Forensic Psychology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Forensic Psychology integrates psychological science with legal systems to address the intersection of mental health and the law. This program equips students with advanced knowledge and practical skills to evaluate, assess, and support individuals within criminal and civil justice contexts, emphasizing evidence-based practices and ethical responsibility.
- Epidemiology of Mental and Behavioral Disorders: Examines the patterns, causes, and effects of psychological conditions within legal populations, providing a foundation for risk assessment and intervention planning.
- Risk Factors for Violence and Criminal Behavior: Explores psychological, social, and biological predictors linked to violent tendencies and illegal conduct, enabling more accurate behavioral forecasting.
- Profiling and Behavioral Patterning: Focuses on analyzing behavioral clues to understand offender motivations, modus operandi, and potential future actions in investigative and legal settings.
- Psychological Testing and Assessment: Trains students in administering and interpreting standardized tools used to evaluate cognitive function, personality traits, and mental health status in legal contexts.
- Prediction and Intervention Measurement: Develops skills in evaluating the effectiveness of psychological interventions and forecasting outcomes related to recidivism, treatment compliance, and risk mitigation.
- Forensic Assessment Techniques: Covers methods for conducting evaluations that inform legal decisions, such as competency to stand trial, criminal responsibility, and sentencing recommendations.
- Criminal and Civil Law Procedures: Provides an understanding of legal frameworks, courtroom processes, and the role of psychological experts in both criminal prosecutions and civil litigation.
- Secure and Correctional Environments: Addresses the unique psychological challenges and operational dynamics of working within prisons, psychiatric facilities, and other high-security settings.
- Forensic Treatment and Intervention Strategies: Teaches specialized approaches to treat offenders, victims, and legal participants, tailored to the demands of the justice system.
- Professional Ethics and Standards: Emphasizes legal and ethical obligations in forensic practice, including confidentiality, objectivity, and the responsible use of psychological expertise in court and clinical settings.
Forensic Psychology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Forensic Psychology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Forensic Psychology degrees, including Managers, All Other, Psychologists, All Other and Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 690,380 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other 11-9199 | $136,550 | $68,860 - $227,590 | 630,980 | $65.65 |
| Psychologists, All Other 19-3039 | $117,580 | $51,410 - $163,570 | 17,790 | $56.53 |
| Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1066 | $80,330 | $47,870 - $158,900 | 41,610 | N/A |
Forensic Psychology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $80,513 in West Virginia to $141,620 in California—a 76% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 690,380 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Forensic Psychology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 62 institutions offering Forensic Psychology programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Forensic Psychology is found at CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice (624 graduates), Arizona State University, Digital Immersion (397 graduates), Walden University (222 graduates), The Chicago School (TCSPP), Los Angeles (118 graduates), and Marymount University (96 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 2,667 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
624 | New York, New York | Public | jjay.cuny.edu |
| Arizona State University |
Master's
|
397 | Scottsdale, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Walden University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
222 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Private | waldenu.edu |
| The Chicago School (TCSPP) |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
118 | Los Angeles, California | Private | thechicagoschool.edu |
| Marymount University |
Master's
|
96 | Arlington, Virginia | Private | marymount.edu |
| Capella University |
Master's
|
88 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Private | capella.edu |
| California State University |
Bachelor's
|
87 | Fresno, California | Public | fresnostate.edu |
| University of North Dakota (UND) |
Master's
Other Award
|
75 | Grand Forks, North Dakota | Public | und.edu |
| University of Puerto Rico (UPRC) |
Bachelor's
|
75 | Carolina, Puerto Rico | Public | uprc.edu |
| Nova Southeastern University (NSU) |
Master's
|
73 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Private | nova.edu |
| The Chicago School |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
66 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | thechicagoschool.edu |
| George Washington University (GW) |
Master's
|
57 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | gwu.edu |
| Northcentral University (NCU) |
Master's
|
56 | San Diego, California | Private | nu.edu |
| University of California (UCI) |
Master's
|
53 | Irvine, California | Public | uci.edu |
| Maryville University of Saint Louis |
Bachelor's
|
45 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | maryville.edu |
| Tiffin University (TU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
44 | Tiffin, Ohio | Private | tiffin.edu |
| California Baptist University (CBU) |
Master's
|
41 | Riverside, California | Private | calbaptist.edu |
| University of Puerto Rico (UPR) |
Bachelor's
|
29 | Ponce, Puerto Rico | Public | uprp.edu |
| University of Denver (DU) |
Master's
|
27 | Denver, Colorado | Private | du.edu |
| Kean University |
Master's
|
24 | Union, New Jersey | Public | kean.edu |
