: Multiple campuses across Tallahassee
  • Focus: Public Safety and Security

Florida State University has been around since 1851 and is the oldest college in the state. It is a sister school of the State University of Florida and is the state’s oldest continuously operating college. US News and World Report named the university one of the best public schools in the country. It holds accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. 

A Crime Scene Investigation focus is in Florida State University’s online BS in Public Safety and Security. All classes for this associate’s degree program are online, but lab work is done on campus during the summer session. 

The program can be finished in two years. When they finish, students have the skills they need to do well in law enforcement, corrections, technology, and the law. Florida State University is also a space-grant, land-grant, and sea-grant university.

5. American Intercontinental University

American Intercontinental University
American Intercontinental University
  • Founded: 1970
  • Location: Lucerne, Switzerland
  • Campus Building: Multiple locations worldwide
  • Focus: Forensic Science in Criminal Justice

American Intercontinental University (AIU) has a full-fledged BS program in Criminal Justice with a focus on Forensic Science. The AIU online forensic science degree combines learning about law enforcement, science, and how to do things at a crime scene. 

Students must earn 180 credit hours to finish the program. AIU offers many ways to get financial help, such as lower rates for military members, transfer credits, scholarships, and grants. Students can choose to go to school full-time or part-time and still complete the program.

American Intercontinental University has been around since 1970 and is located in Lucerne, Switzerland. It is a for-profit school that gives graduate, master’s, and bachelor’s degrees. 

There are branch campuses for AIU in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Houston, London, and Dubai. Each term, more than 15,000 students attend these campuses. Military Times has named AIU one of the best colleges in the country.

6. Kent State University

Kent State University
Kent State University
  • Institution: American Intercontinental University (AIU)
  • Founded: 1970
  • Location: Lucerne, Switzerland (Branch campuses in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Houston, London, Dubai)
  • Programs: Graduate, Master’s, and Bachelor’s degrees
  • Recognition: Named one of the best colleges by Military Times

Kent State University has an online bachelor’s degree program in forensic science with two different tracks. The Bachelor of Technical and Applied Studies in Fraud Examination at the university prepares grads for complex jobs in business and finance, with a focus on finding and stopping fraud. 

Kent State also has a BS in Information Technology with a focus on Applied Computer Security and Forensics. This degree is meant to prepare students for work in IT infrastructure and application creation.

Kent State University, founded in 1910, is a prominent public college with seven campuses spread over Northeast Ohio. It is one of Ohio’s biggest colleges, with almost 40,000 students.

Kent State has won the prestigious Healthy Campus Award and is known as one of the most affordable online forensic science schools. It’s worth mentioning that Kent State University has the first gluten-free eating hall in the country.

7. Portland State University

Portland State University
Portland State University
  • Institution: Portland State University
  • Founded: 1946
  • Location: University District, Portland, Oregon
  • Campus: 50-acre urban campus
  • Programs: 120+ degree offerings

Portland State University offers an online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree program. The curriculum involves a Certificate in Advanced Crime Analysis. This school also offers a certificate in crime scene investigation, which will assist students improve their ability to apply what they study in the field. 

Students who acquire this degree have all the theoretical and practical information they need to conduct crime scene investigations well. Portland State University is a public institution founded in 1946 and is situated in the university district of Portland. 

It is made up of seven colleges that work together to give more than 120 degree programs. The university has a 50-acre campus in the city and serves about 30,000 students. The fact that Portland State University’s online bachelor’s degree in criminal justice is known across the country shows how much it cares about its students.

8. Purdue University Global

  • Institution: Purdue University Global
  • Founded: Acquired by Purdue in 2017
  • Location: Primarily online, headquartered in Indiana
  • Campus Building: No physical campus
  • Focus: Career-focused education for adults

Purdue University Global has an online BS in Criminal Justice program that teaches students the basics of criminal law and gives them extra training in forensics. The university stands out as one of the cheapest online schools that offers two different ways to learn. 

The Crime Scene Investigation track focuses on how to properly handle evidence from crime scenes according to industry standards. The Forensic Psychology track, on the other hand, looks at how people’s minds are affected by the criminal justice system. Graduates of this school can find a wide range of jobs in fields like public safety, probation, and counterterrorism.

9. University of North Carolina at Pembroke

  • Institution: University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP)
  • Founded: 1887
  • Location: Between coastal and mountainous North Carolina
  • Campus Building: Varied modern facilities
  • Focus: Emphasis on diverse education

Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies in Forensics in Criminal Justice Studies from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP) gives learners the skills they need to work in courts, prisons, or as police officers. 

There are four parts to the degree: General Education, Core Educational Requirements, Elective Requirements, and Forensic Specialty Coursework. 

When students finish the program, they have a well-rounded education and hands-on experience that will help them do well in their chosen field or look for business possibilities.

10. CSU-Global Campus

CSU-Global Campus
CSU-Global Campus
  • Institution: Colorado State University-Global Campus
  • Founded: 2007
  • Location: Fully online, Colorado-based institution
  • Core Specialized Studies: Required in the curriculum
  • Technology: Relies on the Schoology platform
  • Price Guarantee: Ensures stable tuition costs

Students at Colorado State University-Global Campus can concentrate on Criminal Forensics as part of their BS in Criminal Justice. This is an advanced concentration area within the field. The courses in this online forensic science degree come from different fields, such as social work, public safety, and law enforcement. 

Core specialized studies, which are part of the 120-credit-hour bachelor’s program, are required as part of the curriculum. Graduates are ready for a range of jobs in the criminal justice system, such as medical experts, crime analysts, and criminal investigators.

The school’s online classes are made possible by “Schoology” technology. Colorado State University also offers a price guarantee that makes sure that students who keep enrolling will always pay the same amount.

FAQS

1. Is BSc forensic science expensive?

The cost of pursuing a BSc in Forensic Science varies depending on the university’s ranking and the college’s fee structure. On average, fees range from approximately $40,000 to $100,000 per semester and may vary by institution.

2. What educational qualifications are necessary to pursue a career as a crime scene investigator?

A bachelor’s degree in forensic science, forensic anthropology, or forensic biology, along with on-the-job training and a crime scene investigation certificate is required. Strong analytical skills and attention to detail are also beneficial.

3. Can I obtain a forensic science degree online for free?

No, obtaining a free degree is unlikely. While there are free non-credit courses available online, they do not contribute towards a degree. Aspiring forensic scientists can explore these courses to gauge their interest in the field.

4. What is the return on investment for an online crime scene investigation degree?

The median annual salary for crime scene investigators ranges from $51,100 to $94,800. Forensic science technicians earn about $57,850 annually on average. Job growth in the field is expected to be 17 percent in the next decade.

Conclusion

To find the cheapest online forensic science degree, you need to do a lot of study on different schools, program structures, and financial aid options. Prospective students can find a cost-effective way to reach their academic and job goals by comparing tuition costs and looking into funding options.

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