| Touro University Worldwide (TUW) |
Master's
|
24 | Los Alamitos, California | Private | tuw.edu |
| Monroe College |
Master's
|
23 | Bronx, New York | Private | monroecollege.edu |
| Bay Path University |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Longmeadow, Massachusetts | Private | baypath.edu |
| Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech) |
Bachelor's
|
20 | Melbourne, Florida | Private | fit.edu |
| Saint Ambrose University (SAU) |
Bachelor's
|
20 | Davenport, Iowa | Private | sau.edu |
| Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU Metro) |
Master's
|
20 | Teaneck, New Jersey | Private | fdu.edu |
| Missouri State University |
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
18 | Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
| American International College (AIC) |
Master's
|
17 | Springfield, Massachusetts | Private | aic.edu |
| The Chicago School |
Master's
|
17 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | thechicagoschool.edu |
| The Chicago School (TCSPP) |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
16 | Anaheim, California | Private | thechicagoschool.edu |
| Thomas College |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Waterville, Maine | Private | thomas.edu |
| Alliant International University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
13 | San Diego, California | Private | alliant.edu |
| Oklahoma State University (OSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
12 | Stillwater, Oklahoma | Public | okstate.edu |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Prescott, Arizona | Private | prescott.erau.edu |
| Washington University in St Louis (WashU) |
Other Award
|
10 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | wustl.edu |
| University of Houston (UHV) |
Master's
|
10 | Victoria, Texas | Public | uhv.edu |
| Florida National University (FNU) |
Master's
|
9 | Hialeah, Florida | Private | fnu.edu |
| Carlow University |
Master's
|
8 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | carlow.edu |
| Neumann University |
Master's
|
8 | Aston, Pennsylvania | Private | neumann.edu |
| CUNY Graduate School and University Center |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
7 | New York, New York | Public | gc.cuny.edu |
| Corban University |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Salem, Oregon | Private | corban.edu |
| Columbia College |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Columbia, South Carolina | Private | columbiasc.edu |
| Louisiana Tech University (LA Tech) |
Other Award
|
6 | Ruston, Louisiana | Public | latech.edu |
| Bushnell University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Eugene, Oregon | Private | bushnell.edu |
| Vermont State University (VTSU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Randolph, Vermont | Public | vermontstate.edu |
| Missouri Baptist University (MBU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | mobap.edu |
| Madonna University |
Other Award
|
4 | Livonia, Michigan | Private | madonna.edu |
| Roger Williams University (RWU) |
Master's
|
4 | Bristol, Rhode Island | Private | rwu.edu |
| Faulkner University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Montgomery, Alabama | Private | faulkner.edu |
| Quincy University (QU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Quincy, Illinois | Private | quincy.edu |
| Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Shawnee, Oklahoma | Private | okbu.edu |
| Bryan College |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Dayton, Tennessee | Private | bryan.edu |
| Albizu University |
Post-Master's
|
3 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Private | albizu.edu |
| Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Mayaguez, Puerto Rico | Private | mayaguez.pucpr.edu |
| University of New Haven (UNH) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | West Haven, Connecticut | Private | newhaven.edu |
| St. Andrews University (SAU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Laurinburg, North Carolina | Private | sa.edu |
| Northeastern Junior College (NJC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Sterling, Colorado | Public | njc.edu |
| Kentucky State University (KSU) |
Master's
|
1 | Frankfort, Kentucky | Public | kysu.edu |
| New England College (NEC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Henniker, New Hampshire | Private | nec.edu |
| University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) |
Master's
|
1 | Edmond, Oklahoma | Public | uco.edu |
| La Roche University (LRU) |
Other Award
|
1 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | laroche.edu |
| Walla Walla University (WWU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | College Place, Washington | Private | wallawalla.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Forensic Psychology programs
How much can I earn with a Forensic Psychology degree?
Salaries for Forensic Psychology graduates vary by role and location. Managers, All Other earn a median of $136,550 annually, while Psychologists, All Other earn around $117,580. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $141,620 compared to $80,513 in West Virginia. Approximately 690,380 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Forensic Psychology programs?
Currently 62 accredited institutions offer Forensic Psychology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice (624 graduates), Arizona State University, Digital Immersion (397 graduates), and Walden University (222 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Forensic Psychology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 998 in 2010 to 2,667 in 2023-24. This represents a 167% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Forensic Psychology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Managers, All Other, Psychologists, All Other, and Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 690,380 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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